WHAT WE CAN DO

Get Involved in the CEEP Planning Process

The Township of Langley has planned a number of activities for you to participate and give feedback about the Community Energy and Emissions Plan.

  1. A Community Workshop will educate Township of Langley residents about the Community Energy and Emission Plan, talk about challenges and ways to reduce energy use and emissions, and identify short and long-term goals.
    When: 7:00 – 9:30pm, Thursday, October 29, 2009
    Where: Rotary Field House at McLeod Athletic Park
    (58 Avenue, west of 216 Street)
  2. Share Your Ideas Online is an opportunity to offer ideas to reduce the community’s energy use and GHG emissions.  In early November, we will begin collecting your ideas on this website and give you the opportunity to vote on which ideas you want to see included in the CEEP.
  3. A Public Open House in January 2010 to present the draft plan and provide an opportunity to give your feedback on the plan before it is finalized.

Take Action!

There are a number of actions – both big and small – we can do as individuals and organizations.  Here are some examples:

  • make energy efficiency improvements to your home or office (e.g., improving insulation, replacing windows, caulking around vents, windows, and doors)
  • turn down the heat in your home or office by 2oC in the winter
  • install a programmable thermostat at work or home
  • upgrade to a high efficiency furnace with a variable speed motor
  • set your water heater to 49oC
  • install a solar water heating system at work or home
  • wash clothes in cold water and hang laundry to dry
  • install low flow fixtures and faucets at work or home
  • carpool to work or school at least one day a week
  • telecommute to work at least one day a week
  • turn off your car instead of idling for periods longer than 10 seconds
  • schedule or perform regular maintenance checks on your car
  • compost organic wastes in your garden or in a worm composter in your school or office
  • reuse products wherever possible instead of buying new ones
  • buy products with minimal or recyclable packaging

For more ideas, visit The LiveSmart BC website

What the Township is Doing

The Township has completed a number of initiatives to combat climate change.  They include:

  • signing on to the BC Climate Action Charter, a voluntary commitment to become carbon neutral in our local government operations (e.g., facilities, vehicles fleets, purchasing, etc) by 2012
  • responding to legislation that requires local governments to set GHG reduction targets and incorporate policies and actions into their Official Community Plans
  • developing a corporate greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan for its municipal operations which includes an energy and emissions inventory and plan of action (PDF)
  • completed a District Energy Report that explored opportunities for developing district energy systems, heating systems that use one central plant to provide heat to multiple users
  • conducted an Anti-Idling pilot project in 2008 at five of the busiest rail crossings in Langley.  Over 200 Township motorists pledged to stop idling at rail crossings, resulting in a 39% decrease in idling.  It was so successful that the Township launched an anti-idling campaign called Idling Gets You Nowhere in partnership with NRCan’s ecoEnergy for personal vehicles program.
  • created annual global warming poster contest for grade 4 and 5 students. As part of WaterWeeks, a series of events were designed to encourage citizens to be leaders in environmental conservation.
  • co-hosted Annual Green Living Symposium with the Langley Environmental Partners Society, an event featuring speakers and dialogue that creates awareness about waste reduction, responsible consumerism, and local food
  • developed a climate change information webpage on the Township of Langley website explaining the concepts of global warming, climate change, the effects on our ecosystem, what the Township is doing, and how to take action

This growing list of initiatives will change as actions from CEEP are implemented.

What the Province is Doing

  • The Climate Action Plan outlines strategies and initiatives to move BC about 73% toward meeting the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 33% by 2020.
  • In 2007, the provincial government set a province-wide target to reduce our total GHG emissions by 33% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 (from 2007 levels).
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