Yesterday was the international day of climate action, sponsored by 350.org; 350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide—measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere. 350 PPM—it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change.
People came out for the event and shared ways that individuals and city/county and state government can help make a change. This man built a solar oven that uses square mirror tiles to focus the sun on a piece of sheet metal that heats the oven. Fresh chocolate chip cookies....mmmmm
this was a smaller, more portable oven....more cookies
Numerous speakers talked of what Longmont, Boulder County and the state are doing to help with climate change as well as easy things that each of us can do. The beautiful trees in this one city park sequesters over 150,000 lbs of carbon. The city has a good recycling program and next year will begin a large scale, city wide composting program. They are fostering a new community garden project as well as retrofitting city buildings with energy efficient, solar panels.
This array of solar panels is at my dad's house in southern Colorado. With the help of an incredible local city energy program that paid him a set amount for each watt of energy he will generate. This along with federal tax credits for individuals who act to make their homes more energy efficient amounted to an out of pocket cost of $2500 for this $50,000 system.
This array will not only power his home 100% but he will sell back the extra energy to the city for others to use.
We can each do little things that help the health of our planet....compost food waste, ride your bike instead of jumping in your car when you can, hang your laundry to dry instead of using your clothes dryer, recycle, eat locally, plant trees...
what are you doing?
This is fantastic...may I ask what city was open for your fathers system? how big is our footprint? I'm so glad this conversation is going on now... I did go from a 19mpg to 33mpg for myself (I drive 44 miles a day) for work. that is one thing I've done. do you have any info or links regarding your fathers incentives ect. for such system and how is the upkeep of such a system? I don't comment that much but love your blog...I'm surprised you had no comments on this post!
Posted by: PJ | October 25, 2009 at 03:55 PM
I do all of those things that you mention, but I marvel at the ingenious inventions you high"light" here.
Most of the news we get about the U.S. is so dire and depressing; this post cheers me. Thanks.
Posted by: Bee | October 25, 2009 at 04:25 PM
Hi Stephanie. Great post. I do a lot. I recycle, I hang clothes, I plant trees...lots of trees and we try to do our part as best we can. What you dad did is a triumph in itself. I think that is so great. Thx for sharing.
Posted by: gloria | October 25, 2009 at 07:58 PM
What am I doing....hmmmm....well. I could be doing more! So I shall! You have inspired me.
I love the sunlight powered oven!!!
Posted by: gillian | October 25, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Great post Stephanie! Thanks!
xo
Posted by: Leslie M. | October 25, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Wonderful of the city to rally and think as a unit!
Kudos to your dad...
We can do better at our house...always room for better.
Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by: Linda@limeintheCoconut | October 26, 2009 at 04:33 AM
Wonderful awareness event. It is great what you father is doing. We should all follow his exemple. We can all help our planet, even if at a smaller scale.
Great topic!
Posted by: Isabel | October 26, 2009 at 11:33 AM