Kamrin (@naturallykam) and Justin (@imnotjustintune) share what the July Take Action Period means to them. Join The Recycle Baes to save energy, save money, and fight climate change. #SaveMoreThanMoney.

This month is Reduce Energy Use DC’s Take Action Period and we encourage you to join us in cutting back on energy use. Did you know that nine years within the last decade, July was the month where the District of Columbia used the most energy? We know that saving energy may be a little tricky with July being one of the hottest months, but we’ve got quick actionable tips each week for you to try all month long. 

Beth, Ward 6 Resident

“I think it’s important for everyone to do their part to help conserve the planet’s energy resources.” – Beth

Beth is a D.C. resident living in Ward 6. She decided to take the Pledge and participate in the Reduce Energy Use DC initiative because she believes that any small action can contribute to the bigger picture of reducing energy. “I wanted to be a good neighbor and help take care of this earth,” Beth said. Reducing the amount of energy Beth and her family uses can go a long way.

 Night Fall 

Ellyn Weiss, Visual Artist, Independent Curator, & Co-founder of ArtWatch

I believe global climate change is the existential issue of our time and I have dedicated my career, both as an artist and a lawyer, to fight it. I worked as an environmental lawyer, inventing ways to use the law to protect the environment. Throughout my entire working life, I have been associated with the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) as an advocate and, for the past 30 years, as a member of the Board of Directors.

Migration of Pestilence 

We are happy to announce that Joseph of Ward 6 won the second random drawing for a $300 credit on his electric bill. These random drawings will occur every other Wednesday. We have more than 20 random drawings, so take the pledge and enter to win. All DC residents are eligible.

Non-Pepco customers who are winners may either give the “Gift of Energy” and assign the $300 credit to a friend or relative who is a Pepco customer, or choose a nonprofit to receive a $300 donation in the winner’s name.

Nicole Quiroga, representing the partner organization Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, made the second announcement.

We are happy to announce that Judy of Ward 1 won the third random drawing for a $300 credit on her electric bill. These random drawings will occur every other Wednesday. We have more than 20 random drawings, so take the pledge and enter to win. All DC residents are eligible.

Non-Pepco customers who are winners may either give the “Gift of Energy” and assign the $300 credit to a friend or relative who is a Pepco customer, or choose a nonprofit to receive a $300 donation in the winner’s name.

Louis Davis, representing the partner organization AARP, made the third announcement.

Quinton, Ward 8 Resident

Our first random drawing winner, Quinton from Ward 8, talks about taking the Reduce Energy Use DC pledge!

Why did you take the pledge to reduce energy use?
I’m a supervisor at Pepco and my colleagues pointed out the program to me. They live in Maryland, but I live in DC, so I inquired if employees were eligible – and we are! I decided to sign up and share to Facebook, and joked to my friends, “I’ll let you know when I win.” Then I actually did!

Before taking the pledge, I looked at all my bills and expenses, and realized the older you get the more you focus on those things. I kept looking around my home and thought, “I’m not using this, why is it plugged in all the time?” I also signed up as an effort to save money for a home that I am trying to purchase in the future.

How many energy saving tips do you know? Check out these tips from Tegan and great juggling skills from Jordan. Thank you to the Washington Spirit for supporting Reduce Energy Use DC. Are you ready to take the challenge? Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more energy savings tips. Tell us how you're reducing your energy use with the hashtag #SaveMoreThanMoney.

Will Hackman, DC Resident

Combatting climate change and spreading awareness and knowledge about it is one of my primary purposes in life. I've tried to do this through a variety of different published articles, podcast interviews, academic research, and now I'm writing a book on the subject. But my passion towards the environment, especially the ocean, was developed years ago, as a commercial Alaskan salmon fisherman during the summers while in college. In 2013, I joined the public sector conservation community as a marine fisheries conservation advocate and have worked to advance public policies related to ocean and land conservation as well as energy and the environment. I also represented Georgetown University at the United Nations Climate Change Conferences in Morocco and Germany.

Meghan Walsh, Architect/Artist

My concern with climate change is focused on humans as a fragile species on a very resilient planet. The earth will survive massive changes, but humans won't. It is critical that we develop focused strategies to ensure that we, as a species, will survive.