How Green Is Your Location?
When it comes to making positive choices for the planet, where you live can be just as important as how you live
By Andrew Pride - New Dream Homes and Condos
Today’s environmentally friendly condos offer residents a wide range of features that make “living green” a natural way of life. From whole-building systems that save energy in common areas to empowering features in individual suites, what’s inside your condo is key to living in an environmentally responsible way. What’s outside your building—your home’s location—is important too. Here’s why.
According to a 2006 report by Pollution Probe and the Canadian Automobile Association, climate change brought about by greenhouse gas emissions is warming the environment by an unprecedented 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade in Canada.
About one-eighth of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions come from personal vehicle use, including passenger cars and light trucks (including minivans and SUVs). To reduce global warming, and to clean up our city’s air at the same time, one of most positive things each of us can do is drive less. Right now, the City of Toronto is encouraging all residents to reduce vehicle use, and home energy use as well, by 20%. It’s a target that’s easier to achieve if you live in the right location.
Is your home within walking or cycling distance of your workplace? Are you close to the subway and streetcar or bus routes? Can you shop for all of your home and food essentials in your neighbourhood? Can you walk to the movies and to restaurants? If so, you’ll find it easier to leave the car at home… or simply not own one.
Today, green-thinking developers understand the importance of location. MintoMidtown, the 39-and 54-storey condo at Yonge and Eglinton, is located steps from the Eglinton subway in a vibrant neighbourhood known for popular shops and restaurants.
MintoMidtown and MintoSkyy at Pottery Road and Broadview—also provide car-share memberships to residents. Car-sharing members can, for low hourly fees, have access to a fleet of well-maintained vehicles including Smart cars, hybrids and mini-vans. With larger developments, hybrid vehicles can be located on-site and exclusively for the use of the condo residents.
Once you’ve found a condo in the location best for you, it’s time to consider the building’s overall green profile. Is the development a candidate for LEED® certification from the Canada Green Building Council? Will an “all-off” switch and individual heating and cooling controls in your suite give you the personal power to conserve? Is any of your new condo’s energy being sourced through Renewable Energy Certificates to offset traditional power use and encourage the production of greener sources of energy?
If you can answer “yes” to these questions, you’ll find that green-living solutions are truly close to home.
Andrew Pride is Vice President of Minto Energy Management. He champions the green design elements of MintoUrban Communities condo and rental buildings.
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