Resolve to Evolve

Its traditional to start the new year off on a diet, right? You've been consuming lots of carbon with all those holiday lights, travel, and excessive amounts of wrapping paper. Why not start 2010 off right by pledging to lose some weight?

You could lose 5000 pounds in 30 days! All you need to do is join the Low Carbon Diet Club. Here is how it works:

Step 1: Weigh-In

Figure out your current carbon footprint by using the carbon calculator. Think about how much you could lose, and pledge to do it here.

To do this you will need the following information for the past year:

• Number of gallons of trash per week (tall kitchen bag = 13 gal)
• Total kWh usage
• Total therms natural gas
• Total gallons propane
• Total gallons fuel oil
• Miles and miles per gallon on each vehicle (up to three)
• Air miles

Tip: Rather than calculating all these numbers from the past year’s bills, you can call your utility companies to get the most updated information.

Step 2: Get together

Optional but fun: Find a group of 5-10 friends, family, or co-workers to take the plunge with you- everything is more fun with friends, and a little group competition makes things lively!

You can diet on your own, as a household, form your own club, or find a group to join here.

Step 3: Start the diet!

Here are some things you can do at no cost (see the tracking sheet for more):

• Eliminate the need for one dryer load per week - dry clothes outside
• Set thermostat at 65-68 deg when active in home & 55-58 deg at night
• Reduce shower time to 5 min. or less
• Reduce dishwasher use by one load per week
• Minimize hot water use in hand dish washing (Bonus Credit for an Energy Star front-loading washer)
• Switch one load of laundry a week from hot to cold water
• Set water heater thermostat at 120 deg.
  

Step 4: Track it

Record your progress on the following spreadsheets:
(courtesy of Montezuma Climante Action Network, or M-CAN)

Household Carbon Loss tracking sheet

Individual Carbon Loss tracking sheet

Step 5: Share

Upload your group's progress here. See the progress of other groups, and share ideas too.

Guidelines

Meetings

Regular meetings should be held monthly over a period of three to six months. Ideally, these should be held during the first week of the month to gather the previous month’s information. A potluck is a great way to do this!

Recommended club size is five to ten persons.

Members

• Choose a club leader
• Initially and finally, calculate carbon usage by using the carbon calculator at www.empowermentinstitute.net * under Low Carbon Diet Climate Change Program.
• Print this information and keep for your records.
• Discuss new ways to reduce carbon emissions with other club members.
• Create a personalized plan to reduce carbon emissions.
• Report specific changes made to leader during monthly meetings.

Leader

• Maintains contact with individual club members
• Disseminates information as provided by M-CAN
• Provides M-CAN with contact information for club members
• Collects records of individual household carbon reductions monthly
• Collates information or assigns someone to do this
• Sends club carbon reduction totals to simma.w@gmail.com by the 10th of each month.

M-CAN or 4CORE will provide (at your request)

• orientation meeting and starter materials
• regular updates on ways to save
• informative articles and resources
• events - including films and workshops
• report on monthly total carbon emission savings on this web page

Note: Club carbon savings are based on information from the book, Low Carbon Diet by David Gershon. It is recommended that your club use this book as a reference.

Greening the Holiday

As the frenzied holiday season approaches, 4CORE offers this advice to reduce your impact on our environment (and your pocketbook):

LED Holiday Lights
You can get a rebate from LPEA when you purchase LED lights. Rebates include $2 for a 49-bulb string or less and $4 for a 50-bulb string or more.

These lights use 90% less energy than regular lights. These lights last longer and burn cooler than other kinds of lights, reducing the risk of fire.

Give your time, not "stuff"
We are often tempted to buy things for people that we don't know they will like or appreciate. Instead of using lots of extra paper to wrap a box containing something that might be cast aside or returned, pledge to spend a chunk of time with your friends or relatives, either doing a "chore" or favor for them, or setting a date for lunch or a walk.

Also, consider helping an elderly or disabled friend or relative fill out an application and gather documents to qualify for up to $6500 FREE weatherization upgrades to their home. Check here to see if they might qualify.

Energy Improvements as a Gift
Help pay for part of these energy improvements and the person who receives your gift may be eligible for a tax credit for the non-gift portion (contact your tax adviser). Find incentive information in your area through the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Energy (DSIRE).

• Replace home appliances with an Energy Star model. Talk about gifts that keep on giving- these appliances use less energy and water, decreasing utility bills to make this gift last.
• Insulate a home to make it cozy and energy efficient. Your loved ones may also be eligible for a rebate through Insulate Colorado (if they live in Colorado).

Smaller Stuffers
If your budget is not ready for a larger gift, consider the following items you can install together:

• CFL light bulbs
• Laundry line
• Weather stripping
• Low-flow shower heads
  

The Gift of Green Power
Pledge to purchase green blocks of power for the year.

LPEA's green power is just $0.80 per month for clients in La Plata and Archuleta Counties. For $9.60 you could provide your loved-one with green power for 2010!

Empire Electric Association's Green Power Program is available for clients in Montezuma and Dolores Counties. Blocks are $0.40/month.

Contribute to Energy Savings Programs
For someone who has everything, make a donation to the Local Clean Energy Fund or 4CORE's Program Support Fund in their name.

• Local Clean Energy Fund donations go directly back into the community via rebates and free or reduced fee services
• Program Support Fund supports 4CORE's education, outreach, and operations

Think Local
Consider buying the Local First Coupon Book as gifts. If you don't live in the Durango area, research a coupon book for your local region. Shopping locally saves energy through decreased shipping, and supporting businesses creates jobs, generates tax revenue, and contributes to community life.

For more great ideas, see the following websites:

Eartheasy.com

Time.com

Newsweek.com

Gifts for Kids

Have a "Slow" Holiday

4CORE Website has a New Look

In an effort to present organized information to clients, we've revamped the website!

Easy navigation on the left will help you quickly find information. Also, the site is now searchable, at the bottom of the navigation bar at left.

Follow us on social and professional network links, also located on the navigation bar at left.

Finally, there are plans to integrate archives from the Energy to Evolve Blog on a page.

Stay in touch, and keep yourself in the energy loop!