THE BULLFROG IN THIS ISSUE ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch brings viewers up close with climate change | p.4 Community projects update: OrcaLab, The Boundless School and more | p.6 Green recipes: Gluten-Free Pistachio Biscotti with Chocolate Dip and The Coastal Perfect Storm | p.11 WINTER 2018
HOW
MADE A DIFFERENCE IN 2018
2018 WAS A GREAT YEAR FOR OUR COMMUNITY. MESSAGE FROM BULLFROG POWER In October, the UN’s IPCC issued a report indicating we have just 12 years to significantly change our global energy infrastructure to limit the impacts of global warming. According to Debra Roberts, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II, “This is the largest clarion bell from the science community and I hope it mobilises people and dents the mood of complacency.” As champions for the environment, we know the solutions to climate change are extremely complex. They require major transitions in our transportation, building infrastructure and industrial systems; and even carbon capture programs. We need to convince an increasingly fractured global community—where members are at different stages of development—to work together in making sacrifices. One thing we all know is that now is the time for action. And in this incredibly complicated world, in this incredibly complicated time—our community is an example of how change can happen. Through collaboration, choice and commitment, we are proof of what a group of individuals and businesses can do to create powerful change toward a clean energy future.
Here are just a few examples of the change we accomplished together: Emissions reductions and greening the grid Collectively, we have now displaced more than 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions from the environment. We have put almost 4 million MWhs of green electricity onto the grid and almost 7 million GJs of green natural gas onto the pipeline. Even though we just launched our green fuel product late last year (and to the business community in 2016), we have already put more than one million litres of green fuel into the Canadian fuel pool. You are displacing energy from polluting fossil fuels on our grids, pipelines and fuel systems. You are helping to clean up our air and water and safeguarding our beautiful natural environment that we call home.
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Supporting clean energy infrastructure With your support, Bullfrog Power has sourced from more than 50 green energy generators across Canada—clean energy producers who build and run wind, solar, low-impact hydro, biogas and green fuel facilities. Your choice for clean energy has helped these operators remain viable in Canada; you have been playing a vital role in supporting and growing Canada’s renewables industry.
Growing community-based green energy projects Every month, a portion of your Bullfrog commitment goes toward small solar, wind and biogas projects with Indigenous Peoples, schools, community centres and renewable energy co-ops across Canada. Just some of the projects we were honoured to work with this year include: breaking ground on three new turbines with the Kluane First Nation in the Yukon Territory; solar panels on the OrcaLab research facility in B.C.; and a new solar installation on the Wolfville Farmers’ Market in Nova Scotia. (Read more about these projects in the pages ahead.) We have now supported more than 140 community green energy projects across Canada, creating powerful changes like helping remote communities get off diesel, providing skills training for Canada’s youth, and generating wealth for those in smaller towns and cities.
Innovating on green energy in Canada Currently, transportation accounts for a quarter of all emissions in North America. When paired with renewable power, electric vehicles present an emissions-free alternative—however, EVs currently represent less than 1% of vehicles on the road. To help mitigate the impacts of travel-related emissions today, Bullfrog introduced a green fuel option to the Canadian residential market in late 2017. Adding green fuel to our product suite rounds out our green energy offerings, giving Canadians multiple ways to choose renewable options for their homes, businesses and transportation. Another area we explored in 2018 was virtual net metering (VNM). With the power to transform our energy system, VNM gives Canadians a way to participate in clean energy generation. In VNM, participants purchase panels in a remote location (think farm or field) and get credited on their electricity bills for the energy their panels produce—just as if the panels were on their own homes. Although VNM is not widely available in Canada yet, in 2018 we developed digital systems and conducted small tests in the U.S—in states where VNM is available—enabling homes to choose local community solar power. Our tests were successful and one day, policy permitting, we hope to offer a solar virtual net metering solution to all Canadians.
Spreading awareness We continued to use your support to foster dialogue for climate change and green energy solutions in Canada. We bullfrogpowered more than 100 events coast to coast to help raise awareness of green energy, including screenings of the documentary Anthropocene: The Human Epoch, created by Bullfrog customers Edward Burtynsky, Nicholas de Pencier and Jennifer Baichwal. We also bullfrogpowered the Canadian premiere of Daan Roosegaarde’s Waterlicht at the Bentway in downtown Toronto. And we continue to partner with Canadian musicians, like Dear Rouge and Tara MacLean, who helped us spread the word at their concerts. Bullfrog has participated in several academic working sessions, environmental NGO events and renewable energy industry task force committees to help shape the future advocacy efforts those groups want to take forward. Members of the Bullfrog team also delivered a message that Canadian individuals and businesses are demanding a quick shift to a lower carbon energy system directly to municipal, provincial and the federal governments.
The future is bright In the summer of 2018, Bullfrog joined Spark Power. Spark’s vision is to become the leading power solutions provider to the industrial, commercial and institutional markets across North America. Spark subsidiary Northwind Power is the leading operator of wind and solar farms in Canada—and #3 in North America. Spark also manages 18,000+ kilowatts of solar production for the Agris Co-Op and the Green Energy CoOp of Ontario. With a goal to disrupt the power sector with innovative business models, Spark wants to improve the sustainability, resilience, reliability, and cost of power. Look forward to more news from Spark in 2019!
Thank you for your continued support for advancing clean, renewable power in Canada. THE BULLFROG BUZZ | 3
A N T H R O P O C E N E : THE HUMAN EPOCH BRINGS Many scientists believe we are experiencing a new geological era—the Anthropocene Epoch— that is marked by humanity’s influence on the planet. To raise awareness of the earth’s physical changes due to modern civilization, three Canadian filmmakers (and Bullfrog Power customers) traveled the world to capture footage of the intersection between humans and nature. The result is ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year. Directed by award-winning filmmakers Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier and world-renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky, ANTHROPOCENE: The Human Epoch was released alongside companion exhibits at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada. The exhibitions—which are running until early 2019—are bullfrogpowered, as were the film screenings in Toronto. The production of the film was offset by Bullfrog’s sister company, Less Emissions.
4 | THE BULLFROG BUZZ
Bullfrog Power sat down with the three directors to chat about the artistic and environmental motivations behind the film. Bullfrog: What has the response been to the film? Burtynsky: Judging from what we have heard from reviews and others who have watched the movie, the consensus is that it is a powerful film that speaks to the issues of our time in a compelling way. We’re very happy with the response. Bullfrog: What is the goal of the film? Baichwal: When we started this project in 2013, we wanted to make the word “Anthropocene” a greater part of the public vernacular. Most people don’t know what it means (or that there’s an entire body of scientists dedicated to researching this new geological epoch) and we want to change that. The Anthropocene Working Group is dedicated to gathering ecological and scientific evidence of human influence on the planet, and advocating for a new classification for the current geological epoch. Research by the Group has strongly suggested that we are pushing the planet past its natural limits.
VIEWERS UP CLOSE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE Bullfrog: How did you choose which visuals to include in the film? Burtynsky: Anthropocene offers an emotionally provocative portrayal of our planet. While on location, we were deeply impacted by the scale of what we saw. We want to recreate that visceral, emotional response for the film and our gallery exhibitions. Baichwal: We want Anthropocene to be a meditative process for the viewer; it is not intended to be a blueprint for how to act in relation to the environment. The film is deliberately experiential because it is more powerful and profound for people to arrive at their own conclusions. We think that process of self-reflection is more meaningful than being told what to think or do. Why did you create art exhibitions alongside the film’s release?
that we believe it would be best represented by multiple forms of media. For the gallery exhibitions, we feature video, photography, augmented reality media and more. We feel that appreciation for Anthropocene’s subject matter is much stronger when we combine these visual approaches. What do you hope people will take away from the film? Burtynsky: Our goal is to involve more people in the conversation on climate change. It is a big issue for our society that encompasses many complex problems. We won’t solve climate change as pockets of polarized opinions in entrenched camps. We’ve included messages of hope throughout the show as well—signs of positive change. Through Anthropocene, we hope to raise awareness about how we as humans are impacting the planet. > theanthropocene.org
de Pencier: There are so many angles to such a large issue
Photos © Edward Burtynsky, courtesy Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Toronto
THE BULLFROG BUZZ | 5
COMMUNITY PROJECTS Bullfrog Power continues to support the construction of new community projects across Canada—thanks to you! Learn more about these inspiring projects and people below.
B.C. orca research lab is now 100% solar powered! Orca whales in North America are currently facing a decline in numbers and are struggling to cope with the issues facing them, including toxic contamination; noise and disturbances from boats; fisheries; large hydro dams; and climate change. It is more important than ever to understand and protect these animals who are in decline. At the forefront of orca research in Canada is OrcaLab on Hanson Island, B.C. OrcaLab recently made history by becoming the first orca research facility in Canada to run primarily on solar power—thanks in large part to support from the bullfrogpowered community. The solar project enables OrcaLab to take direct action on issues impacting the health and wellbeing of orcas, reducing OrcaLab’s use of gasoline (which pollutes the orca’s natural environment) and helps the organization fight climate change. The project is one example of how Bullfrog customers are empowering communities across Canada to fight climate change, protect our environment and its species—and help transform our energy landscape.
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Bullfrog supports green energy project atop Vancouver landmark In partnership with the City of Vancouver and Solar Now, Bullfrog Power proudly participated in the recent launch of a solar rooftop on the Vancouver Public Library, an educational city landmark visited nearly 6.5 million times last year. The project coincides with a building expansion which includes a new, 8,000-square-foot public rooftop garden.
Bullfrog and BASF partner with Hiawatha First Nation In October, Bullfrog Power and BASF joined Ontario’s Hiawatha First Nation in unveiling a new solar installation on the community’s flagship business and gathering place, the Old Railroad Stop. For generations, the Old Railroad Stop has been a landmark and gathering place for the Hiawatha First Nation. Built on the location of an old train station and grocery store dating back to the 1850s, the Old Railroad Stop houses a convenience store, gift shop, gas bar, restaurant and museum. Here, many Hiawatha youth have worked their first jobs— and the Stop continues to provide employment and training opportunities to this day. BASF—a bullfrogpowered customer—first partnered with the community to bring environmental and science-based initiatives to the youth at Hiawatha through their Kids’ Lab program, a series of handson chemistry workshops. Wanting to have a lasting impact in the community, BASF, Bullfrog Power and the Hiawatha First Nation completed a 22 kW solar project—a visible renewable energy project in
The Boundless School heals through the environment
the heart of Hiawatha—within the span of a few months. It is projected that the panels will save the community more than $150,000 over the next 25 years. They also provide a great example—not only to everyone who visits The Old Railroad Stop, but to communities across Canada—that renewable energy is feasible. "Integrating renewable energy into the landscape of Hiawatha enables the community to craft their own vision for environmental sustainability," says Marcelo Lu, who is the President of BASF Canada. “Not only will this project reduce our emissions and deliver significant energy savings—it will be a first step in using renewable energy for our First Nation,” says Hiawatha Chief Laurie Carr. “As we continue with more building, and more projects, renewable energy will be a key element in our planning processes.”
For many Ontario teens, a 600-acre stretch of wilderness in the Ottawa Valley is a place of healing and growth. The verdant grounds of The Boundless School are like a second home to young people who struggle with mental health issues and lack the resources to thrive in regular classrooms. Under the guidance of the camp’s instructors, they are given a chance to earn their high school diplomas while bonding with each other and with nature. For Executive Director Steven Gottlieb, the camp’s environmental health is critical to the success of its students. “In order give our students the best learning experience we can, we need to protect and preserve the land’s beauty,” he says. As part of the Boundless Land Trust—a long-term plan to preserve the landscape—The Boundless School recently completed a 20 kW solar project in partnership with Bullfrog Power, who is the Lead Sponsor for the installation. “Thanks to the bullfrogpowered community for giving us the resources to make our environmental dreams come true,” says Gottlieb.
THE BULLFROG BUZZ | 7
Here are just a few of the many organizations that choose green energy with Bullfrog Power. Bullfrog thanks all of its customers for choosing green energy!
Local flavour powers this family brewery Trider’s Craft Beer is a family-run brewery in Nova Scotia named after the road on which the family used to live. The owners’ local pride inspired the brewery to do its part for the environment. “With Bullfrog, we know that the energy we choose for our beer production is contributing to the solution, rather than the problem,” says Joe Potter, the Brewmaster of Trider’s (pictured left). When we asked for tasting recommendations during the colder months, Potter suggested its darker beers. “We have our Honey Chaga, a brown ale with a generous amount of freshly harvested chaga and honey from a nearby neighbour,” he says. “We also bring out our Pumpkin Ale-Ixer, a dark brew with pumpkins and a light fall spice.” > triderscraftbeer.ca
Keep your skin healthy this winter with tips from Frilly Lilly With the coming winter season, we asked long-time bullfrogpowered customer Frilly Lilly for advice to maintain healthy skin during the colder months. Here are some tips from Debra Van Dyke, the President and Founder of Frilly Lilly: Moisturize your skin right after you shower. You'll notice a big difference in how your skin feels. Keep a lip balm and hand cream in your car, at your desk or in your purse. Moisturize often. Use a humidifier in your bedroom, home, or even by your desk. It will help your skin from feeling so dry. Drink lots of water! Frilly Lilly offers beauty, bath and body products in over a dozen boutiques across the country. Its latest environmental initiative—in partnership with TreeEra—will see at least 1,500 new trees planted in Canada every year.
Atlantic Central supports communities with green energy Across the country, credit unions are fostering stronger communities. According to the Canadian Credit Union Association, every year credit unions give back an average of 5% of pre-tax profits to local community organizations—well above the industry standard of 1%. And, almost 80% of credit union employees also choose to volunteer during unpaid time off. Atlantic Central, the trade association for credit unions in Atlantic Canada, is choosing green energy for its offices in Halifax, N.S., Charlottetown, PEI, and Riverview, N.B. Atlantic Central aims to embody this mission of community building. “We are strong advocates for environmental sustainability and choosing to invest in renewable energy for our organization provides us with a unique opportunity to contribute to a healthier environment,” says Michael Leonard, who is President and CEO of Atlantic Central. > atlanticcreditunions.ca
> frillylilly.ca
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Sodexo Canada shuts out single-use plastic Bullfrogpowered Sodexo Canada announced a North Americawide plan to eliminate single-use plastic bags and stirrers by 2019. The policy—which also includes polystyrene foam items such as cups, lids and food containers—will remove over 245 million pieces of single use items in total from usage. For plastic straws and stirrers alone, Sodexo’s plan will eliminate a volume of plastic straws and stirrers that, if laid end to end, would extend from the North Pole to the South Pole…twice!
Nature’s Path: Good for you and the environment A family-owned business since 1985, Nature’s Path prides itself on its always Certified Organic foods— the trusted standard for seeking products free of chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides and GMOs.
Straws will be available on request to customers who need them while Sodexo moves toward more sustainable materials. Says Katherine Power, who is Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Sodexo Canada: “We believe there’s tremendous room for reducing waste without having a single person who uses our services feel like they are being excluded.” > sodexo.ca
To provide even more planet-friendly products, Nature’s Path is choosing green energy for its head office and manufacturing facilities in British Columbia. “It’s very exciting for us to drive investment in renewable energy in our own backyard,” says Jyoti Stephens, Vice President of People, Culture and Mission at Nature’s Path. “We hope our partnership with Bullfrog Power will demonstrate the real and increasing demand that Canadians have for a clean energy future, together.” Company-wide, all the waste diverted from landfill into organic and recycling streams would have amounted to a total of 4,587 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions if it was sent to the landfill. According to the EPA’s carbon equivalencies tool, this amount of avoided carbon emissions is equivalent to almost 1,000 passenger vehicles driven for one year. “How we leave the earth is our collective legacy,” continued Stephens. “It’s up to all of us to try and make a difference, no matter how large or small.” Since 2008, Nature’s Path has also donated more than $22 million worth of food to local charities, food banks and environmental partners. > naturespath.com
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THE DE ANERY PROJEC T The Deanery Project is a Nova Scotia community co-op that serves as a demonstration site for environmental sustainability, skills development and community building. In 2013, Bullfrog Power helped finance a 6 kW solar installation on the roof of the Deanery Project’s Main Hall.
KIM THOMPSON Executive Director, The Deanery Project
Below, Bullfrog explores the history of the Deanery Project and the co-op’s sustainability goals in a conversation with the Deanery Project’s Executive Director, Kim Thompson.
Bringing a Space Back to Life
A Holistic Approach to Education
The Deanery was previously the site of a summer camp that had serviced the Nova Scotia community for almost 75 years. In 2011, the land came up for sale, and a group of local residents, artists and environmental educators recognized an opportunity to showcase how the site could be repurposed for learning centres and community hubs. The land was purchased with a private loan from someone who believed in the idea, and the Deanery Project Co-operative was formed.
The Deanery Project takes a very holistic approach to education and how it can positively impact the environment and our communities. We are excited that people can come here to learn about gardening, and simultaneously be introduced to sustainable architecture, active transportation and renewable energy.
When we acquired the property, the two main buildings had been boarded up for three years and were terribly run down. Our rebuilding efforts helped members of the co-op bond by working toward a common goal. We used every construction improvement as an educational opportunity to demonstrate environmentally responsible building systems. Our combined efforts enabled us to keep this beautiful oceanfront property in the service of the community, while also finding ways to broaden the scope of what it has to offer.
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As an example of the projects we undertake, this summer we worked with 10 Dalhousie School of Architecture students to design and build a log and earth portico for our electric vehicle charging station. The roof of the portico will eventually support a solar array that will power the EV charger. Part of the structure features an educational area that will help communicate the importance of solar and renewables on the property. It has been a fantastic learning opportunity for everyone involved.
The Importance of Green Energy There are sustainable energy projects everywhere at the Deanery Project. These are key to our educational work through the ReNEW project, a program in partnership with the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Through regularly scheduled tours of
the grounds, we are able to introduce people to new and old energy technologies and solar energy incentives. We also work with businesses and not-forprofits, encouraging them to incorporate solar energy into their buildings. It is heartening to see how many people have been inspired to take on solar projects of their own as a result of a tour or workshop at the Deanery. One of the next projects for ReNEW is to host a regional Natural Building Colloquium in 2019 with the goal of sharing sustainable building methods and exploring how these can create positive change in our communities.
Partnering with Bullfrog Power Visitors are always curious about the 24 solar panels on the roof of the Main Hall. We love telling them the story of how we were one of Bullfrog’s earliest project partnerships back in 2013. At that time, we had been just operating for two years as a co-operative. The trust and confidence Bullfrog showed in our work as an eager start-up has been instrumental in bringing us to where we are today. I can’t begin to express how much that support means to us still.
> thedeaneryproject.com
green
Gluten-Free Pistachio Biscotti with Chocolate Dip
This recipe, submitted by bullfrogpowered Westpoint Naturals, is the perfect dessert or snack for the winter season. Westpoint Naturals is a B.C-based natural whole food distributor with a focus on organics, whole grains and gluten-free products.
Ingredients (available from Westpoint Naturals; feel free to substitute)
Preparation 1.
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2.
In a large mixing bowl, sift through flour, add baking powder and mix until combined. Mix sugar in with flour and baking powder after they've been combined.
3.
Slice and scrape vanilla bean to get seeds. In a small bowl, whisk eggs with vanilla bean seeds.
4.
Add egg mixture to flour mixture and stir until just combined. Add shelled pistachios and cranberries and ensure they are well incorporated into the dough.
5.
On a floured surface, pour dough from the bowl and lightly knead it until the clumps are removed.
6.
Form dough into a log shape and place gently on a baking tray. Put in the oven for approximately 25 minutes, or until slightly firm. Keep oven turned on.
7.
Remove the log-shaped dough from the oven and allow to cool completely.
8.
Once cooled, slice the dough into slices (thin or thick work well) and spread back onto the baking tray. Put it back in the oven for a further 10 minutes. Let cool.
9.
Melt coconut oil and chocolate chips together.
1 cup of All Purpose Gluten Free Flour Mix (plus more for kneading) 1 tsp of Baking Powder (Corn & Wheat Free) 1/4 cup of Organic Cane Sugar 1 Vanilla Bean 2 cups of Raw Shelled Pistachios 1/2 cup of Dried Unsulphured Cranberries 1/4 cup of crushed Raw Shelled Pistachios 1/2 cup of Chocolate Chips (No Sugar Added)
Other Ingredients 1 tsp of Coconut Oil 2 Eggs
10. Dip biscotti slices into chocolate or spoon on chocolate and finish with crushed pistachios. Enjoy!
> westpointnaturals.com
The Coastal Perfect Storm This recipe, submitted by bullfrogpowered customers Faculty Brewing in Vancouver and Ironworks Distillery in Nova Scotia, adds a hint of spice to your holiday and New Year’s cocktails this season. This simple but delicious drink features Faculty Brewing’s Ginger Saison and Ironworks Bluenose Dark Rum. Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
Preparation
2 oz. Ironworks Bluenose Dark Rum
Combine rum, beer and lime juice in a Collins glass with ice. Stir, then garnish with a lime wedge. Enjoy!
1/2 oz. Fresh lime juice 4 oz. Faculty Brewing 314 Ginger Saison 1 Lime Wheel Ice to serve
> ironworksdistillery.com > facultybrewing.com
THE BULLFROG BUZZ | 11
WOLF VILLE FA RMER S’ MA RKE T
KELLY MARIE REDCLIFFE Manager, Wolfville Farmers’ Market
Started in 1992 with three vendors in a parking lot in the Town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, the Wolfville Farmers’ Market is now a community of 70 farmers, chefs and artisan vendors with an online store that delivers market produce to eight communities in the Annapolis Valley and Halifax regions. The Wolfville Farmers’ Market recently unveiled a 20 kW solar installation which will power the Market yearround, and will reduce the facility’s emissions footprint by 16 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year. The project was made possible thanks in part to support from the bullfrogpowered community. Here, Manager Kelly Marie Redcliffe explains how the solar project came to be, and how it instills a sense of pride at the Market.
The Market building used to be an historic apple warehouse that was built at the turn of the century. Apples were brought to the facility, shipped via rail carts and then transported to Europe. The Annapolis Valley is renowned for growing apples. Wayne Groszko, an Applied Energy Research Scientist at Nova Scotia Community College, was a driving force behind the solar project. His students were interested in conducting a solar feasibility study for the Market, and they identified a lot of building efficiency improvements that would also help us save money. Looking back, we found it was valuable to have that technical knowledge on hand to guide our environmental efforts. I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and ask about the solar project. I think seeing the project in person—an idea made into reality—inspires people. Our vendors are pretty excited, and our launch event really elevated that sense of excitement. I believe the solar project makes our vendors even more proud to be part of the Market. Over the past few years, we’ve started thinking more and more about the Market’s energy use and seeing how we can be more efficient. We have many environmental aspirations for the Market. Our farmers and producers are proud of that sense of sustainability—keeping the land healthy is at the heart of what they do. > wolfvillefarmersmarket.ca
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IN YOUR OWN WORDS:
Marc Yamaguchi Marc Yamaguchi has been a Bullfrog Power customer in Toronto since 2014. In addition to teaching English at Centennial College, Yamaguchi is an environmental advocate and co-founder of Rain Gardens United, a non-profit focused on raising awareness of the benefits of and need for rain gardens in cities. We spoke with Marc about why he chooses green energy and how rain gardens can make a positive impact in homes and neighbourhoods.
What’s the mission of Rain Gardens United? Our mandate is to educate Torontonians about low-impact development strategies in cities—namely, managing storm water in residential areas. The main purpose of rain gardens is to absorb excess storm water during periods of rainfall. In urban areas, heavy rainfall can overwhelm storm drain systems— causing land erosion, sediment buildup and pollution in freshwater systems. Rain gardens help absorb this runoff to reduce flooding in neighbourhoods, and also to divert the amount of pollutants that go into our waterways.
What are some additional benefits of rain gardens? • Rain gardens can feature plants that encourage pollinator activity. Native, non-territorial bees are attracted to these plant species as habitats and floral resources.
• Rain gardens keep working in the winter! They provide wintertime structures for birds to perch on. Additionally, snow that settles into a rain garden’s porous flower bed will absorb the moisture instead of causing it to run off onto driveways—which, when frozen, can be very hazardous. • Green is good for the soul! Tending to a rain garden will encourage you to spend more time outdoors. Rain gardens can also be good conversation starters with neighbours. They can connect people with nature and help foster a sense of community.
Why do you bullfrogpower your home? I believe that renewables will be a greater part of the energy mix moving forward. The Bullfrog lawn sign in front of my house represents my commitment to a better future for my kids as well as healthier, more stable natural systems.
Bullfrog Power sponsored the WATERLICHT art installation at The Bentway in Toronto. The light-based exhibition simulated rising sea levels and challenged viewers to reflect on the impact of climate change on our water resources.
In August, Bullfrog joined Billy the Flying Fox at PortsToronto’s Sail-In Cinema, held at Sugar Beach. The Sail-In Cinema, which was bullfrogpowered, is an outdoor movie screening event that is open to the public every summer. PortsToronto chooses green energy for its operations, including Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. THE BULLFROG BUZZ | 13
green index
Bullfrog Power thanks all bullfrogpowered organizations for choosing clean, green energy. List current as of November 19, 2018
VISIONARY
>40,000 MWh or >280,000 GJ or equivalent combination*
VANGUARD
20,000 - 39,999 MWh or 140,000 - 279,999 GJ or equivalent combination*
AMBASSADOR
10,000 - 19,999 MWh or 70,000 - 139,999 GJ or equivalent combination*
EMISSARY
5,000 - 9,999 MWh or 35,000 - 69,999 GJ or equivalent combination*
STEWARD
1,000 - 4,999 MWh or 7,000 - 34,999 GJ or equivalent combination*
black + pantone 341
black
gray
white
14 | THE BULLFROG BUZZ
never use green leaf with white or gray typo
never use with outline stroke
HERALD
500 - 999 MWh or 3,500 - 6,999 GJ or equivalent combination*
Craft Beer Market The Lowe-Martin Group
Lessen your emissions this winter
Upper Canada Forest Products Christie Lites Urban Systems Ethical Bean Coffee Office Coffee Solutions/Mindful Snacks D+H Hotel Blackfoot Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Atlantic Central Excel Homes South-East Ottawa Community Health Centre TAS Your Credit Union Ricoh Canada
If you have or are planning to travel abroad, consider offsetting the emissions of your flight with Less Emissions. Less Emissions, a Bullfrog Power company, helps people and organizations mitigate travel emissions quickly, effectively—and with the highest quality offsets in Canada. You’ll lessen your environmental footprint, support innovative emissions reductions projects and ultimately make the responsible decision for our planet when you need to travel. Less, Air Canada's voluntary offset provider, is ranked as the highest quality offset provider by the David Suzuki Foundation and the Pembina Institute. Learn more at less.ca today!
eBay Canada DCR Systems Group
> less.ca
Westin Harbour Castle Metro Toronto Convention Centre National Tire Distributors
a
company
Sodexo Canada Ltd. Proof TPH Whitewater Brewing Company KingSett Capital Pacific Gateway Hotel Crombie REIT Egg Farmers of Canada
AND NOTEWORTHY
To view a full list of bullfrogpowered organizations and the details of their green energy commitments, visit bullfrogpower.com/greenindex.
*Green index tiers are based on annual financial commitment to green energy.
THE BULLFROG BUZZ | 15
GREEN ENERGY Ottawa commits $30 million for new tidal project in Bay of Fundy In September, the federal government announced a $29.8 million grant for a 9 MW system that will harness the Bay of Fundy’s tides—projected to be completed by 2020. The system will produce enough energy to power 2,500 homes using a tidal power generation unit.
Three Canadian cities sign on to net zero carbon buildings declaration
World could install more than 1 trillion watts of clean energy by 2023: IEA
Through the international C40 Cities program, the mayors of Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal committed to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 by ensuring that new buildings operate at net zero carbon. The three cities join more than 90 others around the world in making the declaration.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world could install more than a trillion watts of renewable power over the next five years—more than the entire current generation capacity of the European Union.
UN report calls for urgent action on climate change
ABOUT BULLFROG
In October, the United Nations’ climate change panel released a report calling for urgent action to avert catastrophic climate change. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stated that the global community still has a chance to limit the average increase in temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels—a goal sanctioned by the Paris climate agreement in 2015.
The IEA’s latest annual report on renewables, released in October, forecasts as much as an extra 1.3 terawatts of clean energy could be installed by 2023. In a more conservative forecast, the agency predicted that global renewable energy capacity will grow by 1 terawatt, driven by a boom in solar installations and more accommodating government policies.
B.C. government boosts clean energy vehicle incentive program In September, the B.C. provincial government announced an additional $10 million in funding to its Clean Energy Vehicle Program. With an initial commitment of
Bullfrog Power, Canada’s leading green energy provider, offers renewable energy solutions that enable individuals and businesses to reduce their environmental impact, support the development of green energy projects in Canada and help create a cleaner, healthier world. As a Certified B Corporation, Bullfrog Power meets higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Thousands of individuals and businesses in Canada are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by choosing green energy with Bullfrog Power. Sign up easily, quickly and affordably at bullfrogpower.com.
PM41503526
$27 million, the popularity of the program caused funding to deplete by the end of September 2018. The extra funding will provide more opportunities for B.C. residents to purchase clean energy vehicles.
Canada to adopt carbon pricing system nationwide by 2019 In October, the Canadian federal government announced a timeline for rolling out a nationwide carbon pricing system beginning in 2019. According to the announcement, the federal government also plans to introduce the Climate Action Incentive, a program that will more than offset what most households will pay under the new system. Other proceeds from the carbon pricing system will go to cities, schools, hospitals, businesses and Indigenous communities to help them reduce their emissions. The national strategy will help Canada achieve its COP21 climate commitment to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gases from 2005 levels by 2030.
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