Green Initiative Articles

February 2010

Feb. 7 - ENERGY GREENING and SAVING 'GREEN'

Home Energy Audit

In Jan. 17 bulletin, the Res Green Team talked about a Cash-Back Rewards program by Alliant Energy. Here's another "bright idea" that's only a computer click or a phone call away. Every year, the average American home loses $150 worth of energy through inefficient appliances, lack of insulation or drafty windows and doors. Help save energy, cost and the environment by getting a Home Energy Audit, free for AE customers in homes built before Jan. 1, 2000. (It's popular, you might have to wait awhile.) A certified energy auditor will visit your home and spend about an hour, pinpointing where energy loss is happening. He/she will identify ways for you to reduce your energy usage and tell you how much you can expect to save by considering by simple household maintenance or upgrades to appliances, furnace, windows, etc. The auditor may even install some energysaving measures on the spot at no cost. 

Call 1-866-255-4268 or visit www.alliantenergy.com

 

Feb.14 - WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN?

Various parish members are proposing a Rain Garden on our grounds. Basically, a Rain Garden is a  sponge which soaks up rain runoff. Seed and plants make it an attractive sponge. Come to a meeting on Feb. 18, 7:00 p.m. St. George Room. No experience needed. Think Green. Call 590-2353 for information.

Feb. 21 -Grassroots sustainability at Dubuque2.org

          "Sustainability is a grassroots effort," said Molly Grover (Chamber of Commerce) and Nancy Van Milligen (Community Foundation) at the  city-wide launch of Dubuque2.0, a community sustainability initiative presented at the newly-renovated Roshek Building on Jan. 28.  Dubuque2.0 is a venue where sustainable ideas are presented, best practices are shared, and results from community efforts are measured. Much like Envision 2010, Dubuque2.0 encourages public/private partnerships to shape our community's future. These partnerships include businesses, schools, neighborhoods and non-profits. The Res Green Team will follow and contribute to  the process, gather ideas, and share tips in our bulletin.         

            As we continue to learn through Dubuque2.0 — as well as the City of Dubuque, Dubuque Metro Area Solid Waste Agency, the Petal Project, and other initiatives — we are motivated to make educated choices to change behavior, take action to save money and resources, reduce our impact on the planet and showcase our community successes.  We'll look for opportunities to share Res Green Parish efforts such as our "green" festival, GreenCart program, and effort to reduce energy use and recycle/ reuse/reduce. 

            Check out the website at www.Dubuque2.org

Resources: Telegraph Herald; Dubuque2.org

 

 

Feb. 28 - LENTEN CARBON FAST 2010

"The environment is God's gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole," said Pope Benedict in his encyclical, Caritas in Veritate.

Today, run your washing machine only with full loads. Use "cold/cold" and leave it there. Washing clothes in cold water gets them as clean as washing in hot water, but uses half the energy. Next week, look for a "carbon fast"  from junk mail.

Archdiocese of Washington, adapted from "Tearfund" & other sources; also www.GreenMyChurch.com