350.org Gathering on Neeedham Town Common
On a cold December Saturday, Needham residents joined others around the world supporting global action on climate change by gathering on the Town Common. Needham's group was one of many gatherings regionally and globally during the weekend of December 11-12. Inspired by Bill McKibben and the group 350.org, the gatherings support the goal of capping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at 350 parts per million, a level scientists believe would stave off the worst effects of global climate change.
Green Needham Meeting - Zero Net Energy Homes
November's Green Needham meeting featured Carter Scott, President of Transformations, Inc., a leader and innovator in building zero net energy homes at affordable cost here in Massachusetts. Carter's presentation was followed by Q&A, then a roundtable discussion on planning for the next phase of the 10% Challenge. Over 450 Needham households have already taken the 10% Challenge, so our next goal is to reach 1,000 households, which would be 10% of all the households in Needham.
If you missed the meeting, you can catch a replay of our speaker's presentation on The Needham Channel. Check the schedule for the Education Channel on the Needham Channel web site.
Green Needham Foundation achieves 501(c)3 status
The Green Needham Foundation, a Massachusetts not-for-profit corporation established in October, 2008, has been awarded tax-exempt status as a public charity under section 501(c)3 of the IRS code. The Foundation was created to support sustainability education and outreach in Needham as well as community sustainability and energy projects. Details are on the Foundation page of this website.
Needham Participates in the International Climate Day of Action
The International Climate Day of Action was just that in Needham on Saturday, October 24th. Teams of volunteers from Needham organizations spread out across Town to weatherize houses, prepare gardens and help residents increase energy efficiency
Needham was one of 5,000 communities in over 120 countries around the world participating in activities during the day. A Green Needham team helped North Hill residents improve energy use in their residences. Read about the Needham teams' activities and see the Needham Channel news report.
Home Energy Audit on Talk of the Town
Host Jerry Wasserman was joined by Michael Greis of Green Needham and Clayton Schuller of Next Step Living in a roundtable discussion of home energy audits and home energy savings opportunities. The program features video of an energy audit done in Needham by Next Step Living and taped for Talk of the Town.
Clips and resources from the show....Spring Schools 10% Challenge Final Results
After an Earth Day kick-off, 10% Energy Challenge campaigns were mounted at Broadmeadow, Eliot, Mitchell, Newman, Pollard and St. Joseph's Elementary.
Four of the schools reached 10% participation, with the highest rate achieved by St. Joseph Elementary in an effort spearheaded by parent Ellen Rooney. Fully a quarter of its families took part, submitting eighty-three energy reducing plans.
Read the full story....Olin College's Shrinking Carbon Footprint
To Stephen Durfee, a watt is a terrible thing to waste...or, for that matter, a therm.
With Durfee spearheading the effort, Olin College is on track to saving nearly $1.5 million in energy costs over the three years ending this July 1.
Read more....Earth Day Presentation
Green Communities Program Presentation
Mark Sylvia, Director of Massachusetts DoER's Green Communities Division, was the featured
speaker at the May 20th Green Needham Meeting. View his presentation materials
on our
wiki.
Solar power featured in "Your World...Bringing it Home" on the Needham Channel
The second episode of Green Needham's TV program, Your World...Bringing It Home features solar power - from the latest technology to the practical aspects of using solar in your own home Host Allison Hume takes you through the latest developments in solar starting in early February. Check The Needham Channel for program listings.
More on the latest episode of "Your World...Bringing it Home"...
Groups Participating in 10% Challenge in Needham
Teams from eight community organizations are taking the 10% Challenge as a group
activity:
- First Parish Unitarian Universalist
- Kalmia Garden Club
- Needham Community Farm Board
- Needham Congregational Church
- Needham Health Department
- Needham League of Women Voters
- Number One Book Club
- Wellesley Friends Meeting
It's easy to have your group take the challenge. Contact Eleanor Rosellini.
A piece of the action - Economic Stimulus Packages and Sustainability
When we hear about economic stimulus spending to invest in schools, renew critical infrastructure and support energy efficiency, we think about the opportunities for Needham. Read more to find out what Town leaders are already doing to position us for possible funding from Federal economic stimulus packages.
Parametric Technology provides support for wind feasibility study
The Green Needham Collaborative has received a donation in support of our Wind Power Feasibility study from the Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC), a world-wide software company headquartered in Needham.
PTC is a leading provider of 3D product design and lifecycle management software to manufacturing companies. PTC takes pride in supporting projects in its local communities and is especially pleased that this project has a connection to science education in the Needham Public Schools.
10% Challenge Underway in Needham
January 12th marked the kickoff of the 10% Energy Challenge for Needham. We've set up an easy-to-use, web-based checklist that shows you how to make a plan to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on energy. For each suggested energy-saving action, the interactive checklist shows how many pounds of carbon dioxide would be avoided. So far, participants have committed to actions that would keep 300,000 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere each year.
Is There a Shuttle in our Future?
The Green Needham Transportation Study Group recently put together a survey to analyze the feasibility of a shuttle service in Needham. The service would transport residents to popular Needham destinations including the commuter rail, shopping and medical areas, and after school programs.
Read the full story......and...Take the Transportation Survey
Getting involved is hard...or is it?
Would you like make Needham a more sustainable community? Have you thought about getting involved in Green Needham but weren't sure what you wanted to do? Worried about how much time you have? Not sure where to start?
Green Needham announces the 10% Challenge
Green Needham is challenging Needham households to cut their energy use by at least 10%. Help the environment and save money at the same time by using this simple checklist to make your personal energy-saving plan. You can start cutting your energy use today!
"Your World...Bringing it Home" debuts on The Needham Channel
The premiere episode of Green Needham's TV program, Your World...Bringing It Home is now airing on The Needham Channel. Host Allison Hume shows you the bounty of local produce at area farms.
