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Project description
Educate and motivate the entire community about how to reduce global warming and inspire the community to make personal lifestyle choices to reduce its carbon footprint. Help coordinate the PR efforts of the various committees, as needed.
Read about all the Citizen Action Committees in this brochure: Working Towards a Sustainable and Regenerative Fairfield
Local resources/contacts
Top 10 Things to Do
- Learn as much as you can about global warming. Once you see what is happening with our environment, you will be more inspired to take action.
- Assess the different ways you use energy: at home, with transportation, at work, and through the different products you purchase. Get a clear picture of how you personally contribute to global warming. Carbon calculators are useful here – check out the links below.
- Do some research about the different ways you can reduce your carbon footprint (i.e., the amount of greenhouse gases your lifestyle and activities produce). Start with some simple things you can do, then as you get comfortable with making some changes, add in a few more.
- Read books and check out websites to learn as much as you can! Read the Top 10 Things You Can Do written by the other RenewFairfield citizen action committees. You’ll find lots of ideas to incorporate!
- Talk with friends about how you are making changes and get them interested, too.
- Form a green support group with friends. Encourage each other to adopt more environmentally healthy ways to live.
- Create a green neighborhood association on your block or in your apartment building. Have regular meetings to share what you are doing and generate more ideas to curb your carbon footprint. Make bulk purchases of energy-efficient products with your association.
- Attend seminars, conferences, and workshops on sustainability. There are usually many from which to choose! Some top shows include the I-RENEW Annual Energy Expo (held in September - http://irenew.org/) and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair (held in Wisconsin in June - http://www.the-mrea.org/).
(Tip: set your Google Alert for upcoming shows)
- Share what you are doing with organizations in which you are involved, including civic groups, churches, preschools, clubs, etc. Organize presentations (either by yourself or by a member of one of the citizen action committees).
- Give yourself a pat on the back for any efforts you undertake – big or small.
The key towards making lifestyle changes is to start small, get comfortable, and then add incrementally. You’ll be amazed at how much you can change – and how big an impact you can have on our environment – even with the smallest things. Good luck!
Recommended books
- One Week to Save the Earth by Mark Franke http://www.ItsGood4.us
- A good, short, easy-to-read introductory book on global warming and steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint.
Recommended Web sites
GLOBAL WARMING INFORMATION
- National Resources Defense Council
- http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/
- Union of Concerned Scientists
- http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/
- StopGlobalWarming.org
- http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/default.asp
- Environmental Defense
- http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/
PERSONAL CARBON CALCULATORS
TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
- Global Warming International Center
- http://www.globalwarming.net/
Note: Good stories on global warming, but scroll down to bottom of page for a great list of what you can do.
- Energy Savers
- http://www.energysavers.gov/
- Fuel Economy
- http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
- Alliant Energy’s Energy Efficiency Tips
- http://alliantenergy.com/docs/groups/public/documents/pub/p015026.hcsp
- Ten Easy Sustainability Tips for Businesses
- http://www.sustainability.uts.edu.au/toptentips.html
- Great List of 50 Things You Can Do
- http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22355/28177
MORE GREAT IDEAS
GOOD WEBSITES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS AND INFORMATION
- Grist
- http://grist.org
- E - The Environmental Magazine
- http://www.emagazine.com
- Environmental News Network
- http://www.enn.com
- Union of Concerned Scientists
- http://www.ucsusa.org
- National Resources Defense Council
- http://www.nrdc.org
- Mongabay
- http://www.mongabay.com
