Renewable energy sources

Canada could be moving to lessen our reliance on fossil fuels by promoting proven alternatives such as solar, wind and micro-hydro energy. BC Hydro has commissioned studies on potential sites for wind farms on the BC coast and has found a number of favourable sites. Tidal and wave power has potential for electricity generation and several proposals are being considered. Small-scale "run-of-the-river" micro-hydro projects are in the design stages, projects that do not block waterflows with cross-channel dams allowing free passage for fish and preserving a natural waterflow regime.

Transportation

The North American love-affair with single-occupancy cars and gas guzzling Sport Utility Vehicles has increased the demand for fossil fuels. Fortunately, new electric/gasoline hybrid cars are now on the market as are new, fuel-efficient small compact and sub-compact cars. Car pooling helps. Promoting public transit use through easily-accessible, well-planned, non-crowded buses and rapid transit would convince motorists to switch. Cities must be planned to make public transportation economically viable, avoiding urban sprawl with bedroom communities forced to commute by car. Neighbourhoods can be designed so that people can walk or bike to shops and entertainment.

Energy conservation

Households can upgrade attic and basement insulation, replace doors with steel-polyurethane core doors and replace single windows with double and triple glazing. Furnaces and hot water heaters can be upgraded to new energy-efficient models. Some studies show that commercial buildings can cut energy use in half through energy efficiency upgrades. Industries can conserve energy through high-efficiency machinery, waste reduction and recycling.