2019 Down To Earth

Practical Actions You Can Take to Heal The Planet

WHEN: Tuesday April 30th, 2019 5-8:30 pm

WHERE: First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, 405 Washington Ave, Albany 12206. Free admission.

Enjoy information tables & exhibits from 5-6:30 pm, followed by 3 mini-presentations including:

• Gary Feinland from the DEC on reducing food waste and composting to impact climate

• William Reinhardt of Solarize and Malcolm Bliss of Common Energy on greening your electricity, heating and cooling - and saving $.

• How to be a better recycler - a report from a tour of our local recycling facility.

• Plus...DIY recipes for toothpaste, body butter and household cleaners. Reusable bag giveaway & prize raffle. Plus wholesome, delicious food from Healthy on Lark available for purchase.

AGENDA

5-6:30 pm: Visit our Earth-Friendly Exhibitors and Information Tables

6:30-6:45 pm: Welcome

6:45-8:15 pm: Presentations

8:15-8:30 pm: Closing

Presentation Details:

6:45-7:30 pm Renewable Heating/Cooling and Solar Options For Everyone- Whether you're a renter or homeowner, you can be saving money on electricity, heating and cooling – plus reducing your greenhouse gas emissions right now! Come find out how. Also, if you've been thinking about purchasing solar panels, this is the last year for the 30% Federal tax credit. Next year it goes down to 26% and will eventually be phased out.

Also, NYSERDA has just unveiled new incentives and information to help residents increase their home's energy efficiency and switch off fossil fuels for heating and cooling. Check out the latest on air source heat pumps, geothermal and wood. Presentation by Solarize Albany County & Common Energy

7:30-8:15 pm – your choice of two presentations

Option 1: Are you a Wishful Recycler? - Most of us are. That's why our local recycling facility says we need to clean up our act. Come find out what items do not belong in your single-stream recycling bin, where to recycle odd items, which plastic bags/film can be recycled and where. When in doubt, throw it out. And never ever accept styrofoam.

Option 2: Reduce Carbon Emissions by Reducing Wasted Food & Composting - According to the book Drawdown, reducing food waste is #3 of the 100 most effective actions we can take to address the climate crisis. Find out why and take the "Food Waste Reduction Pledge". Got food scraps, peels and rinds? Keeping your food scraps out of the landfill reduces methane, a most potent greenhouse gas, and is great for your garden too. We'll explain the basics of backyard composting and why in nature nothing ever really dies.

Event sponsors include: First Unitarian Universalist Society-Green Sanctuary Committee, Zero Waste Capital District, League of Women Voters of Albany County, Capital Region Earth Day, Earth Peace, PAUSE/350.org, Sierra Club Hudson-Mohawk Group, Sustainable Albany Meetup Group, Solidarity Committee of the Capital District, Solarize Albany County, City of Albany Sustainability Advisory Committee , Save the Pine Bush, SNYFGP (Stop NY Fracked Gas Pipeline), CASE (Community Advocates for Sustainable Energy).