Fresh AIRE

So I'm not quite so odd anymore

Thanks to Arlington's Fresh AIRE campaign, my odd, nerdy habits don't seem quite so peculiar. For years now, I've been recycling and reusing -- like washing out Zip-loc bags, which some people find quite odd. I say, hey, I can reuse it as long as it hasn't sprung a leak -- saves $ and is a green practice to boot.

But even my nerdy self can still come up with ways to become even greener. At work, I used to use  paper plates and plastic utensils for lunch. Check out these cute dishes that I now keep at work -- what a civilized way to eat lunch! Since we downsized two years ago, I didn't have any extra dishes at home, so I bought all this at Goodwill for just a few dollars (and helping that worthy cause to boot).

Saving money + having a more pleasant lunch = reduced emissions!

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Diana Sun is Director of Communications for Arlington County, a walking commuter, a new bicylist, and a happy resident of the urban village of Clarendon.

Going Green, Going Golfing

Recently, a colleague sent me an email, “I know where you’ll be this weekend: the DC Green Festival” That’s a major event for many environmentalists and social justice activists, but my first thought was, “No, I’d rather be golfing with the Chamber of Commerce.

The Green Festival is a trade show and workshop that visits Washington, Chicago, Seattle, and San Francisco each year, organized by and a fundraiser for Global Exchange and Co-op America. They put together a comprehensive program with stimulating speakers, and for those of us who’ve been green for a while, it can be like a family reunion. And that’s why I was not inclined to go: I already follow green issues quite intently and decided there wouldn’t be a lot of value added by attending.

More to the point, if we’re going to advance the climate issue beyond true believers (pardon the ecclesiastical phrasing), and stimulate change throughout the community, we need to engage people outside our usual circles and stretch beyond our established comfort zone. We need to learn how others regard these issues, where new opportunities might reside for a nexus between business and the environment, and how we might make new local connections that resonate for all.

A week ago I did participate in the annual Arlington Chamber of Commerce golf outing, and had a blast with folks I’d never met before. I wore AIRE on my sleeve (well, literally on my chest thanks to the logo on my shirt). At the end of the day, it was affirming to remember that we're all in this together.

John Morrill, Arlington County

Ready, Set, Change a Light!

The National Change-a-Light Campaign has begun! A national competition is underway, pitting county against county to see who will pledge to change the most incandescent light bulbs for new energy -- and cash-saving CFL bulbs.

You’ve read about CFL bulbs here on the AIRE Blog, so you already know how they reduce mercury in the environment and save both energy and dollars. Now, we can show the rest of the country just how committed Arlingtonians are to protecting the environment and reducing emissions by going online and committing to use energy efficient CFLs in your home.

After pledging to switch to CLFs in the County employee challenge this summer, I changed over most of my home’s lights to CFL bulbs - though I am still hunting for the illusive 3-way and dimmer bulbs for the last remaining fixtures. Our new energy-efficient bulbs, as well as few other AIRE Tips, saved me a whopping $32 on my monthly electric bill.

Our County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson, Board Members and over 600 County staffers are switching to CFL light bulbs at home, too. Join us and breathe some Fresh AIRE into this competition. Pledge to change a light in your own home today!

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Mylissa Kennedy
Arlington County
Dept. of Environmental Services

Flush with possibilities

I've recently returned from a trip to Papua New Guinea, on the other side of the world, both literally and figuratively. It's one of the most undeveloped countries on Earth... we visited villagers who are living virtually as they have done since the Stone Age. The country is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and plenty of rain.

Why bring this up in the AIRE blog?

Well, you can imagine that, in the forest, there aren't too many toilets (plenty of trees, after all). I was struck, however, by the fact that -- wherever there WAS a toilet -- every toilet I saw provided two buttons: the left button for a half-flush and the right button for a full flush. Here are photos of two examples.

Isn't that terrific! I've seen these types of toilets in Australia and in Europe, but I don't recall ever seeing one in the U.S. What a great idea -- a half-flush when that'll do... and a full flush when it's needed.

What a concept! And what a great way to help conserve water. Have you seen other examples in your travels?

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Diana Sun is Director of Communications for Arlington County, a walking commuter, a new bicylist, and a happy resident of the urban village of Clarendon.

Want to Fight Global Climate Change? Take the Bus

According to a just released report by APTA (American Public Transit Association), the most powerful weapon you can use to combat global climate change may be a daily transit pass. The Study, Public Transportation's Contribution to U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction, which was prepared by Science Applications International Corporation for APTA, points out that commuting by public transit is one of the most significant actions a household member can take to reduce their carbon footprint. According to the report:

"New research shows that a person who rides public transportation instead of driving reduces his or her carbon dioxide output, a harmful greenhouse gas, by more than 20 lbs a day and 4,800 lbs annually. That saves more than weatherizing a home, adjusting a thermostat, switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and replacing older appliances with higher efficiency models, combined. A national climate change strategy that doesn't embrace public transportation has simply missed the bus."

Regarding land use impacts the report says:

"Investments in public transportation have the benefit of supporting higher density land uses that allow for fewer vehicle miles of travel...The results range from a reduction in VMT of between 1.4 miles and 9 miles for every transit passenger mile traveled. The outcome would be more efficient use of roadways, reduced road maintenance, shorter highway commute times and reduced need for street and off- street parking."

APTA is using the report to call on Congress to provide additional funding, to provide additional tax credits to employers who spend resources to support transit ridership programs and to provide tax credits to developers of mixed used transit oriented development projects.

Public Transportation's Contribution to U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fact Sheet

Public Transportation's Contribution to U.S. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Full Report

Related Article: Taking Transit: The Most Effective Route to Cutting Carbon, September 27, 2007; Erica Barnett, WorldChanging.

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.

74-Year-Old Mom Turns Green

You know the saying, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." What a myth! And I don't mean to imply my mom is a dog -- she's the most friendly, beautiful, kind person you'll ever want to meet.

I was talking with Mom this morning (BTW, she lives in Blacksburg, home to the Hokies), and she commented that she saw a friend leave the Kroger grocery store with some reusable bags. "I think I'm going to get some of those and start using them....and they're only $1," she said. Wow.

I'd talked with her before about making a switch to reusable bags. And when she saw someone else using the bags (and found out the grocery store she goes to actually sells them), she decided to make a change.

It's amazing how simple conversations with friends and family CAN make a difference. How many more people out there are soon going to make changes that help the environment? My optimistic nature tells me it's going to be a lot. What do you think? Submit a comment.

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Jennifer K. Smith, 18-year resident of Arlington
AIRE blog manager

Fresh AIRE Hits the Big Screen

Having worked in TV now for over 10 years I have been involved in many projects that I wasn't particularly passionate about…the utility bills have to be paid right? But producing the Upclose: FreshAIRE documentary program for Arlington Virginia Network (AVN) was different. View the program here.

This documentary production was a synthesis of so much that is meaningful to me; storytelling, shooting, directing, editing, and the future of our planet. I was lucky to work with, and learn from the people who appear in the film; people like Arlington County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson who doesn't pay the subject lip service but does actually 'walk-the-walk'; and people like Joan Kelsch and John Morrill whose jobs are intertwined with their personal lives.

I also learned many tips on energy efficiency through the filming of energy audits. The audits are a starting point in the film that allow us to look at what we can do as individuals to combat climate change and save money. The narrative moves between the micro and macro, from changing a light bulb to changing the energy source for the light bulb.

I hope the film will act as a catalyst locally, regionally, and even nationally. I think that Upclose: FreshAIRE shows that Arlingtonians are ahead of the curve with environmental and energy issues, it shows how the county government, residents, and businesses, are pulling together, but it also shows we need to do more. I feel the impetus must continue, to show that this isn't a trendy bourgeois past time, and that the culture of commodity, consumption and use of fossil fuels can evolve into a culture of conservation, sustainability, and use of clean energy.

Please enjoy the documentary, and we'd be happy to here your comments at AVN@arlingtonva.us

Peter Hill
AVN Video Producer

Explore new ENERGY STARs over Columbus Day

Sales Tax Holiday ... yeeee ha!  For four days this Columbus Day weekend, Friday October 5 through Monday October 8, the state of Virginia will waive the sales tax on qualifying ENERGY STAR appliances and lighting equipment.

Governor Kaine signed this legislation to raise awareness of the energy and dollar savings from ENERGY STAR refrigerators, room air conditioners, clothes washers, dishwashers, programmable thermostats, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, and the ever-lovable compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).  Look for the ENERGY STAR logo on qualifying products.

Of course it would be super if the tax holiday applied for a longer period of time, as most major appliances don't fail and need replacement on a tidy schedule.   For example, the Connecticut recently had a 4-month long ENERGY STAR sales tax holiday.

So if you have, or suspect you have, an energy hog refrigerator or other ravenous appliance in your house, you just might want to go shopping to replace it this weekend.