Written by Denise Deby.
Feeling powerless about climate change? Need to recharge your batteries to do something about energy consumption?
It’s a great time to get a handle on sustainable energy alternatives in Ottawa. Over the next month, several organizations are offering opportunities to learn more about and get involved in solar energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency. (Check the links for details about costs, if any, and registration.)
Global Warming: How We Know It’s Real – Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, 7-8:30 p.m.
Environmental speaker and advisor Charles Hodgson offers a discussion on climate change—what we know about it, why it’s happening and why some people doubt it—and practical things people can do about it. A Westboro Brainery class at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre; register here.
Powering Up Against Climate Change – Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, 7-9 p.m.
Bullfrog Power, the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative (OREC) and HUB Ottawa are hosting a session on climate change and the Climate Reality Project started by Al Gore. Sean Magee, director of Bullfrog Builds and renewable energy expert, will present, and there’ll also be information on OREC’s renewable energy projects. Includes a complementary bowl of homemade harvest soup. At HUB Ottawa; information here.
Show Me the Green: A Green Home Renovation Workshop – Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
This one’s not just about energy—it brings experts on building, architecture, green design as well as energy efficiency and renewable energy to share information with contractors, renovators, builders, home designers, real estate agents, students and non-profits. A lunch is included. Organized by the Social Planning Council of Ottawa’s Building Greener Futures Together project and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Donations of new or used tools for SPCO’s “Tools for Trade” program are welcome. At Rideau Park United Church; details here.
Green Your Power, Options for Tangible Solutions in Ottawa – Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, 12:45-2 p.m.
Another opportunity to hear from the Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-operative (OREC) and Bullfrog Power comes at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa. Hear about ways to green your home and invest in renewable energy. Information here.
Solar Power and Renewable Energy for the Home – Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, 7-8:30pm
Jeff Molson, an electrical engineer working in renewable energy, talks about incentives and technologies available for homeowners to integrate solar energy in their homes. A Westboro Brainery course at Dovercourt Recreation Centre; register here.
Community Power: Democratizing Solar Power with Community Funding – Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, 11:30-1 p.m.
The Ottawa Renewable Energy Co-op (OREC), the University of Ottawa’s Collaboratorium on Energy Research and Policy and the Centre on Governance are co-sponsoring this event, intended for “political scientists, engineers, planners, business scholars and anyone interested in new models of electricity governance or in citizen engagement and capacity building toward sustainable energy futures.” Covers the feed-in-tariff program, solar photovoltaic systems and the community power/renewable energy co-operative model. At the University of Ottawa; details here.
Green Living Ottawa 