Green Sanctuary Task Force, UUI

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Green Sanctuary Earth Points Pledge and Possible Earth Points

Why are we doing this?
Our Seventh Principle is the "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." We are not alone and we rely on many resources on the planet. We must do all we can to protect and preserve those resources.

Why individual action? 
All major social movements, from the anti-slavery crusade to women’s suffrage to desegregation, started at the grass roots. Although government and corporate action is a necessity, individuals must take action themselves to show institutions the way.

Why now?
Experts have been warning us for over 10 years to take immediate action to reduce consumption of fossil fuels. Although there has been some activity, we have mainly ignored this dire warning. We are running out of time before resources are exhausted and irreversible damage occurs.

What can I do?
Take the Earth Points Pledge! Been meaning to try a compact fluorescent bulb in your home? Use one and get a point for it! Keep forgetting to raise your thermostat in the summer? Do it next time the air conditioning comes on and earn a point! Been wanting to start a compost pile? Start now and earn 10 points! There are MANY ways to earn Earth Points and TODAY is the day to start. You simply choose your actions and keep track of your points. You will find many ideas for earning points in this packet. Add your own ideas and point values. Watch for new tips and Earth Points updates in the Eye, the Sunday Times and on www.uui.org/prog/green.

When you reach 365 points, notify a member of the Green Sanctuary Task Force so we can track individual household completion. In addition, we KNOW the congregation can earn 50,000 points by Earth Day 2008. For every 10 points you earn, color in a square on the Earth Points Board posted in the Social Hall. This way, we all can see how our community is progressing towards our community goal.

Questions? Problems? Other ideas? Need help? 
Email to uui-green@uui.org or contact a member of the Green Sanctuary Task Force:
Ray Wilson, Chair rwwilson@iquest.net or 872-6770
Aimee Hill, rowanesq@gmail.com or 852-4992
Don Somers, donbanjo@sbcglobal.net or 546-3061
Jeanette Rowe, jrowe@iupui.edu or 748-4037
Ron Reichel, reichelronald@sbcglobal.net or 251-1839
Greg Foote, gpfoote@earthlink.net or 475-9164
Gary Houdek, houdek123@sbcglobal.net or 255-7119
Mervyn Cohen, mecohen@iupui.edu or 873-6586
anet McCabe, jmccabe222@aol.com or 577-2936
 

Following are some of the "green" categories in the program, actions you can take and, in bold, possible points you can earn for those actions. A complete check list is available from the Green Sanctuary Task Force, also at this web address: www.ikecoalition.org/Green_Sanctuary/Green_Sanctuary.htm

Get a copy today.
  
Waste Reduction                         
Bring your own bags to the grocery or other stores: 1 per trip     
Use cloth napkins instead of paper; dish towels instead of paper: 1/week     
Reuse scrap paper, start double-siding: 5     
Have your name taken off third class mailing lists: 5     
Start composting kitchen waste: 5     
Stop using paper plates, cups and disposable utensils: 5     
Bring your own coffee mug to your favorite coffee shop: 5     
Other            
                          
Recycling                         
Start curbside recycling of glass, cans, paper:  10     
Start recycling new waste items (batteries, newspaper, glass, cans, plastic, plastic bags, cardboard, etc.): 1 per type     
Take household hazardous waste to city collection site: 1 per trip     
Start a recycling program at your workplace or school (for cans, bottles and/or paper): 10     
Buy products made from recycled materials; paper labeled "post-consumer waste": 1 per purchase     
Other          
                          
                          
                          
Energy Efficiency                         
Sign up for Green Energy with your power company: 20     
Inspect and update insulation in your house: 10     
Wrap your water heater: 10     
Install a setback or programmable thermostat: 10     
Lower your hot water heater temperature to 120° F if it is higher: 10     
Turn hot water heater and air conditioner off (or to pilot) when you go on a trip: 5 per trip     
Replace an old, inefficient hot water heater with a new Energy Star one: 10     
Change your thermostat setting (2° cooler in winter/2° warmer in summer): 10     
Implement a plan to install compact fluorescent light bulbs in all rooms, starting with the highest use lights: 1 per bulb     
Hang your clothes out to dry: 1 per load     
Install solar panels: 10     
Replace old, inefficient appliances with Energy Star models: 10 per each    
Let hot leftovers cool before putting them away:  5     
Set refrigerator at 38° F and freezer at 5°F: 10     
Have your furnace serviced; ask for suggestions to improve efficiency and implement them: 10     
Install (or replace old) storm windows: 10     
Wash and dry only full loads: 1 per load     
Wash with cold water unless hot is absolutely necessary; always rinse with cold water: 1 per load     
Buy locally grown produce in season and/or local dairy products: 1 per purchase     
Other
                          
Transportation                         
Buy a hybrid electric car: 20     
Buy a car that gets at least 5 mpg more than the car you are replacing: 10     
Carpool, telecommute or ride the bus one day a week: 1 per trip     
Replace one regular trip you make per week by car with walking, biking, skating, etc.: 1 per trip     
Check your tire pressure and make sure the pressure is as recommended: 1 per check     
Do not use drive-through service if there are more than two cars ahead of you: 1 per trip     
Do not idle your vehicle more than 30 seconds: 1 per use     
Other           
                         
Educate yourself and others                         
See An Inconvenient Truth or other environmental film: 1 per film     
Read The Great Turning or other book: 1 per book     
Help one other person to begin recycling: 10     
Write a letter on an environmental issue to a federal, state or local official: 1 per letter     
Help another person complete items on this list: 1 per task     
Other       
                         
Taking care of the outdoors                         
Begin a compost pile: 10     
Plant a garden: 10     
Plant a tree: 10 per tree     
Eliminate chemical fertilizers/weedkillers: 10     
Other  
                         
Reduce water use                         
Do a comprehensive check of your house for leaks and fix them: 10     
Install a toilet dam or half gallon bottle filled with sand in each toilet that’s not low-flow: 5 per toilet     
Install low-flow showerheads and aerators for faucets: 1 per each   
Install a low flow toilet: 5 per each    
Reduce watering your lawn by half or to no more than 1 inch per week; water in early morning or early evening: 10  
Reduce the number of times you flush by half: 10     
Turn off water when not actually being used during tooth brushing, handwashing and shaving: 5     
Wash dishes in a tub or partitioned sink; don’t let the water run:  5     
Reduce shower time to less than 5 minutes: 10     
Other