Today the Y celebrates Earth Day with more than one billion people in 190 nations around the world. Earth Day 2014 brings to light the need to create sustainable communities through its global theme “Green Cities.” At the YMCA, we strive to do just that through our green-focused projects and environmental initiatives.
With smart investments in modern technology, exclusive waste conservation initiatives and special energy retrofit projects, the Y is relentlessly working toward building a healthier and more sustainable community. At the Y, we believe a great future is a green future.
These are some of the green goals that we aim to achieve by 2020:
Here’s what the YMCA is doing, with the help and active participation of our communities, to reach these goals:
According to Earth Day Canada, every year more than six million Canadians participate in environmental sustainability events on Earth Day. If you also want to make a positive contribution to building a greener and healthier community, you can do so by becoming an active member of the green initiatives committee at your local YMCA.
Click here to learn more about volunteering on the YMCA Green Teams.
Wishing you all a happy, green and sustainable EARTH DAY!
With smart investments in modern technology, exclusive waste conservation initiatives and special energy retrofit projects, the Y is relentlessly working toward building a healthier and more sustainable community. At the Y, we believe a great future is a green future.
These are some of the green goals that we aim to achieve by 2020:
- Register 33 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions (reduce by 5,000 metric tonnes)
- Create 15 per cent enhanced natural spaces by land area (150 acres)
- Note 27 per cent reduction in water consumption (92 million litres/year)
Here’s what the YMCA is doing, with the help and active participation of our communities, to reach these goals:
- In the past four years, we have created and opened more than 21 natural playgrounds across the Greater Toronto.
- We have designed and built a spacious green terrace at our Brampton YMCA centre and an incredible green roof oasis at our Central Toronto YMCA centre.
- We are constructing a green roof on our future centre of community at Cherry Street, which is being constructed as part of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
- We are planning to refurbish our Cedar Glen facility as a unique environmental education centre where kids can experience the outdoors in their natural state, learn about environmental technology and help in the green transformation of our planet.
- A number of water conservation efforts, including a culture of refillable water bottles, low-flush toilets, low-flow shower heads, efficient laundering and faucet shut-off sensors, are taking place at YMCA fitness and recreation centres.
- We are upgrading the heating equipment and the lighting solutions at our facilities.
- We are installing a solar panel pool heating system at our Scarborough centre and waste heat recovery units for pool water at our fitness and recreation centres.
According to Earth Day Canada, every year more than six million Canadians participate in environmental sustainability events on Earth Day. If you also want to make a positive contribution to building a greener and healthier community, you can do so by becoming an active member of the green initiatives committee at your local YMCA.
Click here to learn more about volunteering on the YMCA Green Teams.
Wishing you all a happy, green and sustainable EARTH DAY!
