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Climate Change

Energy-Efficient Buildings & Retrofits

Green's promises

Create safe havens in every neighbourhood for people to retreat to during extreme weather

 by retrofitting key public buildings with climate-smart heating and cooling systems (e.g., Seniors’ Centers, Family Places, Neighbourhood Houses).Include educational displays of how much energy is produced, GHGs reduced, and money saved on energy bills.

Ramp up retrofits of all city-owned buildings to reduce emissions and save public money spent on energy.
Expand green roof options in the building code for single family and duplex-zoned areas

to absorb and reduce stormwater runoff and keep buildings cooler in the summers and warmer in winters.

Create easier, faster permitting processes for building retrofits that reduce GHGs,

 especially to net zero, including for removing gas heating and appliances and provide modified requirements for older character buildings.

Pursue funding sources to help support energy retrofits of private buildings - such as Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing
Move from “solar-ready” to “solar-required” in the City’s Building Code, where sunlight permits.
Prohibit gas hookups in all new buildings including for cooking and fireplaces, not just for heating and hot water.
Make retrofitting easier for building owners by collaborating with the Metro Vancouver Zero Emissions Innovation Center

to create resources such as how-to guides, comprehensive lists of grant and funding options, recognized/certified practitioners and trades companies.

Easier, faster permitting for new net-Zero Emissions Buildings.

Green Space

Green's promises

INCREASE TREE CANOPY CITY-WIDE : to a minimum of 30% tree cover in every neighbourhood, as called for by the Parks Board,

Greens believe in the 3-30-300 rule for a healthier, greener city: every resident should be able to see a minimum of 3 trees from every home, enjoy 30 percent tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood and be within 300 metres of the nearest public park or green space. 30% is a minimum - we'll aim to match Metro Vancouver’s goal of 40% city-wide tree cover with tree species that excel at sequestering GHGs and can cope with changing climate.

Expand city support for the Green Streets, Green Blocks, and neighbourhood green grants programs, that connect people with the environment.
Plant smarter for climate change.

Invest in rewilding and native plantings, enhance storm sewer infrastructure with blue-green networks and bioswales, and consider drought and storm resistant plantings.

Reallocate a minimum of 11 percent of neighbourhood streets from car to community use

and encourage residents to engage in the next phase of the Vancouver Plan, to have a say in how and where we can create more green spaces and mini-parks that support biodiversity, access to nature, and ecosystem restoration.

Strategically design parks for greater green space connectivity,

 to support an increase in biodiversity and create a connected network for everyday users.

Ensure development is contributing funds for new public parks and green spaces and pursue matching funding from senior governments.
Pursue an equitable distribution of parks and recreation sites across the city.
Enhance access to all parks and recreation centres for visitors with diverse mobility needs, to support equal opportunity and access for all

Urban Heat

Green's promises

Create safe havens in every neighbourhood for people to retreat to during extreme weather

 by retrofitting key public buildings with climate-smart heating and cooling systems (e.g., Seniors’ Centers, Family Places, Neighbourhood Houses).Include educational displays of how much energy is produced, GHGs reduced, and money saved on energy bills.

INCREASE TREE CANOPY CITY-WIDE : to a minimum of 30% tree cover in every neighbourhood, as called for by the Parks Board,

Greens believe in the 3-30-300 rule for a healthier, greener city: every resident should be able to see a minimum of 3 trees from every home, enjoy 30 percent tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood and be within 300 metres of the nearest public park or green space. 30% is a minimum - we'll aim to match Metro Vancouver’s goal of 40% city-wide tree cover with tree species that excel at sequestering GHGs and can cope with changing climate.

Climate Emergency

Tom Digby's promise

Responding to the Climate Emergency is the primary lens through which I view all Park Board issues.

Public Spaces & Services

Green Space

Green's promises

INCREASE TREE CANOPY CITY-WIDE : to a minimum of 30% tree cover in every neighbourhood, as called for by the Parks Board,

Greens believe in the 3-30-300 rule for a healthier, greener city: every resident should be able to see a minimum of 3 trees from every home, enjoy 30 percent tree canopy cover in every neighbourhood and be within 300 metres of the nearest public park or green space. 30% is a minimum - we'll aim to match Metro Vancouver’s goal of 40% city-wide tree cover with tree species that excel at sequestering GHGs and can cope with changing climate.

Expand city support for the Green Streets, Green Blocks, and neighbourhood green grants programs, that connect people with the environment.
Plant smarter for climate change.

Invest in rewilding and native plantings, enhance storm sewer infrastructure with blue-green networks and bioswales, and consider drought and storm resistant plantings.

Reallocate a minimum of 11 percent of neighbourhood streets from car to community use

and encourage residents to engage in the next phase of the Vancouver Plan, to have a say in how and where we can create more green spaces and mini-parks that support biodiversity, access to nature, and ecosystem restoration.

Strategically design parks for greater green space connectivity,

 to support an increase in biodiversity and create a connected network for everyday users.

Ensure development is contributing funds for new public parks and green spaces and pursue matching funding from senior governments.
Pursue an equitable distribution of parks and recreation sites across the city.
Enhance access to all parks and recreation centres for visitors with diverse mobility needs, to support equal opportunity and access for all


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Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
Tom is an intellectual property lawyer and scientist (M.Sc. Biochemistry) with a serious case of climate anxiety.

Here's a snapshot of a climate in crisis: Heat dome ravages Lower Mainland with hundreds killed. Lytton burns. Tornado lands. Atmospheric river flood wipes out communities and roads. King tide storm destroys shoreline around Burrard Inlet.

Folks, it is sometimes hard to remain a relentless climate optimist.

I am a climate optimist because I believe there are solutions out there. Some solutions are technical such as adopting EVs, electric bikes, and using new forms of concrete with much lower carbon intensity. Other solutions are behavioural, such as building livable, walkable communities where needs are met locally and public transit is convenient.

I'm a tech lawyer, a husband, a dad with two kids. Renter. Learned a lot in 4 years volunteering on the Vancouver City Planning Commission.

I believe the Vancouver Parks Board can take bold action to address the climate emergency by reducing our carbon footprint, enhancing urban tree and wildlife systems, reducing waste, improving circularity, and adapting facilities and services for climate resilience.

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team
It's time for bold action to fight the climate crisis.

vangreens.ca/tom_digby www.vangreens.ca/tom_digby