In this issue:
Green Dubuque is the brainchild of college students Raki Giannakourous and Jason Schatz. It’s the perfect example of the “Think globally, act locally” adage in action. “All you have to do is step out into your community and lend a hand to create change,” Raki comments.
Green Dubuque is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to improving and beautifying Dubuque by reducing the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, promoting smart development and urban green space, and protecting the health and integrity of local ecosystems.
Friends since high school, Raki and Jason came up with the idea for Green Dubuque two years ago. They recognized the need to get things done and the lack of an organization to make it happen. Their initial funding came from group members.
“You couldn’t pick a better group of people,” remarks Raki. “Everyone is ambitious and capable and has a passion for the environment. In addition to our members, the community support has been phenomenal.”
As their first major project, Green Dubuque launched their 2010 by 2010 program. The goal is to reduce Dubuque’s greenhouse gas emissions by the amount that 2,010 cars would produce annually by the year 2010.
Plan implementation is simple and straightforward. Each participating household receives six free compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) from Green Dubuque in exchange for participating in Alliant Energy’s Second Nature program at the 25 percent (or
higher) level.
Participation in Second Nature at the 25 percent level costs the average household $4.00 per month, or $96 total for a two-year commitment. In exchange, they receive $20 worth of CFLs, over $73 in energy savings, and $6 in savings on the incandescent bulbs that the CFLs are replacing … a $99 value!
If just 20 percent of Dubuque’s 22,560 households participate in the 2010 by 2010 program, it will prevent the CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 2,148 cars from the road, exceeding their goal of 2010 cars by 2010.
For complete program details, visit the Green Dubuque Web site at greendubuque.org.
Additional Green Dubuque projects include:
Raki’s advice to anyone starting a grassroots effort: “There’s a million reasons not to, so just dive in. The minute you jump in you realize it’s easier than you thought. Don’t be territorial and be willing to accept help. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”
Finally, “Best practices are great but unless you organize people together toward a common goal, nothing happens.” To learn more visit greendubuque.org.
Don’t just recycle – e-cycle!
According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans own approximately 24 electronic products per household, and an average of two or three obsolete computers in their garages, closets or storage spaces. We change cell phones on an
average of every 18 months.
Through responsible use, reuse and recycling of electronics we can protect and preserve the environment – together. Everything from printer ink cartridges and old VHS tapes to your discarded analog TV can be responsibly recycled.
First, ask yourself if someone else can use your cast-offs. Check with your local schools, churches or non-profit agencies. Or, give them a second chance by posting them on freecycle.org or the free section of craigslist.com.
If they are truly past their prime, don’t let your electronics pollute the landfill. Contact your local solid waste department for e-cycling options in your area, or check online for a location near you.
Second Nature helps position Faith UMC on the leading edge
A position on the leading edge is a tradition for Faith United Methodist Church (UMC) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1958, their original church was constructed to be handicapped accessible long before the Americans with Disabilities Act was penned in 1990. In 1994, Faith joined the Sanctuary Church Program, an “underground rail road” of sorts for political refugees from
Central America. In 1986, Faith UMC provided sanctuary to a refugee from El Salvador who spent 14 months learning to speak, read, and write English.
When the Cedar Rapids Clinic for Women was forced out of their building, Faith UMC offered their building temporarily for medical screening and pregnancy testing. Most recently, they have become a part of the Reconciling Ministries Network working for the full participation of all people in the United Methodist Church.
An intimate group of approximately 80 “official” members, Pastor Kathleen Moore describes the congregation as “Liberal on justice issues, traditional in worship and filled with music lovers and performers.”
Given the profile of its members, it was no surprise to Pastor Kathy when two of her environmentally active members suggested that the church participate in the Second Nature program. The church council approved the idea and Faith has been a Second Nature participant since 2006.
“As a small congregation we look for simple ways to maximize our effectiveness wherever we can, and the Second Nature program is one way we can do that,” Pastor Kathy concludes.
Five tips for a cooler fridge
Your refrigerator is one of the primary users of electricity in your home. Here are five easy ways to keep your refrigerator at maximum efficiency and your energy use to a minimum
Fill ‘er up! Your fridge and freezer are more efficient when full (as long as it’s not so packed the air can’t circulate! When preparing for vacation when you don’t want to stock up on groceries, fill the fridge with water-filled containers to retain cold temperatures and high efficiency.
Energize your income tax with renewable energy projects
Renewable energy home improvements could help your bottom line come income tax time. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (ARRA), introduced this past February, modifies and expands renewable incentives laid out in previous tax acts. The ARRA gives a tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of the system (equipment and labor) installed in 2009 through 2016. Systems put into place before December 31, 2008 may face a maximum credit cap.
Don’t forget, Alliant Energy offers cash rewards for geothermal systems. Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy program, also offers incentives to help install certain renewable systems. As with any credit or rebate, before you buy do your homework and make sure your purchase qualifies for the reward. For additional information, refer to energytaxincentives.org.
The Earth is a living thing
Both at home and at work, Decorah, Iowa, resident and Second Nature participant Johnice Cross leads a green lifestyle. “I’d love to have my own solar array but here in town it’s just not practical,” Johnice laments. “However, by supporting green energy through Second Nature, I can live off the grid while still on the grid.”
On the Job, Johnice is coordinator for GROWN (Goods Raised Only With Nature) Locally, a cooperative of small local farms dedicated to providing fresh, high quality foods to area food service institutions. GROWN Locally helps reduce the number of “food miles” traveled for items that can be produced locally. Common food crops grown in Iowa travel an average of 56 miles to market, compared to the 1,494 miles the same products travel from out of state to many grocery stores.*
At Home, Johnice is working toward her goal to convert her yard to an edible landscape, incorporating native species including chokeberries, serviceberries and rugosa roses. She composts to enrich the soil, is a dedicated recycler, buys in bulk to reduce packaging and buys locally whenever possible.
Johnice is happy to recommend Second Nature to friends and acquaintances as a simple way to reduce your carbon footprint. She reminds us, “We need to remember that the Earth is a living thing that needs to be taken care of.”
*Iowa State University Aldo Leopold Center study
Green Information Services
PREPARING FOR GREEN CAREERS
Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
Beginning in August, MSTC is adding two additional renewable energy programs:
Visit mstc.edu/academics/index.htm for details
University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa
UD offers an Environmental Science degree with an interdisciplinary three-pronged approach including biology, geology and environmental chemistry that includes significant field work.
Web site: www.dbq.edu/dnas/
WEB SITES:
BOOKS
Barefoot Book of Earth Tales by Dawn Casey. (Barefoot Books, April 2009) This anthology of folktales teaches young readers about the way different cultures around the world live in harmony with the rhythms and patterns of nature.If you have a favorite green Web site, book or other resource, let us know.Send an e-mail to secondnature@alliantenergy.com.
