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THE SOCIAL ACTION MINISTRY "The Social Action Ministry, acting on the principles of our UU faith, works to provide opportunities for society members and friends to educate, serve and advocate regarding the social concerns of our community, state, nation and world."
The Social Action Chronicle is published by the Social Action Ministry of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Vermont. Its contents do not necessarily represent the entire Society. Contributors to this issue: Suzie DeBrosse, Richard Kemp, Jeanne Parsley, Rachel Wells, Photography: Jeanne Parsley, Layout: Jeanne Parsley April 2006
10% CHALLENGE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AT UU SOCIETY by Wes Sanders The 10% Challenge(Director, Deb Sachs) is a statewide program to cut greenhouse-gas emissions back to 1990 levels as a local step toward arresting global climate change. With assistance from this group, Wes Sanders of the SAMs' Energy Subcommittee and David McFeeters, the Societys' capable Property Manager have launched a campaign to reduce energy use and CO2 emissions in the Church buildings. In addition being environmentally responsible, the church has already saved $116 a year as the result of a more accurate classification at the Burlington Electric Department(BED). In the first step of the campaign, Wes and Ms. Sachs obtained energy-use data from BED and Vermont Gas, showing the Society's consumption of electricity and gas over the last few years. Data for the last year was entered into the 10% Challenge on-line Calculator, and showed that, during last year, the UU Society contributed 112,672 lbs. of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This Challenge Calculator will also generate information about potential CO2 reductions resulting from various recommendations for changes to be implemented by the Society. These additional recommendations are part of the second and third stages of the campaign. Wes, David, and energy audit experts from Vermont Gas, BED and Interfaith Power and Light, first met for detailed 'walkarounds' of the church building. Each of these experts then submitted a written report, which included concrete, practical recommendations(at no charge to the church for this material since we are in Burlington). All this information will now be collated and a list of recommendations will be presented to the Property Committee. It is hoped that these changes will help the Society reduce CO2 emissions and save even more money. This audit information is also available for private homes. Go to: http://www.tenpercentchallenge "Calculator" and then on "Residential
SOCIAL ACTION CALENDAR Weds. Feb. 8, Media Awareness Day 10am-12noon at
the Statehouse: All citizens concerned about the
influence of the media are invited. For
additional info contact: sdebrosse@verizon.net
Feb. 19, 12:15pm , ECO-TOURISM FORUM w/ Megan
Eppler Wood. Since Megan has worked wit
international NGOs, academic institutions, the
United Nations, and international aid
organizations to develop socially and
TAX CREDITS FOR GOING GREEN by Maggi Hayes Beginning in 2006, you may be able to earn tax credits for certain energy saving home improvements and car purchases. Tax credits are amounts taken directly from your final tax bill and save even more than deductions which make adjustments to your income. Hybrid cars, energy efficient doors and windows, primary home insulation and some air conditioners, water heaters, and furnaces may be eligible for these credits. For more information: ase.org/taxcredits
THINK TANKLESS by Maggi Hayes What does your water heater do all day? For many
families, it just sits there, holding 40-60
gallons of water, and reheating that same water
many times each day. Even efficient and
well-insulated models produce "standby losses"
which account for 10-20% of a households' annual
water heating costs currently averaging $200(gas)
- $450/year(electric). They also typically last
an average of 15 years and are very prone to
problems from rust because of the standing water.
Tankless(or "on-demand") hot water heaters
generally save energy and thus money. There is no
storage tank but simply a wall mounted unit which
houses a heating plate(either gas or electric)
underneath a grid of waterpipes.
When a hot water faucet is turned on, the heating
plate is activated and the water in the pipes is
heated. Water continues to be heated until the
AN EDITORIAL by Harvey Ingram (this was
originally submitted as a letter to editor to the
Burlington Free Press but never published)
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Social
Action Chronicle