www.double-duty.org suggests investing federal checks in greenhouse gas reductions in your local neighborhood
Stimulus checks from the federal government are to begin arriving in bank accounts this week. Volunteers at double-duty.org are urging Coloradans to make their money work overtime. By donating a portion of that money to local energy-efficiency and alternative energy initiatives, recipients can stimulate the economy while reducing planet-warming greenhouse gases.
The effort is endorsed by Colorado and national leaders. "Here's a way to stimulate the economy - and stimulate the fight against global warming at the same time," affirms Bill McKibben, the nationally noted writer and environmentalist.
"I applaud the efforts of double-duty.org. The stimulus rebates were intended to give the economy a short term shot-in-the-arm. Investing that rebate in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects is good for national security, good for the climate and good for jobs," stated U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07).
The first emphasis is on energy efficiency, often described as the lowest-hanging fruit. Especially in older buildings, a small amount of investment can reap huge savings. For example, the Boulder Community School of Integrated Studies hopes to reduce energy use by 29 percent by adding R-13 insulation to the brick walls and upgrading the doors to allow less heat loss during winter. Similarly, the ceilings currently are insulated to the levels of R-7 and R-11. Experts now say ceilings should be insulated to the level of R-49 or, and some even say we should be achieving R-60 in our ceilings.
Colorado Interfaith Power and Light assists faith communities that want to become more sustainable, offering "Eco Audits™" that reveal how money can best be saved through efficiency upgrades like compact fluorescent lighting and building improvements such as insulation or new windows. COIPL targets congregations and individuals where the need is greatest- those with limited resources and older, inefficient buildings.
The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC) will embark on a two-phase process to transition its headquarters in Golden into a top-tier model of sustainability. Initially, the CMC's sustainable project will commence with the installation of storm windows to reduce overall energy usage. Secondly, photovoltaic (PV) panels will be installed to decrease the historic building's carbon footprint, decrease energy consumption and reduce fossil fuel reliance.
And Natural Capitalism Solutions of Eldorado Springs is creating a national Web-based learning platform that enables small businesses, which collectively use about 48 percent of electricity generated in the United States, to profitably reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
Other groups are also trying to foster solar and other alternative energy systems. Such is the task of Denver-based Partnership for Sustainability, which provides no-interest loans for solar installations. One benefactor has pledged to match any double-duty donations on a two-for-one basis, with proceeds funding a worthy solar project in the metro area this summer.
For a complete list of organizations and projects, please see:
www.double-duty.org
For more information, contact Shelley Cook, 303/420-2589; cooksj@attglobal.net