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How to Change US Energy in One Growing Season
1. Demonstrate practical, affordable energy efficiency and renewable energy ideas, devices, and systems at the over 4000 weekly farmers' markets that take place across the USA.
See Mr Franklin's Folks (http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/8/22/140257/-Mr-Franklins-Folks) for one vision of how this might work.
2. Continue with weatherization and solar community events.
Cambridge, MA has been doing monthly weatherization barnraisings (http://www.heetma.com/) since the summer of 2008. At least 18 other communities (http://www.heetma.com/node/3) have begun their own weatherization parties. Other groups are doing solar barnraisings in at least four states.
I'd like to see a weatherization barnraising on the White House. With the full participation of all the TV carpentry shows, "This Old House," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," the HGTV and DIY channels....
3. Solar IS Civil Defense. Start with the basics - flashlight, cell phone, radio, an extra set of batteries.... all of which can be powered with a couple of square inches of PV. Add a hand crank or pedal power back up and you have reliable production of AA and better electricity day or night, by sunlight or muscle power.
It is also a significant rise in the standard of living for the 1.6 billion people in this world who don't have access to electricity.
4. 350.org's (http://www.350.org) next event is an international climate change work day on 10/10/10. If groups going to farmers' markets weekly and doing monthly energy barnraisings monthly organize with that October 10 in mind, that event could make an even bigger splash and larger impression on the general public.
5. Build an information network so that different groups working on these issues around the world can share experiences and speed innovation.
Posted:
Jun 2 2010, 1:21 PM EDT by
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