Community Action

We can all do our part to reduce our global warming footprints and unleash the clean energy future. But, to really make a difference, we need to recruit others in this effort.

Here are 10 simple ways you can reach out in your community and online to encourage others to act and join in the campaign.

1. Spread the Word - Take just a few moments to tell your friends about these exciting new renewable energy sources. It could make a big difference in your contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Use our Tell-a-Friend form to tell folks about our Unleash the Future campaign and put our badge on your blog to let your friends and family know that you support energy innovation.
2. Have a house party - Hosting a house party is one of the easiest [and funnest!] ways to support a cause that's important to you. Whether a new book hits the shelves about renewable energy, a movie about global warming is released or you just want to share with folks how you've greened your home, invite friends over to share thoughts, exchange ideas and ask each other questions. It's a great way to meet new people and educate others.
3. Ask the Locals - Supporting local agriculture boosts the local economy and usually means that your food has travelled fewer miles than if you were to have purchased apples flown in from the opposite coast. Sometimes that's not always the case but asking the question at your favorite neighborhood restaurants, grocer or fish monger can reduce global warming pollution. If you don't see a section of locally produced foods at the market or on the menu, take a moment to make the request to the store manager or restaurant owner.
4. Assess Your Energy Use/Contact Your Utility - Did you know that 75 million customers in 42 states have the option to purchase green power through their utility or alternative energy supplier? If you're not already doing this, call your local utility today. An energy-conscious family can reduce its global warming pollution by over 15 tons a year. If your utility doesn't offer green power, ask it to and indicate your interest and willingness to use renewable energy options and reduce global warming pollution.
5. Make Recycling Easy - It isn't uncommon for folks to have to drive their recyclables to the local dump or recycling center. Not only does it take time [a disincentive to many] but it puts miles on cars and produces carbon emissions. If this is the case in your community, get a group of interested citizens together and approach your local officials, chamber of commerce and even your state environmental agency to support having recycling bins brought to your area.
6. Green Your Workplace - It may seem like a daunting task but there are several easy steps you can take to bring the environment to your office. Switching light bulbs to compact fluorescents, recycling, telecommuting when possible and using more recycled paper are just a few ways you can start to decrease global warming pollution and increase your office's efficiency. Check out our light bulb guide for bulbs and paper calculator for paper use. If you're interested in ways to green your supply chain, have a look at our new Innovations Report.
7. Get Involved with Local Groups - Taking a few minutes to see what groups in your area promote renewable energy, fighting global warming and other environmentally centric ideas is a great way to assess where your community stands on the issues you care about. Whether it's a local branch of a national organization or you want to form a club of your own, gathering like-minded people together is an effective way to educate on the dangers of global warming and the myriad ways you and your community can embrace renewable energy.
8. Get Involved in Local Politics - Attending public hearings, town hall or school board meetings and other community forums are great ways to communicate your ideas on how to increase your neighborhood, town or city's energy independence. Urging your community to reduce its global warming pollution through recycling, energy innovation and better public transportation are just a few ideas to get you started. Talk to your community members, friends, colleagues and others to get them on board and help move your green agenda forward. Who knows, maybe you'll even find yourself running for local office!
9. Green Your Schools - Did you know that green schools, on average, save up to $100,000 per year? If schools in your neighborhood haven't joined the greening trend, it's time to start. Nowhere is a message of conservation and sustainability more important than with children. If the schools in your area have made sustainability and energy conservation part of their curriculum, great news! If not, here are some things you can suggest: turning off lights when leaving the classroom, recycling and using recycled paper, switching to more efficient light bulbs and encouraging buses to not idle in the school yard. All of these actions will reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions while creating a new generation of green-minded students.
10. Promote Efficient Driving - Incentives to drive less are modest if they are available at all. In some places low mileage drivers receive minimal discounts for driving less. You may put half the miles on your car that the average motorist does, but receive only a small discount on your insurance. Luckily, a pay-as-you-drive [PAYD] insurance program is being piloted across the country. PAYD provides incentive for driving less by linking car insurance companies to mileage by converting a portion of your annual fee into a per mile fee. It's expected to reduce driving and congestion by 10 to 12%. This will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but will keep traffic moving as drivers are encouraged to drive less. If this program isn't yet in your area, talk to your local legislators and transportation experts.

Posted: 01-Jan-1900; Updated: 19-Jun-2008