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Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

Chinese Proverb

 


The Interfaith Community Initiative was established by the Green Heart Institute and Colorado Interfaith Power & Light, to help communities of all types reduce their carbon footprint as a group. Custom educational and ongoing mentoring programs support the congregatin and members in conserving and achieve increased energy efficiency in their homes, businesses, and places of worship.


We feel that the greatest opportunity for making change happens is when there is support from the community. And faith communities are where many people feel the most connected. These programs are focused on helping people live in a more connected way to each other and the earth. We measure key actions as they are important parts of what we want to change and that is how we know we are making progress, but the programs are truly about inspiring positive behavior change from the heart.

The Interfaith Green Heart Community Initiative uses customized Low Carbon Lifestyle (LCL) software developed by Arius Energy, LLC. LCL Analyst is used to perform an Eco AuditTM, and LCL Tracker provides an online energy-use tracking tool. Data collected about participants' homes including size, age, appliances, and heating and cooling systems are input into the LCL database with other variables such as vehicles and mileage driven, number of people in the household, temperature, monthly electrical usage, natural gas consumption, gasoline, flight miles, trash generated or recycled. Carbon offsets that participants purchased, if any, as well other carbon reducing activities are also included. Records from at least twelve previous months are required to establish the baseline. Data is then entered monthly to allow ongoing tracking, comparisons to previous years, and a foundation for coaching advice from the Institute


Program Objectives

  • To provide a community the most comprehensive yet simple program that achieves the most cost-effective and greatest individual results of any carbon reduction program available in the country.
    • To provide inspiration, education, analysis, and solutions to program participants and communities to reduce CO2 and energy use.
    • To establish new opportunities and guidance to change behavior;
    • To increase use of renewable energy, locally created carbon offsets, local foods, and green power programs;
    • To establish, measure, sustain, and capture reductions in energy consumption and CO2, and to make it easy for others to do so.
    • To promote business involvement and participation with the community.


Software Programs and Materials Provided

  • Low Carbon Lifestyle (LCL) ToolsTM
    • LCL AnalystTM, PC-based software program for use by the Eco Auditor
    • LCL TrackerTM, Web-based software program for the monthly tracking and Reporting for use by the participants
    • "YourCommunity".lcltracker.com Community Site.
  • Calendars, Blogs, Program Information, Links to LCLTracker, News, Forums, Sponsor Recognition
  • Green Heart Community Initiative Resources and Educational Programs
    • Eco Audit Process and Program (used in conjunction with LCL Analyst)
    • Eco Auditor Certification Training Program and Materials
    • Green Heart Community Initiative Monthly educational programs for participants
    • Green Heart Community Initiative Monthly Online Educational Programs
    • GreenHeartGuide.net, Local Resource Directory from the Institute
  • Green Carbon Fund Partnership (University of Denver, Daniels College of Business)
    • Provide Low Interest Loans to Participants
    • Offer "White Tags", Energy Credits from carbon savings from local and national projects


Program Delivery-Steps
1. Identify Community
2. Identify Community Leaders - Create Advisory Board
a. Begin press/PR/Announcements/Marketing
b. Invite people to take the Green Heart Survey
3. Recruit Volunteers and Participants (placing ownership of program with community)
a. Have them sign a pledge, agreement to enter their data, and privacy agreement
4. Set target for "Start Date" (Date to begin monthly measurements)
5. Train Volunteer Eco Auditors/Provide Introductory Class to Participants
a. Train on LCL AnalystTM and LCL TrackerTM
b. Train on the Community Information Website.
6. Provide Eco Audits to Participants through the Volunteers and Staff.
7. Begin the 12 Monthly educational programs
8. Report and publicize results to community and funders every 3 months.
9. Provide ongoing coaching and resources for information and implementation

Eco AuditTM Defined
An Eco AuditTM is a customized sustainability consultation that helps people and organizations connect the dots between the causes of climate change and how our lifestyles contribute to it, and provides education on how we can live a more sustainable life. Through personalized data analysis, using LCL Analyst, the Eco AuditTM can show recipients their greatest areas of focus. The Eco Auditor can then help identify the best next steps an individual or organization can take to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions, and waste, from an environmental and financial perspective.
Once complete, the Eco Audit is uploaded to LCL Tracker so the participant can see how they are doing with the group.

Measurement and Reporting
Using the LCL ToolsTM, with the Eco Audit and online LCL Tracker, the Institute can collect and store reliable data detailing the total energy savings achieved by each community (In kWhs, therms, Gallons, miles flown, and pounds of CO2). In addition, The Institute can track the increase in purchases of renewable energy credits (REC)s and energy efficiency offsets (White Tags) and installation of locally generated renewable energy such as solar. The online nature of the tracking system allows The Institute to review the progress made in all of the participating communities and conduct periodic audits (actual visits to the community and/or the home) ensuring that the system is working as intended.

Agency/Organization Capability
Green Heart Institute and COIP&L have worked in Boulder and in Greater Denver for two years and is comprised of professional program development staff and professional educators. The Institute's principals and partners are deeply committed to energy conservation and reducing greenhouses gases (GHGs). The organization's staff has extensive experience with community education and program management. Green Heart Institute and Arius Energy, LLC are leading organizations in the current efforts to build environmental sustainability through a measurable community-based effort to reduce GHGs.