The Newton Eco-Project

1. The Newton Eco-Project • The Challenge • The Project • The Goals Why Are We Here? Partner Presentation December, 2011

2. Climate Change The Newton Eco-Project Global Warming Greenhouse gases- CO2 Why Carbon? The Challenge Everything we do involves burning fossil fuels- oil, natural gas, coal & gasoline. This creates a ‘carbon footprint”. The diverse range of all human activity can be measured by its carbon footprint. Burning Fossil fuels Power our buildings & transportation; Produce & dispose of goods Support activities Carbon has become the universal measure of our environmental impact .

3. The Newton Eco-Project Our Part: • The carbon footprint of the average —American household: 55,000 lbs. —German household: 27,000 lbs. —Swedish household: 15,000 lbs. The Challenge 25% 5% CO2 Emissions Population Americans can reduce their carbon footprint without reducing their Standard of living.

4. The Newton Eco- Project America Now: Consumption:The average U.S. person now consumes twice as much as they did 50 years ago. Housing: Average U.S.house size has doubled since the 1970s. Transportation: The Typical American family of four owns two cars and drive 24,000 miles per year The Challenge America’s consumption is driving our huge carbon footprint

5. The Newton Eco- Project America Now: The U.S. consumes about twice as much of the principal transportation fuels per capita as Western Europe. The Challenge Americans average four car trips a day, twice as many as Brits, and travel seventeen miles a day, almost three times as much as in the U.K. The average American travels almost twice as fast, too. America’s traveling habits create a is huge carbon footprint

6. The Newton Eco- Project America Now: Average U.S.house size has doubled since the 1970s. The Challenge Spec house circa 2000 3500-5000 sq. ft Spec. house circa. 1950 1700-2500 sq. ft. Living Rm, Dining Rm, Kitchen, 2 bath, 3 bedrm.; 1 car garage Living Rm, Dining Rm, Kitchen, 3-4 bath, 4 bedrm.; 2-3 car garage Family rm, Study, Mud rm. Master bedrm. Suite; Exercise rm., Play rm., Media rm. ; Wine Cellar America’s consumption is driving our huge carbon footprint

7. The Newton Eco-Project America Now: In the U.S., we spend 3-4 times as many hours shopping as our counterparts in Europe do.. The Challenge Shopping on main street The ‘stuff we have America’s consumption is driving our huge carbon footprint

8. The Newton Eco- Project The Challenge To really reduce Newton’s emissions we must address the residential sector.

9. The Newton Eco- Project What should we do? • Expect technology to solve the problem? Cape Wind is still a decade away • Wait for government to take action? Results of the Copenhagen Conference • Blame it on China and India? Chinese solar panels & electric cars The Challenge Inaction is no longer a viable alternative.

10. The Newton Eco- Project The structure: Eco-Teams Form Eco-Teams of 5 to 6 households The team meets 3 times. Each team member creates their own action plan to make simple home improvements & lifestyle changes to reduce their energy consumption, conserve resources and saving money. The Project Encourages a strategy of conservation as a lifestyle.

11. The Newton Eco-Project Sample Changes: •Drive (or fly) 5,000 fewer miles: reduce emissions 5,000 lbs.… and save $. • Reduce weekly waste by 25 gallons: reduce emissions 2,500 lbs., • Seal and insulate walls, attic & warm-air heating ducts: reduce emissions 2000 lbs.… and save $. • Change 10 frequently used light bulbs to compact fluorescents: reduce emissions 1,000 lbs.… and save $. • Change one household beef meal / week to vegetarian:reduce emissions 700 lbs.… and save $. The Project Changes that will reduce our carbon footprint

12. The Newton Eco-Project Change to make a difference: Household: Heating, Air Conditioning; Heating Domestic Water; Insulation; Weatherization; Lighting & Electricity usage The Project Lifestyle: Purchase habits; Waste disposal; Diet choices Transportation: Driving; flying Changes that will reduce our carbon footprint

13. The Newton Eco-Project Next Step Living The Project Take advantage of the utility’s free home energy audits

14. The Newton Eco-Project Home Improvements: The Project Utilizing the utility’s incentive programs to upgrade your home

15. The Newton Eco-Project The goals Your Part: • -Introduce the program to your faith group: • -Discuss the program. • -Organize the interested. • - Invite us to do a presentation. • -Create an Eco-team • Through your faith group • Through your own social circle of • friends, neighbors & association Work with us to become part of the solution

16. The Newton Eco-Project Supporting Our Teams Eco-Team Project Introductory presentations: To describe the project goals and strategy. Partner Organization Liaisons To help your organization organize teams. Eco-Team training: To help team leaders start their teams Literature: The Action Planner and support materials. Web Site: To provide an ongoing resource. Promote our Partner Organizations: Help our partners collaborate and coordinate their green initiatives. The Goals Supporting the Eco-Team Project strengthens your organization.

17. The Newton Eco-Project Promoting Mass Save The ‘Saving Energy in Your Home’ presentation: To introduce the Mass Save program. Liaison: Between residents and Next Step Living. Referrals: To local contractors to do the qualified work Literature: Explaining the various incentive programs Follow-up: Help residents with improvements beyond the Mass Save program The Goals Supporting the Eco-Team Project strengthens your organization.

18. The Newton Eco- Project The future “All of us can do something to make the world better… and each of us should try.” Ted Kennedy