Progress and Challenges: Energy/Climate Change Outreach and Education Julia Dundorf, Manager of Community Relations & Co-director of the New England Carbon.

Progress and Challenges: Energy/Climate Change Outreach and Education

Julia Dundorf, Manager of Community Relations & Co-director of the New England Carbon Challenge

EESE BoardFebruary 12, 2010

We deliver practical solutions through creative on-the-ground

partnerships

What I’ll Cover Today:

• Overview of New England Carbon Challenge (NECC)– Encouraging individual action

– New tools – residential “portal” system

– Outreach mechanisms

• Collaboration – our residential partners

• Big Picture of Outreach and Education

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Supporting Action to Reduce Residential Energy Consumption

and Greenhouse Gases

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from households:• Vehicles• Home Heating• Electricity

Households Have a Critical Role in Stabilizing Climate Change

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

The typical family taking the Carbon Challenge has lowered its

energy use by 16% and is saving

$744 a year in reduced energy costs.

Taking the Carbon Challenge requires

about 15-20 minutes.

Significant Reductions Are Possible

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Understanding the Barriers to Climate Change & Energy Action

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Issues that affect any effort to positively change behavior . . .

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Voluntary behavior change is inherently difficult

““I will lose 15 pounds.”I will lose 15 pounds.”

“ “ I will stop smoking.”I will stop smoking.”

““I will exercise more.”I will exercise more.”

““I will pay off my debts.”I will pay off my debts.”

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Other problems overshadow

1. Family2. Work3. Cleaning the house4. Bills5. Friends6. Parents7. Cooking dinner8. Doing laundry9. Commuting10. Shopping for dinner11. Getting involved in the community12. Reviewing kids homework13. Snow shoveling14. Sports15. Relaxing!

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

We already receive too much information

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Climate change has unique perception issues

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Presenters “speak another language”

radiative forcing…

thermohaline circulation…

albedo effect…

tipping points….

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Climate change seems to be occuring somewhere else …

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Impacts seem minimal and will happen way in the future

Fosters Daily DemocratFosters Daily Democrat

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

The solutions don’t make sense…

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Someone else is to blame…

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

“Global Mayhem” Frame

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Solutions can appear like Science “fiction”

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Problem: People have heard the wrong stories

Majority of people believe in climate change

Many are missing crucial pieces

Often don’t understand that this is a manageable problem

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Problem: People feel isolated and powerless

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Strategies to overcome these barriers

Communication

Commitments

Prompts

Norms

Incentives

Build Community (Make it Fun!)

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Solution: Tell a new story

Target the obstacles directly

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

We are part of the problem…We are part of the problem…

We are the solutionWe are the solution

Solutions

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Accessible solutions

Focus on Existence

Affordability

Effectiveness

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Connect the solutions to other positive outcomes

Climate change

Reducing energy costs

Long term cost containment

National (state) security

Green jobs

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Focus on Messages of Hope

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Strategies for Success

• Communication

• Commitments

• Prompts

• Norms

• Incentives

• Build Community (Make it Fun!)

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

A big problem for any one person…

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

The Power of Social Norms

Psychologists have studied what causes people to make environmentally beneficial changes….

THEIR FINDINGS….

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Sustain Action Through Community Building

We Are Strongly Influenced by the Actions of Others

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

What does the NECC provide a household?

The Tools, Strategies and Support Needed to Succeed in Reducing Household Energy Consumption

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Our on-line household energy assessment and reduction tool, the New England Carbon

EstimatorTM

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

We will compute a household’s carbon footprint and then link that household’s

actions to other households in their community

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Each Household Receives a Customized Report on Their Actions and Projected Savings

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Through 2 year grant from the GHGERF

Announcing …. myenergyplan.net A suite of new web tools to help households reduce energy consumption and integrate renewables• Identify and track household actions• Identify financial incentives for EE and RE• Identify contractors who are qualified to

provide EE/RE products & services• Provide a system for touring residential EE/RE

installations and green homes year round• Make a long-term plan for ongoing EE/RE

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Support for the on-the-ground community organizing necessary for sustained outreach efforts.

• Designated Community Outreach Coordinator• Organizer Guides and Resources• Webinars and Trainings

Through 2 year grant from the GHGERF

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

1. Enhanced New England Carbon EstimatorTM

– Customized report for each household– Customized Next Steps Guide (July 2010)

2. The Contractor and Incentive Tool - (April 2010)

3. The Green Homes Tourist - (Winter 2010/11)

4. Energy Notebook (not through our RGGI grant) - (Fall 2010)

5. Home Energy Planner – (Summer 2011)

Innovative Web Tools

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

1. Enhanced EstimatorTM

Features will include:• Option to set a time frame for taking action• Recognition of previous actions taken• Customized Estimator for renters • Allows user to set a household goal for

reductions• Ability to log back in and track committed

actions you’ve taken

Innovative Web Tools

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

A searchable database for homeowners thinking about a residential energy upgrade and/or renewable energy project

• You tell the tool where you live and what you want. • And it tells you…

– Incentives / Rebates / Financing– Paired with Contractors who can do the work– Customized and organized in a single report

2. The Contractor and Incentive Tool

Innovative Web Tools

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

3. Green Home Tourist – (Winter 2010/11 ) A web-based tool to connect individuals to residential owners of energy efficient and/or renewable energy systems to tour these systems up close and ask questions of system owners throughout the year.

Innovative Web Tools

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

4. Energy Notebook (Fall 2010 )

Note: image to the right is only a mock-up for visualization purposes.

•Personal energy profile•Recognition of energy

actions•Social networking components•Peer-to-Peer support

Innovative Web Tools

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

5. Home Energy Planner – (Summer 2011 )

Based on a 10 year time horizon, the Home Energy Planner will enable households to develop a strategic, targeted plan to achieve critical carbon reductions and energy savings.

Innovative Web Tools

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

What does the NECC provide a “host” group?

The Tools, Strategies and Support Needed to Succeed in Fostering

Residential Action

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Innovative web-tools to track collective household action

• Google Map tracking• Customized Community

Challenge Tracking Widget (for YOUR website)

• Town Ranking Charts to foster competition

• Customizable Community Challenge message on Challenge takers “Next Steps Guide”

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Our Google Map of Challenge Takers

We rank communities to inspire a little friendly challenge!

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Portsmouth, NH’s Website

Tracking Widget

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Coming Soon:

Setting Goals for Residential

GHG Reductions Based on

Climate Action Plan Recommendations

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Effective Outreach Tools to Support Community Challenges

• Organizer Guides

• Webinar Series for Challenge Organizers

An “off-the shelf” integrated residential outreach campaign

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Organizer Guides: Strategies and best practices

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Regular reports on your progress

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Pilot Launch – Fall 2009

New London Concord

Dover Sanbornton-Tilton

Lebanon Rye

Grafton Plymouth

Atkinson

Workshops conducted by qualified home energy experts for homeowners on the basics of efficiency and home weatherization.

Button Up NH workshops are free and open to the public.

A joint initiative of the University of New Hampshire and Clean Air-Cool Planet

Building on Collaboration

– some of our residential partners

ENERGY Answers:

Home EnergyQuestions Answered

TOLL FREE 1-877-EXT-GROW (1-877-398-4769)[email protected] · extension.unh.edu

UNH Cooperative Extension brings you….

The Big Picture of Outreach and Education

People act when…

1. They are aware of an issue

2. They feel it affects them personally

3. They can do something about it

(some) Examples of Strong Outreach Mechanisms

– Diverse Audiences of our Existing Partners

(this is you!)

– Diverse Audiences of our New Partners

– NH Energy and Climate Speakers– Local Energy Committees/Commissions

• Imbedded in their communities• Latent readiness• Willingness to engage citizenry

– Regional Planning Commissions

NH Energy and Climate Speakers Communicating Local Energy Solutions through the NH Climate Action Plan

• Pairs key energy and climate speakers with audiences statewide

• The E&C Speakers:(1) Raise awareness of the NH Climate Action Plan(2) Inspire audiences to act on the issues therein and(3) Identify and recruit Implementing Partners

• Speakers include scientists / government officials / non-profit and business leaders

• A wide range of energy and climate expertise in energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate science, natural resource protection, land use and transportation, adaptation to climate change , resource tools and financing options

• Managed by Stacey Doll, NH Energy and Climate Collaborative Garry Dow, New England Carbon Challenge

Town by Town Energy Action

These maps are mock-ups of an upcoming tool being developed by the NECC

Julia DundorfManager of Community [email protected]