Environmental Stewardship

Biggest Carbon Loser: Week 3

April 17, 2011 - 8:00am

Biggest Carbon Loser

During this month, commit to as many actions as possible to reduce your energy consumption and in friendly competition see who can score the most points in moving you and your family toward a lower carbon footprint. Report your score using the DGFUMC Contact Form (choose 'Environmental Stewardship' as the category). Here is the list of action items for week 3. Previous weeks can be found on the Going Green page.

Action Items

  1. During the summer, open windows overnight whenever temps drop below 70 degrees for free air conditioning - 1 pt.
  2. Replace all conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED - 1 pt/ bulb replaced
    Clean or replace furnace air filter regularly - 2 pts.
  3. Unplug cell phone and other chargers when not in use (a continuing energy loss is wasted if left plugged)- turn cell phone off overnight to reduce charging needed - 3 pts
  4. Close off any rooms and close heat registers for rooms not in regular use - 2 pts.
  5. Eliminate use of leaf blowers and power spray cleaners (rakes and brooms have worked successfully for thousands of years) - 1 pt.
  6. Caulk and weatherproof around windows/ doors to reduce air leaks - 4 pts.
  7. Bike to locations within a few miles when weather permits - 2 pts.
  8. Keep car tires inflated to 40 lbs. or at least recommended pressure - 2 pts.
  9. If more than one car in family, drive most fuel efficient car whenever possible - 2 pts.
  10. Return used batteries, CF bulbs, etc. for recycling while out - 1 pt.
  11. Bring your own re-useable bags to grocery store - 1 pt.
  12. For holidays and birthdays give your family and friends the gift of donations to a favorite charity - 1 pt.

Biggest Carbon Loser: Week 2

April 10, 2011 - 8:00am

Biggest Carbon Loser

During this month, commit to as many actions as possible to reduce your energy consumption and in friendly competition see who can score the most points in moving you and your family toward a lower carbon footprint. Report your score using the DGFUMC Contact Form (choose 'Environmental Stewardship' as the category). Here is the list of action items for week 2. Previous weeks can be found on the Going Green page.

Action Items

  1. Adjust your thermostat- recommended heating settings are 65- 68 degrees during the day and 55- 60 degrees overnight.  Recommended cooling temperature is no lower than 78 degrees (setting thermostat at these recommended temperatures can reduce CO2 by 1,500 lb/ yr. - 5 pts.
  2. Do full loads of laundry and dish washing.  Use cold water wash/ rinse for laundry (90% of the energy  in doing laundry goes to heating water and only 10% to powering the machine) - 2 pts Replace all conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED - 1 pt/ bulb replaced
  3. Turn down  hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees or medium temp. setting - 2 pts.
  4. Install electric outlet insulator pads on all outside walls - 1 pt.
  5. Add perennial and native plantings to the yard to gradually reduce lawn areas - 2 pts.
  6. Install a programmable thermostat to help with (1) above - 10 pts.
  7. Walk to any locations less than one mile - 2 pts.
  8. Turn car off if idling for more than 15 seconds (other than at stoplights)- reduces emissions as well as wear on car - 2 pts.
  9. Accelerate slowly- maintain MPH- can save 1,000 lb/ yr. CO2) - 2 pts.speed limit (20-30% energy savings driving 55 MPH vs. 75
  10. Combine trips- shop at closest stores - 2 pts.
  11. Buy products that use recyclable materials - 2 pts
  12. Avoid buying bottled water- get everyone in the family a water bottle to fill and take along when travelling - 1 pt.

Biggest Carbon Loser: Week 1

April 3, 2011 - 8:00am

Biggest Carbon Loser

Given the ever increasing impact of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, we invite everyone to join in a program to reduce our energy consumption, save money and protect the health and well- being of people and our planet - all at the same time.

During this coming month, commit to as many actions as possible to reduce your energy consumption and in friendly competition see who can score the most points in moving you and your family toward a lower carbon footprint.

Here is the list of action items for week 1. Report your score using the DGFUMC Contact Form (choose 'Environmental Stewardship' as the category). More details can be found on the Going Green page.

Action Items

  1. Turn off lights, TV and other electronics whenever you leave the room for more than a minute - 2 pts.
  2. Clean or replace furnace air filter regularly - 2 pts.
  3. Reduce waste generation and recycle all aluminum, glass, plastic, paper, etc. (reducing half of a standard size garbage can per week can reduce about 2,000 lb/ yr. CO2 - 2 pts.
  4. Plant new trees to commemorate births of children/ grandchildren- they not only sequester carbon but also provide shade, retain water and purify the air - 5 pts.
  5. Tune-up furnace/ A/C at least every other year (saves 300 lb/ yr. CO2) - 3 pts.
  6. Replace attic fan with solar powered fan (free energy for life- easier installation) - 10 pts.
  7. Consider organic cleaning products such as vinegar, borax, baking soda - 1 pt.
  8. Eat less meat (for each day of the week switching to vegetarian can save 700 lb/ yr. CO2) - 5 pts.
  9. Buy foods locally - 2 pts.
  10. Remove unneeded heavy objects from trunk to improve mileage - 1 pt.
  11. Combine car trips while you’re out to reduce vehicle miles travelled (with planning most people can reduce VMT 20% saving 1,500 lb/ yr. CO2) - 3 pts.
  12. Use mass transit whenever feasible, especially commuting to work-  5 pts.

Biggest Carbon Loser

March 27, 2011 - 1:20pm

Biggest Carbon Loser

Given the ever increasing impact of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), producing more forest fires, drought conditions, severe weather occurrences, extended heat waves and the spread of destructive pests and disease, all of us need to help protect God’s creation through actions to reduce our energy consumption and thereby to reduce our carbon footprint.  Join in a program to reduce our energy consumption, save money and protect the health and well- being of people and our planet - all at the same time. 

During the next month, commit to as many actions as possible to reduce your energy consumption and in friendly competition see who can score the most points in moving you and your family toward a lower carbon footprint. Report your score using the DGFUMC Contact Form (choose 'Environmental Stewardship' as the category).

Let’s all work together to see who can be the biggest carbon loser and best protect God’s creation.

Environmental Stewardship Corner

March 7, 2011 - 11:44pm
Environmental StewardshipWe’ve all seen wind turbines as we drive through the Midwest. Yet renewable energy comprises only about 3% of the electricity generated in our country. A 2008 study by the American Council on Renewable Energy indicates that using currently available renewable technologies such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass that we could readily achieve 25% renewable generation by 2025. Other studies indicate that investments in renewable energy technologies create about 4 times as many jobs per dollar invested than expanding coal, oil or gas investments. Clean renewable energy technologies not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also replace acid gas and toxic air emissions from coal-fired generation, saving lives and reducing health care costs. As our elected officials debate legislation for economic recovery and future energy policies for our country, please take the time to share your views on the direction we should proceed, keeping in mind God’s call to protect and preserve all of God’s creation.

Environmental Stewardship Corner

January 24, 2011 - 3:00pm
Environmental StewardshipFor eight days this January, a group of students and I experienced the rain forest, cloud forest and volcanic regions of Costa Rica. This small country covers only 0.03% of the earth's surface, and holds more than 5% of all life forms. The effects of global warming are dramatic in this country. Species are moving higher in elevation and ecosystems are changing. Plant and animal species are becoming rarer and possibly extinct. Consequently, it is not surprising that Costa Rica has lofty sustainability aspirations, wanting to be the first developing country to become carbon neutral, i.e., have zero net output of carbon dioxide by 2021. Costa Rica is moving toward achieving that goal by having 95% of its electrical energy from renewable sources and protecting its rain forests. One person can make a difference. I strongly encourage you to visit the website: http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/ to see what you can do to move the U.S. toward sustainability. Don’t forget the 3 R’s: Reduce, Recycle and Reuse.

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