• About
    • Our Mission and Who We Are
  • Take Action
    • Individual Action >
      • So Much You Can Do!
      • Run For Office
      • Buildings (Home/Office) >
        • Gas
      • Transportation
      • Food
      • Landscaping
      • Solar
      • Waste >
        • Gift Wrap
        • Reduce Plastic
    • Group Action >
      • Donate
      • Volunteer
    • Global Action
    • More Action In Wellesley >
      • Other Local Organizations
      • Pollinate Wellesley >
        • Milkweed Sale
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Green Schools
    • Mission and Who We Are
    • Teachers >
      • Environmental Education
    • Green Team Representatives >
      • Smart Event Guide
      • Borrow Free Supplies for Your Event!
      • School Supply list
      • End of year Locker Cleanout Tips
    • Families

Swing By Common Area @ Wellesley Free Library Today!

2/2/2023

 
Picture
Sustainable Wellesley's Youth Leadership Team invites you to stop by the library to learn from their imaginative and enlightening series of educational displays about Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan. Swing by the Common area at the Main Wellesley Free Library to learn what small and big steps you can take to ensure Wellesley meets its greenhouse gas reduction goal.

After interviewing town board members and doing some research they created dazzling displays for the community to learn about the different pathways in Wellesley's Climate Action Plan. Below is a sneak peak into what they learned and shared. Thanks to the students for all of their hard work!

Energy:
The energy display case informs Wellesley residents about sustainability within the energy sector and the actions that can be taken to reduce emissions. Specifically, the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant, a government organization working towards reliable and non emitting renewable energy, has put into place multiple initiatives to reduce energy consumption like the Shave the Peak and the WECARE Program. Check out the lego log home with solar as you consider installing solar panels in your home —there are currently over 140 solar systems in town already with great ROIs!

Buildings:
The buildings display focuses on how to best practice sustainability within individuals' homes as buildings are the main greenhouse gas emitter (approximately 61% in our town) of which 37% is  residents’ homes. One key takeaway is the importance of updating to more modern heating and AC systems such as air source heat pumps (mini splits) to reduce energy costs, improve comfort and, most importantly, improve efficiency! Plus, the Town offers consultants at no cost to help you figure out what would work best in your home. Learn more today by calling: 339-707-0918!

Transportation: 
Transportation is the second largest source (34%) of energy consumption in Wellesley. For those willing to take the crucial first step of breaking their routine of driving, there are various ways to reduce personal transportation emissions. Walking and biking are an easy and accessible way to enjoy fresh air while reducing your environmental footprint. Furthermore, public transit, carpooling, or Wellesley’s no cost rideshare vehicle, CatchConnect, are similar to driving in their time commitment and protection from weather, but are far more energy efficient and in many cases can also be cheaper!

Governance:
This display delves into the section of the Climate Action Plan focusing on town government’s role in sustainability, specifically focusing on the important issue of gas leaks. The display case gives a comprehensive understanding of the risk of gas leaks and how to prevent them. (Hint: the only way is to get off gas!) Governance is crucial to the Climate Action Plan because each element requires citizens to advocate in support of its implementation. The first step you can take is to educate yourself on sustainability initiatives the town is considering and get involved to advocate for the ones you are passionate about! Learn more about the candidates before you mail in your ballot or go to the polls on Tuesday, March 7th to vote. Your voice is your vote!

Waste:
The display focuses on trying to convey statistics on waste, and what people can do to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills. Wellesley has a world class recycling and disposal facility and we need to take advantage of that to reduce our emissions from waste (approximately 6%) and as a way to make money for the Town of Wellesley as they sell our properly sorted recyclables. Wellesley residents and businesses can recycle their items, reuse items and compost quite easily if you give it a try. Waste is a very visible issue for students and often the gateway topic to sustainability. Grab a free food waste kit from the recycling center and start removing food waste from your waste stream today. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more food reaches landfills than any other single material in our everyday trash, constituting 24% of municipal solid waste. Think about that!

Natural Resources:
The ultimate purpose of this display is to educate Wellesley residents on how their land care can contribute to climate action. From growing native plants to using electric leaf-blowers, there are so many actions we can take to build a more sustainable relationship with the land around us, which we share with other organisms. The top and middle shelves display tips, photographs, and artifacts to provide practical examples and straightforward ideas for Wellesley residents to rethink their land care methods and "re-naturalize" their landscapes. The bottom shelf of the display is like a mini kid-friendly exhibit, presenting fascinating specimens like animal skulls, nests, and preserved insects (just to name a few!) to illustrate that Wellesley has an incredible biodiversity worth protecting. 

See You On Feb 13th For Sustainable Wellesley's Conversation With The Candidates

2/1/2023

 
Picture
Come hear from the candidates about issues specifically related to sustainability in Wellesley on Monday, February 13th at Sustainable Wellesley's "Conversation With The Candidates" night from 7-9pm in the Wakelin room at the Wellesley Free Library.

Mark your calendar so you can hear from them before you mail in your ballot or go to the polls on Tuesday, March 7th to vote.

Hear About Wellesley's electricity cost increases, renewable power portfolio and distribution system

2/1/2023

 
Picture
Wellesley Municipal Light Plant Director, Don Newell addresses resident's concerns about electricity cost increases, renewable power portfolio and distribution system in a recent interview. Here is this video you can watch to learn more about Wellesley's electricity. 

Friday's For Future - Wellesley's 3rd anniversary

1/29/2023

 
Picture
Join an  enthusiastic crowd of people demonstrating for the climate every Friday from 3-4pm on the Town Hall lawn. This Friday is Friday's For Future - Wellesley's 3rd anniversary. The inspiration for this group and this type of action—weekly demonstrations for the climate—comes from Greta Thunberg and her organization Fridays For Future. One Wellesley College student will share about her research in Kenya last semester. 

Note that on Friday, March 3rd Wellesley will participate in the Global Climate Strike.
​

Wellesley Police Department Gets It's First EV

1/26/2023

 
Picture

Wellesley Police Department is debuting its first all Electric Vehicle (EV) in service to the community. The new police cruiser is a big step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  
A generous donation from a resident provided funding for Chief Jack Pilecki to purchase the car. Watch this video for a look inside the car and keep an eye out for it on local roads. 

Winter Walk to School Day is February 1, 2023

1/26/2023

 
Picture
Don your boots, coat, and a warm hat for Wellesley’s Winter Walk & Roll to School
event on Wednesday, February 1! It’s fun, invigorating and celebrates the benefits of
staying active and enjoying the outdoors in WINTER.

Like other Walk, Bike, & Roll to School events during the school year, the Winter
Walk is one of the flagship activities supporting Wellesley’s partnership with the
Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program. Research shows that physical activity
before school improves student focus and engagement, and walking and biking saves
$$ on gas.

Plan to participate on February 1. Individual schools can register on the Safe Routes
to School website and get free materials to help promote your walks. See you outside!

More on Mobility
Watch for more mobility news and educational events in the coming months. To learn
more about Safe Routes to School, please reach out to School Committee member
Catherine Mirick (mirickc@wellesleyps.org) or Select Board member Colette Aufranc
(caufranc@wellesleyma.gov).

Ask State Legislators to Co-sponsor the Zero Carbon Renovation Fund

1/25/2023

 
Picture
A message from the Massachusetts Climate Action Network
​
Ask your legislators to prioritize equitable building decarbonization by cosponsoring SD.500 and HD.776 An Act Establishing A Zero Carbon Renovation Fund
.

The Zero Carbon Renovation Fund is a bold proposal to allocate $300 million from the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to establish a Zero Carbon Renovation Fund that will jumpstart the market for zero carbon renovations in existing buildings in Massachusetts. The ZCRF will advance equitable building decarbonization by prioritizing affordable housing, public housing, schools, BIPOC and women businesses, and buildings located in Environmental Justice communities.


By prioritizing the most vulnerable populations among us, the ZCRF will reduce emissions, improve climate resiliency, lower energy costs, and improve the overall health of communities most in need.

This fund will also transform the marketplace and jumpstart zero carbon renovation projects across the Commonwealth by driving down costs and providing relief for consumers over the long term as we transition away from our reliance on fossil fuels.
​

Take five minutes to use this action alert and write a personalized letter asking your legislators to cosponsor this critical bill.

Be sure to personalize your message so that they know why this issue matters to you!
Take action for a green, healthy, and climate-resilient future for all. 

Get the Recording, Slides, Q&A Of The Webinar

1/22/2023

 
Picture
For those that missed last week's SAVE MONEY ON HOME HEATING AND COOLING  webinar, you can watch it here. Please feel free to look through the slide decks here, and the Q&A here, to learn how billions of government incentive dollars and free technical advice can help you make money-saving home energy improvements. 
​

Since the beginning of this year, rebates and tax credits are now available for home energy upgrades such as weatherization, heat pumps, and induction stoves under the federal Inflation Reduction Act. Review this webinar and all the offerings to learn about how to:
  • Improve energy efficiency in your home, save money, and address climate change
  • Get local, state, and federal incentives to help defray the cost of home energy improvements; and
  • Access free, unbiased technical advice to guide you through the purchase, installation, and operation of air-source heat pumps (ASHPs).

    For example, you can save up to $16,000 in combined rebates and tax credits when you install electric ASHPs. You can save even more when you improve your home’s insulation or install an ASHP water heater.  Homeowners can combine new federal incentives with existing funding opportunities from MassSave or from the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant (WMLP). For example, MassSave rebates for gas customers and WMLP rebates for oil customers can total as much as $10,000, respectively, for heat pump purchases.    

Wellesley residents should contact Abode Energy Management consultants to get assistance with every step of the heat pump planning, installation, and operation process, at no cost. Click here to learn more about Abode and other heat pump resources for Wellesley residents.

Incentives allow homeowners to save on equipment and annual home heating and cooling costs while reducing their carbon footprint. Have questions? Call 781-235-7600 or email cleancomfort@wellesleyma.gov.

IS THIS TOTALLY YOUR JAM? 
Good News, The Wellesley Municipal Light Plant, the Climate Action Committee and Sustainable Wellesley are joining together to develop an exciting new Energy Coach program.  In this program, the Wellesley MLP will train volunteers (at no cost to volunteers) on energy saving technology and incentives.  These volunteers will then be available to Town residents for peer-to-peer energy coaching. If you already have experience in any of the subjects of home energy efficiency, solar installations, heat pumps, battery storage, electric vehicles, tax incentives, or other measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, or if you are simply very passionate about climate change and want to do more, then reach out to
info@sustainablewellesley.com. 

Get advice on heat pumps, electric cars, etc. From Green Energy Consumer Alliance

1/22/2023

 
Picture
The team at Green Energy Consumers is offering advice on heat pumps, electric cars, and more at their upcoming webinars. For specific Wellesley information (rebates, assistance, etc. watch this first).
  • Heat Pumps: what, where and how much webinar is being offered at several dates & times over the next 2 weeks:
    Tuesday, 1/24 at 7pm
    Wednesday, 1/25 at 12pm
    Tuesday, 1/31 at 7pm
    Wednesday, 2/1 at 12pm OR 7pm with Mothers Out Front
    & don't miss us talking heat pumps on Boston Public Radio, Wednesday 1/25 at 12:30pm!

  • Let's Get a Clean Heat Standard Policy
    Thursday, January 26th at 12:00-1:30 PM

  • Electric Vehicles 101  
    Tuesday, January 31st at 12:00 PM

  • The New Electric Car Tax Credit
    Thursday, February 9th at 12:00 PM 

  • Electric Cars Coming Soon 
    Tuesday, February 21st at 12:00 PM 
Webinars are free and open to the public. 

Ecological Grief and Anxiety: A Healthy Response to Climate Change

1/17/2023

 
Picture
This goes beyond Wellesley, but know many will want to hear this...

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) invites you to attend the next Director’s Innovation Speaker Series lecture featuring Ashlee Cunsolo, PhD. This Thursday, January 19th she will discuss the profound, cumulative, and complex mental health outcomes of the climate crisis.

Drawing on 15 years of experience working with people on the frontlines of climate change and leading global research, Dr. Cunsolo will explore diverse expressions of ecological grief and loss and how the ‘gift of grief’ and ‘gritty hope’ can furnish new ethical and political communities.
​
Register here


<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    11th Hour
    2022
    350.org
    5 Minutes
    Action
    #ActioninWellesley
    Actions
    Add To Your Resume
    Air Quality
    Air Source Heat Pumps
    All Ages
    Apartment
    Appliances
    Attorney General
    Author
    Award
    Banks
    Beacon Hill
    Becca Rausch
    Bike
    Bikes
    Biking
    Bill McKibben
    Biodegradable
    Boards And Committees
    Book
    Book Club
    Book Group
    Books
    Borrow
    Boston
    Build
    Builders
    Building
    Buildings
    Bus
    Business
    Buy Nothing
    Cabell Eames
    Call
    Cancer Causing
    Candidate
    Candidates
    Car
    Car Free
    Cars
    Catalog
    Catch Connect
    Children
    Christmas Tree
    Clean
    Clean Energy
    Clean Heat
    Clean Up
    Climate Actin
    Climate Action
    Climate Action Committee
    Climate Action MA
    Climate Action Plan
    Climate Angst
    Climate Bill
    #climatechange
    Climate Distress
    CLimate Justice
    Climate Matters
    Clothing
    Coach
    Cold
    Comfort
    Commonwealth
    Community Service
    Commute
    Compost
    Conservation
    Conserve
    Conversation
    Cook
    Cooking
    Cooking Technology
    Cool
    Coping
    Corporate Responsibility
    Create
    Cynthia Creem
    Dana Hall
    Dave Becker
    Decarbonize
    Demonstration
    Dems
    Design
    Distress
    Donate
    Drive
    Drought
    Dryer
    Easier
    Easy
    Efficient
    Elect
    Election
    Electric
    Electric Appliances
    Electric Car
    Electric Experience
    Electricity
    Electricity V
    Electric Lawn Care
    Electric Vehicles
    Electrificatino
    Electrification
    Electrify
    Electronic Waste
    Energy
    Energy Assesment
    Energy Audit
    Energy Efficiency
    Energy Efficient
    Energy Price
    Energy Savings
    Energy Use
    Environment
    Environmental Justice
    Environmental Voters Projct
    Equitable
    EV
    Events
    Evolutions
    Experts
    Fall
    Family
    Farm Animals
    Fashion
    Fast Fashion
    Fathers Day
    Feel Good
    Fields
    Finance
    Food
    Food Pantry
    Food Waste
    Free
    Fridays For Future
    Fun
    Fund
    Future
    Garage Sale
    Garden
    Gardens
    Gas
    Gas Leak
    Get Involved
    Get Off Gas
    Get Together
    GHG
    Global Climate Strike
    Goals
    Go Green
    Grass
    Green Building
    Green Consumer Alliance
    Green Schools
    Grow Food
    Hardy School
    Health
    Healthy
    Healthy Family
    Heat
    Heater
    Heating And Cooling
    Heating System
    Heat Pump
    Heat Pumps
    Help Others
    High Efficiency
    High Performance
    Holiday
    Holiday Lights
    Holidays
    Home
    Homes
    Hope
    Hot Water
    House
    Hunnewell School
    HVAC
    Hybird
    Ideas
    Idle
    Idling
    Incentives
    Indiction
    Induction
    Inspiration
    Inspire
    Internship
    Investment
    July Jubilation
    Junk Mail
    Jupiter
    Kelsey Hudson PhD
    Kids
    Landscaping
    Lawn
    Lawn Care
    Lawn Mower
    Lawns
    Leadership
    Lead On Climate
    Leaf Blower
    Leaf Blowre
    League Of Women Voters
    LEED
    Legislation
    Legislators
    Library
    Lighting
    Light Plant
    Lights
    Lincoln
    Living Sustainably
    Lobby
    Local Government
    Local Politics
    Make Change
    Marathon
    Marine Pollution
    Masks
    Mass Climate Action
    Mass Save
    MCAN
    Meatless Monday
    Meet
    Meet Goals
    Meet New People
    Meet People
    Mindy Domb
    Mini
    MIT
    Mobility
    Mobility Plan
    Money
    Mopo
    Mother's Out Front
    Mower
    Municipal Light Plants
    Mustang
    Native
    Native Garden
    Native Plants
    Natural Resources
    Natural Resources Commission
    Nature
    Neighbor
    Net Zero
    New Construction
    New Year
    No Cost
    Noise
    Olin
    Opportunity
    Organize
    Parade
    Parenting
    Partner
    Party
    Passive Home
    Passive Homes
    Peabody
    Peak
    Pension
    Pets
    Pfas
    Pipe Lines
    Pizza
    Plants
    Polestar
    Police
    Politics
    Pollinate
    Pollution
    Pre Loved
    Pre School
    Psychologist
    Public Transit
    Questions?
    Quiet
    Rainwater
    RDF
    Reach Goa
    Reach Our Goals
    Read
    Realtors
    Rebate
    Rebates
    Recycle
    Recycling
    Recycling Facility
    Reduce Costs
    Register To Vote
    Renewable Energy
    Renovate
    Renovation
    Reslience
    Retro Fit
    Reuse
    Re-use
    Rev. Vernon K. Walker
    Rides
    Rummage Sale
    Run
    Run For Office
    Safety
    Save
    Save Energy
    Save Money
    Saving Us
    School
    Schools
    Science
    Scoot
    Sen Mike Barret
    Share
    Share Inputt
    Shop
    Show
    Smart Heating And Cooling
    Snow Blower
    Social And Family Event
    Solar
    State House
    Statewide
    Stay Warm
    St. John's School
    Stove
    Student
    Students
    Summer
    Supplies
    Support Climate Action
    Survey
    Take Action
    Talk
    Teachers
    Test Drive
    Thanks
    TikTok
    Tiny Home
    Tonight
    Town Goverment
    Town Government
    Town Hall
    Town Meeting
    Town Of Wellesley
    Town Politics
    Toxins
    Train
    Transit
    Translate
    Transportation
    Tree Planting
    Try
    TV
    Use Less
    Vehicles
    Virtual Event
    Volunteer
    Vote
    Vote Your Values
    Walk
    Washing Machine
    Waste
    Water
    Water Conservation
    Wayland
    WeCare
    WEF
    Wellesley
    Wellesley Free Library
    Wellesley Green Schools
    Wellesley High School
    Wellesley League Of Women Voters
    Wellesley Middle School
    Wellesley Police
    Wellesley Police Department
    Wellesley Public Schools
    Wellesley RDF
    Wellesley Students
    Wellesley Town Hall
    Wellesley Water
    Wellesley Wonderful Weekend
    Weston
    What's Is New
    Whs
    Winter
    Work
    Wrap
    Write
    Yard Sale
    Year End Charitable Giving Wellesley
    You Are Invited
    #YouCanDoIt
    Your Talents
    Your Values
    Your Voice
    Your Voice Heard
    Zero Emissions

    RSS Feed

×

Sign up for updates!

Get Our Newsletter

Contact

info@sustainablewellesley.com
75 Emerson Road
Tel: 781-772-1188

Support us!

Volunteer
Donate

Follow us!

Copyright © 2019 By Sustainable Wellesley
Photos used under Creative Commons from Rennett Stowe, Fan.D & Dav.C Photgraphy, Ivan Radic, KOMUnews, focusonmore.com, Ivan Radic, shixart1985, vwcampin, shixart1985, Scrap Pile, garlandcannon, Ivan Radic, We Like Sharing, Ruth and Dave, Ivan Radic, REM Photo, Images_of_Money, Raed Mansour, comedy_nose, Ivan Radic, RLHyde, aqua.mech, dc_gardens
  • About
    • Our Mission and Who We Are
  • Take Action
    • Individual Action >
      • So Much You Can Do!
      • Run For Office
      • Buildings (Home/Office) >
        • Gas
      • Transportation
      • Food
      • Landscaping
      • Solar
      • Waste >
        • Gift Wrap
        • Reduce Plastic
    • Group Action >
      • Donate
      • Volunteer
    • Global Action
    • More Action In Wellesley >
      • Other Local Organizations
      • Pollinate Wellesley >
        • Milkweed Sale
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Green Schools
    • Mission and Who We Are
    • Teachers >
      • Environmental Education
    • Green Team Representatives >
      • Smart Event Guide
      • Borrow Free Supplies for Your Event!
      • School Supply list
      • End of year Locker Cleanout Tips
    • Families