One Habit at a Time – Celebrate Earth Month

How will you celebrate Earth Month this year?  There’s so much to do that a single Earth Day, April 22, is not enough time.

The City of Palo Alto suggests taking a pledge to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are its themes for the five weeks from March 23-April 26. See www.cityofpaloalto.org/earthmonth for more details and links to various rebate programs. Although some of the programs are specific to Palo Alto, other cities and utilities provide similar incentives.

Business Goes Green: Become a Green Certified Business (or patronize one). 
Forget Fossil Fuels: Sign Up for Palo Alto Green. Cut Your Energy Use 10%.
Be Water Wise: Get Ca$h for Grass. Cut Your Water Use 10%.
Bag the Bags: Bring Reusable Bags Every Time You Shop
Cool  Your Commute: Walk, Bike or Take Public Transit to School or Work

The city is also sponsoring these presentations:

Thursday, April 3, 7–9 pm, Palo Alto City Hall, 250 Hamilton Avenue
“Energy: Problems and Policies” James L. Sweeney, PhD, Director, Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency, Stanford University
April 12, 10:30 am–12:30 pm, Common Ground, 559 College Avenue
“Alternatives to Lawns” Deva Luna, Lifetime Master Gardener, Landscape Designer
April 16, 7–9 pm, Palo Alto City Hall, 250 Hamilton Avenue
“Drivers of Change: Using Natural Capitalism to Build Sustainable Communities”
Hunter Lovins, President and Founder, Natural Capitalism Solutions
April 17, 6 pm: Greenlight Film Festival, Cubberley Theater, 4000 Middlefield Road

The Recycling Center is sponsoring these workshops (call 650-496-5910 to enroll):

Saturday, April 5, 10-11:30 am Worm Composting
Saturday, April 26, 10-11:30 am Backyard Composting
Palo Alto residents attending these classes receive a voucher for $62 off a $99 Biostack compost bin.

At First Pres we will have an Earth Day Service at 11 am on Sunday, April 20, with a fair in the courtyard before and after.  Fitting right in with the city’s themes, we will have information on how First Pres is pursuing our own Green Certification and how you can reduce your energy and water use. We can help you calculate your carbon footprint (bring your utility bills plus your car and airplane mileage for the past year), help you sign up for Palo Alto Green, plan a bicycle route or ride-sharing to church, and even sell you reusable bags! Wear green for the occasion and consider using alternative transportation that day.

First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto
www.fprespa.org/coolplanet
April, 2008