SIX ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TODAY.
SIX ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TODAY.
Climate change is happening faster than anticipated. What we do NOW will define our collective future.
You may not be able to do all of these things immediately, but with a plan they are all achievable!
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Have the Cape Light Compact do an energy audit and a blower door test so you can see where your air leaks are and where more insulation is needed. Take advantage of the Compact's insulation offers. If you are replacing windows and siding, add insulation to the outside of your house when you do so. These actions will keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
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This is one of the simplest ways to help with the goal of a 100% Renewable MV by 2040. Join the Cape Light Compact's Local Green. You may not be ready to install solar at your house but by joining, you can get electricity generated by solar panels.
Your electrical bill has two parts: Eversource is your distributor of power, and then you have a choice for power supply. Much of that electricity supply is being generated from natural gas. The process of extracting natural gas -fracking - releases large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Methane is the most harmful, heat-trapping, greenhouse gas.
You can make a difference by switching your power supply to a local renewable source. Enroll on their website or call 1-800-381-9192.
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You have seen them: metal boxes sitting outside houses with a grill on the front; "mini-splits" inside houses that deliver heat or cool. Now that there are cold climate units available, this is the most efficient way to heat, cool and dehumidify your home or workspace. They are a key strategy to our meeting the goal of 100% Renewable by 2040.
Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) facts:
The installation costs are less than that of a propane or oil-fired burner or furnace
They run more efficiently and cost less to operate than oil or propane
They can replace your current heating (and cooling) system or supplement it
It is key that you get a high efficiency "cold climate" unit
These systems can be ducted or ductless. The ductless ones often use "mini-splits" which are wall-hung; there are also floor and ceiling units.
For existing houses, replace or supplement your furnace or boiler with an ASHP. For new houses, installing an ASHP is the best choice.
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We ALL use hot water. One of the easiest ways to decrease your fossil fuel use is to switch to a hybrid electric water heater. It's an easy switch because you already have a water heater set up. This is another KEY tool to our meeting the 100% Renewable goal.
How Do They Work?
These water heaters use a heat pump to draw their heat from the surrounding air. The hybrid mode uses both the heat pump and an electric resistance heater so that you have plenty of hot water when more is needed.How to Get Started?
You need a space at least 7' x 10' x 10' that is at least 50 degrees and no hotter than 90 degrees. This could be where your current water heater is or, a large closet or laundry room.
Once you have picked the spot, call your plumber to give you a price and install it.
Ask your plumber what size you should install and be sure the heater meets the Uniform Energy Factor. (UEF) For units > 55 gallons the UEF needs to be 2.7 or higher.
For 55 gallons or <, it needs to have a UEF 2.0 or higher.
Find the Rebates and Turn it On!
Rebates range from $150-$600, depending on what fuel you are replacing. Once your system is installed, go here to fill out your rebate form.
For most flexibility, set the water heater to hybrid mode
120-122 degrees should be good but see what works best for you and your family.
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We get it. This transition will take time and it can get expensive.
BUT
Over the long haul, these investments will save you money.
Mass Save offers rebates and if you heat 90% of your space with heat pumps, there is an additional rebate through MA Dept of Energy Resources. And, you can get a 0% interest HEAT loan to pay for it. Get an energy assessment through the Cape Light Compact to access the loan. 1-800-797-6699 to schedule
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2. Reduce transportation emissions
45% of our energy use is for transportation. That is higher than other communities because of the fuel used for ferry service.
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Purchase used items from our local thrift shops and online resalers.
Do a clothes or toy swap with friends and family.
Go on a buying freeze
Shop local (visit https://www.buylocalmv.com/)
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Wash your clothes less and dry them outside or inside on a rack
Shut the lights, heat, or AC off when not in use
Print double-sided
Go DIY and have fun making things
Set limits on air travel per year
Take a look at your daily habits and see what you could change.
1. Reduce fossil fuel use in your home.
To reach the goal of 100% Renewable by 2040, we need to convert to using electricity for our buildings and transportation. And get that electricity from renewable sources. Currently, 1/3 of our buildings are heated with oil, 2/3 with propane.
Our propane and oil come over on the Steamship boats or on Packer's barges. We have 4 underwater cables that bring our electricity from Falmouth and diesel generators to support summer peak usage. Eversource is now installing a 5th cable. As we convert to heat pumps and summer temperatures increase, we will need more energy supply. A battery bank at Eversource could supply power during times of peak demand and help us as we add more island solar arrays.
On-island solar generation helps with our resilience. Currently 7.7% of our electricity comes from on-island solar arrays.
Take a look at the steps to help you transition.
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The electric vehicle market is rapidly expanding as battery technology improves. The newer cars have greater range and there is more choice of vehicle.
At the top of the line, Teslas get over 300 miles/charge. The Chevy Bolt gets 259 miles, the Nissan Leaf gets 226 miles and there are others!
If we are to meet the goal of 100% Renewable by 2040, we need to convert to electric vehicles.A few facts:
EVs require much less maintenance. Battery checks, brakes and tires are the main things.
They run quieter and are quite zippy because there is no transmission so the power goes directly to the wheels providing instant acceleration.
If you are not ready to spend the money to buy a new or used one, leasing is a good option.
EVs are great on the Vineyard because our distances are short. When you take the car off-island, you may have to charge it. There are apps to show you where to charge your car.
There are both Federal and State rebates, depending on how many cars the company has already sold.
Go to Normal Now or the Drive Green website
to learn more about how EVs work, charging and what rebates are available. -
Governor Baker has just mandated that by 2035, all "light-duty vehicles" sold in Massachusetts will need to be zero emissions. This means cars but mandates such as this will boost the production of electric vehicles for all.
If you are looking for a new truck and want to be on the cutting edge, a great article in Clean Technica gives a good description of what you could buy in 2021.
Here are some of those options and more:
The Rivian R1T has a range of 300+ mile range. They also have the R1S- a sport utility vehicle with the same range.
The Lordstown Endurance is being offered as a fleet vehicle. It is designed with four "in-hub" motors to reduce the number of moving parts.
The GMC Hummer EV has an estimated 350+ mile range.
The Tesla Cybertruck is a space-age-looking vehicle with a 250 mile range.
The Ford F-150 Electric is coming—to be offered in 2022.
The Bollinger is an all electric truck that has a range of ~200 miles.
The Atlis truck platform is offering both a fleet work truck and a pickup truck, with range choice of 300-500 miles.
The Jeep Wrangler 4XE is a plug-in hybrid: 25 miles of electric power combined with a gas engine.
Lots to explore and choose from!
click here -
The VTA has done a great job electrifying its fleet. Jump on the bus when you can:
https://www.vineyardtransit.com/
Parents, look at how often your kids take the bus. Is there a way to increase that?
Encourage them to schedule their time so that it aligns with the VTA schedule.
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Compost added to our soils helps to sequester carbon and adds nutrients. We currently import tons of it but we could be making our compost here: reducing our carbon footprint by eliminating fuel usage to ship this waste off-island and by stopping the practice of landfilling it.
Additionally, you can try vermicomposting or dehydrating your food waste. Give it some research and find out what is the best method for you.
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MV Table to Farm is an island initiative working towards creating accessible island-wide composting.
Keep updated via their facebook page below and write to your towns in support.
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Soil health is incredibly important.
Climate solutions would be remiss in not discussing the importance of soil: its role as a carbon sink and how caring for it helps both the planet and our species. Food, agriculture, and land use account for 25% of carbon emissions.
Underneath the soil there is a whole network of LIFE that if left undisturbed and nourished can absorb carbon from the atmosphere instead of releasing it. As stated in the book Drawdown, “no other mechanism known to humankind is as effective in addressing global warming as capturing carbon dioxide from the air through photosynthesis."
"The Green Revolution”— now thought to have been a misguided approach to feeding the many, relies on fertilizers and chemicals to increase crop yields. It degrades soil: making it less productive, more susceptible to drought, insects, weeds, blight and erosion.
Regenerative agriculture seeks to restore soils: creating an environment that increases fertility, water retention, and the network of organisms under the surface that can absorb carbon and give us more nutritious food. Reducing tillage, keeping the soil covered with cover crops and mulches, keep living roots in the soil for as much of the year as possible, and using compost to support the soil web are part of this shift. All help retain and absorb carbon.
Buy local produce at our island farms!
3. Reduce food waste. Buy Local.
Food Waste is 8% of Greenhouse Gas Emissions…
More than the Carbon Footprint of the Airline Industry*
According to Project Drawdown, one third of the food produced in farms and factories never makes it to our plates. This is wasteful on so many levels: seeds, water, energy, land, fertilizer and labor all wasted. In wealthier nations, 35% of the food waste occurs in our homes: we don't eat what we buy, it rots and we throw it out.
"Shop Your Fridge", and reduce waste by first looking at what you already have and what can be made with it. We ship 19,000 tons of trash off-island each year. More than a third of that is food waste. Some of that waste is burned at SEMASS but at least half goes to a landfill near New Bedford. Landfilled food waste creates methane: a greenhouse gas considerably more detrimental than carbon dioxide.
4. Reduce plastic use
Plastics, which are made from oil, support production even when the demand for heating oil is down. From the beginning, oil companies have known that recycling plastics is not effective but they have lulled us into thinking that our consumption of plastics is not harmful. Our world- and sadly our oceans- are now filled with the stuff.
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Visit the site below to find out.
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Beeswax food wrappers
Glass jars
Canvas bags
Paper snack bags
Stackable glass tupperware
Water in aluminum or cardboard if you forget your water bottle
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Our island towns passed bylaws that prohibit the sale of carbonated and non-carbonated water & soda in plastic bottles 34 and less, the use of single-use plastic bags, and polystyrene food containers.
The majority of our local businesses have done the work to stock their shelves with alternatives, but some have not. We encourage you to write a letter to your selectboard or boh to ask that they enforce the bylaw.
Remember that this is about collectively showing the industry that we want them to develop a solution to single-use plastic bottles.
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The recycling markets are not dead but they are not as robust as they used to be. Our recycling goes off-island to one of nine MA MRFs (materials recovery facilities). There it is sorted both mechanically and by hand. When there are things on the belt that cannot be handled, they stop work and damage the machinery.
When we "wishcycle"—and put things in the recycling bin for which
there is currently no market, we just make the whole process less effective, more wasteful and expensive. Here are a few key points—NO plastic bags! They get caught on the MRF drum and are dangerous to remove.
NO food or liquid in any recyclable-be sure to remove all food and detritus before recycling.
Not ALL plastics are recyclable. Only "bottles, jars, jugs and tubs."
Milk and orange juice cartons, juice boxes etc… are NOT recyclable.
Clean corrugated cardboard is very valuable now because of online shopping and shipping.
5. Reduce
Our culture of consumption and consumerism is fueling climate change. The best thing you can do is reduce your energy use and consumption in general.
6. ADVOCATE
Advocating for climate change action is a collective effort that requires dedication, passion, and persistence. By educating yourself, connecting with others, and speaking up in strategic ways, you can make a significant impact in the fight against climate change. Remember that change takes time, but every action you take brings us one step closer to a more sustainable and resilient future for our planet. Your advocacy matters – embrace your role as a catalyst for positive change!
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Before you can advocate for climate change action, it’s essential to understand the science behind it. Familiarize yourself with the causes, impacts, and potential solutions. Stay updated on the latest research, reports, and developments to bolster your advocacy knowledge and credibility. Take a look at our resources tab on this webstie for suggested reading material.
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Policy changes play a crucial role in addressing climate change. While ICAN does not focus on lobbying Congress for sweeping climate action, we do engage with policy on a local level. You can engage with your local representatives to voice your concerns and advocate for environmentally friendly policies by writing letters (see quick actions tab), attending meetings and making calls.
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Your actions speak louder than words. Showcase your commitment to the cause and encourage friends, family, and colleagues to join you on the journey.