Sunil
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sunilsingal.bsky.social
Sunil
@sunilsingal.bsky.social
I love to talk about building electrification & transit + the difference local govs can make in reducing emissions.

campaigner for http://Stand.earth | prez of Force of Nature Alliance | formally with səlilwətaɬ & dir of West Coast Climate Action Network
Over 600 people are now registered to speak at council tomorrow, setting likely the record for most registered speakers in Vancouver.

People are rightly upset with the the lack of transparency from Sim, who’s trying to dismantle the sustainability and climate work through an opaque budget.
I do not know the record — number of speakers aren’t automatically recorded in minutes, though there were a number of motions in the Stewart era that got close to 200.

But this means a vote on the preliminary budget likely won’t happen for a week or two.
Justin, any chance you know what is the record for most speakers to a motion or public hearing?

Our most recent confirmed signups against the budget are saying they have a speaker number in the 400s
November 12, 2025 at 6:50 AM
The B.C government’s new Call for Power is good news, but a key question remains: how will the province choose to use this new electricity to shape B.C’s future?
May 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
In 2 weeks, the MVRD board of directors will deliberate whether to reduce or eliminate funding entirely for #climateaction as a core service. Yesterday, over 100 business leaders across Metro Van sent a clear message to the board: climate action cuts would hurt business dailyhive.com/vancouver/me...
Opinion: Metro Vancouver's climate action cuts would hurt business | Urbanized
It is essential that Metro Vancouver Regional District remains committed to its long-term climate goals and does derail the progress.
dailyhive.com
March 27, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Metro Vancouver directors have been in an intense debate these last few months on answering the question: “what should the region consider as a core service? And is regional climate coordination within the scope of those core services?”

Thread on today’s special board meeting 🧵
February 21, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I wonder what this means for Councillor Dominato and Meiszner? Both also did not “align with the shared priorities” of allowing fracked gas in buildings and made the right evidence-based choice to reduce emissions in new buildings and keep energy bills low for residents.
Weeks before the by-election, ABC makes this announcement: Councillor Rebecca Bligh Asked to Leave ABC Vancouver Caucus

"While she remains a Vancouver City Councillor, it has become clear that she is not aligned with the shared priorities and team-oriented approach that defines ABC Vancouver."
February 14, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Reposted by Sunil
In October, #Paris Mayor @annehidalgo.bsky.social and leaders reduced the speed limit on the famous Periphérique ring road from 70 to 50 km/h as part of the city's new climate plan. The goal was to reduce pollution, crashes and traffic jams.

So far, the results have been quite positive. #Leadership
Peripheral at 50 km/h: the positive effects already revealed!
A month and a half after the speed limit on the ring road was lowered to 50 km/h, the first results have come out showing positive impacts.
en.lebonbon.fr
December 19, 2024 at 7:33 AM
The people of Ontario should be worried that they’ll be stuck paying for a stranded asset in the near future. We are finally transitioning off natural gas, and the sooner governments realize it, the better we’ll all be for our climate, health, and cost of living.
The Doug Ford government paid experts $1.5M to tell them how to reach net-zero emissions. Experts came up with 18 scenarios; each one urged the government to phase out natural gas. The Ford government isn't doing that and hasn't released the report.

An exclusive by me
thenarwhal.ca/ontario-ener...
Ontario was advised to ease off gas. Doug Ford is doing the opposite | The Narwhal
The Doug Ford government commissioned a report for up to $1.5 million to identify pathways to net-zero emissions, but continues to procure natural gas despite it
thenarwhal.ca
December 14, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Today, the NDP & Greens signed a cooperation agreement. Included is a commitment of $50 million annually toward electric heat pumps for the next two fiscal years.

You can read @stand.earth’s full reaction to the recent announcement here: stand.earth/press-releas...
Stand.earth reacts to agreement between B.C. Greens and NDP
The cooperation agreement between the NDP and Greens is a sign the parties can work together on priorities including climate and environment.
stand.earth
December 13, 2024 at 11:29 PM
Reposted by Sunil
1/ Against all odds and a stacked city council, Vancouver not only defeated a dangerous gas industry proposal to allow gas in new buildings, but also strengthened the city’s climate and community safe building electrification policy.

How did this happen? Two words: People. Power. 🧵 #ClimateSky
December 9, 2024 at 4:13 PM
Groups like Resource Works, Voice for Energy, and BC CADE need to be called out for what they really are: AstroTurf groups. These groups are undermining trust in public institutions like BC Hydro by spreading misinformation on electrification.

I appreciate the interview @geoffdembicki.bsky.social!
desmog.com DeSmog @desmog.com · Nov 29
File this under "astroturfing 101".

Days before a critical vote in Vancouver over whether to ban gas in new homes, an industry group sent out a list of pre-written comments people could cut and paste and then submit to city council opposing the ban.

www.desmog.com/2024/11/28/i...
Industry Group Pre-Wrote Comments for ‘Workers’ Opposing Vancouver Gas Ban
Ahead of a city council vote, Resource Works launched an influence campaign with stock submissions for restaurant owners, hospitality workers, and residents.
www.desmog.com
November 29, 2024 at 3:17 AM
It was amazing to see such a huge turnout of so many passionate people who care for their city and climate. Thank you to the businesses, health practitioners, builders, and the people who showed up to speak + the countless emails and phone calls from residents to council! stand.earth/press-releas...
Vancouver City Councillors stand up to gas industry disinformation: no gas in new builds
 - Stand.earth
Unceded Coast Salish Territories (VANCOUVER, BC) — Late last night Vancouver City Councillors voted to require electric heating and hot water in the construction of new detached homes. The vote follow...
stand.earth
November 28, 2024 at 10:20 PM
Reposted by Sunil
Hello Bluesky! For our very first post, we’ll be taking a look at Vancouver’s upcoming Nov 26th vote on whether to allow gas in new buildings #vanpoli
November 24, 2024 at 5:13 AM
Reposted by Sunil
This Tuesday, council votes on whether to go back to allowing natural gas for heating buildings in Vancouver. I want to take a look at the stated reasons behind this move, and assess their accuracy. A bit of a long thread but an important one... 🧵

www.vancouverisawesome.com/local-news/t...
To ban or not to ban natural gas in construction of Vancouver detached homes?
City creates frequently-asked-questions document to clarify confusion leading up to Nov. 26 vote on controversial policy.
www.vancouverisawesome.com
November 23, 2024 at 6:01 PM
+eliminate gas heating in most new buildings in 2026 across the province! #vancouver, don’t vote to go backwards on November 26th! Council needs to oppose recommendation B (Path 2) if it wants to align its new buildings electrification policy with leading cities like Burnaby, Nanaimo, and Port Moody
November 23, 2024 at 3:54 AM
Reposted by Sunil
Hey, Vancouver friends! Your help is needed on an upcoming climate vote.
Next Tuesday, Nov 26, City Council will vote on whether to let gas heating back into new buildings — a huge step backward for climate action & public health. We NEED your voice. Here's how to take action.👇
November 22, 2024 at 12:24 AM
If council passes the report as is, it would effectively put Vancouver at the bottom of the list of local governments taking climate action on new buildings in the Lower Mainland. It will also be the first city in Canada to wilfully re-introduce a known dangerous pollutant into people’s homes.
City staff have a report out on how to proceed with council's directive to pause the current natural-gas policy, which effectively makes it unfeasible to put in for heating (only fireplaces and cooking okay). Report notes max 2.6 % extra costs if complying with existing policy
November 21, 2024 at 4:52 PM
Reposted by Sunil
#Vancouver was 1st Canadian city to ban gas in new builds, but a new city council is poised to undo that in defence of "consumer choice." For the record heat pumps save lives and $$ and climate victims don't get a choice. Gas utilities will be the winners.
www.nationalobserver.com/2024/11/19/n...
With vote looming, builders hope Vancouver sticks with gas restrictions
Some of Vancouver's leading builders are eyeing with frustration an upcoming city council vote that could eliminate the city's years-old restrictions on using natural gas in new buildings.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 19, 2024 at 7:02 PM
Reposted by Sunil
In response to the housing crisis, plans are being made to build millions of new homes across the country. This is good news.

But, new housing shouldn’t come at the expense of the climate - and it doesn’t have to.
November 6, 2023 at 3:12 PM