THE GREEN DECADE MISSION

Our mission is to create an environment in better balance with the natural world by making significant, measurable improvements in the way we use resources. Goals include helping households, businesses and institutions to:

• Increase energy efficiency and seek alternatives to fossil and nuclear fuels  
• Use IPM and organic alternatives to pesticides
• Promote high performance (green) building measures
• Prevent pollution through source reduction and reduced consumption
• Promote reuse and recycling practices
• Improve waste disposal practices
• Conserve water and other resources

Our programs are designed to build awareness,to provide opportunities for public dialogue, and to educate and empower citizens to take personal and civic action.

WHO ARE WE?

Founded in 1990, the GDC/N is a 501(c)(3) non-profit representing people living or working in Newton and neighboring communities, including representatives of community organizations, institutions and businesses. We are working together to create sustainable solutions to environmental problems facing our city and our world.

A few highlights of our accomplishments in 2007:

• GDC membership rose to nearly 450 members, our highest ever, with many new joins in 2007!
• The Green Decade's initial campaign to persuade the City of Newton to perform extensive energy efficiency retrofits on its buildings was joined by the City's Energy Commission, Stand for Children, and City government itself. Mayor Cohen announced that the City awarded a contract for our 35 largest buildings. The contract size is expected to be $12 - $20 million.
• The High Performance Buildings Coalition ensured that the City used life cycle costing in determining components of the new Newton North High School. This includes the HVAC system, lighting controls, building insulation and envelope, with consideration of distributed generation as in a combined heat and power system.
• The Energy Committee partnered with the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance to promote the New England Wind Fund and raised additional funds for NEWF and solar on Newton Schools, with four free screenings and discussion of "An Inconvenient Truth." Green Energy Newton and the Newton Free Library co-sponsored. (we now have the funds for solar panels in all 4 middle schools
• The Energy Committee also continued its school outreach with the first Newton Student Energy Conservation Essay Contest, co-sponsored with The Newton Schools Foundation and Green Energy Newton and prizes provided by NSTAR. Outreach also included school assemblies, curriculum support for fifth grade science programs and NSTAR-supported CFL light bulb fundraisers. Nine elementary out of 13 schools have participated to date.
• The Kyoto Committee conducted home insulation workshops for more than 60 people and performed energy audits in 24 homes. A four-part workshop -- "Recycle, Restore, Renovate: A Newton Homeowner's Guide to Design, Preservation and Sustainability" was piloted with co-sponsor Newton Historical Society at the Jackson Homestead. The City continues to distribute the insulation brochure developed by GDC for the City's building department.
• The 11th Annual Environmental Speaker Series sponsored six events, ranging from programs on green chemistry, climate change, global citizenship, and garbage to Newton student presentations of innovative environmental projects.
• The Green News' 17th year of publication covered environmental issues of global importance from a local perspective. It is available at all Green Decade events and on the GDC website.
• The Environmental Show on NEW-TV, celebrated its third complete year, with six shows produced by the Green Decade and six by the Newton Conservators. All shows can now be viewed on the GDC website. I think there was an award for best program?
• The Environment Page of the Newton TAB, now in its seventh year, expanded significantly in 2007, with articles on a wide array of topics in environmental science and policy. All are available on the GDC website.
• Newton Community Education's continuing partnership with GDC promoted workshops and seminars through the NCE catalogs, including the Solar Homes Tour, Urban Ark and "Insulating Your Older Home."
• GreenCAP continued to promote reduced use of toxins through the City's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisory Committee, and strongly advocated for maintaining the city's use of organic fertilizers. Brochures on local organic lawn care and services were popular handouts at the Farmers Market and other events.
• Three EcoTeams taught participants to live environmentally-sustainable lifestyles. A 25-person Low Carbon Diet team was started to help participants change their lifestyle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 120 Low Carbon Diet workbooks were sold, and 50 people were trained to lead Low Carbon Diet teams.
• GDC sponsored two well-attended Step-It-Up events in conjunction with over 2,000 other communities nationwide to remind Congress that we want legislation to cut CO2 emissions 80% by 2050.
• GDC partnered with the Newton/Needham Chamber of Commerce to chair an environment and energy committee, and sponsored two workshops on saving energy and money for businesses.
• Three new committees were formed in 2007: Faith and the Environment, the School Outreach Committee and GDC's first student committee, Students for a Greener World. Watch for them in 2008!

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The E-Bulletin is an informative monthly newsletter sent via email.

Subscribe to the Green Decade Coalition/Newton´s Monthly E-Bulletin

CONTACT US

Green Decade Coalition/Newton
P.O. Box 590242,
Newton, MA 02459
617-965-1995
info@greendecade.org