Why did you join Passive House Canada? For me, it was the opportunity to address two issues close to my heart — climate change and the need for Canada to build better. I enjoy working with passive house folks — you are a passionate bunch, dedicated to using your talents to not only build better, but to help address the climate crisis.
I’m pleased that Passive House Canada has collaborated with the Tower Renewal Partnership to offer our Tower Retrofit Symposium, September 22 and 23. Information here. The symposium provides an incredible platform to bring everything all together — not only the “why” but also the “how” to retrofit towers to achieve deep energy reduction targets while creating healthy and comfortable space for residents and workers. Please, join us.
We are in the midst of a federal election, so this is a perfect time to tell your candidates about the need for an improved building code and EnerPHit retrofits. Passive house is the solution. It’s time for action by all levels of government, with the federal government leading the way with a more rigorous National Building Code and retrofit code.
Passive House Canada (PHC) will continue to support you by advocating for the passive house standard with government, industry and the public. We are making headway, but government and industry need to go further faster. The public needs to demand more.
In some sobering news that highlights our worries, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that not only was July the hottest on record, it was also the hottest month ever recorded on Earth. “This new record adds to the disturbing and disruptive path that climate change has set for the globe,” NOAA said in its media release.
No doubt you know the United Nations recently released a report that paints a dire picture for humanity if we do not immediately begin rapid decarbonization. The report says current government policies will put the world on track for a three degrees Celsius warming by the end of the century. That means countries need to reach more ambitious targets than those struck in Paris in 2015.
Life threatening forest fires on Canada’s west coast, grain-busting drought across the Prairies and wet weather in much of central Canada all demonstrate a shift in the Canadian climate. These extreme weather events are becoming the norm and Canadians are beginning to notice. Let’s take advantage of this awakening by talking to our candidates, elected representatives, friends and neighbours about how passive house can be part of the solution.
A lack of respect for nature and “extreme capitalism” has got us into this mess, but there are pathways to help us get through it. Building and retrofitting to Passive House is one such pathway.
Together we will make a difference.
Chris
