tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post7419098309671870252..comments2024-02-26T13:34:55.746-06:00Comments on Comrade Kevin's Chrestomathy: Reducing Your Nation's Carbon Footprint Is Not A Matter of Buying Everyone Smaller ShoesComrade Kevinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393718048145784837noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-89256875945988094492009-10-25T16:51:03.153-05:002009-10-25T16:51:03.153-05:00Are you taking long commutes to work? How about th...Are you taking long commutes to work? How about those cross-country trips to grandma’s for the holidays? How much energy are you using to keep your home a balmy 70 degrees during a cold northern winter, or a hot southern summer?<br />The Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta has come up with a unique way to assuage some of your “carbon guilt” and raise funds for a solar project. <br />The Northwest Earth Ministry has recently begun installing solar panels on their church roof, in the hopes of eliminating their use of coal-generated electricity, and eventually becoming “carbon neutral.” See video for more details. <br />Most individuals can’t afford to put solar panels or wind-turbines on their own homes, but still want to find ways to offset their own “carbon footprint.” To that end the church's Earth Ministry has created the website www.carbonindulgence.org. To save your from the unbearable fire and brimstone of global warming, the Earth Ministry offers what it calls “Carbon Indulgences.” <br />To receive NWUUC’s “carbon indulgences” you start by calculating your carbon footprint (the amount of carbon, in metric tons, produced in the form of greenhouse gases by your particular lifestyle). You then use that amount to indicate how many “carbon indulgences” you want to purchase and complete your purchase online. Indulgences include both the purchase of a certified CO2 offset as well as a tax deductible contribution to NWUUC’s Solar Panel Fund, with the money going directly toward the purchase of more solar panels (so far the church has installed 20 of a planned array of 108 panels). Shortly thereafter, you will receive a certificate documenting your purchase, along with an email receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. <br />The Congregation undertook this project under the leadership of its Earth Ministry Team and in reverence of Unitarian Universalists seventh principle, respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Upon completion the array will generate 2,540kWh/month of clean electricity from solar PV offsetting the same amount of electricity generated by coal-fired utility power plants will have the equivalent of one these annual positive effects on the environment:<br />• 47,905 pounds of carbon dioxide not released into the atmosphere<br />• 50 barrels of foreign oil not imported<br />• 2,466 gallons of gasoline not consumed<br />Clearing your carbon conscience is not only good for the environment, but it’s easy, requiring only a credit card and a few mouse clicks. Get started<br />The project affirms the power of one individual, one family and one group to reverse global warming and take steps toward sustainable living. As part of the outreach and education component of this effort, Northwest invites other individuals, organizations and religious communities to become active supporters of this endeavor by sharing this information with their friends and fellow congregants.<br /><br />About Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta<br />We are a dynamic and diverse religious community. We encourage, support, and inspire each other to live as compassionate spiritual and ethical people. We affirm, promote, celebrate, and live our shared Unitarian Universalist principles through worship, religious education, social action, and an open exchange of ideas.<br /><br />Northwest Unitarian Universalist Congregation<br />1025 Mt. Vernon Highway, N.W., Sandy Springs, GA 30327<br />Phone: 770-955-1408<br />E-mail: Office@NWUUC.org On the Web: www.NWUUC.orgMark Perloe, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09919946471930557872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12310464.post-85622208804548575472009-09-29T13:03:15.739-05:002009-09-29T13:03:15.739-05:00Great post, Kevin. This is not an easy problem - a...Great post, Kevin. This is not an easy problem - and it took us a long time to get into it and it is hard to see how we get out. But we do need to get out or we are indeed in the declining years of our empire.Mauigirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15529827915262851910noreply@blogger.com