Tips to Reduce Climate Change
“At its core, global change is not about economic theory or political platforms, nor about partisan advantage or interest group pressures. It is about the future of God’s creation and the one human family.”
US Catholic Bishops, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good. 2001.
This page starts with the idea that over the 40 days of Lent we can change our habits enough to contribute to the efforts to reduce Global Warming/Climate change. It is not meant to stop there. The hope is that we will all learn how we contribute to the problem and especially how it affects us and our brothers and sisters across the world. We will also learn what we can do in our various roles to combat this real change in our environment. Our roles include acting as individuals, collectively as families, parishioners, Christians, town residents, citizens …
We begin with simple changes we can all make; the tips in the bulletin. This space allows for more details. We will expand from there. Keep tuned.
Tip #1 Switch light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs).
Look for upcoming info re very inexpensive CFLs.CFLs contain a small amount of mercury so, when they burn out, discard them as hazardous waste. Wannamaker’s Hardware Store in Arlington Heights will also accept them.
Tip # 2 Switch off your computer overnight and when not in use for an hour or more. Switch off TVs , cell phone chargers, printers and DVD players too.
Making the connection: These habits decrease use of electricity. NStar is the supplier of most of our electricity. Look at the insert ( June 06) with your bill. Note a. though below the regional average, the predominant emissions from supply sources are CO2, SO2 and NOx .
b. 79% of electricity is generated by coal, natural gas and oil.
Only 9% is generated by renewable resources and 0% from wind or solar.
Let’s go further: As individuals and families we can further decrease use of electricity when we make decisions about new appliances. A front loading washer uses 30-50% less energy, (less water too). Look for the NStar info for energy efficient stoves, refrigerators etc.
When the time comes, replace a desktop computer with a laptop, a 60% savings.
As a parish: lots to be done, plans are forming.
As a citizen and local resident we can support the Lexington High School Solar Challenge. Go to www.lexgwac.org and click on LHS Solar Challenge. Not only will the money supply 2 large solar panels to Lexington High School but also the fund gets recycled back to communities that cannot afford to consider these strategies. We can also consider supporting The New England Wind Fund or contacting Mass Energy Consumers Alliance (a non-profit. )
With additional information readily available from the following we can also connect with legislators so that zero emission, sustainable energy production increases. Maybe it can even become the norm!
Mass Interfaith Power and Light. www.mipandl.org
{a wonderful cache of information )
Lexington Global Warming Action Coalition
www.lexgwac.org
Tufts University Climate Initiative www.tufts.edu/tci
New England Wind Fund www.NewEnglandWind.org,
Mass Energy Consumers Alliance 670 Center St., Boston, MA 02130
NPR info on sustainable projects www.npr.org/xeni
Tip # 3: Reduce your use of paper. Suggestions: Use e-mail, pay bills on-line, and get bank statement and newsletters on line. Buy paper and cards with high recycled content. Recycle paper, magazines, cardboard packaging. Remove your name from unwanted mailing lists at www.mass.gov/consumer. Use the library. You may have many more suggestions, share them. Trees are a vital part of the global mechanism for balancing carbon emissions. A tree is a terrible thing to waste!
Tip # 4 Reduce your use of gasoline. Now we get to the hard part. A third of US greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. Maximize your carpooling, walking busing and biking. Organize your errands. Advocate for the public transportation we need but don’t have. If your budget allows, buy a fuel efficient car. These efforts require change. Fr. Baldovin told us that change is another word for repent; certainly a Lenten goal. Reducing our car use by just 10 miles a week eliminates 500 lbs of CO2 emissions.
Here is how one local family cut down on the use of their car.
Tip# 5: Increase the energy conservation and efficiency in your home. Review what you have already done. Check & perhaps increase insulation of walls, attic, windows, furnace, water heater…Lots of money to save there as well as the emissions from production of that wasted energy. Turn the thermostat down 2 deg in winter, up 2 deg in summer from usual settings and save about 2,000lbs of CO2 a year. Clean or replace filters on furnace and air conditioners. Run the dishwasher only when full (or use the old fashioned human model!) Learn how you can live lightly on the earth.
Tip# 6: Commit as a single person or a family to continue to address global warning and our impact on it. That impact may result in decreasing the emissions that contribute to global warning or increase it. What choices will we make? Consider two changes: 1.Smply switch to cold water for rinse cycle on washing machines, clothes and dishes. 2. Seriously plan to reduce consumption of gasoline either by reducing the mileage you drive or by seeking greater fuel efficiency. Improved fuel efficiency will require some major decisions but we can all reduce use of vehicles now. To continue to address climate change will require ongoing education on the facts, the effects and the innovations that can modify it. A Faith and Environment Group is forming and will be sharing information in various ways. Keep up those good habits!
More to come.
If you want to add your suggestions, information or resources send e-mail to webmaster at lexingtoncatholic dot org.