P&P's Climate Action Project

Mission Statement:

The Politics and Prose Climate Action Project seeks ways of abating global warming as individuals, in communities and through political action. Our program includes practical steps to reduce energy use through conservation and energy efficiency.

Last year, Politics and Prose formed a group to work on Climate Change. We wanted to use the Politics and Prose community to draw attention to the frightening changes that are taking place and to learn what we can do to prevent further damage to the earth, our economic well-being, and our health. During that time, the issue moved from the fringes to the center of political debate. The need to take action to stop global warming by conserving energy has become very clear.

We need to take political action to limit greenhouse gases, but we can also make changes in our own lives that will contribute to a healthier and more balanced planet. If you would like to join the Politics and Prose Climate Action Project, write to carla@politics-prose.com.

Personal Actions

Energy Star

Every person needs to take actions in his/her own life to change the way he/she uses energy. Small steps add up, like exchanging conventional light bulbs for compact florescent. In Oregon, the utilities gave compact fluorescents to every household and found that the need for a new electricity generating plant was obviated. Your next car can be more fuel efficient. You can use less water in your household. You can switch to Energy Star appliances.

The Cool Capital Challenge

The Cool Capital Challenge is an unprecedented campaign to reduce metro DC’s carbon dioxide emissions by one billion pounds by Earth Day 2008. This is a positive campaign to involve everyone in reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change.

The idea originated in our own P&P climate action group and is succeeding so quickly that pledges for more than a quarter of the goal have already been committed by leading businesses, institutions, government agencies, congregations, community organizations and individuals. See for yourself (and sign up) at coolcapitalchallenge.org. That's the good news. Cool Capital's current challenge is that it is entirely a volunteer effort, even as it attracts local support and national attention. Would you consider writing a check for $50, $100, or more to support website maintenance and printing of promotional materials while Cool Capital seeks long-term funding?

Tax-deductible generosity will be matched up to a total of $5,000 by an anonymous donor if your check is received before June 20. Make checks out to WPP/Cool Capital. Cool Capital is a 501(c)(3) corporation, but an older, more established not-for-profit, Washington Parks & People (c/o Josephine Butler Parks Center, 2437 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009) will collect checks and manage Cool's finances during this interim period.

climate action events

April 13:  Van Ness North Cooperative Energy Fair  1 - 4 p.m., with info on reducing your energy use, recycling, and DC Council
             Member Mary Cheh describing her efforts and DC Council's plans to support energy conservation city-wide.
             3001 Veazey Terrace NW
             Washington DC
             Phone 202-244-4400

April 16:  Alliance to Save Energy - Great Energy Efficiency Day - 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Dirksen Senate Office Building, Rm G-50
              Excellent program with national leaders from business, government and energy conservation groups.
              Get more information and register at www.ase.org.

April 16:  "Webinar" on Carbon Policy Options, carbon exchanges and markets, sources of carbon credits and offsets, tips for
              practitioners - hosted by American Bar Association and American Council on Renewable Energy - 12 noon - 1:30 p.m.
              Registration fee $25.  Get more information and register at www.acore.org/renewableenergyinfo

April 17:  Carbon Busters Leadership Training - 6:30 - 8 p.m., Executive Office Building Auditorium, 101 Monroe St., Rockville
              Montgomery County program to teach how to motivate others to act to reduce global warming.
              Metro accessible - one block from Rockville Metro station.
              Registration at the door.  

  Get more information by email douglas.weisburger@montgomerycountymd.gov or calling 240-777-7775.

April 26:  Solar roof open house - 2 - 4 p.m., St. Mary Armenian Church 4125 Fessenden St. NW, Washington DC (at 42nd St.).
              Information on DC's subsidy program for solar roofs and new 5 kilowatt "solar slate" electricity-and-thermal system at 3731
              Fessenden St. NW.

April 26:  DC Hazardous waste and electronic drop-off - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Carter Barron Amphitheatre parking lot at 16th and Kennedy
              Streets, NW. This Department of Public Works service is free and open to all District residents. 
              More information at http://dpw.dc.gov/dpw/cwp/view,a,1201,q,638732,dpwNav_GID,1479.asp

For more information we suggest the following websites:

Climate Change Resources:

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change http://unfccc.int/2860.php

• Pew Center on Global Climate Change http://www.pewclimate.org/

• RealClimate – Climate science from climate scientists http://realclimate.org/

• BBC Weather Centre’s website on Climate Change http://www.bbc.co.uk/climate/

• Weathervane (Resources for the Future) http://www.weathervane.rff.org/index.cfm

• International policy www.ren21.net

• Decentralised power www.localpower.org

• Appliance labeling www.clasponline.org

• Energy efficiency www.ase.org

• Reegle information gateway (search engine) for Renewables & Energy Efficiency - www.reegle.info