We recently hosted a virtual talk by Marcia Cooper, executive director of Green Newton. In case you missed it, we have posted the presentation to our YouTube channel. 

Among the organizations initiatives is advocating for people to adopt sustainable solutions within their own communities. Green Newton even developed a Take Action web app to promote specific ideas and let people track their progress.

Inspired by the talk, volunteer Linda Stathoplos compiled a low-tech list of actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. By completing these tasks, some of them quite simple, Mainers can also help the state reach its Maine Wont Wait climate goals. Give it a try. And share these ideas—as well as your successes—with friends, family, and others in your community.

Be the Solution

Save Money

• Decrease thermostat heat setting by 1?F
• Increase thermostat cool setting by 1?F
• Buy used, not new
• Use cloth towels instead of paper towels
• Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins
• Unplug technology charging cables when not in use
• Turn off computer when not in use
• Turn off cell phone when not in use

Improve Your Health

• Replace some meat servings with plant-based foods
• Bike or walk to the store
• Bike or walk to work

Reduce Transportation Carbon

Putting less weight on the roads

• Buy beverages in aluminum cans instead of glass (or plastic) bottles
• Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic water bottles
• Use tap water instead of purchasing water
• Use bar soap instead of liquid soap
• Empty car of extra weight (dont use your car for storage)
• Schedule a telehealth appointment instead of driving to the doctors office
• Use solid laundry sheets instead of liquid laundry detergent
• Compost plant food waste (reduces volume and weight of trash)

Reduce Your Energy Use

Not all of these options are available to everyone

• Get a home energy assessment
• Install weather stripping
• Install insulation
• Replace incandescent bulbs with LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs
• Switch to an induction heat stovetop
• Install a heat pump
• Buy an electric car
• Install rooftop solar panels
• Sign up to use solar farm-generated electricity
• Recycle old refrigerators where the refrigerant gets safely captured
• Telework
• Carpool
• Take public transportation to work
• Take public transportation to shop
• Replace an old appliance with an energy efficient (EnergySTAR) appliance 

Resources

• Download the "Be the Solution" checklist
  
• Find a local energy assessment vendor