It was a remarkable affair at the inaugural LOCAL ACTION/GLOBAL IMPACT event. Panelists gathered under the shade provided by a full canopy of trees above, a striking display of early spring flowers in full bloom.
We're spending more time at home; a lot more. Virtual corporate networks, video streaming services, social media, and online shopping are steadily increasing the amount of time we're spending in our living rooms and home offices.
This nesting is yielding an unexpected benefit; Americans are saving energy. A recent study published in Joule estimates that between 2003 and 2012, our time at home has increased by more than eight days per year, and the associated reduction in travel (one minute of car travel is 20 times more energy intensive than time at home) and other activities is saving an estimated 1.7 trillion BTU's of energy each year.
Gardening isn't just about planting flowers anymore.
In fact, your garden has taken on an enormous amount of responsibility over the past decade.
We know that fresh organic produce grown in your garden can lower your exposure to chemicals and save you money at the grocery store.
We've also recently learned that incorporating the the right mix of flowers can help prevent the extinction of pollenators.
Now, your garden can also help you lower the likelihood of a flooded basement, fight pollution, and replenish groundwater supplies.
How unsold copies of the New York Times and other newspapers are transformed into the solution to a more comfortable and energy efficient home.
More than 150 homeowners participated in Glen Rock's Energy Smart Rock Homes program, which has helped Glen Rock residents uncover more than $1.9 million dollars worth of combined financial incentives available through the New Jersey Home Performance with Energy Star program for home improvement upgrades.
A Ciel Home Energy Audit may only take a few hours, but this first step towards additional comfort, energy-efficiency, and lower operating costs make it rival those of almost any other home improvement pursuit. From Martha Stewart, to Consumer Reports magazine and the US Department of Energy, a home energy audit is on the short list of every industry professional.
Ciel celebrates National Energy Awareness Month
It's hard to put a finger on any one thing that will make your home “energy-efficient”. Instead, we'll be bringing you must-try upgrade tips all month to celebrate October's National Energy Awareness Month.
October 2015, through presidential proclamation, marks Energy Action Month, an occasion celebrated with more resources than ever being made available to homeowners all month. Energy efficiency is the sort of thing you can do slowly, in small steps, but this month we'll attempt to bring you enough information to do justice on melting away this winter's home heating bill.
The impetus for efficiency improvements often comes from a central starting theme: to be more comfortable in your home. A lack of energy-efficiency often correlates with discomfort, but the transformation from cold and inefficient to comfortable and efficient will surely become one of the most poignant home improvements a home may undergo. It's also one that will yield multiple immediate benefits including; environmental, acoustical, fiscal, comfort, and noticeably fewer critters and insects.
An older home is often assumed to be leaky and inefficient. However, retrofitting the home with energy-efficiency improvements can add comfort, value, and added enjoyment by bringing today's efficiency standards to yesterday's homes. In many cases, energy efficiency retrofits reduce annual heating and cooling consumption by over thirty percent. Stay tuned as we feature our best home upgrades throughout the month of October.
In perhaps sustainability's biggest week ever, the wind is at the back of the world's most important global initiative leading into December's COP21 United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris, France. Over 145 countries will attend this event and, according to the We Mean Business Coalition, the efforts of these global leaders is backed by over six million businesses who have indicated support for a strong climate deal.
From committed world leaders to multi-national corporate executives pledging to introduce sustainability at every level of their supply chain, last week's historic @ClimateWeekNYC conference was a flood of commitment towards the revitalization of our planet.
@c40cities brought together a coalition of 165 cities from around the world committed to #climateaction through the @CompactofMayors.
@voguemagazine brought us a glimpse of @TeslaMotors and @SpaceX's founder Elon Musk in this insightful article comparing the car-of-the-future creator and space ship manufacturer to the fictional characters Christian Grey and Tony Stark.
@VP, inspired by @Pontifex, shared thoughts of hope, optimism, and of the challenges put forth by Pope Francis's to make the world a better place in this @TIME article of inspiration written during the Pope's visit to Washington DC.
Finally, standing in what would normally be a brutal traffic jam in downtown Paris, @billmckibben brought us these images from @Gizmodo's coverage of Journee Sans Voiture (Day Without Cars). The seven hour event was part of an effort to draw attention to the city's pollution problem in advance of the upcoming climate talks.
From staying warm and comfortable on cold winter nights to managing energy costs as part of a household budget, these professional tips are guaranteed to bring comfort and energy-efficiency to your home:
Progress in sustainability on the local, national, and international stage may often be so difficult to achieve, but this week saw both governmental and corporate leaders harnessing new initiatives that could have a long term impact on our world.
@UNFCC took a page from the inspiring eighties hit single "We Are The World" by producing this inspiring video filled with hope and inspiration in advance of the upcoming U.N. Sustainable Development Summit taking place later this month.
@WhiteHouse and @POTUS brought renewed attention to climate change by leaving the abnormally warm grounds of the White House to take a first-hand look at the devastating effects that global warming is having in the northernmost areas of our country.
It was @kate_sheppard and @CeresNews passing along news about California's potentially ground-breaking climate bill that, if passed, will likely have the most immediate impact on climate change and become a model for the rest of the country.
And speaking of progressive, @NextGenClimate shared a piece by @skarnowski about @GeneralMills seeking to reduce their environmental impact by 28% across its entire operational chain, increased sustainable agricultural practices, increased organic efforts, and a $100 million dollar investment in energy efficiency and clean energy within its own facilities.
Finally, @SustainMtown brought news of efforts underway by Jaull Loram to bring us @TheRoselleNJ in Roselle, New Jersey. When opened, The Roselle will be a destination spot that will include a farmers’ market, a restaurant, a production kitchen, and education center. A place for "old and young to spend more time together, share experiences, and create or re-create community and connectedness." At the end of the day, it may be the efforts of folks like Juall Loram and his efforts to bring "community and connectedness" that have the biggest impact of all.
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