Weatherize your home to conserve energy and stay warm

Bundle up, Massachusetts! It's a freezing day! As I write this, it's 21 (feels like 8 with wind chill) here in Boston and it's as low as 10 (-2 with wind chill) in Pittsfield, and technically it isn't even winter yet! Before you reach for the thermostat to blast the heat, here are a few things you can do to stay warm that will save energy.

• Lower your thermostat at night and when you leave the house. If you have a programmable thermostat.
  
• Replace drafty, single pane windows with double pane windows, or install storm windows. If time or cost is a factor, pick up window insulation kits from a hardware store and seal up those drafts.

• Place draft dodgers in front of any door that goes outdoors.
• If you have a fire place, make sure to close the flue damper whenever you're not using it. 
• Check for drafts around electrical outlets, pipes, attic and cellar doors, and door and window frames. Seal up drafty spots with caulk or weatherstripping. Reducing drafts could reduce your monthly energy bill by up to 10%.
  
• Add insulation to your attic. 
• Low-income households can contact the Massachusetts Weatherization Assistance Program for help staying warm this winter.
• Check out the US Department of Energy's Energy Saver guide for more information about specific heating systems.
• Wear warm clothing!

Do you have any other tips for staying warm and saving energy this winter? Share them in the comments!

Environment Massachusetts Wants to See Progress at Copenhagen

World leaders are meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, right now to address global warming and to develop a plan to combat it. As the world’s largest emitter of human-caused carbon dioxide pollution, and second-largest emitter of global warming pollution, America has a responsibility to take initiative in passing strict international global warming pollution limits. 

Environment Massachusetts and Environment America urge President Barack Obama to follow the states' example and forge a strong international agreement to address global warming during the Copenhagen talks. He should work for a plan that will deliver sufficient emission reductions to prevent an increase in global average temperatures of more than 3.6° F (2° C) above pre-industrial levels. A plan that accomplishes this would help the world avoid the most damaging impacts of global warming.

Though US involvement in an international agreement is absolutely vital, individual American states are already doing a great deal to fight global warming on their own. A study done by Environment America suggests that state actions will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 536 million metric tons by 2020.

"That is more global warming pollution than is currently emitted by all but eight of the world’s nations, and represents approximately 7 percent of U.S. global warming pollution in 2007."

Consider this: Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland and New Jersey produce nearly a quarter of America’s economic output and 13 percent of its fossil fuel-related carbon dioxide emissions. If these six states were a separate country, they would rank as the world’s fifth-largest economy and seventh-leading emitter of carbon dioxide. All six of these states have adopted binding caps on global warming pollution from their respective state economies, an action that will definitely have an impact on the global climate.

Clearly the United States is ready to commit to emission reductions and continue the steps toward clean energy that individual states have taken. The US as a whole should commit to a 35 percent reduction in global warming pollution from 2005 levels by 2020, and an 83 percent reduction by 2050. Individual states should continue to move forward with effective implementation of existing policies while continuing to switch to clean energy.

Have you been following the news about the Copenhagen talks? What results would you like to see? Let us know in the comments.

Remember to Vote in the Senate Primary!

The Senate Primary is today, so remember to go vote!

Whoever is elected to serve as the new Massachusetts Senator in January's special election will have the chance to vote on important climate legislation. Since primaries are all-important here in heavily Democratic Massachusetts, the winner of next week's Democratic primary will have a good chance at taking part in the debate over climate legislation. With that in mind, it would be a good idea to go over each of the candidate's positions on climate change and the environment.

Scott Brown (R):

"I support common-sense environment policy that will help to reduce pollution and preserve our precious open spaces. I realize that without action now, future generations will be left to clean up the mess we leave. In order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, I support reasonable and appropriate development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal and improved hydroelectric facilities. I oppose a national cap and trade program because of the higher costs that families and businesses would incur."

Mike Capuano (D):

"Every year that we fail to take action only makes the changes required to stop global warming that much more drastic. Mike is hopeful that this year we will finally see real progress on this serious issue.  The House recently passed a bill to freeze emissions at 17% below 2005 levels by 2020 and slowly reduce them to 83% of 2005 emissions by 2050. He fought to strengthen the bill by:

• Advocating for strong building code provisions so that new homes and commercial buildings are energy efficient,
• Pushing for a strong renewable electricity standard to require that a certain percentage of a power company's portfolio came from renewable sources,
• Calling for more funding to be dedicated to green jobs."

Martha Coakley (D):

"Martha believes America needs a comprehensive approach to lowering our energy costs, meeting our energy needs and protecting our environment. Martha knows we need affordable, sustainable and diverse energy supplies that maximize the use of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies....In Washington, Martha will continue her commitment to combat global warming by supporting the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, as well as the more recent Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act that Senator Kerry introduced. These comprehensive bills will make the United States a leader in the fight against global warming. "

Alan Khazei (D):

"Alan's Six-Point Plan:
1. Pass Clean Energy Legislation Now
2. Invest in Renewables
3. Quadruple Clean Energy R&D
4. Close the Commercialization Gap
5. Improve Efficiency
6. End Big Oil Subsidies"

Steve Pagliuca (D):

"We must continue to invest in clean, renewable energy and set an example to the rest of the world. Right now, the US is second only to China in greenhouse gas emissions – this has to change. I am proud of our efforts in Massachusetts to make us a more energy responsible state, and I support Governor Patrick’s programs such as the Green Communities Act....I strongly believe that our continued investment in clean energy technologies will create jobs in Massachusetts, help reduce our reliance on coal and lower our energy costs."

Jack E. Robinson (R):

GOAL: Cleaner & greener environment with lower energy costs. The Environment can’t ruin our Economy, but the Economy shouldn’t ruin the Environment.

Promote renewable and sustainable energy sources like nuclear, wind and solar. Support Cape Wind.

Oppose “Cap-and-Tax” proposals, but support goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020.

Kerry-Boxer Senate “Cap & Tax” Bill needs to be reworked. Add to Kerry-Boxer bill an additional credit mechanism where for every one ton of carbon emissions released into the atmosphere, a polluter must invest in new clean/green projects that will remove four tons of carbon from the air by 2020 (4:1 removal ratio)."

I encourage you to follow the links and learn more about each candidate's plans for helping our environment.

Who do you think has the best plan to combat climate change? Will this affect your vote? Let us know what you think by commenting!

The Leadership Campaign is Acting (and Camping!) Out to Fight Climate Change

Environment Massachusetts works to fight global warming through lobbying and grassroots outreach, but there are many other ways to do this, as well. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize a group of activists who are fighting to save our climate through an act of civil disobedience.

The Leadership Campaign "aims to make Mass a climate leader again by achieving 100% Clean Electricity in the next 10 years to show the world we're ready for an ambitious agreement in Copenhagen." They have brought their campaign to the steps of the State House by staging a "sleep out" on the Boston Common every Sunday night for the past several weeks. Their presence has added a powerful visual to the fight against global warming for anyone who has seen the groups of tents set up each week.

This action is not as simple as a regular camping trip. Because the Common closes to the public at 11 pm, the activists have already had two peaceful run-in with the Boston Police Department. In spite of this and the rapidly dropping temperature, the Leadership Campaign is standing their ground.

We here at Environment Massachusetts applaud the activism and goals of the Leadership Campaign, and sincerely hope their message is heard in the State House.

Staying Green on Black Friday

Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year, is only a few days away, and Environment Massachusetts is working to help shoppers make more energy efficient purchases.

As I said in a previous post, one of the fastest and cheapest ways to reduce our energy usage and cut global warming pollution in Massachusetts would be to establish television efficiency standards. And so, we urge the Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy, Senator Michael Morrissey and Representative Barry Feingold to move An Act Relative to Expanding Energy Efficiency in the Commonwealth (SB1524/HB3124)  to the next step toward final passage.

This bill mirrors one passed by the California Energy Commissions last week. Environment Massachusetts applauds the passage of this bill, the first of its kind in the US, and hopes it will set a precedent soon followed by Massachusetts and every other state.

However, you don't have to wait for these standards to become law in Massachusetts to buy an efficient TV. There are already more than 250 televisions that meet the proposed standards. After searching newspaper ads for Black Friday sales, we found a few TVs at Best Buy that will save you money and help stop global warming:

• Mitsubishi 73'' Class 1080p 120Hz DLP TV: $2499.98 after $300 savings
• Toshiba Regza 55'' Class 1080p Clearscan LDC LED: $2499.98 after $500 savings
• Samsung 40'' Class 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV: $1399.99 after $700 savings (includes delivery, hook-up, and recycling)
• Samsung 55'' Class 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV: $2649.99 after $950 savings (includes delivery, hook-up, and recycling)

The full list of televisions that already meet the standards is on the left; click to see a close-up. (Source: "Proposed California Television Efficiency Standards" by Noah Horowitz, National Resources Defense Council)

While comparison shopping, you will likely find similar TVs with lower prices that do not meet the standards. For example a Sharp Aquos 52'' HDTV costs about $400 less than the Samsung 55'' listed above, but the Samsung will actually save you much more in the long run because it is more energy efficient.

Leave a comment if you have any TV efficiency questions, or even any other energy efficient gift ideas!

Watch Last Week's Press Conference

Thanks to WEBN for attending the press conference!

Massachusetts' Global Warming Pollution Declined by 5%

Massachusetts’ global warming pollution declined by 5 percent since 1990, according to a new report released by Environment Massachusetts today.

Emerald Russell, a campaign organizer for Environment Massachusetts, announced the release of the report, Too Much Pollution, in a press conference in front of the State House this morning.

“The transition to clean energy is a marathon, and we’re just out of the starting block,” she said. “We can take back control of our energy future. By harnessing the power of the wind and the sun, we can cut pollution and transition to clean energy sources that don’t harm the environment, never run out, and create new, local jobs."

According to the report, success in Massachusetts shows that moving to cleaner energy can have a significant and immediate impact on overall emissions. A shift to cleaner forms of electricity here in Massachusetts is being lauded as the largest contributor to the decline in emissions. Electricity generated by oil decreased from 26 percent in 1997 to 6.5 percent in 2007. This sharp decline makes the elimination of oil dependency seem that much more possible.

The report also shows that emission reductions and robust economic growth can occur side by side; Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New York cut their pollution levels by 5 percent since 1997, while increasing their gross state product by 65 percent.

The use of fossil fuel and subsequent effects of global warming pollution have been increasing for decades in this country. We’re seeing a lot of those effects here in Massachusetts, but one of our biggest concerns is definitely rising sea levels inundating our coast and flooding our communities. According to the report, the United States must cut its global warming pollution by 35 percent by 2020 to be able to stop the worst effects of global warming.

The report recommends that the federal government build on the initial progress made by states like Massachusetts by passing strong clean energy legislation and adopting common sense EPA rules to cut pollution from aging coal plants and big smokestack industries. The Senate is in the process of considering the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act (S. 1733), sponsored by Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer (D-CA).

Unfortunately, Dirty Coal, Big Oil, and other polluters are fighting the crucial transition to clean energy. The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, a coal industry lobby group, spent more than $120,000 a day last year on lobbyists and advertising on energy. Earlier this year, they hired lobbyists who forged phony constituent letters to Congress opposing action on clean energy.” It seems like the coal industry is willing to do just about anything to further its own agenda.

We’re working hard to counter those dirty tactics. Do your part to help reduce global warming pollution in Massachusetts even more. Take public transportation, invest in solar panels if possible, and take one of Environment Massachusetts’ calls to action! Tell us about what you’re doing to help stop global warming in the comments!