About Backporch
The Back Porch Energy Initiative is a non-profit organization working with communities to cultivate local responses to the national and global issue of energy consumption. The Back Porch team is committed to collaborating with communities on existing resources, leveraging new ideas, and developing practical, economical and environmental solutions.
Spotlight
on your community
Lee Ann Kendrick
Lee Ann Kendrick is the Program Director of the Gulf Coast Conservation Corps (GCCC), an environmental youth development program based in Mississippi. Since the inception of the GCCC, Lee Ann has overseen all GCCC activities including program design, Corpsmember development, and day-to-day operations of the Corps. Lee Ann is known as "Mom," to all the Corpsmembers, going above the call of duty to build a comfortable and welcoming home for all these conservation workers.
With 16 years of experience in youth development, Lee Ann has primarily focused her attention on nonprofit organizations such as Head Start, 4-H and AmeriCorps. Prior to moving home to Mississippi, Lee Ann established an urban 4-H program in Las Vegas, Nevada and also worked with the University of Florida's 4-H program in the panhandle of Florida. Following Hurricane Katrina, Lee Ann worked toward reestablishing Early Head Start services in East Biloxi until she made the move over to the GCCC.
Lee Ann's expertise and driven spirit have offered countless youth so much. That is what Lee Ann is all about. Thank you, Lee Ann.
Tip of the Week!
"Buy food (and drink - ideally tap - water) from local companies whenever possible. Each pound of local food you purchase prevents a quarter pound of global warming (C02) emissions," suggests the Global Stewards website. "If possible, grow your own fruits and vegetables using organic gardening practices.
You can find local farmers markets, community supported agriculture, restaurants that cook with regional cuisine, and food cooperatives through Local Harvest."
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resources
EDUCATION:
- SimpleSteps.org
- Sifting through the many and often contradictory messages about the best way to "go green" can be overwhelming, especially if you don't have huge amounts of time to spare. Here, the National Resources Defense Council offers an easily navigable cheat sheet of sorts, with tips on greener living sorted by the amount of time and energy you can commit to any given issue. Environmentally conscious living doesn't have to mean overhauling your entire life all at once...you can begin in baby steps.
- TreeHugger.com
- Whether you're new to the idea of (and theories behind) green living or already well-versed in environmental issues, TreeHugger is a great way to get informed, keep up with current events, and learn more about practical ways to green everything from your dishwasher to your baby. Easily searchable and well-sorted database of over 17,000 posts with lots of active members' comments attached.
- http://planetgreen.discovery.com/
TreeHugger's sister site, focuses less on environmental news and more on neat tips for going green easily and economically.
- http://www.eere.energy.gov
The U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy home page. Lots of statistics and tips from federal experts!
- http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/
- http://www.eere.energy.gov/c ... topic=11220
- http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/livinggreen/
More handy household and lifestyle tips from the well-informed folks who run Co-op America, a non-profit using economic strategies to combat destructive energy consumption. Why this is great: lots of information on how to green your business, as well as a comprehensive list of existing green businesses in their Green Pages. Exercise consumer power!
- http://www.gaiam.com/realgoods/
Interested in going solar? Gaiam offers a great overview of the costs and (impressive) benefits. You can also buy all the equipment you'll need directly from their site. Not feeling the solar vibe? They cover wind and hydro power as well.
- http://www.mountainjusticesummer.org
You're probably aware of America's huge coal industry--you might even have coal power in your own home. You might not be aware of the extreme measures coal companies are taking to obtain more coal, quicker, and at a higher profit level. Mountain Justice Summer presents the facts on mountaintop removal, the widespread and growing practice of using explosives to literally remove the tops of mountains (up to a thousand feet) to reach the deposits of coal underneath. Debris is then placed in surrounding valleys, often polluting streams and leaving barren, rocky wasteland where we used to have mountains and valleys with thriving ecosystems. Get informed and speak out!
- http://www.energystar.gov
The EPA and DOE team up to give you a guide to find energy efficient products and practices. Reduce your greenhouse emissions...and your utility bill.
HOME ENERGY CALCULATOR:
POWER SMART BOOKLET:
- http://www.ase.org/ ... /PowerSmartBklt-web.pdf
Wouldn't it be great if your kids stopped leaving lights on and computers plugged in overnight, pointlessly jacking up your energy bills? Here's a great introduction to green living and energy efficiency, in words that kids and teens can understand. Don't let the friendly illustrations throw you off--there are lots of good tips in here for adults, as well.
ENERGY TAX INCENTIVES:
- http://www.energytaxincentives.org/
- So, you already know that making energy improvements to your home is cost-effective, good for the planet, and, let's face it, trendy. But it gets better--you can earn tax incentives, as well! Here are some guides to what you might be entitled to.
- A quick overview:
-Consumers are eligible for up to $500 in tax credits per home
-There are specific incentives to Home Shell (insulation, windows, sealing)
- http://www.energytaxincentives.org/ ... sulation_etc.php
More on insulation incentives
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