Somerset Environment Committee

 

What should we, in Somerset, do about Climate Change?  Our neighboring Town of Chevy Chase has joined over 850 other cities in taking the “Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement” and otherwise is very active with respect to climate change.  Montgomery County passed important legislation on Earth Day (April 22), 2008. The State of Maryland has a new Commission on Climate Change.  And there are, of course, efforts underway nationally and internationally.  What should we do?


One small but high-impact step that we can all take is replacing some of our incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lights (“CFLs”).  Not only are CFLs far better for the environment, but they are less expensive in the long-run, saving as much as $30 per bulb in energy costs.  Facts on CFLs, and their disposal, can be found here.

© Copyright 2008 Town of Somerset, Chevy Chase, Maryland

Climate change sub-committee: Leaders: Mike Hill, Howard Byron and Kristen Khanna Participants: Robin Barr and Jill Caporale. If you would like to know more about, or become involved in, what Somerset is doing about climate change contact: Mike Hill or Howard Byron or Kristen Khannamailto:mhill@hillkehne.com?subject=Climate%20changemailto:mhill@hillkehne.com?subject=Climate%20changemailto:hlbyron@imss.com?subject=Climate%20Changemailto:kkhanna@jhsph.edu?subject=Climate%20Change%20sub-committeeshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3

Sites to learn more about climate change:


  1. •   Take the Cool Capital Challenge and check your own carbon footprint.


  3. •  The Maryland Green Building Network shows some of what is happening in our state.


  1. •    A good place to start educating ourselves is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Climate Change site.

Sites to learn about ways to reduce our carbon footprint:


  1. •    Montgomery County has information on how to switch your home’s electricity to clean energy, and on how to make your home more “energy-wise.”


  1. •    DSIRE (funded through the U.S. Dept. of Energy) maintains an up-to-date listing of state and other rebates for going green.


  1. •    DOE’s own consumers’ guide site gives a good sense of the range of green home alternatives.