Here are some great ways to help the town of San Anselmo meet it’s Climate Action Plan goal of reducing global warming emissions at least 15% below 2005 levels by 2020:
- Purchase Deep Green 100% Renewable Energy from the Marin Energy Authority (phone: 888-632-3674)
- Take public transportation whenever possible
- Bicycle or walk when running errands within 2 miles of home (also consider creating a bike team through Clif Bar’s 2 Mile Challenge)
- Join a carpool for yourself and/or your children (also check out the resources at SchoolPool Marin and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition)
- Encourage your children to bike or walk to school
- Rideshare for specific trips (especially long distance)
- Own a fuel efficient and low emission vehicle (also check out new electric vehicles!). Find out how much you’ll save by switching to a more efficient vehicle.
- Make an effort to reduce fuel consumption while driving:
• Slow down acceleration time (accelerate 0 to 60 mph in 15 seconds). Average improvement in fuel economy: 31%(highest: 37%)
• Drive the speed limit. Average savings: 12% (highest: 14%)
• Use cruise control (unless driving in a mountainous area). Average savings: 7% (highest: 14%)
• Shut down car if idling for more than 1 minute. Savings up to14%
• Keep tires inflated to recommended levels. Savings varied.
(source: www.edmunds.com) - Shop at local farmers markets
- If remodeling or building, use green building standards. Marin’s Green Building Program can help.
- Install solar panels
- Use the SmartEnergy Analyzer and take steps to save energy
- Install Compact Fluorescent or LED lighting
- When replacing old appliances, purchase Energy Star rated appliances
- Unplug or power down (with power strips) unused appliances to reduce standby power usage
- Reduce water use, especially hot water use (also check out the Do-It-Yourself Home Water Survey by MMWD)
- Install Solar Water Heating System or other Energy Efficient Water Heater
- Plant native, drought-tolerant plants and minimize or eliminate lawns (resources also at MCSTOPPP Garden Resources)
- Plant additional trees and vegetation to reduce global warming
- Recycle glass bottles, plastic bottles and containers #1-7, aluminum and tin cans, newspaper, office waste paper, cardboard
- Donate, sell, or give away unused items (also check out Yahoo’s MarinCountyFreeCycle and the Marin’s FreeCycle listing)
- Compost food waste
- Purchase carbon offsets to offset daily GHG emissions and/or when travelling (also check out PG&E’s ClimateSmart Program)
- At work, consider becoming a Marin Green Business.