Partnering with Climate Change Action Brookline

1. Partnering with Climate Change Action Brookline How we can meet the Climate Crisis working together 1

2. Introducing the CCAB Eco Team Partner Plan • What is our challenge? • Where to begin? • What important actions should we take? • What are our goals? • Will this make a difference? 2

3. Challenge: CO2 levels are unprecedented Carbon Dioxide Variations 3

4. Americans’ CO2 Responsibility If the bad news is that individual Americans are a major part of the problem, the good news is that we can be a major part of the solution. 4

5. A town like Brookline is responsible for 540,000 tons of carbon emissions per year Brookline Carbon Footprint by Sector 5

6. Typical Household Energy Culprits The energy culprits in Brookline’s residences 6

7. Successis up to us. CCAB offers a plan to engage local partner organizations. What do we do? Wait for government to achieve its goals in 2020 or 2050? Wait for technology to become more efficient and affordable ? Blame it on China and India? 7

8. Where Do We Start? STEP ONE: Groups and Residents Sign On To Be Brookline 2010 Partners • Brookline 2010:A Community Climate Challenge is an initiative of Climate Change Action Brookline (CCAB) & the Selectmen’s Climate Action Committee (CAC) • Organizations and residents are asked to do at least one thing in 2010 to 1) reduce carbon emissions 2) green their events, and 3) spread the word. Sign on at www.brookline2010.org. • Over 70 organizations and 500 residents have signed on to date 8

9. That Was Easy.What’s Next? STEP TWO: Join CCAB’s Eco Team Partner Plan • Partner organizations form Eco Team groups with their members, friends and neighbors. • Eco Teams learn about household energy efficiency and take effective action together in a short term program. • CCAB’s Eco Teams are connected to other selected Massachusetts communities through “Cool Mass”, the Eco Team program sponsored by Massachusetts Climate Action Network, a state wide climate organization. Brookline is one of over 40 MCAN chapters. 9

10. 1) Calculate your carbon footprint 2) Create your own action plan 3) Implement your action plan 4) Important! Report your results The action plan includes: Behavior changes (one meatless meal a week) Efficiency measures (more CFLs) High impact investments (air-seal, add insulation) Renewable energy sources (NSTAR Green electricity through wind) Teams reduce their carbon emissions in four straightforward steps. 10

11. Teams follow a short term, easy to follow program outlined in the book The Low Carbon Diet. • Start a group of 6 to 8 households. • Learn from each other and hold 3-4 team sessions • Follow an easy, nationally tested workbook • Make simple home improvements & lifestyle changes 11

12. Why the Eco-Team Approach Works • Shared experience builds community • Many heads are better than one • Concentrated, limited time • Emphasizes goals • Immediately measurable results • Healthier life style • Save money • Self contained, energizing and motivating Participating in an EcoTeam makes you richer, healthier, happier and more attractive!!!!

13. What would you name your team? What is your goal? • Team members: • Have fun • Set goals & take action • Learn from each other • Record actions they have taken or intend to take • Results can add up quickly. A seven member team can reduce 35,000 pounds or more! 13

14. If we reach our goal for 2010, Brookline partner groups will cut 1.4M pounds of emissions! CCAB 3 Year Plan includes Partner Eco Teams • By the end of 2012, reach 85% of Brookline’s 23,000-25,000 households and achieve an average GHG reduction of 25% • In 2010, we are working to reach 1,000 households - that’s 150 Eco-Teams with an average of 7 members each through 30 or more partner groups 14

15. Engaged Partners = Success Generating Eco-Teams CCAB Brookline Eco-Team Initiative BrooklineComumtyFoud. Neighbor-hoodAssns Town Meeting Members Art Center Music Groups School Green Teams Potential forScalability 15

16. Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Planet Partner Eco Team Benefits: • Build community and stewardship practices by engaging new and existing members • Connections with other groups and networks • “Too busy” treadmill is challenged; sustainable and healthy behaviors become social norm • Your organization becomes a climate protection leader in MA and the US • Protect the planet and life as we know it for future generations 16

17. How CCAB Can Support Your Organization • Provide Eco-Team Training and Coaching: • To help members start a team • To support partner coordinators and team conveners • To describe the project goals and strategy to your team • Provide Web Site Materials: • To calculate your initial carbon footprint • To record Eco Team data and progress • To provide ongoing resources • To provide a link to other green organizations and events • More information at: www.climatechangeactionbrookline.org 17

18. The Time is Now. “If there’s no action before 2012, that’s too late. What we do in the next two to three years will determine our future.This is the defining moment.” –Rajendra K. Pachauri, Accepting the 2007 Nobel Price on behalf of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 12/10/2007 18

19. Crisis Means Opportunity Thank you from all CCAB members working to do our part 19