In the News
Green Grows Up
Mary Wiens talks to Andy Barrie about "Greening Greater Toronto", a campaign to retrofit Toronto's high-rises and create a new industry that could make us a very wealthy city if we get it right. Link to Metro Morning and audio recordings of the broadcast: Click hereMary Wiens talks to Andy Barrie about "Greening Greater Toronto", a campaign to retrofit Toronto's high-rises and create a new industry that could make us a very wealthy city if we get it right.
Although we put a lot of work into filling our blue bins and many of us think twice about driving our car on smoggy days, the truth is we produce far more waste at work - two-thirds more - than we do at home. And the buildings where we live and work spew far more CO2 into the air than our cars do.
About a year ago, the Toronto City Summit Alliance convened a discussion with businesses and government about how to make Toronto the greenest big city region in North America. It became obvious that Toronto's workplaces are both our biggest problem when it comes to CO2 emissions and our biggest opportunity. The GTA has 250-million square feet of commercial space - more than just about any other region in North America except for New York City.
Much of that space was built in the 50s, 60s and 70s when energy costs were low. As Mary told Andy, the goal of Greening Greater Toronto is to turn Toronto into a retrofitting centre, by co-ordinating greening programs and initiatives, and to market its expertise around the world.
Link to Metro Morning and audio recordings of the broadcast: Click here
Although we put a lot of work into filling our blue bins and many of us think twice about driving our car on smoggy days, the truth is we produce far more waste at work - two-thirds more - than we do at home. And the buildings where we live and work spew far more CO2 into the air than our cars do.
About a year ago, the Toronto City Summit Alliance convened a discussion with businesses and government about how to make Toronto the greenest big city region in North America. It became obvious that Toronto's workplaces are both our biggest problem when it comes to CO2 emissions and our biggest opportunity. The GTA has 250-million square feet of commercial space - more than just about any other region in North America except for New York City.
Much of that space was built in the 50s, 60s and 70s when energy costs were low. As Mary told Andy, the goal of Greening Greater Toronto is to turn Toronto into a retrofitting centre, by co-ordinating greening programs and initiatives, and to market its expertise around the world.
Link to Metro Morning and audio recordings of the broadcast: Click here