The Climate Project

I'm just back from a mind-blowing experience - training with Al Gore and his Climate Project staff for 2 1/2 days in and around Nashville, Tennessee. I was part of the first 50 people picked out of the 1000 of the cavalry sent out to spread the word and take us to that critical tipping point, much like that of the Civil Rights grassroots movement years ago. I am full of new hope, having trained with such a diverse group of citizens - mayors, singers, a Miss America contestant, preachers, mom's, school teachers, presidents of major companies, leaders of unions and environmental groups - you name it. We were all there, united to save ourselves from ourselves, and hopefully prevent or minimize the climate change we have underway.
This morning I was inspired to create a list of action items for everyone to help us begin to stop carbon dioxide at a doubling. please feel free to copy the list and email it to your friends.

Make a Difference. By Alison Gannett, Office for Resource Efficiency President, and The Climate Project Trainee.

Change 6 lightbulbs you use most to compact fluorescents. If you have done that, change your whole house. Each bulb will save 1300 lbs of carbon, and save you $46 on your electric bill. 6 packs of Commercial Electric bulbs at Home Depot -$10. Look for Blue Energy Star label, warm white light and flicker free labels on bulbs. Also make sure that any new appliances or electronics have the blue energy star label.
Get a blower door test in your home and/or small business. This checks for the air leaks in your building which can account for half of your heating and/or cooling bill. Many utility companies do this for free – so contact your electric company or local energy audit company. Walk your house with the professional, taking notes on areas that leak. Buy a case of caulk to match your house trim to block air leakage from the inside and some cans of spray foam for large leaks
Get an Energy Audit. Again ask your local electric company first if they do them for free. Good audits will give you a cost payback analysis for any improvements you are considering. Most times the things you are considering first do not have good paybacks – such as new windows and insulating window curtains. Work towards reducing your energy usage in the home by 50% in the next few years by implementing items one by one that have a 1-5 year payback. The long teram goal by the American Institute of Architecture and The National Conference of Mayors is all This will also save 25 billion tons of carbon.
Drive Smarter. Cut your yearly Mileage in half in 5 year, or by 1,000 miles a year, by carpooling, walking, biking or not driving. Shoot for 5,000 miles a year. If each of us did this, we will save 25 billion tons of carbon in our atmosphere. If you have to drive quite a bit, consider purchasing a hybrid, ethanol, biofuel or high mileage car (goal is 6Ompg to save another 25 billion tons of carbon).
Buy windpower. Most electricity is 88-90% coal fired, one of the major sources of Carbon Dioxide/greenhouse gas pollution. By purchasing 100% of your electric bill with wind, usually for a small monthly fee on your electric bill, you can feel good about the electricity you do use. If windpower generation increases by 40 times to displace coal, we can offset another 25 billion tons of carbon.
Calculate your carbon footprint on websites such as . You will be able to see your actual imprint on the carbon problem from your home, business, cars, and plane travel. You know will have the tools from the above actions to reduce your usage, and what you can not reduce, you can offset on the carbon calculation sites through purchasing windpower, increasing alternative energy education and policy change, or the carbon sequestration/capture through planting trees.
If you would like to add or modify this document, please send feedback to Alison through her website: