LiveSmart BC Community Hero
LiveSmart BC Community Hero: Elizabeth White
Elizabeth White’s name is synonymous with sustainability on Salt Spring Island. A founder of the Earth Festival Society (which coordinated the Salt Spring Community Energy Strategy with assistance from other groups beginning in 2003, Elizabeth is also an EnerGuide for Houses Energy Advisor and the go-to person when anyone needs information on home upgrades that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy costs at the same time. She is also an authority on green building issues and sustainable resource use.
Most recently, Elizabeth has:
- funding for the solar hot water system and other energy upgrades to the new Murakami Gardens community housing project;
- undertaken preliminary planning for a new “deep green” affordable housing project;
- worked to convince B.C. Parks that it is appropriate to have traditional agricultural activities in Class A parks. (Increasing local food production is key to creating a more sustainable community.);
- provided input to the OCP review process on energy, climate change and affordable housing;
- been doing a local micro-hydro feasibility study to see what the potential is for that kind of alternate energy on Salt Spring (along with Marion Pape of the Salt Spring Community Energy Strategy);
- been involved with the Crofton Citizens Airshed Group and its attempts to reduce air pollution coming from the Crofton Mill.
- served on a food security round table and on the Salt Spring Island Agricultural Alliance, the group charged with overseeing the implementation of the Area Farm Plan.
