WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: A SAMPLE OF THE MAIL WE'VE RECEIVED ABOUT THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CARBON CHALLENGE

From Individuals:

"I really enjoyed the presentation you made at the Dover Public Library last night and learned several new things. You may be interested to know that I will be purchasing FOUR new appliances this week, a refrigerator, stove, dryer and small freezer. I'm so happy to be doing something good for our environment. However, I had literally forgotten about clotheslines and now I remember how much I liked to be outside hanging things up. We had a wonderful clothesline here when we bought the house 40 years ago, but it eventually had to be taken down when the metal posts rusted. Taking the carbon challenge is incredibly important and I'm hoping to do my part." JG; Dover, NH

 

"I live in Maine with my husband and 2 teenage boys and my electric company is Central Maine Power.  For the past few years, my electric bill has slowly been creeping up.  I did things like hung out my laundry in the summertime, switched my electric stove to gas for cooking but nothing really seemed to be making an impact. When my electrical reached $250 for one month, I was aghast. The first thing we did was buy a new refrigerator. We replaced our big fridge with another the same size but the new was 20 years newer and supposed to be more efficient. My electric bill dropped a bit ($25 +/-). Then after your presentation to the staff here at Lamprey Brothers, I got way more serious.  We replaced almost all of the bulbs in the house with CFLs, starting shutting off all the computers in the house when not in use (mind you we have 4 computers) and lastly unplugged cell phone and other chargers when not being used for charging. To my surprise (and relief), my electric bill is now running about $100-$110 per month (for 3 months now). These changes have made very little impact, if any, on our "quality" of life or lifestyle. It was so easy to do, I'm kicking myself for not acting on it sooner. I truly didn't think these things made that big of a difference. My goal now is to get the bill to be under $100. Thanks for your help!" AM; Kittery, ME

 

"I just wanted to drop a message to you about some changes we have made as a result of seeing your NH Carbon Challenge presentation and, at your urging, The Inconvenient Truth. Keith and I both drive big vehicles, and realize that we need to make a change now to a more fuel efficient vehicle.  Today we are trading in our Honda minivan for Honda Accord, which we will drive on all long-distance trips. It's a win-win, as we save $ on car payment and fuel. We have also changed our light bulbs to CF bulbs and lowered our thermostat by 2 degrees. All of these changes are simple and do not change the quality of our life." DH; Dover, NH

 

"I am in the ninth grade at Oyster River High School. I was looking around your site and it inspired me to do a project on global warming. I got your e-mail from John Bromley, I worked with him a little bit on my project. I really don't think people realize how big an issue this is. I just wanted to say that as a local kid in Durham, I'm changing light bulbs, buying energy safe appliances, and handing out my own brochures to entire neighborhoods. Thanks for inspiring me to do such an interesting school project on a problem that needs to be solved now, rather than later."

 

"Thanks tremendously for bringing your program to the people of New Castle. A couple of the folks who were there last night remarked told me today they were surprised and delighted to learn how easy it is to 'do their part.' The need for activism has never seemed more pressing, whatever our vocations. And you have certainly hit upon an illuminating, engaging, and non-strident technique for 'fighting the good fight.' Well done, both of you. Please think of me and the New Castle Library as allies." Gene Fox, Librarian, New Castle Public Library

From Community Leaders:

"For an organization like New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility (NHBSR), that covers such a vast arena of social and environmental issues, to be successful, we count on "content partners" like The New Hampshire Carbon Challenge to offer specific and tangible tools and initiatives to our members and the New Hampshire community as a whole. The Employee Carbon Challenge™ is an innovative, effective way for companies to address energy and climate change issues with their employees. And from a source they can trust." -- Molly Hodgson Smith, Executive Director, NHBSR

 

"The NHCC was exactly what our congregation needed!  We have had a growing interest in getting more involved in environmental issues, but where to begin!  The NHCC provided us with the materials and inspiration needed to take tangible next steps in our commitment.  We have done an energy audit, switched out lots of bulbs, are creating an energy conversation plan, are investigating solar panels, and have a growing group that meets regularly to keep finding ways to become greener, individually and as a church community, on behalf of the planet.  Specific, tangible, direct, user-friendly, engaging ---the input from NHCC has proven invaluable!" The Rev. Dr. Mary E. Westfall, Pastor Community Church of Durham, United Church of Christ

 

"The New Hampshire Carbon Challenge's presentation makes taking action simple and their on-line calculator generates not only numbers but huge personal satisfaction that one person or one household or one business can and does make a huge difference.  Thanks to the clarity of the NHCC approach and its incredibly knowledgeable team that delivers the tools and inspiration, there's no reason why each of us can't be 10,000 pounds lighter in six months!!!  Knowing that Julia and Denise made the changes in their lives first is a real inspiration." Cheryl King Fischer, Executive Director, New England Grassroots Environment Fund

 

"Home by home, NHCC is changing the way families look at and use energy.  Replacing one light bulb is insignificant, but the result from a neighborhood of change is profound." Roger Stephenson, Clean Air – Cool Planet

 

"National Wildlife Federation's (NWF) Northeast office located in Montpelier, Vermont , believes that climate change is now the number one threat to wildlife and their habitat in the Northeast. In part, our means to solving this issue lies in providing individuals with the knowledge, training and resources they need to make changes in their behavior. We believe that the NHCC model can play a leading role in accomplishing this." Elizabeth Soper, Senior Education Manager, National Wildlife Federation

 

"In their work with the New Hampshire Carbon Challenge and like-minded organizations such as the Carbon Coalition, [Denise Blaha and Julia Dundorf] have created a momentum here in the Seacoast of the State by stressing simple first steps each of us can take which not only limit carbon emissions but save money as well!" Peter R. Flynn, President, Great Bay Stewards Board of Tustrees