Green Sanctuary Task Force, UUI

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Survey: We're Getting Greener

We’re Getting Greener

Back in 2006, when we were first starting to work toward Green Sanctuary (GS) accreditation by the UUA, we surveyed all UUI members and friends to see how “green” we were at that time.  This gave the Green Sanctuary Task Force (GSTF) a benchmark for determining—now, when we are about to apply for final accreditation—just how far we have come in our efforts to improve the environment we all depend on in our daily lives.  Thanks to all of you who responded.

 

A bar chart sent to all UUI members and friends in a recent UU Eye shows that we have come a long way…but we still have room for improvement in many areas. The bottom line, however, is that the progress we have all made is very encouraging.

 

The 2006 results are based on 100 respondents to the survey. The 2008 results are based on 96 respondents. The 2008 survey questions were virtually identical to those in 2006, but did have some modifications and a couple of new questions to reflect things the GSTF had learned in the intervening two years.  Here are a few things we think are particularly noteworthy:

 

We now recycle significantly more than we did in 2006.  Virtually everyone who responded recycles paper and all but a very few plastic, glass and aluminum.  Recycling of more difficult items, such as batteries and cardboard, has also increased.Our energy use has gotten greener.  43% of those responding said they now buy “green power,” compared to 11% in 2006. More of us have programmable thermostats and power limiting agreements for summer heat waves.  Reducing energy consumption and finding alternatives to fossil fuel generation are key to addressing global warming, so our progress in these areas is extremely important.26% of those responding say they have a hybrid car, compared to 11% in 2006.  This can be confirmed anecdotally by seeing how many Priuses are in the UUI parking lot on Sunday mornings.  That is real progress!

 

The survey asked some open-ended questions too. When asked about the most important benefit that UUI has gained in this GS accreditation process, respondents overwhelmingly answered with one word: AWARENESS.We are all becoming more aware of how we can help save our planet. Good for us.

 

If you’d like more detail on the results of the survey or on the church’s Green Sanctuary efforts, just ask one of the members of the GS Task Force.  Thanks for everything you do to improve our environment—every single day!