<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" downloadurl="http://www.5iamas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place" downloadurl="http://www.5iantlavalamp.com/"/>  <style>  </style>  </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> <o:p> </o:p> <img width=322 height=41 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image001.jpg@01C76D3C.8CDE4230"><o:p></o:p> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: left bottom; BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(res://ietag.dll/#34/#1001); BACKGROUND-REPEAT: repeat-x" tabIndex="0" w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State></st1:place>’s Conservation Movement<o:p></o:p> To subscribe or unsubscribe to this listserve, go to <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/" title="http://www.weconserve.ca/">www.weconserve.ca</a><o:p></o:p> This post is online at <a href="http://weconserve.ca/articles/?p=32">http://weconserve.ca/articles/?p=32</a> <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <h2>A Ray of Hope<o:p></o:p></h2> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State></st1:place>’s conservation movement is starting to get the recognition it deserves. Buried in a traditional budget of highways and transit are some good news announcements that we have been pressing for over the past year, including consumer subsidies and support for community outreach programs. <o:p></o:p> Included in the budget are…<o:p></o:p> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'>$24 million over four years in rebates for home energy audits (delivered by the members of Green Communities Canada and private companies throughout <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State>)<o:p></o:p></li> </ul> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>$1.5 million to Project Porchlight to deliver energy-efficient lightbulbs to 500,000 homes<o:p></o:p></li> </ul> Not big numbers in the overall billion dollar scheme of things, but what it means is that Ontarians will now get a subsidy for a home energy audit, and Project Porchlight is being funded to knock on doors, install a complementary lightbulb and get people started on the conservation path. This is a good first step in bringing conservation home.<o:p></o:p> We need to go much further, of course, and the budget specifically states that a) the provincial incentives will fit with the upcoming federal rebates for home energy conservation, and b) that the more detailed $200 million green plan will be announced in April.<o:p></o:p> So, how do we build on the $25.5 million home conservation initiatives announced in the budget?<o:p></o:p> One of the items on the agenda for our next <a href="http://weconserve.ca/articles/www.weconserve.ca/summit/">conservation summit</a> on April 27 is a “people’s climate change strategy”. In other words, lets look at how individuals can be a driving force behind <st1:State w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State>’s climate change strategy, and how <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ontario</st1:place></st1:State>’s conservation groups and a conserver economy can facilitate these actions.<o:p></o:p> Start with looking at the top six ways that individuals can reduce their carbon budget:<o:p></o:p> 1) an energy efficient home<o:p></o:p> 2) with renewable power<o:p></o:p> 3) in a pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood<o:p></o:p> 4) with alternatives to cars,<o:p></o:p> 5) local organic food,<o:p></o:p> 6) and plenty of greenspace and nature.<o:p></o:p> Over the next couple of weeks I will be pulling together the strategy to present at the conservation summit. I will ask for your help in piecing it together: and in making sure your programs, products and services are included, and in identifying the right policy instruments to support these actions.<o:p></o:p> So congratulations to Stuart Hickox and Project Porchlight, and to the Green Communities gang for the support you’ve received for your programs! Its a significant step in the right direction, and hopefully a sign of good things to come.<o:p></o:p> For a breakdown on the $125 million in environmental commitments in the budget, here’s a list prepared by <a href="http://huffstrategy.com/MediaManager/release/22-3-07/Ontario-2007-Budget-Overview/518.html" target="_blank">Environmental Communication Options</a> <o:p></o:p> Chris Winter <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/">weconserve.ca</a> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Ontario</st1:State></st1:place>'s Conservation Movement<o:p></o:p> Help build the movement  --- <a href="http://www.weconserve.ca/summit/">Ontario’s Conservation Summit – April 27, 2007</a><o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </body> </html>