The Green Sneakers Project is a grassroots organization that brings smart energy solutions to homeowners. In 2010, we launched a door-to-door neighborhood campaign, in eight communities, that brought weatherization and energy efficiency information directly to the doorsteps of at least 2000 Maine households. We do free home energy efficiency walk thrus, hold Green Gatherings to show off retrofitti
ng projects and present events and forums. In July & August of 2012, our high school student group met to choose a new community service project. We have decided to make it an annual event. We will pick up on more ways to help the planet by saving energy. We have an opportunity to work with Midcoast Habitat for Humanity on their new weatherization Project for low income families. Share your ideas with us. All high school students are welcome! Come help us determine what the group will be about next. Here's what went on last summer:
The Green Sneakers Teens, in collaboration with MDEP, recruited 2 high school interns who worked with us to recruit area high school students The interns did home walk thru training to conduct energy efficiency audits in their own homes and 2 others. They guided families thru My Energy Plan, and discussed low hanging energy fruit upgrades. They led the community carbon challenge, with a display and demonstration in local libraries. Students launched a community carbon challenge. They:
•designed posters and display on the carbon challenge
•helped prepare a press release
•demonstrated for the public how to use My Energy Plan website
•identified communities to compete for the challenge
contacted community leaders
•compared results
This project educated future homeowners and community leaders about energy efficiency and building science, while putting students in a helpful position within their families and community, and engaging their parents and neighbors in the process. They gained the experience of addressing global issues by acting locally. Interns and some students received training in how to address energy leak problems, how to set energy efficiency improvement priorities, and how these fixes could affect building health and performance. They were given information on how to:
•find energy saving opportunities, from basement to attic
•communicate effectively about weatherization issues
•assess the economics of doing nothing v.s. spending money on upgrades
•undertake do-it-yourself efficiency upgrade projects
•lead families through My Energy Plan evaluator
Families were given contact information to local energy service companies, and loan information. Green Sneakers volunteers will connect interested homeowners to energy auditors and contractors. The Green Sneakers Teens will be led by the Green Sneakers Midcoast coordinator, Nancy Glassman, who has been a teacher in this area since 1974. The MPCC has a successful track record for delivering effective grassroots programs statewide. For nearly a decade the partners Physicians for Social Responsibility - Maine, Maine Council of Churches, Sierra Club-Maine Chapter - have collaborated on community-based initiatives that engage our constituents and their neighbors in actions to improve indoor and outdoor air quality, promote cleaner energy sources, and mitigate/adapt to global climate change.
