Way to Go Wellesley!

Way to go Wellesley!

Post by Kelly Caiazzo

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us for Sustainable Wellesley and the NRC’s screening of Before the Flood. I’m all about what’s possible.  We saw that it was possible to fill a room with people who wanted to watch a documentary about the environment while serving a plant-based meal with no single-use plastics and entirely compostable or reusable serving ware.  Facing the reality of climate change and thinking about the way it impacts human and animal life on the planet is a heavy topic, but there are ways we can shift our behavior so that we contribute less to the problem.  And when others see us making changes and prioritizing the environment when we vote, eat, consume, drive or entertain, public awareness increases and our efforts can compound.  Click read more below for resources

Thanks so much for joining us last night, and we hope to see you again in the future! Our next film is Stink! on May 21st and we’re serving burritos. RSVP here

RESOURCES

• Join the “Power to Choose” Program in Wellesley to get your electricity from renewable sources:
• Eat some meatless meals. See our guide with links to recipe blogs, a list of great vegetarian meals at local restaurants and other resources for adding some plant-based meals into your week
• Get a Home Energy Assessment: Mass Save has free home energy assessments that can lower your home heating costs and make your home more environmentally friendly by increasing its efficiency.
• Consider an electric / hybrid / carpool / alternate transit option: Sustainable Wellesley Mobility rEVolution slides.  Great list of available Plug-in Electric Vehicles PlugInCars.com
• Anyone interested in further discussion or a test ride in a Tesla Model 3 should contact Scott Bender
• Anyone interested in further discussion or a test ride in a Tesla Model S or Tesla Model X can contact me, Kelly Caiazzo
• “Drive Green” initiative by Green Energy Consumer’s Alliance has a great feature that allows you to easily compare various EVs, and has pre-arranged discounts on EVs with car dealers.
• View the resources from the film: Includes information on supporting carbon taxes, maps of coastal flooding projections, and links to specific environmental initiatives.
• Visit the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission page: Find information about the Gas Leaks initiatives , the Healthy Yard campaign, and other ways the NRC encourages Sustainability in Wellesley and protects our green spaces and natural resources.

Take a quiz on your “footprint” for personalized reduction strategies: Several sites offer this.

• The Global Footprint Network: https://www.footprintcalculator.org/
• The EPA:  https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/
• Carbonfund.org:  https://carbonfund.org/calculate-your-footprint/
• Watercalculator.org (water footprint oriented):  https://www.watercalculator.org/

Vote with the environment in mind.  Share what you’re doing: We need a shift in public opinion and awareness on climate change.  Sharing what you’re doing and why, whether it’s telling someone about your home energy assessment or suggesting you carpool to an event together.  Have other ideas we missed?  Want to continue the discussion?  Have personal experience with solar panels or carbon offsets you want to share? You can:

• Come to the next Sustainable Wellesley meeting on April 28th from 12:00 – 1:30 at 161 Oakland St. in Wellesley – the studio above the garage
• Join a local Facebook group that discusses sustainable living strategies
  
• E-mail us at info@sustainablewellesley

Thanks so much for joining us last night, and we hope to see you again in the future! Our next film is Stink! on May 21st and we’re serving burritos. RSVP here