Wobbly ladders and sleepy spiders notwithstanding, Groundwork Denver had a very successful Porch Bulb Project outing in honor of Earth Day. On Saturday, April 19, 15 volunteers swapped out 84 incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, more than doubling this small grassroots project's results. This seemingly small number for a half-day's work translates into a reduction of over five tons per year from Denver's overall carbon emissions. The exact results are posted on www.porchbulbproject.org.

"For not a lot of effort, we can achieve a great deal," said Wendy Hawthorne, Groundwork Denver's executive director. "The news of climate change is so overwhelming that many people don't know where to start. Simple, ground-level projects like this get people started making reductions to their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions."

About 300 porch lights had been identified as prime targets for switching on the 3800 through the 4500 blocks of Alcott, Zuni, Wyandot and Vallejo in the Sunnyside neighborhood, so expanding this program citywide could reap ample benefits in cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. This project is a tool for any organization that wants to work with its constituencies to save money and reduce emissions. Additionally, it creates opportunities to talk about implementing more energy-efficiency actions.

The next Porch Bulb effort is planned for the Platt Park neighborhood, in partnership with the Platt Park People's Association's (3PA) "Green Team." A Porch Bulb outing is tentatively scheduled for mid to late May. For information about 3PA's Green Team, visit www.3PA.org.

The Porch Bulb Project is a component of Groundwork Denver's Climate Challenge and was started by Denverites Kevin Suchlicki and Sue Okerson. Groundwork Denver's mission is to improve the physical environment and promote health and well-being through community-based partnerships and action.

To partner with Groundwork Denver in your neighborhood, donate bulbs or get more information about Groundwork Denver's Climate Challenge program, contact Program Director Julie Connor at 303-455-5600 or Julie.Connor@groundworkdenver.org, or visit www.groundworkdenver.org.