A Conversation on Leadership and Creating a Sustainable Future – Perspectives from Sweden and Canada

Join three inspiring thought leaders in an evening dialogue about one of the great challenges and opportunities of our time: creating a sustainable future.

The UBC Sustainability Initiative (USI) and Synapse Strategies are pleased to bring together leaders from The University of British Columbia in Vancouver and Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, along with an internationally recognized authority in leadership, to explore the great potential for transformational change in the context of universities and regions in Canada and Sweden. 

Göran Carstedt of Gothenburg, Sweden will deliver a keynote address: Creating a Sustainable Future – the leadership challenge of our time, sharing perspectives on leadership gained through his work as a senior executive of IKEA and Volvo; advisor to businesses worldwide, senior leader with the Clinton Climate Initiative C40 Cities, the Society for Organizational Learning and The Natural Step International; and the present Chair of the City of Gothenburg’s Green Economy Committee.

John Holmberg, Vice President of Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden and Sweden's first UNESCO Chair in Education for Sustainable Development will present Partnerships for a Sustainable Future - Chalmers University of Technology and the City of Gothenburg on the transformative initiatives underway at his university and in western Sweden.

John Robinson, Executive Director of the UBC Sustainability Initiative and co-author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report that shared the Nobel Prize with Al Gore in 2007, will reflect on the Swedish perspectives and bring to the discussion his passion for the critical role universities can play as societal test-beds for sustainability and the steps UBC is taking to accelerate sustainability. 

This exceptional evening includes an extended conversation with our guests and the audience and takes place in North America’s greenest building, the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability, on the University of British Columbia’s Vancouver campus.

How to build SUV (Sustainabe University Village)

Vision of the City

SUV is more than a science or technology park: it is a full-fledged city, though it is a special city in which creativity is the rule rather than an exception; a prototype for the city of the future. The Innovation Centre ensures optimal conditions for research and business as well as creates a rich and aesthetically appealing urban environment that is equally convenient for both guests and residents. The city’s main backbone elements is the Technopark. Alongside them will be a Congress Centre, various office and laboratory buildings, residential buildings, fitness facilities and stores. Particular attention is paid to parks and other public spaces. The layout of the Innovation Centre calls for housing to be built in close proximity to workplaces. Rapid rail transit and well-planned road junctions provide quick access to the downtown.

SUV is a city with an open code that aims to rebuild the surrounding world in accordance with its principles, a city set up for a variety of meetings that facilitates communication with special attention to the areas of education, business and public housing. The central zone, with its colorful architecture and unique opportunities for communication, attracts residents from the adjacent areas. The city’s buildings serve as public spaces that are fully open to visitors and suited for different functions. Residents and resident companies take active part in discussions on the urban development strategy and influence the decisions made by the governing body using a range of public mechanisms. The city seeks to implement innovative solutions aimed at improving the urban environment on its territory. The urban planning innovations developed and put into practice in the city set a standard for any municipality in the world.

Future is Here

Science World Solar Photovoltaic System - 4.8 kw Solar PV system in Vancouver, Britsh Columbia

Science World in Vancouver, British Columbia has a new solar photovoltaic system on a south east fascia of the building.
The 4.8 kw Solar PV system consists of 20 x 240 watt Day4 modules and Enphase Microinverters.  The system is angled south with full verticle tilt.  The optimal angle for the Science World building is 49 degrees plus or minus 15 degrees, the design of this installation at full 90 degrees and partial row shading through the day is intended to provide demonstration of effects of angles and shading using the Day4 low light and shading technologies.
Science World experimenters can visit the facility and will be able to see real time power production via the internet for each module on the building to give a better understanding of Solar Photovoltaics.

The system allows continuously tracking power consumption and power generation by each panel. 

University Solar

Anniversary visit of the solar thermal system providing hot water for three buildings at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops.

Courtesy Optimum Air.

2012

 

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