I continue to be amazed at how we complain about higher energy prices yet the vast majority of us do nothing about the huge amount of energy we waste.
Just this last week the province told B.C. Hydro to roll back the price increases for the electricity we depend on. While this is an astute move on the part of a premier who may soon be calling an election, it will cost us all more in the long-run --to say nothing about the planet.
How? Evidence has proven that the number-one motivator for reducing energy usage is the price we pay for it. By not increasing the cost for energy, we continue our wasteful ways, resulting in more demand for power and other sources of energy. The more we demand the more the planet gets carved up, polluted and used to satisfy our thirst. The longer-term costs of this new, far more expensive, energy, plus the extremely high costs that come to roost from a depleted planet, make our short-time savings pale by comparison. In the end, it is the poorer people who will pay the most for these higher costs, contrary to the intentions of well-meaning governments and most of us.
Today nearly half the money spent on electricity goes to the approximately 15% of the power generation added in the last decade. More demand means adding more of this pricey stuff.
What needs to be done? Smart people will be upgrading their homes and businesses now, while interest rates are low and the raw materials are cheap. Governments need to greatly increase energy prices -and with that extra money pay for energy upgrades to buildings used by those unable to afford those prices, create cycling and walking paths, boost public transit, and make our communities more livable.
Now THIS is an intelligent plan.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Next step to reducing energy consumption and improving comfort
In my last post I wrote about how I had managed to get $75 from B.C. Hydro's PowerSmart program due to the fact I had reduce my home's energy consumption by more than 10%. Of course the $75 is peanuts compared to what I am saving in energy costs, but it was nice to get money back for a change.
Last week I made another change to my home, and I'm aiming to get another $75 from Hydro! Even more importantly I (and my clients) are going to be way more comfortable this winter. How did I do it?
Like so many in North America I failed to understand that most heat does not necessarily go "up." Most heat movement is through radiant heat (usually 2/3's of the total, or more). Why? Because radiant heat goes in every direction, always seeking to warm up cold surfaces.
Thus when I built this office and failed to insulate the floor from the concrete slab, I invited most of the heat in the room to move downward! Even after putting super insulating (see-through) blinds over the windows and installed double insulated walls (at least R-20), I was still cold, especially at my feet and legs. All that thermal mass at my feet, quietly losing its heat to mother earth!
Ideally I would have removed all the concrete, laid insulation and then a thin layer of concrete (and preferably hot water lines for radiant heating), and then re-floored. I didn't have the time nor money for that, so I used aluminum (an excellent radiant reflector) and some rigid foam insulation, finishing with a floating floor. I can tell the difference already, and it's still summer-time!
Last week I made another change to my home, and I'm aiming to get another $75 from Hydro! Even more importantly I (and my clients) are going to be way more comfortable this winter. How did I do it?
Like so many in North America I failed to understand that most heat does not necessarily go "up." Most heat movement is through radiant heat (usually 2/3's of the total, or more). Why? Because radiant heat goes in every direction, always seeking to warm up cold surfaces.
Thus when I built this office and failed to insulate the floor from the concrete slab, I invited most of the heat in the room to move downward! Even after putting super insulating (see-through) blinds over the windows and installed double insulated walls (at least R-20), I was still cold, especially at my feet and legs. All that thermal mass at my feet, quietly losing its heat to mother earth!
Ideally I would have removed all the concrete, laid insulation and then a thin layer of concrete (and preferably hot water lines for radiant heating), and then re-floored. I didn't have the time nor money for that, so I used aluminum (an excellent radiant reflector) and some rigid foam insulation, finishing with a floating floor. I can tell the difference already, and it's still summer-time!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Powersmart helps
Today I received a nice little cheque from BC Hydro's PowerSmart. Why? Because I managed to reduce the amount of power my house used in the last year by over 10% (15% in actuality).
It's a nice reward, a recognition, of the efforts I've made to reduce my power consumption. But that's nothing in comparison to the savings I'm realising every year in reduced electricity charges (about $140 in the last year alone!).
Multiply that $140 per year over the next 10 years, adding the expected 10% increase in the price of electricity each year (do remember to compound these increases!) and I will be saving at least $330 per year in 10 year's time. Total savings in those next 10 years? $2231.50. Nice.
Makes the $75 look rather paltry, sure. But if it's enough to motivate people to go on to make their homes more comfortable, energy-secure (stays comfortable longer when the power goes out), be more "green", improve the value of their home, and more, then why not?
Of course I will continue to work at lowering my energy costs. I'm going to next insulate the floor in my office (that currently sits on a very cold slab), and add a hot water heat recovery system. These will save me an estimated 15% more, paying for the upgrades in just a few years, while also making my office far more comfortable.
What has this program cost BC Hydro? In my case it cost them about five cents a KWhour, less than half the cost of bringing new power sources on-line. Truly a win-win for everyone, including the planet.
Other BC Hydro residents can sign up for this program and receive lots of great tips in PowerSmart's monthly newsletters. Just go to PowerSmart and click on the Team Power Smart button.
It's a nice reward, a recognition, of the efforts I've made to reduce my power consumption. But that's nothing in comparison to the savings I'm realising every year in reduced electricity charges (about $140 in the last year alone!).
Multiply that $140 per year over the next 10 years, adding the expected 10% increase in the price of electricity each year (do remember to compound these increases!) and I will be saving at least $330 per year in 10 year's time. Total savings in those next 10 years? $2231.50. Nice.
Makes the $75 look rather paltry, sure. But if it's enough to motivate people to go on to make their homes more comfortable, energy-secure (stays comfortable longer when the power goes out), be more "green", improve the value of their home, and more, then why not?
Of course I will continue to work at lowering my energy costs. I'm going to next insulate the floor in my office (that currently sits on a very cold slab), and add a hot water heat recovery system. These will save me an estimated 15% more, paying for the upgrades in just a few years, while also making my office far more comfortable.
What has this program cost BC Hydro? In my case it cost them about five cents a KWhour, less than half the cost of bringing new power sources on-line. Truly a win-win for everyone, including the planet.
Other BC Hydro residents can sign up for this program and receive lots of great tips in PowerSmart's monthly newsletters. Just go to PowerSmart and click on the Team Power Smart button.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Taking advantage of the HST
While it is true that the HST increased all of my company's prices by 7% overnight, I believe it would be worthwhile if the province rearranged things so as to actually reduce costs for those who wished it. Below is what I sent the HST review and several provincial ministers (their e-addresses are below).
While I believe the HST has real potential it is too ham-strung to be as helpful as it could be to B.C. Both the federal and provincial governments need to be more flexible if they wish to promote our continued involvement with the HST.
Here is the best way to make it work for most British Columbian's:
Shift the Carbon Tax by ending the PST exemption on carbon fuels AND end the current "carbon tax", moving the carbon tax on to fossil fuels through the ending of the 7% subsidy/exemption. Then move that now-available 7% exemption in the HST program to cover all energy-saving products and services, as the PST was once exempted. This will double the benefits of the new carbon tax by taxing carbon emissions AND promoting products and services that actually reduce carbon emissions, plus improve energy efficiency, plus improve health (cycling, for example), and far more. Done correctly health care costs will stop escalating as quickly, saving the government more money to do other things.
Results? It is likely that there will be more revenues generated from the revised carbon tax. Dedicate some of these revenues in ways to reduce costs to citizens. In last evening's call several people raised the issue of rising food prices, blaming these on the HST (HST has very little impact on food, in fact). Many people are very sensitive to price increases due to the fact that many staples are rising, from food to fuel. The government could greatly alleviate this problem.
What are the most expensive items for the average family? Transportation, housing, and food, in that order.
1. Transportation: By having the vision to move people out of their private automobile and into public transit, car pooling, car sharing (like having family cars in neighbourhoods), walking and cycling (which means adding many more trails), costs could drop for transportation (for those who elect to). Make commuter rail more accessible, including here on Vancouver Island. This will also reduce highway construction costs for the province, reduce the number of accidents and air pollution (read: lowered health care costs), and help us to feel safer and have a greater sense of belonging. Win-win for all.
2. Housing: reduce energy wastage (see below).
3. Food: encourage more local growing of food through assisting farmers, farmers markets, food-oriented non-profits, and community garden plots. Perhaps offer tax incentives to those who grow food on their land.
By taking this step of lowering costs then the HST can be made far more palatable, and then the province can continue to benefit from it.
If the government wants to further reduce carbon emissions end the 7% rebate on home heating oil, natural gas and electricity, and then offer even more generous subsidies through the LiveSmart program to improve the efficiencies of furnaces, install heat pumps (in the coastal areas), improve insulation levels, windows, etc. Then, add more to the BC Hydro PowerSmart program and Fortis Power for low income earners to include such items as mini-split heat pumps, updated furnaces, and replacement of single-pane windows, and make the program available to those who heat with fossil fuels (not only those who heat with electricity). Make Fortis gas and the heating oil companies participate by subsidizing the program for all homeowners. The extra 7% cost to homeowners and renters on fossil fuels could easily be made up through improved energy efficiencies or switching to cleaner electricity -for those who elect to do so. Despite adding the HST these people could see their energy costs drop by 20 - 40%! Would this make the HST easier to swallow? Absolutely!
I am tired of listening to people whine, as though they were only 5 years old. By taking charge of our lives (being responsible for ourselves) we could be much happier. By assisting those who wish to take action and save ourselves money the province could show true vision and leadership, just as the Socreds did with by building hydroelectric dams.
Conclusion: by shifting the way taxes are levied and subsidies are offered the province can get at the real root to the resistance to accept the HST: higher costs. By doing it in the above ways the province can actually lower costs, reduce carbon emissions, reduce air pollution, reduce health care costs, and we can benefit from the HST.
If you wish to add your voice to these ideas, do sent them to:
hstinbc@gov.bc.ca; rich.coleman.mla@leg.bc.ca ; blair.lekstrom.mla@leg.bc.ca ; mike.dejong.mla@leg.bc.ca ; terry.lake.mla@leg.bc.ca
While I believe the HST has real potential it is too ham-strung to be as helpful as it could be to B.C. Both the federal and provincial governments need to be more flexible if they wish to promote our continued involvement with the HST.
Here is the best way to make it work for most British Columbian's:
Shift the Carbon Tax by ending the PST exemption on carbon fuels AND end the current "carbon tax", moving the carbon tax on to fossil fuels through the ending of the 7% subsidy/exemption. Then move that now-available 7% exemption in the HST program to cover all energy-saving products and services, as the PST was once exempted. This will double the benefits of the new carbon tax by taxing carbon emissions AND promoting products and services that actually reduce carbon emissions, plus improve energy efficiency, plus improve health (cycling, for example), and far more. Done correctly health care costs will stop escalating as quickly, saving the government more money to do other things.
Results? It is likely that there will be more revenues generated from the revised carbon tax. Dedicate some of these revenues in ways to reduce costs to citizens. In last evening's call several people raised the issue of rising food prices, blaming these on the HST (HST has very little impact on food, in fact). Many people are very sensitive to price increases due to the fact that many staples are rising, from food to fuel. The government could greatly alleviate this problem.
What are the most expensive items for the average family? Transportation, housing, and food, in that order.
1. Transportation: By having the vision to move people out of their private automobile and into public transit, car pooling, car sharing (like having family cars in neighbourhoods), walking and cycling (which means adding many more trails), costs could drop for transportation (for those who elect to). Make commuter rail more accessible, including here on Vancouver Island. This will also reduce highway construction costs for the province, reduce the number of accidents and air pollution (read: lowered health care costs), and help us to feel safer and have a greater sense of belonging. Win-win for all.
2. Housing: reduce energy wastage (see below).
3. Food: encourage more local growing of food through assisting farmers, farmers markets, food-oriented non-profits, and community garden plots. Perhaps offer tax incentives to those who grow food on their land.
By taking this step of lowering costs then the HST can be made far more palatable, and then the province can continue to benefit from it.
If the government wants to further reduce carbon emissions end the 7% rebate on home heating oil, natural gas and electricity, and then offer even more generous subsidies through the LiveSmart program to improve the efficiencies of furnaces, install heat pumps (in the coastal areas), improve insulation levels, windows, etc. Then, add more to the BC Hydro PowerSmart program and Fortis Power for low income earners to include such items as mini-split heat pumps, updated furnaces, and replacement of single-pane windows, and make the program available to those who heat with fossil fuels (not only those who heat with electricity). Make Fortis gas and the heating oil companies participate by subsidizing the program for all homeowners. The extra 7% cost to homeowners and renters on fossil fuels could easily be made up through improved energy efficiencies or switching to cleaner electricity -for those who elect to do so. Despite adding the HST these people could see their energy costs drop by 20 - 40%! Would this make the HST easier to swallow? Absolutely!
I am tired of listening to people whine, as though they were only 5 years old. By taking charge of our lives (being responsible for ourselves) we could be much happier. By assisting those who wish to take action and save ourselves money the province could show true vision and leadership, just as the Socreds did with by building hydroelectric dams.
Conclusion: by shifting the way taxes are levied and subsidies are offered the province can get at the real root to the resistance to accept the HST: higher costs. By doing it in the above ways the province can actually lower costs, reduce carbon emissions, reduce air pollution, reduce health care costs, and we can benefit from the HST.
If you wish to add your voice to these ideas, do sent them to:
hstinbc@gov.bc.ca
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Nanaimo Carshare co-op now up
After sharing Vancouver's car share co-op vehicles over the last decade Nanaimo's own co-op is now ready to go!
What is a car share co-op? It's like a family car, but (ideally) two are located in every neighbourhood, greatly reducing the cost of that second car, or even the principal car!
This blog quickly describes what it's about: Nanaimo Blog
Those who use carshare vehicles typically save thousands of dollars each year by depending more on public transit, cycling, walking, car pooling, having things (like groceries) delivered to their home, and by planning trips more carefully.
The results are more than simply saving money. Carsharing folk tend to have higher quality lives, get to know their neighbours, feel more in charge of their lives, and experience other benefits.
To help celebrate its inauguration you might want to join them at Serious Coffee's downtown location, 60 Commercial Street, on Wednesday, April 20 between 2.30 pm and 5:00 pm.
For more info, check out their website: www.nanaimocarshare.ca.
What is a car share co-op? It's like a family car, but (ideally) two are located in every neighbourhood, greatly reducing the cost of that second car, or even the principal car!
This blog quickly describes what it's about: Nanaimo Blog
Those who use carshare vehicles typically save thousands of dollars each year by depending more on public transit, cycling, walking, car pooling, having things (like groceries) delivered to their home, and by planning trips more carefully.
The results are more than simply saving money. Carsharing folk tend to have higher quality lives, get to know their neighbours, feel more in charge of their lives, and experience other benefits.
To help celebrate its inauguration you might want to join them at Serious Coffee's downtown location, 60 Commercial Street, on Wednesday, April 20 between 2.30 pm and 5:00 pm.
For more info, check out their website: www.nanaimocarshare.ca.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Eliminating disease agents
In my last blog I wrote about how clean air and surfaces (especially beds and upholstery) is better for our health. This is even more true for children due to their emerging immune system and small lungs.
This last week I have been introduced to the amazing world of essential oils. Of course, like many people, I've heard about them. What grabbed my attention, leading me to purchasing one in particular, is the ancient wisdom linking health with these essential oils.
The product I purchased is a blend of several essential oils. This manufacturer calls this combination "thieves oil", named after some thieves in Spain who were able to remain healthy even though they were raiding the graves of people who had died from the black plague.
Because many of our homes have some degree of mould (we do, after all, live in a rain forest climate) sealing up our homes and offices for the sake of energy efficiency, mould and other biological contaminants can -and do- negatively affect our health. Colds, flu's, asthma, allergies, lethargy, itchy throats and eyes, and more can be symptoms of these naturally-occurring beasties. Clean air is the most important measure. Heat recovery ventilators (HRV's), especially when coupled with electronic air filters (NOT ozone filters) are wonderful. Getting outside for fresh air is cheaper! And so is using natural, high quality, essential oils. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
When it comes to living life meaningfully and healthily the air we breathe is essential. Maybe this is why they call these natural oils "essential."
This last week I have been introduced to the amazing world of essential oils. Of course, like many people, I've heard about them. What grabbed my attention, leading me to purchasing one in particular, is the ancient wisdom linking health with these essential oils.
The product I purchased is a blend of several essential oils. This manufacturer calls this combination "thieves oil", named after some thieves in Spain who were able to remain healthy even though they were raiding the graves of people who had died from the black plague.
Because many of our homes have some degree of mould (we do, after all, live in a rain forest climate) sealing up our homes and offices for the sake of energy efficiency, mould and other biological contaminants can -and do- negatively affect our health. Colds, flu's, asthma, allergies, lethargy, itchy throats and eyes, and more can be symptoms of these naturally-occurring beasties. Clean air is the most important measure. Heat recovery ventilators (HRV's), especially when coupled with electronic air filters (NOT ozone filters) are wonderful. Getting outside for fresh air is cheaper! And so is using natural, high quality, essential oils. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
When it comes to living life meaningfully and healthily the air we breathe is essential. Maybe this is why they call these natural oils "essential."
Monday, December 13, 2010
Energy and indoor air quality
Until the last three decades most houses and other buildings leaked so much that air quality was not a concern. As we have attempted to save energy by sealing them up we have begun to create other problems associated with poor indoor air quality. Indoor air quality is very important, since we now spend nearly 90% of our lives indoors!
What most of us fail to understand is that indoor air quality is almost always worse indoors than it is out. Health Canada calculates that our indoor air can be 6 to ten times worse than it is outside.
Likely due to the fact we (including children) spend most of our time indoors, we are seeing huge increases in asthma. Asthma prevalence from birth to 19 years in Canada has increased 4-fold in the last 2-3 decades. It continues to rise, particularly in kids ages 8-11 years. It’s estimated that 1 out of 6 children in Canada suffers from asthma.
What is so ailing us? The list of pollutants in our homes is lengthy.
1) Man-made: Over 80 various chemicals are found in most of our homes. These chemicals are not only from cigarettes (that list alone is impressive with its toxicity). Chemicals are being released from most carpets, upholstery, beds, flooring, finishes, paints, most cleansers, and a host of other sources.
2) Natural: while we on Vancouver Island don't have to worry much about radon gas, mould, dust (1.1 billion particles breathed in each day) and especially dust-mite feces are toxic.
The solutions are several. Get rid of toxic cleansers (see these suggestions). We can waste energy and feel uncomfortable by opening windows and doors or run bathroom fans all the time, adding fresh air intakes to our furnaces and heat pumps, adding a heat recovery ventilator, or invest in equipment that truly cleans the air and surfaces.
Opening doors and windows certainly helps, but isn't very practical in the winter. Running fans is rather wasteful of energy. Fresh-air ducts work, but only when the furnace is running. Only the last two are truly effective, especially if a high-quality vacuum cleaner is used, one that captures all of the dust. (Most vacuum cleaners spew over 90% of the dust right back into the air.)
The most important surfaces that require cleaning are where dust and the associated dust-mite feces live: our beds, upholstery, and carpets. High-quality air filters are also vital.
It is no surprise that we usually feel better when we go for a walk in nature. This is our body's way of telling us that we need time for reflection and exercise. It may very well also be its way to tell us that we need more fresh air.
What most of us fail to understand is that indoor air quality is almost always worse indoors than it is out. Health Canada calculates that our indoor air can be 6 to ten times worse than it is outside.
Likely due to the fact we (including children) spend most of our time indoors, we are seeing huge increases in asthma. Asthma prevalence from birth to 19 years in Canada has increased 4-fold in the last 2-3 decades. It continues to rise, particularly in kids ages 8-11 years. It’s estimated that 1 out of 6 children in Canada suffers from asthma.
What is so ailing us? The list of pollutants in our homes is lengthy.
1) Man-made: Over 80 various chemicals are found in most of our homes. These chemicals are not only from cigarettes (that list alone is impressive with its toxicity). Chemicals are being released from most carpets, upholstery, beds, flooring, finishes, paints, most cleansers, and a host of other sources.
2) Natural: while we on Vancouver Island don't have to worry much about radon gas, mould, dust (1.1 billion particles breathed in each day) and especially dust-mite feces are toxic.
The solutions are several. Get rid of toxic cleansers (see these suggestions). We can waste energy and feel uncomfortable by opening windows and doors or run bathroom fans all the time, adding fresh air intakes to our furnaces and heat pumps, adding a heat recovery ventilator, or invest in equipment that truly cleans the air and surfaces.
Opening doors and windows certainly helps, but isn't very practical in the winter. Running fans is rather wasteful of energy. Fresh-air ducts work, but only when the furnace is running. Only the last two are truly effective, especially if a high-quality vacuum cleaner is used, one that captures all of the dust. (Most vacuum cleaners spew over 90% of the dust right back into the air.)
The most important surfaces that require cleaning are where dust and the associated dust-mite feces live: our beds, upholstery, and carpets. High-quality air filters are also vital.
It is no surprise that we usually feel better when we go for a walk in nature. This is our body's way of telling us that we need time for reflection and exercise. It may very well also be its way to tell us that we need more fresh air.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Urban farming is illegal?
To people living in the mid-island area of Vancouver Island, Dirk Becker and Nicole Shaw's urban (well, mostly rural) 2.5 acre Compassion Farm was created with the hard work of rebuilding the top-soil by hand! (The previous owner stripped all the top-soil off, leaving the gravel sub-surface). Due to a complaint by a neighbour the municipality has ordered them to stop growing food. (See a local newspaper or the Nanaimo blog for the scoop.)
Many other cities are realising the importance of urban gardening, and have changed the bylaws to allow for such operations. Not true here! Despite the fact that only about 5% of our food on the entire island is grown locally (down from 60% just a few decades back). We would soon starve if a natural or political disaster were to strike. Our food security is not secure.
It is strange that while homeowners can have home-based businesses, those who grow food cannot make it into a business, unless they are able to afford the very expensive (and increasingly harder to find) agricultural land. Farmers have discovered that they cannot compete with the subsidised foods of the world, and Canada is quickly losing ground in terms of self-sufficiency.
It is the Dirk's and Nicol's of the world who work for about $2/hour to bring us the best, most nutritious, least carbon-intensive food of the world. We owe them our gratitude and support.
If you wish to join the effort to change the bylaws you can join the Facebook group ("Compassion Farm") or write a letter to Lantzville's council.
Many other cities are realising the importance of urban gardening, and have changed the bylaws to allow for such operations. Not true here! Despite the fact that only about 5% of our food on the entire island is grown locally (down from 60% just a few decades back). We would soon starve if a natural or political disaster were to strike. Our food security is not secure.
It is strange that while homeowners can have home-based businesses, those who grow food cannot make it into a business, unless they are able to afford the very expensive (and increasingly harder to find) agricultural land. Farmers have discovered that they cannot compete with the subsidised foods of the world, and Canada is quickly losing ground in terms of self-sufficiency.
It is the Dirk's and Nicol's of the world who work for about $2/hour to bring us the best, most nutritious, least carbon-intensive food of the world. We owe them our gratitude and support.
If you wish to join the effort to change the bylaws you can join the Facebook group ("Compassion Farm") or write a letter to Lantzville's council.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Transportation Forum
Just over a week ago our non-profit (Energy Solutions for Vancouver Island) hosted a sustainable transportation forum. With about 100 people participating, 2 key-note speakers, 9 panelists, and a really engaged group, it was a great event!
Those participating recognised the fact that especially in our region we are totally dependent on the automobile to get around. Our communities have been designed around the car. Cyclists don't feel safe. Transit (while improving) is not adequate. Greyhound keeps on cutting back its service. One cannot get a taxi at the local ferry terminal. Cars costs us an average of $8K or more (that's close to minimum wage, after taxes)!
People picked up the notion that we need to design our cities and municipalities differently. We need to have more densely populated areas near the arteries, roads that have lots of public transit. We need to cut back on the sprawl. We have lots of land in the current city boundaries! We can be far more intelligent in the way we live and move around.
Being sucked into spending huge sums of money (individually and through our local taxes) to continue the current unsustainable system has to end. Maybe then we will begin to talk to our neighbours, rather than zoom past them! Maybe then we will begin to get back into shape and save the beleaguered health care system from certain demise.
The possibilities are limitless!
Those participating recognised the fact that especially in our region we are totally dependent on the automobile to get around. Our communities have been designed around the car. Cyclists don't feel safe. Transit (while improving) is not adequate. Greyhound keeps on cutting back its service. One cannot get a taxi at the local ferry terminal. Cars costs us an average of $8K or more (that's close to minimum wage, after taxes)!
People picked up the notion that we need to design our cities and municipalities differently. We need to have more densely populated areas near the arteries, roads that have lots of public transit. We need to cut back on the sprawl. We have lots of land in the current city boundaries! We can be far more intelligent in the way we live and move around.
Being sucked into spending huge sums of money (individually and through our local taxes) to continue the current unsustainable system has to end. Maybe then we will begin to talk to our neighbours, rather than zoom past them! Maybe then we will begin to get back into shape and save the beleaguered health care system from certain demise.
The possibilities are limitless!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Community in action
This evening I had the honour of chairing a meeting of interested community people wanting us to set up our own car (time) share co-op. What an enthusiastic bunch, even when we had to slog through the major decisions in the incorporation document! I'm inspired.
You may be asking what a car share co-op is. It's like the old family car being shared between several drivers, each using the car for his or her own purpose, as needed or wanted. Expenses are (at least in theory!) shared between those family members.
In a community-run and owned co-op the cost of operating the vehicles is shared between the members. The more they drive the vehicles the greater share of the cost they incur. If they don't use the car that month, they pay nothing.
All the hassles of operating a vehicle are taken care of by the co-op. The cost of depreciation is shared. Insurance is shared. So is the car loan. As a result very significant savings are realised.
What's also wonderful is that without one's own car sitting in the driveway people are far more likely to use public transit, cycling, walking, car pooling, and making sure that when they do have the car they make maximum usage of it. As a result car share members are usually in better physical and emotional shape, are more community-oriented (and benefit as such), help to support public transit (which, in turn, adds more frequency to their schedules), greatly reduces the number of vehicles on the road, and far more.
Everyone but the car-related companies benefits.
Going back to the meeting, it just goes to show how a committed bunch of people can bring about positive changes. Indeed, as Margaret Mead pointed out, this is about the only way positive change does occur.
A toast to people working together!
You may be asking what a car share co-op is. It's like the old family car being shared between several drivers, each using the car for his or her own purpose, as needed or wanted. Expenses are (at least in theory!) shared between those family members.
In a community-run and owned co-op the cost of operating the vehicles is shared between the members. The more they drive the vehicles the greater share of the cost they incur. If they don't use the car that month, they pay nothing.
All the hassles of operating a vehicle are taken care of by the co-op. The cost of depreciation is shared. Insurance is shared. So is the car loan. As a result very significant savings are realised.
What's also wonderful is that without one's own car sitting in the driveway people are far more likely to use public transit, cycling, walking, car pooling, and making sure that when they do have the car they make maximum usage of it. As a result car share members are usually in better physical and emotional shape, are more community-oriented (and benefit as such), help to support public transit (which, in turn, adds more frequency to their schedules), greatly reduces the number of vehicles on the road, and far more.
Everyone but the car-related companies benefits.
Going back to the meeting, it just goes to show how a committed bunch of people can bring about positive changes. Indeed, as Margaret Mead pointed out, this is about the only way positive change does occur.
A toast to people working together!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Renovating energy wisely
This week I have done two energy assessments on homes that are currently being extensively renovated. What a treat to be a part of their planning, one that will save them a great deal of energy and provide greater comfort.
The first home was a 1921 home, or more correctly, two 1920's homes that were combined into one. This heritage home will have extensive work done on the basement, will be replacing the old oil furnace with an air-air heat pump (they couldn't afford to go for the in-floor radiant heat, which would have been a much superior option, especially if an air-water heat pump was connected to it).
They are removing the inefficient fireplace and installing a wood stove. Trying to move that heated air from one part of the house to another was examined.
The owner likes the old windows, especially the leaded one. Problem is that virtually all of the windows are single pane. After they seal up the major air leaks and put some more insulation in the attic those windows will be the #1 heat loss.
Solution? She is a sewer, and plans on making thick curtains for those windows. Lining them with a product that contains aluminum foil would give them even more night-time energy efficiency, as radiant heat movement accounts for more than half of all energy loss in clear windows. (If you want to know more about this unique curtain liner, do ask me.)
She liked the idea of installing heat drain recovery pipes while renovating the bathrooms. This one change (costing less than $2000) will save them more than 10% in their total heating bills!
These and other plans are going to save them well over half of the existing energy costs, and make them more comfortable and able to stay warm even during power outages. All because they are incorporating energy upgrades while renovating their lovely home.
It pays to be wise.
The first home was a 1921 home, or more correctly, two 1920's homes that were combined into one. This heritage home will have extensive work done on the basement, will be replacing the old oil furnace with an air-air heat pump (they couldn't afford to go for the in-floor radiant heat, which would have been a much superior option, especially if an air-water heat pump was connected to it).
They are removing the inefficient fireplace and installing a wood stove. Trying to move that heated air from one part of the house to another was examined.
The owner likes the old windows, especially the leaded one. Problem is that virtually all of the windows are single pane. After they seal up the major air leaks and put some more insulation in the attic those windows will be the #1 heat loss.
Solution? She is a sewer, and plans on making thick curtains for those windows. Lining them with a product that contains aluminum foil would give them even more night-time energy efficiency, as radiant heat movement accounts for more than half of all energy loss in clear windows. (If you want to know more about this unique curtain liner, do ask me.)
She liked the idea of installing heat drain recovery pipes while renovating the bathrooms. This one change (costing less than $2000) will save them more than 10% in their total heating bills!
These and other plans are going to save them well over half of the existing energy costs, and make them more comfortable and able to stay warm even during power outages. All because they are incorporating energy upgrades while renovating their lovely home.
It pays to be wise.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Wrapping it up
On Monday a plumber and I replaced an ailing hot water tank with a new electric tank, and super-wrapped it.
No, it wasn't a Christmas gift, although the money the homeowner will save will be enough to add a gift or two under the tree every year.
What we did was to make that new tank significantly more energy efficient, especially compared to the old tank. In fact research reveals that super-insulating a tank will make it nearly as efficient as a "water-on-demand" heater! Not only is this method considerably less expensive than a water-on-demand heater one does not need natural gas or propane, thus reducing pollution, greenhouse gases, and the expense and danger associated with gas.
The most neglected part of insulating a hot water tank is that many of them sit on uninsulated, cold (and often damp) basement floors. Heat from the tank radiates in all directions, including down into that slab and, beyond it, mother earth. We put an R-10 barrier underneath the new tank, resulting in considerable energy savings right there. And the cost to do so was only about $15.
We finished off the project by insulating both the hot and cold water pipes going into the tank since those pipes otherwise radiate a lot of heat.
The total cost of super-wrapping a tank is only $200, including labour. Smart homeowners and renters can do it for half this price, saving that cost, and more, every year.
Wrapping it up. A great gift to oneself, and the planet!
No, it wasn't a Christmas gift, although the money the homeowner will save will be enough to add a gift or two under the tree every year.
What we did was to make that new tank significantly more energy efficient, especially compared to the old tank. In fact research reveals that super-insulating a tank will make it nearly as efficient as a "water-on-demand" heater! Not only is this method considerably less expensive than a water-on-demand heater one does not need natural gas or propane, thus reducing pollution, greenhouse gases, and the expense and danger associated with gas.
The most neglected part of insulating a hot water tank is that many of them sit on uninsulated, cold (and often damp) basement floors. Heat from the tank radiates in all directions, including down into that slab and, beyond it, mother earth. We put an R-10 barrier underneath the new tank, resulting in considerable energy savings right there. And the cost to do so was only about $15.
We finished off the project by insulating both the hot and cold water pipes going into the tank since those pipes otherwise radiate a lot of heat.
The total cost of super-wrapping a tank is only $200, including labour. Smart homeowners and renters can do it for half this price, saving that cost, and more, every year.
Wrapping it up. A great gift to oneself, and the planet!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Transportation is key
I have just returned from a week of cycling around a few of our beautiful Gulf Islands, a great way to holiday! Here I get to slow down, ponder, reflect, experience nature, see far more than do people in automobiles, and get into shape!
While on Salt Spring Island I took public transportation to Victoria and back so that I could do a little business. It was a snap, and I was able to read a book en-route.
A writer to a local newspaper by the name of "J. Sharpe" keeps on advocating a complete reliance on automobiles, claiming that it costs too much to repair the railway and that bicycles and public transportation are not "viable."
Sadly we, through our governments, pay a very heavy price for the convenience of the private automobile -not only through taxes that subsidise the roads, hospitals, environmental destruction and even the extraction of fossil fuels(!), but we also pay hugely through greatly reduced physical and social well-being.
I have come to the conclusion that our collective and individual addiction to convenience, the "easy life", avoidance of nature (why is rain such a terrible thing to avoid?) and the consuming of the planet is quickly leading us to a premature death -individually and collectively.
If we plan on staying on this planetary home for much longer it is high time we moved away from the private automobile except whenever necessary (car pooling and car time-sharing are but two alternatives).
Dedicated bicycle paths have made a huge difference in Victoria, where the percentage of commuters travelling by bicycle is more than 20 times that of Nanaimo and other communities north of the Malahat.
Denser populations make car sharing, car pooling, public transportation, walking and cycling much more doable.
We need to collectively push our governments into more sustainable, livable, and affordable ways of living and travelling.
And we need to lead by example.
While on Salt Spring Island I took public transportation to Victoria and back so that I could do a little business. It was a snap, and I was able to read a book en-route.
A writer to a local newspaper by the name of "J. Sharpe" keeps on advocating a complete reliance on automobiles, claiming that it costs too much to repair the railway and that bicycles and public transportation are not "viable."
Sadly we, through our governments, pay a very heavy price for the convenience of the private automobile -not only through taxes that subsidise the roads, hospitals, environmental destruction and even the extraction of fossil fuels(!), but we also pay hugely through greatly reduced physical and social well-being.
I have come to the conclusion that our collective and individual addiction to convenience, the "easy life", avoidance of nature (why is rain such a terrible thing to avoid?) and the consuming of the planet is quickly leading us to a premature death -individually and collectively.
If we plan on staying on this planetary home for much longer it is high time we moved away from the private automobile except whenever necessary (car pooling and car time-sharing are but two alternatives).
Dedicated bicycle paths have made a huge difference in Victoria, where the percentage of commuters travelling by bicycle is more than 20 times that of Nanaimo and other communities north of the Malahat.
Denser populations make car sharing, car pooling, public transportation, walking and cycling much more doable.
We need to collectively push our governments into more sustainable, livable, and affordable ways of living and travelling.
And we need to lead by example.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
The true cost
It has been argued that the current downturn in the economy, one that came close to becoming another depression, was caused by higher (fossil fuel) energy prices and the drive for short-term profits by corporations. There is likely a great deal of truth to both.
The solutions, of course, are in switching government subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables, adding carbon taxes to energy sources that are not renewable, and in restructuring the investment community so that it takes a longer view.
I note that these two destructive factors are strongly at work in the general population, not only amongst investors and corporate heads. When it comes to energy conservation/efficiency and renewable energy the question is always asked "what is the pay-back period?" This question is never asked when deciding to update one's kitchen, buying a car, and the like. People want to know how affordable it is to them, not what the energy savings are going to be, nor how much more energy secure they are going to be.
A very innovative funding program in the U.S. has recently been closed down because the mortgage companies were not convinced that homeowners paying less for energy are less likely to foreclose on their mortgages. The long-term viability of operating a home has been sacrificed for the short-term.
Homeowners here are usually far more concerned about borrowing more money, even when it can be shown that the reduced energy costs would pay for those borrowing costs. And once the loan is paid off then they would have more disposable income.
Unless we learn from lessons provided to us from "the great recession" we are far more likely going to repeat it. If we do learn then we can have improved financial security, a better environment, and a future for our children/grandchildren.
The solutions, of course, are in switching government subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables, adding carbon taxes to energy sources that are not renewable, and in restructuring the investment community so that it takes a longer view.
I note that these two destructive factors are strongly at work in the general population, not only amongst investors and corporate heads. When it comes to energy conservation/efficiency and renewable energy the question is always asked "what is the pay-back period?" This question is never asked when deciding to update one's kitchen, buying a car, and the like. People want to know how affordable it is to them, not what the energy savings are going to be, nor how much more energy secure they are going to be.
A very innovative funding program in the U.S. has recently been closed down because the mortgage companies were not convinced that homeowners paying less for energy are less likely to foreclose on their mortgages. The long-term viability of operating a home has been sacrificed for the short-term.
Homeowners here are usually far more concerned about borrowing more money, even when it can be shown that the reduced energy costs would pay for those borrowing costs. And once the loan is paid off then they would have more disposable income.
Unless we learn from lessons provided to us from "the great recession" we are far more likely going to repeat it. If we do learn then we can have improved financial security, a better environment, and a future for our children/grandchildren.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Vancouver Island University moves forward
I am pleased to see that the local university is working at improving the bus access to its Nanaimo campus, increasing the number of buses that can be there at any one time as well as the speed at which the buses can get on and off campus.
As 70% of our local greenhouse gases (and, likely, pollution) come from the transportation sector these kinds of improvements make a real difference. One of many they have made in the last five years.
Also of note is the fact they have discovered the abandoned and water-filled coal mines situated under their Nanaimo campus contain a great deal of water warmed by the core of the earth, a large source of heating for their buildings! Such will go a long way to reducing their energy costs, not to mention pollution and greenhouse gases. Congratulations to them!
You can read the whole article at the Nanaimo News Bulletin on-line.
As 70% of our local greenhouse gases (and, likely, pollution) come from the transportation sector these kinds of improvements make a real difference. One of many they have made in the last five years.
Also of note is the fact they have discovered the abandoned and water-filled coal mines situated under their Nanaimo campus contain a great deal of water warmed by the core of the earth, a large source of heating for their buildings! Such will go a long way to reducing their energy costs, not to mention pollution and greenhouse gases. Congratulations to them!
You can read the whole article at the Nanaimo News Bulletin on-line.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Being weird
I'm weird.
No, I don't mean socially isolated, inept, strange, or even curious. I'm "weird" because I don't own a car.
According to "normal" I don't have much of an identity without one. I'm backward, too poor, too young, or simply not "with it." Many people have difficulty knowing what to say to me other than some niceties such as "good for the environment, eh?" People who care about me worry about my safety. That's okay, I worry about their health, since those who mostly get around by car are usually in poor physical condition, are more likely to suffer from depression, illness, a much higher risk of disease (heart, lungs, and pretty well everything else) and more.
Not owning a car also means having a lot more money in my jeans. I save thousands every year, about the equivalent of a half-time job at minimum wage (after taxes).
In order to qualify to be "weird" one has to rearrange one's life so as to live near work (as about half of us already do), perhaps have groceries delivered, arrange rides, take transit (I use the time "wasted" reading, meditating, visiting, etc.), and use the car (time-) share co-op.
With about 70% of the greenhouse gases coming from transportation (the majority of this from single occupancy vehicles) the "convenience" of the car is not only killing us and our pocketbooks, it is killing the planet. Everyone loses in the end.
Since I spend more time with people, get more exercise and fresh air, and my life is slower and more meaningful, the quality of my life is immeasurably better.
So, go ahead, call me "weird." My friends still love me.
No, I don't mean socially isolated, inept, strange, or even curious. I'm "weird" because I don't own a car.
According to "normal" I don't have much of an identity without one. I'm backward, too poor, too young, or simply not "with it." Many people have difficulty knowing what to say to me other than some niceties such as "good for the environment, eh?" People who care about me worry about my safety. That's okay, I worry about their health, since those who mostly get around by car are usually in poor physical condition, are more likely to suffer from depression, illness, a much higher risk of disease (heart, lungs, and pretty well everything else) and more.
Not owning a car also means having a lot more money in my jeans. I save thousands every year, about the equivalent of a half-time job at minimum wage (after taxes).
In order to qualify to be "weird" one has to rearrange one's life so as to live near work (as about half of us already do), perhaps have groceries delivered, arrange rides, take transit (I use the time "wasted" reading, meditating, visiting, etc.), and use the car (time-) share co-op.
With about 70% of the greenhouse gases coming from transportation (the majority of this from single occupancy vehicles) the "convenience" of the car is not only killing us and our pocketbooks, it is killing the planet. Everyone loses in the end.
Since I spend more time with people, get more exercise and fresh air, and my life is slower and more meaningful, the quality of my life is immeasurably better.
So, go ahead, call me "weird." My friends still love me.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Solutions to greenhouse gases
This last week the provincial government released its semi-annual Community energy and Emissions inventory (CEEI). The mid-island area has some challenges ahead!
While Nanaimo and area are doing better than the province as a whole, this isn't difficult considering that the population density of most of the province is very low. When we instead compare ourselves to similarly-sized cities such as Victoria proper (population 81,000), Saanich (pop 112,000), Kamloops (pop 93,000, and Chilliwack (pop 81,000) to that of Nanaimo's (pop 81,000) our per-capita output was the worst.
Fully 70% of these emissions come from motor vehicles. While we often excuse ourselves because of the stretched-out city and poor public transportation, the reality is that fully half of us commute fewer than 5 kilometres (3 miles) by car or light truck! While some of us need our vehicles at work, the vast majority have made such things as time, convenience, and laziness our priorities.
What is of particular interest to me is that the cost of operating these vehicles (over $10,000 per year) results in people screaming about their taxes, failing to invest in energy savings in their homes, buying local food, and other activities that make our planet and pocketbooks more sustainable.
What will it take to make the necessary changes? Some ideas being tried include: charging vehicle insurance per KM, road taxes based on usage, much higher fuel taxes, closure of downtowns to motor vehicles, far more committed bicycle lanes (separated from vehicles and pedestrians), the Car Share Coop (two vehicles in Nanaimo), and vastly improved public transportation.
Without acting now we will continue to see our current problems multiply. Shifting away from single occupancy vehicle use will create rewards of all kinds -better physical and emotional health, improved finances, better air quality, improved work and school performance, and a planet worth inheriting.
While Nanaimo and area are doing better than the province as a whole, this isn't difficult considering that the population density of most of the province is very low. When we instead compare ourselves to similarly-sized cities such as Victoria proper (population 81,000), Saanich (pop 112,000), Kamloops (pop 93,000, and Chilliwack (pop 81,000) to that of Nanaimo's (pop 81,000) our per-capita output was the worst.
Fully 70% of these emissions come from motor vehicles. While we often excuse ourselves because of the stretched-out city and poor public transportation, the reality is that fully half of us commute fewer than 5 kilometres (3 miles) by car or light truck! While some of us need our vehicles at work, the vast majority have made such things as time, convenience, and laziness our priorities.
What is of particular interest to me is that the cost of operating these vehicles (over $10,000 per year) results in people screaming about their taxes, failing to invest in energy savings in their homes, buying local food, and other activities that make our planet and pocketbooks more sustainable.
What will it take to make the necessary changes? Some ideas being tried include: charging vehicle insurance per KM, road taxes based on usage, much higher fuel taxes, closure of downtowns to motor vehicles, far more committed bicycle lanes (separated from vehicles and pedestrians), the Car Share Coop (two vehicles in Nanaimo), and vastly improved public transportation.
Without acting now we will continue to see our current problems multiply. Shifting away from single occupancy vehicle use will create rewards of all kinds -better physical and emotional health, improved finances, better air quality, improved work and school performance, and a planet worth inheriting.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Nanaimo's latest "Greenhouse"
Yesterday the public was invited to see a house under construction in Nanaimo that is being built by the local chapter of the Home Builder's Association using volunteer labour and materials.
It is intended to be a platinum rated Built Green home. This program (and its predecessor, the R-2000 program) have helped to give builders the training and hands-on experience of how to improve a house's energy performance by 20 - 40% over the older homes.
A local reporter privately told me he was rather disappointed with how "green" the house was. He had overheard me ask if they were going to use waste-water heat recovery. (They aren't planning it.) Why would they not want to recover over a third of the energy invested in heating the hot water, especially when it can be done for less than $1000? A very good question.
They are also using windows that don't perform as well as a truly green building needs, and are using forced air heating. And no heat recovery ventilation. Soon this will be required in all new homes.
I know that there are real cost barriers involved in adding any of these better options, and that the purpose is to showcase some of the things they are doing (such as sealing it up well) before selling it to raise money for the home builder's headquarters in Victoria.
As electricity prices rise close to 10% per year for the foreseeable future the homeowner will be glad for what they did do, but may be disappointed that their home, for an additional $10K - $20K, could end up costing them half as much to heat and cool.
The next generation of "green" homes will do this, and even more.
It is intended to be a platinum rated Built Green home. This program (and its predecessor, the R-2000 program) have helped to give builders the training and hands-on experience of how to improve a house's energy performance by 20 - 40% over the older homes.
A local reporter privately told me he was rather disappointed with how "green" the house was. He had overheard me ask if they were going to use waste-water heat recovery. (They aren't planning it.) Why would they not want to recover over a third of the energy invested in heating the hot water, especially when it can be done for less than $1000? A very good question.
They are also using windows that don't perform as well as a truly green building needs, and are using forced air heating. And no heat recovery ventilation. Soon this will be required in all new homes.
I know that there are real cost barriers involved in adding any of these better options, and that the purpose is to showcase some of the things they are doing (such as sealing it up well) before selling it to raise money for the home builder's headquarters in Victoria.
As electricity prices rise close to 10% per year for the foreseeable future the homeowner will be glad for what they did do, but may be disappointed that their home, for an additional $10K - $20K, could end up costing them half as much to heat and cool.
The next generation of "green" homes will do this, and even more.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Money as energy
A post I wrote a few days ago was also about money. Why again? Because our use of money is the only thing standing between a sustainable world and a destroyed world.
Money is a vehicle for both "good" and "bad." Similarly water is necessary for life, but we can also drown in it.
I have often associated money with greed, unethical business men, debt, misuse of power, consumerism, and all sorts of terrible things. And yet money is required in order to live. So, like many others, I have had a rather conflicted attitude toward it.
By thinking about money as being energy, a force that can be used well or destructively, I have been able to shift my relationship with it.
All matter is energy in various forms. The vast majority of money is digital; daily trillions of dollars of it is traded, exchanged, given away, stolen, and the like. It has a huge life force, as it can make a company successful, a family able to live well, or it can bring an entire nation to its knees.
The only difference is whether it is being used as an instrument of greed, power, selfishness, something to be afraid of, or whether it is used as an instrument of goodwill and unselfish desire. The former enslaves us; the latter frees us (and the planet).
When people ask me what the "payback period" might be for some energy upgrade, while feeling quite content to replace a carpet or kitchen (infinite payback period), it is likely that they are fearful of wasting their money. When they instead use money as an instrument for good in the world, one that pays them and the planet back, making both sustainable, then they are freeing themselves.
When I first read the sentence "Money is God in action" (Raymond Charles Barker) I balked. Yet knowing that Jesus was quoted more often about money than on any other subject, believing that God (or Spirit) is an ultimate form of energy, and realising that money used well does so much good, I am beginning to warm to this notion.
Money is a vehicle for both "good" and "bad." Similarly water is necessary for life, but we can also drown in it.
I have often associated money with greed, unethical business men, debt, misuse of power, consumerism, and all sorts of terrible things. And yet money is required in order to live. So, like many others, I have had a rather conflicted attitude toward it.
By thinking about money as being energy, a force that can be used well or destructively, I have been able to shift my relationship with it.
All matter is energy in various forms. The vast majority of money is digital; daily trillions of dollars of it is traded, exchanged, given away, stolen, and the like. It has a huge life force, as it can make a company successful, a family able to live well, or it can bring an entire nation to its knees.
The only difference is whether it is being used as an instrument of greed, power, selfishness, something to be afraid of, or whether it is used as an instrument of goodwill and unselfish desire. The former enslaves us; the latter frees us (and the planet).
When people ask me what the "payback period" might be for some energy upgrade, while feeling quite content to replace a carpet or kitchen (infinite payback period), it is likely that they are fearful of wasting their money. When they instead use money as an instrument for good in the world, one that pays them and the planet back, making both sustainable, then they are freeing themselves.
When I first read the sentence "Money is God in action" (Raymond Charles Barker) I balked. Yet knowing that Jesus was quoted more often about money than on any other subject, believing that God (or Spirit) is an ultimate form of energy, and realising that money used well does so much good, I am beginning to warm to this notion.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Health, safety, and energy
I have noticed that when it comes to prevention our society tends to place a lot more emphasis on safety than it does on health. This may seem surprising at first glance, given that "health care" currently uses up nearly half of all provincial budgets.
"Health care", very tragically, focuses almost totally on attempts to repair our health, not on preventing disease and injury. Even the Canadian Cancer Society invests some on cancer prevention, but the vast majority of its resources go into researching cures for cancer.
When it comes to improving the safety of such things as our highways, airports, and even some inter-city buses a great deal of effort and money is being expended. Increasingly we continue to lose rights as national governments attempt to prevent terrorism (however rather narrowly defined).
This tendency to focus on safety over health is most vividly observed when it comes to transportation, especially the private automobile. It is in our collective perception that travelling by car is safer than it is by bicycle. Stats suggest that the margin of improved safety is very slim: despite the number of cyclists who frequently break traffic laws it is only nominally more risky to be riding than it is to be driving. Motor cyclists and pedestrians are at far higher risks of injury or death.
Contrast this perceived risk for cyclists to the actual outcomes: cyclists are far more likely to be healthy, simply because we get a decent amount of exercise and more fresh air. Exercise alone leads to improved mental and physical health, lowered rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, premature death and a lot more. Further, eliminating pollutants by cycling reduces the incidence of asthma and a few thousand deaths in Canada, every year.
Even users of public transportation are several times more likely to meet the minimum health levels than are car users.
Our dependence on the automobile is also greatly increasing the risk to the planet due to run-away climate change. For several years the Pentagon has been assessing how to minimise the resulting security risks to the United States. Note that they are assessing security risks, not health risks.
The good news is that those who "get it", those who care about their physical, mental, financial and the planetary health (all of these go hand-in-hand) are far more likely to change their lifestyles so as to minimise the use of driving and eating way less red meat, and instead get exercise, enough sleep, eat organically, laugh frequently, appreciate meaningful relationships, and all the things that make for a high quality life.
Such preventative measures improve our individual, collective and planetary health. And, as it turns out, also improve our collective safety and security!
"Health care", very tragically, focuses almost totally on attempts to repair our health, not on preventing disease and injury. Even the Canadian Cancer Society invests some on cancer prevention, but the vast majority of its resources go into researching cures for cancer.
When it comes to improving the safety of such things as our highways, airports, and even some inter-city buses a great deal of effort and money is being expended. Increasingly we continue to lose rights as national governments attempt to prevent terrorism (however rather narrowly defined).
This tendency to focus on safety over health is most vividly observed when it comes to transportation, especially the private automobile. It is in our collective perception that travelling by car is safer than it is by bicycle. Stats suggest that the margin of improved safety is very slim: despite the number of cyclists who frequently break traffic laws it is only nominally more risky to be riding than it is to be driving. Motor cyclists and pedestrians are at far higher risks of injury or death.
Contrast this perceived risk for cyclists to the actual outcomes: cyclists are far more likely to be healthy, simply because we get a decent amount of exercise and more fresh air. Exercise alone leads to improved mental and physical health, lowered rates of obesity, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, depression, premature death and a lot more. Further, eliminating pollutants by cycling reduces the incidence of asthma and a few thousand deaths in Canada, every year.
Even users of public transportation are several times more likely to meet the minimum health levels than are car users.
Our dependence on the automobile is also greatly increasing the risk to the planet due to run-away climate change. For several years the Pentagon has been assessing how to minimise the resulting security risks to the United States. Note that they are assessing security risks, not health risks.
The good news is that those who "get it", those who care about their physical, mental, financial and the planetary health (all of these go hand-in-hand) are far more likely to change their lifestyles so as to minimise the use of driving and eating way less red meat, and instead get exercise, enough sleep, eat organically, laugh frequently, appreciate meaningful relationships, and all the things that make for a high quality life.
Such preventative measures improve our individual, collective and planetary health. And, as it turns out, also improve our collective safety and security!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
