How Calgary is contributing to low-carbon living

It's a number so big, it's hard to comprehend: $17 trillion US.

According to the New Climate Economy report released by the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, that's how much cities worldwide could realize in direct energy savings by 2050 by investing in low-carbon technologies. This includes public transportation, efficiency in building design and waste management.

Is such a target obtainable?

In 2014, the City of Calgary spent $140 million on energy, just for its own facilities, "to keep our pools warm, our street lights on and our LRTs moving," said Arsheel Hirji, leader of sustainable infrastructure with the City.

'Net-positive' home provides more energy than it uses

When talking about giving back, many people think of volunteer work or assisting in the community. For one Calgary household, however, it means something entirely different.

Situated in the southeast community of Ramsay, Cornelis Koster's home is giving back in the form of energy. Billed as Canada's first net-positive home, it uses several forms of green-friendly technology to not only provide its own heat and power, but also creates a slight excess of electricity.

"We have a 5.5-kilowatt system powering the suite, garage and the house plus we have a surplus," said Koster, who also serves as president of Ironcor Solar.
According to Koster, construction on the project took 17 weeks and came in at a cost of $220,000.

City of Calgary using new techniques in pavement construction, rehabilitation

The City of Calgary is going green in its effort to provide drivers with a bump-free commute.

The City's Transportation Department has completed testing two new environmentally friendly techniques in pavement construction and rehabilitation that use different techniques and alternative materials to create asphalt at a reduced cost.

Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR) is a seven-step process that produces a layer of pavement by cold-pressing reclaimed asphalt and mixing it with raw virgin materials such crushed stone, sand and gravel.

Increased energy efficiency can increase your home's resale

Whether it is through appliances, heating or cooling, homes use a lot of energy.

In Canada, space heating accounts for more than 60 per cent of residential energy use and makes up a good proportion of a home's overall energy bill.

While the environmental reasons for reducing the energy use of a home are many, there are also financial reasons to add a little green to your home. 

The City of Calgary suggests changing up some holiday acts to decrease environmental impact

The City is urging residents to green up their season this year with some easy tips.

"It doesn't have to be complicated to cut back our environmental impact this time of year," said Claire Beckstead, corporate environmental specialist witht he City. "There are many simple green actions Calgarians can take that lessen our impact on the environment while keeping the fun and excitement of the season."

Nearly half of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada come from our homes. They can be smarter than that.

We want our homes to be comfortable, safe, clean, healthy and to have the smallest environmental footprint possible. That's why consumers, homebuilders, homeowners, property managers, REALTORS®, local governments and schools are all focusing on building homes and buildings that serve people better.