Bill Gates on Energy and Climate Change

In this series of podcasts, Bill talks about why we need to develop new sources of energy that provide power without generating CO2. Among the topics he covers are the challenges with potential solutions such as carbon capture and sequestration, nuclear, wind, and solar; and why he believes the U.S. government should increase its funding for basic research in energy.

http://www.gatesnotes.com/Thinking/article.aspx?ID=104

The HOME Project

We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate.

The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being.

For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film.

HOME has been made for you : share it! And act for the planet.

(note: this HD-quality movie is 90 minutes long. So plug in your stereo speakers and high-def monitor, sit back and be prepared to have a life changing experience)

HOME (English with subtitles)

NSTAR Green - Option for Basic Service Customers to Purchase Wind Generated Electricity

Have you seen the NSTAR Green program that is available? NSTAR Basic service customers can choose to purchase 50% or 100% of their electricity from Maple Ridge Wind Farm in upstate NY.
You can go to the NSTAR Green homepage to learn about the program.

www.lowimpactliving.com

This is a great "sustainable living" website with tons of useful information:

www.lowimpactliving.com

Energy Education Series

In partnership with the Marshfield Energy Committee and the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Marshfield Energy Challenge is presenting an educational series on energy efficiency and solar. Come to the North River Audubon Sanctuary, 2000 Main Street (Rt. 3A) in Marshfield beginning on Wednesday, February 25th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The series will run each Wednesday evening through March 18th.

• Renewable Energy Options: What’s Available? - Introduction to Renewable Energy Technologies-this session will provide an overview of the most appropriate renewable energy systems for the region, including wind, solar hot water, photovoltaics and geothermal. Wednesday, February 25th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
• Cut your Energy Bills – Be More Energy Efficient! Energy Efficiency is, by far, the biggest bang for your buck! Learn about ways to reduce energy costs and improve the energy performance of your building. Hear about case studies from Marshfield. Wednesday, March 4th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
• Going Solar Today for Home and Business. Hear from early adopters in the Marshfield Energy Challenge and learn about incentives and types of systems that can provide you with long-term energy generation, stabilize your energy costs, reduce your fossil fuel consumption and help you make a contribution to improve greenhouse gas emissions. Wednesday, March 11th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
• Greening Up Your Energy Choices. An overview of green power options, alternative fuels for heating and transportation and technologies that can help reduce your carbon footprint and help you save money this winter. Wednesday, March 18th, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

The town of Marshfield has been selected for the “Marshfield Energy Challenge”, a pilot program designed to reduce the community’s peak energy use through aggressive implementation of energy efficiency, solar power and peak demand control. NSTAR and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative will invest $4 million to assist interested Marshfield businesses and homeowners to install a variety of technologies in their homes and business, such as high efficiency lighting, insulation, smart thermostat technology and photovoltaic (PV) panels. This is the first pilot program in the country that will address energy efficiency, load response, and renewable energy options simultaneously to reduce electricity costs.

For more information, please contact: Megan Amsler at Self-Reliance: 508.563.6633.

Green Schools

Should all of the nation's schools convert to geothermal, the EPA has estimated that we could reduce oil imports by 61 million barrels annually, and provide the same environmental benefits of planting 8 million acres of trees or converting nearly 4 million cars to zero-emission vehicles.

Here is a useful Green School Checklist produced by the Illinois EPA: Green School Checklist

The Story of Stuff Teaser #3

More info here: www.storyofstuff.com

The Story of Stuff Teaser #2

More info here: www.storyofstuff.com

The Story of Stuff Teaser #1

More info here: www.storyofstuff.com