specbc, Author at SPEC

Is There Another Option? How Tupper Secondary School Reduced Waste by 600%

By Magali Vander Vorst, SPEC Board Member Image: Regan in the Tupper Secondary School’s Teaching Kitchen Patricia Regan is the chef and teacher at the Tupper Secondary School’s Teaching Kitchen, where they serve 120 to 140 meals a day and barely use any single-use plastic. Regan is a passionate educator who brings her sustainability values to […]

Is There Another Option? How Tupper Secondary School Reduced Waste by 600% Read More »

Members’ Corner – June Edition

Uncategorized / specbc

Members’ Corner is a new, monthly list of recommendations on our favourite sustainability-related resources. You Should Read: How To Have a Zero Waste Kitchen, by Tony Naylor at The Guardian Ruth Briggs, member of SPEC’s Board and Energy and Transportation Committee Are you sure you can’t eat that? Food waste is a huge problem globally, and

Members’ Corner – June Edition Read More »

Need a Charge? Electric Vehicle Charging in Older Apartments

Energy, Transportation / specbc

By Andre Jankowski, from SPEC Energy Committee Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more popular in Vancouver. The annual sales of EVs are rapidly increasing reflecting the growing desire among the population to switch over from gas and diesel-powered cars to EVs powered by clean electricity. The most commonly cited concerns inhibiting decisions to purchase an

Need a Charge? Electric Vehicle Charging in Older Apartments Read More »

Right to Dry: Tips to Save Energy While Drying Clothing

Energy / specbc

By Carole Christopher Carole is SPEC’s President and sits on the Food and Environment Committee. She is also an important part of SPEC’s Elder’s Circle program. Now that you know how much energy clothes dryers use, perhaps you’re motivated to try more energy efficient options. Here’s a few tips that will save energy and save your

Right to Dry: Tips to Save Energy While Drying Clothing Read More »

Recap From the 2018 Small Scale Farmers’ Symposium

Food / specbc

By Olga Lansdorp Olga is the program manager for SPEC’s Climate Change Adaptation for Small Scale Farmers program. It was a cold, windy morning in late January, but that didn’t stop the farmers, presenters, volunteers, and other interested parties from coming to the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby, BC. It promised to be a day filled with

Recap From the 2018 Small Scale Farmers’ Symposium Read More »

Lessons from the DFWT: A Model for Community Based Conservation

Food / specbc

By Art Bomke and Wayne Temple Art Bomke is a SPEC Director and co-wrote this piece for the Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust newsletter. You can find the complete article here. In the Beginning: It’s hard to believe that nearly 25 years have flown by since the inception of the Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust (DF&WT). In spite of

Lessons from the DFWT: A Model for Community Based Conservation Read More »

Revitalizing the Right to Dry Campaign

Uncategorized / specbc

Presented by the SPEC Energy & Transportation Committee For Vancouver residents hoping to reduce energy consumption at home, switching from a clothes dryer to a clothesline is an easy and affordable option. Yet some residents hoping to use clotheslines are being denied their right to dry. If you live in a strata complex and have

Revitalizing the Right to Dry Campaign Read More »

Party Pocket: Meet the Shambhala Music Festival Sustainability Superstars!

Climate Change, Waste / specbc

This summer, Shambhala Music Festival celebrated their 20th year anniversary at Salmo River Ranch, and in honour of their anniversary Shambhala launched The Greater Good Contribution Contest. The Greater Good Contribution Contest celebrates Shambhala camps that make a positive impact on the Shambhala experience, local communities, or abroad. The three winners of the contest are

Party Pocket: Meet the Shambhala Music Festival Sustainability Superstars! Read More »

Time to Update the Motor Vehicle Act

Transportation / specbc

By Chris Gooderham, a member of SPEC’s Board and the Energy & Transportation Committee As road traffic in the Vancouver area increases with the use of more vehicles, bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, and other modes of transportation, taking a good look at the “Motor Vehicle Act” is long overdue. Simply put, the Motor Vehicle Act needs to

Time to Update the Motor Vehicle Act Read More »

BC Wildfires in the Context of Climate Change

Climate Change, Uncategorized / specbc

By Robin Hadac Robin has been SPEC’s outreach facilitator since January. She wrote this piece for her course on climate change. From the Elephant Hill Fire in the Ashcroft/Cache Creek area. Photo by Chris Gooderham. Be sure to check out the rest of the photos at the end of the blog piece. One summer evening

BC Wildfires in the Context of Climate Change Read More »

specbc