As Earth Day approaches, it has me thinking of ways to improve the efficiency of your home without feeling overwhelming. We are so lucky on the Sunshine Coast that our community also joins in the celebrations of Earth Day! Climate change can feel very doom and gloom, so we’ve decided to keep things light and fun around here this year.
“In a world of more than eight billion people, each of us is a drop in the bucket. But with enough drops, we can fill any bucket.”
– David Suzuki
One Straw Society Event
April 21 1:00-2:00, 1041 Roberts Creek Rd
What better way to celebrate Earth day than to get your hands in the soil?! Roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, helping us start a new crop of seedlings for the Tiny Farm! Katy, our Market Garden Coordinator leads us through starting seedlings, plastic-free, using the soil blocker from our Tool Library. Learn about soil composition and more in this fun, hands-on session.
Plant Trees To Conserve Energy for Summer Shade
Planting trees on your property helps conserve energy by shading your home from excessive sun exposure, mitigating the need for your cooling system to run frequently during hot summer months, reducing your energy bill.
Planting trees strategically to block strong chilly winds in winter helps maintain warmth indoors, reducing the need for excessive heating and associated costs,
To shade your house, opt for deciduous trees. Deciduous trees, often characterized by broader leaves, are great at blocking sunlight during summer but allow sunlight to reach your home in winter after losing their leaves.
Tip: If you’re a member of One Straw Society, you are eligible for discounts at a variety of gardening shops & more!
CleanBC is Helping BC Switch to Cleaner Home Energy
Helping British Columbians find rebates to save energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions in their homes.
Reasons to improve your home’s energy efficiency
- Increase year-round comfort
- Save money on energy bills
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Head to the CleanBC website to learn how the process works!
Step 3 Energy Code
The BC Building Code undergoes regular updates. One change I was was happy to see in May of last year was Step 3 of the BC Energy Code coming into effect on the Sunshine Coast. This change requires 20% better energy efficiency for most new buildings. This is a big step in B.C.’s transition towards energy efficient and zero carbon new buildings.