Resources

Climate Action Program – Pelham Green Task Force

 

Please join us in taking action to stop Global Warming

 

Each person makes a difference.   All steps matter!

Whenever we use fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) to bring energy to our homes, drive our cars, run our factories and grow our food, we release global warming pollution –CO2 emissions—to the atmosphere.  

Whenever we cut down trees or destroy natural areas, we also release CO2 emissions to the atmosphere.

Here’s a list of ways we can each reduce our contribution to the growing blanket of carbon emissions that are heating up our planet.

Run your home with clean, green electricity. . There are several ways to green up your home energy use to avoid and offset the global warming pollution associated with conventional sources of energy.  Learn about green power options in your state. www.green-e.org/ 

  1. Buy wind energy credits to  reduce the climate impact of your current electricity use and help build new sources of clean energy.  www.nativeenergy.com 
  2. In areas of New York served by ConEd, you can also buy electricity generated by 100% wind power through  ConEdison Solutions 100 % Wind Power 888-320-8991  www.conedsolutions.com
  3. Benefits of switching to clean electricity – save 6 –12 tons of CO2 pollution a year!

 

Change a light bulb, change the world.  Did you know that incandescent bulbs convert 90% of electricity directly to heat, and only 10% to visible light?

    1. Switch to energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) for your most five most frequently used lights and save $30-60 a year in energy costs.  Energy Star qualified bulbs last up to ten times longer than standard bulbs  and use 75% less energy. www.energystar.gov
    2. Change  five lights  to Energy Star cfl bulbs and save 2000 lbs of CO2 over the life of the bulbs
    3. REGISTER YOUR PLEDGE at the EPA website  www.energystar.gov

 

Make your driving climate neutral.  Drive less whenever you can, and buy a more efficient car for your next purchase. 

    1. You can also offset the climate impact of the driving through Clean Air-Cool Planet’s Cool Driver program.  Through Cool Driver you can help build new wind farms and other sources of clean, renewable energy www.cooldriver.org/
    2. Benefits of the CoolDriver program – save 6-8 tons of CO2 pollution a year!

 Be energy smart.  Did you know that the average home generates twice as much global warming pollution as the average car?  Take action! 

    1. Turn the thermostat up three degrees in the summer and down three degrees in the winter.
    2. Choose Energy Star approved efficient appliances, and unplug that extra refrigerator in the garage.  http://www.aceee.org

*          Benefits of unplugging that extra refrigerator – save 500 lbs of CO2 pollution a year!

 

Cool your hot water expenses.  Water heating can account for 15% of your home energy costs.

    1. Re-set your hot water heater from 140 to 120 degrees F. 
    2. Use water-saving devices (low-flow showerheads) and appliances to save on energy too. 
    3. If your water heater is more than ten years old, consider replacing it with a tankless water heat—it heats only the water you need, when your need it. 
    4. Go solar.  Solar water heaters pay for themselves in savings in four to ten years, depending on energy rebates in your state.  Check out the database of state incentives for renewable energy www.dsireusa.org

Reduce energy-zapping “phantom loads.” “Phantom loads” refer to the energy lost by appliances while they're plugged in, but not turned on.  Phantom loads can account for 5% of home energy use.

  1. Use power strips, or manually unplug the TV, DVD, TiVo, XBox players, computers and all type of chargers to save electricity. Power strips with surge protectors make it easy to "unplug" many appliances at once.

 

Leave the leaf blower.  Two-stroke engines produce as much air pollution emissions in one hour as a newer car does driving 350 miles, and the dirty emissions linger right in your neighborhood. 

  1. Invest in a newer, quieter electric model or re-meet the rake.
  2. This is a great time to switch to organic lawn care too.  Eliminating lawn chemicals reduces your use of fossil fuels and is safer for kids and pets too.

Fight global warming with your knife and fork: Eat organic, eat local and eat less meat. 

    1. Organic farming uses 30-50% less fossil fuels than conventional farming, and stores carbon in the soil instead of releasing it to the atmosphere where it causes global warming. 
    2. Eating local saves energy too.  Did you know that the average bite of food travels about 1500 miles to reach your plate?
    3. Eating less red meat isn’t just heart-healthy—it’s planet healthy too.
    4. Switching to a plant-based diet can save 1500 lbs of CO2 a year – that’s like switching to a hybrid car!

   

Plant trees, protect forests.   Trees are nature’s air conditioners. Without adequate tree cover, cities create "urban heat islands."  

    1. Plant trees near your home to reduce summer cooling costs. 
    2. Conserve trees by using recycled paper. 
    3. Promote urban forests for more livable cities. www.americanforests.org

 

Hail the bicycle!  Drive the ultimate in clean transportation. 

    1. Advocate for bike friendly communities: http://www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org.
    2. Support a good use of old bikes. Check out Pedals for Progress: http://www.p4p.org
    3. Carbon reduction =1 lb of CO2 saved for every mile you walk or bike.

Teach your children well.  Bring effective science education on global warming into the schools.  At the Climate Change Education website, there’s something for everyone, from kindergarten to higher education.

    1. Share it with your teachers, school district leaders, and local museums: www.climatechangeeducation.org
    2. Bring recycling to your school too.  Every pound of waste recycled saves 1 lb of CO2 emissions. http://www.gogreeninitiative.org/

Speak up. Local is where the action is!  Create institutional change in your own workplace, school and community organizations.

    1. Invite the mayor to endorse the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement.  (300+ cities already have!) www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate
    2. Let your boss know it’s good business to run a green business www.climatebiz.com
    3. Talk to faith communities about joining Interfaith Power & Light http://www.theregenerationproject.org

 

Get involved.  Learn how you can be part of Focus the Nation: Global Warming Solutions for America, an educational initiative seeking to engage 1000 colleges and civic groups across the nation in a day of awareness on global warming www.focusthenation.org

 

Find out more about what you can do in the northeast.  

    1. In NY find out about NYSERSDA’s Get Energy Smart Program with information on energy audits for all buildings, residential or commercial www.getenergysmart.org/energy
    2. More great info for any community or faith group, school or business at Clean Air Cool Planet            www.cleanair-coolplanet.org