Ian H. Rowlands, 26 September 2014

This is the first in the series of blog entries related to sustainable energy issues.

Local dialogue helps in the quest for energy sustainability.  When people from different quarters talk, they gain new information, they challenge their own conventional wisdoms and they make linkages that they hadn't seen before.  Moreover, they become empowered.  As the leaves turn colour here in Waterloo Region, it appears that the month of October will present us with multiple opportunities to chat - that is, to discuss options and strategies to improve the ways in which we meet our energy requirements.  We should take full advantage of them!

We, at the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE), will be making our own contribution.  On Friday, 17 October, we will be hosting our annual 'Energy Day' at the University of Waterloo. It is an opportunity for 'town and gown' to make connections, exchange insights, share perspectives and develop collaborations.

One panel on energy entrepreneurship will feature a number of local leaders reflecting upon the lessons learned as they have built their own businesses.  And another panel on energy futures will provide an opportunity for three faculty members - from different parts of the university - to share their ideas about how we can make the future we want. 

Additionally, attendees will also be able to hear from the next generation of energy leaders - that is, our students.  Presenting their ideas through traditional research posters and innovative reactive videos, we anticipate that their contributions will be one of the highlights of the day.

Full details regarding this event are available on the WISE website.  We encourage you to join us, in order to help us make the discussions as interesting and productive as possible.

While we look forward to our Energy Day, we, of course, fully recognize that we do not have the monopoly on community chatter (and nor should we!).

In addition to a number of local, and active, community-based groups that continue to have a major focus on energy sustainability (e.g., Community Renewable Energy Waterloo (CREW), REEP Green Solutions and Sustainable Waterloo Region), a couple of additional venues are emerging that have the potential to have significant impact.

ClimateAction WR is establishing a Leadership Committee in order to further develop and implement A Climate Action Plan for Waterloo Region:  Living Smarter in 2020.  Sixteen local stakeholders are being recruited to provide leadership, strategic guidance and expertise in order to translate our community's climate mitigation goal - that is, a 6% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 (below 2010 levels) - into reality.  With energy systems largely responsible for greenhouse gas emissions in our community, this committee will inevitably have local energy systems as one of the priorities at the top of its agenda.

The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) may also catalyze more local conversations.  Having recognized the value of regional planning as a process for identifying and meeting local electricity needs, the OPA is considering how Local Advisory Committees (made up of up to 16 representatives from various local constituencies) might help illuminate local priorities.  The Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph region (or 'KWCG', as we are affectionately known in OPA-speak) is in the leading pack with regard to regional planning.  As the process unfolds, we could be one of the province's first experiences for this kind of stakeholdering.

Finally, this particular October in Waterloo Region not only means 'leaves falling', but also 'signs emerging'.  Yes, the month will see much intensive political campaigning, leading up to the municipal elections on the 27^th.   This provides us all with a wonderful opportunity to generate additional exchanges about energy sustainability.

When you meet candidates on the hustings, or when they come to your door, ask them about their views on energy issues.  How do they see us advancing energy sustainability in our community? How do they plan to exploit synergies across issues, so that sound energy investments also create jobs, improve our environment and advance efficiencies?  In other words, how do they see energy as being an integral part of a livable and sustainable community?  Now is the time to engage, for candidates are ready not only to talk, but also - we presume - to listen.

So, yes, October means shorter days and frost in the air, but it also offers a season of opportunity - a chance to continue to harness the wisdom and creativity of this community to have conversations that lead to action for a sustainable energy future.  Now that's something to talk about!

Ian H. Rowlands is Professor and Acting Executive Director of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE) at the University of Waterloo.