<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/>  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> <h2>Green On. e-newsletter February 02/2006<o:p></o:p></h2> <h2>To view online, go to <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/articles/?p=13">www.weconserve.ca/articles/?p=13</a> To subscribe or unsubscribe, please use the form at www.greenontario.org<o:p></o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> <h2><img border=0 width=277 height=35 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.gif@01C62807.C48E9AC0"><o:p></o:p></h2> <h2>Poll shows overwhelming support for conservation<o:p></o:p></h2> <h2><o:p> </o:p></h2> It’s official: We Conserve!<o:p></o:p> In an Ontario-wide opinion poll conducted for the Conservation Council by Oraclepoll Research, it’s clear that public awareness and personal commitment to energy conservation is at an all time high.<o:p></o:p> Click here to download <a href="http://weconserve.ca/homespoll_summary.pdf">…Poll Summary</a> <a href="http://weconserve.ca/homespoll_full.pdf">…Full Poll results</a><o:p></o:p> 93% of the respondents said that energy conservation is important to them, and fully 99% said they do the simple things, like turning off lights and appliances when not in use.<o:p></o:p> Over the past year, 72% of homeowners have installed one or more compact fluorescent lightbulbs, 69% have draftproofed doors ,and 64% have upgraded to more energy efficient appliances.<o:p></o:p> 40% of homeowners reported adding insulation to their home, with 37% upgrading insulation levels in the basement, an interesting statistic given that the Ontario Building Code doesn’t require basement insulation.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Can we become better at conservation: absolutely!<o:p></o:p> 84% of the respondents felt that Ontarians could do a better job at conserving energy. Interestingly enough, 54% felt that they were better than others at conserving energy<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Do we need Help? Definitely! 95% of respondents wanted new homes to be insulated to meet the highest energy efficiency standards, and 93% felt that renovations should also meet the highest energy efficiency standards. 89% supported an energy efficiency label for new homes (similar to appliances), 85% wanted the government to invest in incentives and low interest loans for conservation, and 80% supported increasing energy efficiency standards in the Ontario Building Code.In short, the Ontario public is committed to conservation, has taken many of the simple steps, and will go much further with the right kind of support. Here’s some of the steps that carry a strong degree of public support:<o:p></o:p> 1) Increase public awareness and commitment to steps that will have a significant conservation benefit, including<o:p></o:p> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:15.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>a minimum of 10 compact fluorescent bulbs per home <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:15.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>An Energuide audit <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:15.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Improved insulation <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:15.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>Appliance upgrades (especially air-conditioners) <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> 2) Raise home efficiency standards in the Ontario Building Code to a minimum rating of Energuide 80 (from the current average rating of around 72)<o:p></o:p> 3) Require energy efficiency labelling of all homes, starting with new homes and incorporating existing homes on resale.<o:p></o:p> 4) Provide financial incentives for investing in conservation, including<o:p></o:p> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:15.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'>PST exemption on conservation supplies <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:15.0pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'>Linking electricity surcharges to conservation financing <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> 5) Investing in conservation<o:p></o:p> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:15.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>Building strong NGO and private partnerships to market conservation and develop a conserver economy <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:15.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>Strengthening the provincial network of green community groups (www.gca.ca) and other organizations that are delivering conservation solutions <o:p></o:p></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;line-height:15.0pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>Engaging businesses, retailers, municipalities and others in a common commitment to conservation <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> We’ll be pressing for action on these items over the next few months, and stay tuned for more announcements on upcoming campaigns and events!<o:p></o:p> Chris Winter<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/">weconserve.ca </a><o:p></o:p> <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State>'s conservation movement<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>