>> CLIMATE CHANGE <<

ENERGY

CLIMATE CHANGE

|| CLIMATE CHANGE

At the High Country Conservation Center we believe that “climate change” is at the point where debate about its existence, or potential, is no longer relevant. Even if you disagree with the consensus of the scientific community, there is something called the Precautionary Principle that dictates that action even without 100% certainty is prudent.

In our mountain community, climate change or global warming or whatever you call it, is a local issue. Why?

Quite simply – we depend on our winter for our economy. Perhaps even more importantly is a regional issue: in the West, our precious and often scarce water comes from our winter snow.

Instead of focusing on the facts and reports of what climate change may have in store for our region (there are ample resources at the end of this page), we instead provide some tips for ACTION to reduce your personal carbon dioxide emissions:

Replace seven 100 watt bulbs with 15-watt compact fluorescent bulbs to save 1 ton of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars annually.
Bike to work three days per week to save 1 ton annually
Convert from electric to solar hot water at home to save 1 ton annually for a 3-person household.
Use a clothesline instead of a dryer to save 1 ton for a typical household.
Recycle 500 pounds of paper to save 1 ton.
Take the Summit Stage or your local bus one in three trips to save 1 ton annually.
Recycle 2500 aluminum cans to save 1 ton.
Trade in your SUV for a fuel-efficient hybrid to save 5 tons annually (switching from a Jeep Cherokee to a Toyota Prius will save 1 pound per mile!)
Install a photovoltaic system for home electricity to save over 7.5 tons for average family use per year.
Plant 40 trees – they will absorb 1 ton of carbon dioxide!

More resources:

Rocky Mountain Climate Organization - www.rockymountainclimate.org

Union of Concerned Scientists - www.ucusa.org

Rocky Mountain Institute - www.rmi.org

Climate Action Network - www.climatenetwork.org

Green House Network - www.greenhousenet.org

Natural Resource Defense Fund - www.keepwintercool.org

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Solar celebration
Friday, June 20, 4pm to 6pm at the Ecoasis in Breckenridge. Celebrate the Solstice, toast the Sun, check out groovy solar gadgets and mingle with Summit County's renewable energy experts at the Solar Celebration!

walk, bus or Bike to Work Day
Wednesday, June 25th. Get out of your car and walk, take the Stage, or bike to work. You'll feel better and earn great eco-karma points too! Stop by one of three locations for free breakfast. Breckenridge at the Riverwalk Center from 7:30am to 9am; Frisco at the Frisco Community Center (110 3rd Ave) from 7am to 9am; Silverthorne at the Recreation Center from 6:30-9:30am.