What can you do?
There are many things you can do to reduce GHG (green house gas) emmissions starting right now.
Below are some suggestion to get you on your way?
It’s Your Turn Turn It Off
Join the campaign to stop idling
It happens, we know. You’re picking up a friend, waiting for a food order, or just trying to warm up your car on cold morning — and you leave it running for a little while. It’s easy to let those minutes tick by, but getting into the habit of turning your car off when you’ll be idle for more than 10 seconds can make a big difference.
Here’s why:
1. It saves gas. 2. It saves money 3. It saves the planet 4. It makes us healthier5. It makes us smarter 6. It’s good for your engine 7. It’s quieter 8. It’s contagious 9. It doesn’t stink 10. It’s easy
Join a Reduce Single Use Plastic Campaign
The Dutchess County Single-use Plastic Pollution Prevention Campaign (Dutchess S.U.P.P.P.) was launched in November 2019 and aims to educate and empower local residents, businesses and communities to take action on single-use plastics pollution issues.
Single-use plastics are disposable and intended to be used only once, before being thrown away or recycled. They include plastic straws, plastic wrap, plastic cups, Styrofoam®, plastic bags, plastic cutlery/utensils, and some plastic takeout containers.
The campaign is a partnership with the Dutchess County Division of Solid Waste Management (DCSWM), Dutchess County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce and the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council (EMC).It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business.
Image Credit: Carlos Patino, Dutchess Community College
More resources for reducing single use plastic at the Resources Page
Need Help Deciding if an Energy Change is right for you?
Do you want to make your home more comfortable while saving energy and money! You have the power to choose how! Looking for free support to make your home or workplace safer and more comfortable, while also reducing energy consumption and saving money on energy costs.
If you're interested in energy efficiency, renewable heat or solar programs, there is a place that can provide assistance and support to guide residents and businesses through the process of applying for energy programs, selecting contractors, and financing upgrades.
This program is a collaboration of Cornell Cooperative Extension and is funded by a grant from NYSERDA.
Composting for you
If you cannot make it to one of our informational sessions and don’t want to buy a composter from Orlando Family Hardware just yet, click below for a plethora of resources developed by the Compost Education Program at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.
Soak Up the Rain with Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a depressed area in the landscape that collects rain water from a roof, driveway or street and allows it to soak into the ground. Planted with grasses and flowering perennials, rain gardens can be a cost effective and beautiful way to reduce runoff from your property. Rain gardens can also help filter out pollutants in runoff and provide food and shelter for butterflies, song birds and other wildlife.
Visit the EPA’s website to learn more.
DIY Rainwater Harvesting
Water is one of our most precious resources and we are squandering it on a daily basis. As global warming and extreme weather patterns caused by greenhouse gases continue to bite, freshwater conservation will become an even more pressing concern. Many more people around the world may suddenly find themselves with serious water shortage problem.
Whether or not you yourself are personally affected by water shortage, harvesting and storing rainwater in your garden is an important step to take on the road to a more eco-friendly and sustainable way of life.