Della Wilkinson
Two hundred curious residents from across Ottawa showed up for the first Coffee House on Sustainability on January 27.
The session focused on Homes and Energy, with two short presentations followed by coffee table chats where residents could engage with knowledgeable neighbours willing to share their personal experience and knowledge from making changes to their homes and energy source.
It was the first of six to be held monthly this spring to help residents make sustainable choices on issues like reducing food waste, living car-free, or keeping water out of your basement.
Aaron Thornell, a member of the City of Ottawa’s Climate Change & Resiliency team, explained the city’s Better Homes Ottawa Loan Program. Patric Langevin, a project leader in the Natural Resources Canada’s Local Energy Efficiency Partnerships (LEEP) initiative, led a session on “Energy, Carbon & Resiliency – Getting Your Home Ready for the Future, Today.”
Knowledgeable neighbours shared their experiences on solar panels, heat pumps (air and ground source), insulation, air tightness, energy efficient appliances, windows, and doors, as well as tips for renters.
In addition, there were information tables staffed by representatives from EnviroCentre, Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative (OREC), Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES). Ottawa Public Library representatives brought a thermal imaging camera to check for air leaks (yes, it did get signed out!).
Comments from our feedback survey suggest that attendees found the presentations to be very informative, and people really loved the format of being able to interact and ask questions with people who had already made sustainable changes. They were able to learn what worked, what didn’t work, and what would have been good to know before making a change.
The next coffee house is on “Reducing Your Carbon Footprint” on February 24 at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. It will follow a similar format with an opening presentation on “Living More Lightly” followed by chats with knowledgeable neighbours.
Attendees will be invited to take a “Carbon Footprint Challenge” aimed at helping residents better understand the connection between the choices they make and the emissions of greenhouse gases causing climate change. Of course, there will be great coffee and cookies: just remember to bring your own cup!
The series is sponsored by the Environment Committee of the Glebe Community Association (GCA), Community Associations for Environmental Sustainability (CAFES), and the City of Ottawa’s Community Environment Project Grant Program.