Energy Better Communities. Better Michigan.

1. Energy Better Communities. Better Michigan.

2. Going Green • What is the “Go Green” movement? • Why is it such a hot topic?

3. Going Green • How does “Going Green” affect – • Earth? • USA? • Michigan? • your community? • you?

4. What do we know? • Let’s start with what we know . . .

5. What do we know? Planet Increase in temperature of planet — sometimes called global warming, but more accurately climate change

6. What do we know? Resources Earth’s resources are being used faster than they can be replenished. We continue to leave the planet in a poorer condition for our future generations than what we inherited.

7. What do we know? Economic reality We cannot afford to spend $$$ for energy usage at the same rate as we have in the past

8. Climate Change Climate change is one of today’s most important issues affecting the world and our country

9. Climate Change • The warmest years ever recorded have all occurred in the past twelve years • 1998—the warmest • 2001—the second warmest

10. Climate Change • Why is this happening? • Primarily due to a steady rise in the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

11. Limited Resources We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

12. What’s Next? • Conditions are ripe for – • a perfect storm or • a perfect opportunity

13. Basic Terms and Concepts • Let’s spend just a few moments talking about the Basic Terms and Concepts

14. What are the Basic Terms? • Greenhouse effect and gases • Carbon footprint • Climate change • Climate action • Sustainability

15. Greenhouse Effect • Greenhouse effect is natural and good • Solar radiation is absorbed by the earth’s surface, converted into heat, and emitted into the atmosphere as infrared radiation

16. Greenhouse Effect • Some of the radiation escapes into outer space; however, some is absorbed and re-emitted BACK towards the earth’s surface by greenhouse gases

17. Greenhouse Effect

18. Greenhouse Effect • Climate change (global warming) is the result of “enhanced” greenhouse effect • Human activities have tipped the delicate balance of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, intensifying the natural greenhouse effect

19. Greenhouse Gases • The primary greenhouse gases (GHG) in the Earth’s atmosphere are • water vapor • carbon dioxide • methane • nitrous oxide • ozone

20. Municipal GHG • Energy use for electricity, heating and transportation is far and away the largest contributor to municipal GHG • Energy 91% • Waste 1% • Transportation 8%

21. Carbon Footprint • Carbon footprint measures the carbon dioxide emissions caused by activities for: • Country • Municipality • Individual

22. Carbon Footprint • Carbon footprint is usually measured in pounds or tons of CO2 per year.

23. Environmental Footprint • There are other measures used —including environmental footprint

24. Why “Go Green”? • Climate protection measures • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) • Reduce energy consumption • But why? • Because it directly promotes Sustainability — the long-term environmental, social and economic vitality in our communities

25. Sustainability • Planning and action necessary to create long-term environmental, social, and economic vitality in communities • The triple-bottom line

26. Climate Action Local governments are leading the way —ahead of the national government — to find solutions and take steps to combat climate change

27. Climate Action • What are local governments doing? • Local governments are not only addressing sustainable issues affecting municipal operations but also affecting their residents

28. Climate Action From a municipal standpoint: Forward-thinking local governments are addressing climate and energy concerns by integrating energy efficiency, clean energy supply, transportation, land use, and waste management

29. Climate Action From a residential standpoint: Local governments are providing incentives to reduce air pollutants, lower energy costs, support local economic development and improve public health and quality of life

30. Energy Star Challenge Governmental units and other commercial and industrial energy consumers can take Energy Star Challenge to improve energy efficiency in their buildings by 10%

31. Energy Star Challengewww.energystar.gov

32. What about Michigan? Has any program been developed specifically for Michigan communities? YES!

33. Michigan Green Communities Challenge • Michigan local units of government can take the Michigan Green Communities Challenge • Program by which local units of government can increase energy efficiency, promote energy conservation, become more sustainable and reduce cost

34. Michigan Green Communities Challenge • Developed by the Michigan Municipal League in collaboration with the state Bureau of Energy Systems • Online template available for all Michigan communities

35. Michigan Green Communities Challenge Steps • Council action • Assign responsibility • Take audit/baseline measurements • Make your plan • Choose projects and goals for your community • Measure progress

36. Michigan Green Communities Challenge • Central resource for Michigan communities for energy efficiency and conservation practices • Central resource for Michigan communities for information re: EECBG projects

37. Michigan Green Communities Challenge • http://greenchallenge.mml.org • If your community has not yet enrolled, encourage your municipal officials to do so

38. What Can You Do? • Just as your community can take an assessment of its energy usage and commit to be more energy efficient and sustainable – So can you!

39. Your Personal Carbon Footprint • Flying in a plane • Manufacture and distribution of products you buy • Turning on lights in house • Driving your car

40. Your Carbon Footprint • Home energy use accounts for about ¼ of your carbon footprint • Home energy use - 27% • Food and drink - 5% • Recreation - 14% • Services - 15% • Purchase - 20% • Transportation - 19%

41. Average Household Energy Use • Heating and cooling - 45% • Water heater - 11% • Refrigerator - 6% • Dishwasher - 2% • Clothes washer & dryer - 10% • Computer and monitor - 2% • TV, VCR, DVD - 2% • Lighting - 7% • Other (stoves, MWs, small appliances) - 15%

42. Carbon Footprint Calculatorwww.carbonfootprint.com

43. Home Energy Rating • Get a Michigan Home Energy Rating • Home energy ratings indicate the energy efficiency of a new or existing home on a scale from 500 to 0, where a lower number indicates greater energy efficiency (Go to mich.gov)

44. Perform Home Energy Audit • A home energy audit is the first step to determine how much energy your house uses and what improvements you should make to save money and energy • Energy Star • DTE • Consumers • Others

45. What is Energy Star? • Labeling program developed by US EPA designed to identify and promote energy efficient products to reduce GHG • Take the Energy Star Pledge—we can save more than $18 billion in annual energy costs and prevent GHG equivalent to emissions of more than 18 million cars

46. Energy Star Pledge

47. Perform Home Energy Audit • Energy Star provides helpful information on conducting a home audit including DIY audit • What’s Your Score

48. Perform Home Energy Audit • DTE • Go to DTE Energy – Home Energy Audit Offers • 4 options to conduct Home Energy Audit, including free online audit using MyEnergy Analyzer

49. Perform Home Energy Audit • Consumers Energy • Go to Consumers Energy – Home Energy Analyzer

50. Energy Star • Actions that you can take in your house!