As we reported back in April, Vancouver’s City Council has voted to transition 100% to renewable energy (not just electricity, but all energy). Deputy City Manager Sadhu Johnston discussed this plan and plenty of positive clean energy Vancouver initiatives in this final Renewable Cities PechaKucha presentation:
Some of the highlights from Sadhu’s presentation include the fact that the city has seen a 6% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions while seeing a 30% increase in its population and a 20% increase in its number of jobs. The city also has 98% greenhouse gas–free electricity, and 31% renewable electricity.
Some of the key ways Sadhu noted they could hit 100% renewable energy were by:
- building the city so that people could walk places
- adding bike infrastructure (Vancouver had a 400% increase in the morning bike commute on the route pictured below when they added that protected bike lane)
- electrifying public transit, and incentivizing a switch to electric cars and trucks
- greening building codes
- using district energy systems and better using sewage and waste heat for energy
Sadhu keenly noted that change is not linear. He used the same chart highlighting the rapid price drop for solar panels that I used to kick off my opening night presentation, as well as another good one right after that.
Sadhu also noted that the only way we’re going to achieve our 100% clean, renewable energy dreams is by “planting the seeds now for the future that we want.” Here’s a picture I recently took in Amsterdam that I think wonderfully re-emphasizes that point:
“don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” Image by Zachary Shahan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Overall, Sadhu’s presentation was superb, so I really encourage you to watch it. I can’t do it justice.
To watch the other opening night PechaKucha presentations (they are all great) or read my summaries of them, check out:
1. The Future Is Now! (My Renewable Cities Opening Night Prez)
2. Story Of Solar & Social Inspiration From Brazil (Video)
3. 100% Renewable Energy — How To Get There (Video)
5. The Renewable Energy Revolution & Clean Energy Canada (Video)
6. Renewable Cities PechaKuch Opening Event (Videos)
Also be sure to check out the outcomes of the forum here, and here’s a short summary video of it all:
Or, if you have some popcorn, here’s the full PechaKucha event:
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