We partnered with several great organizations to develop a series of Energy Breaks. We hope you enjoy an Energy Activation with The NEED Project, Tree Talks with Casey Trees, and a Sustainable Haul with The Recycle Baes.

It’s week four of Reduce Energy Use DC’s Take Action Period and this week we’re focusing in on lighting. Did you know that 9% of energy use comes from household lighting?

Don’t worry, we’re not going to leave you in the dark. We have some useful tips on how to make your usage more environmentally and wallet friendly:

2019 was the second hottest year on record and climatologists believe 2020 is on track to be one of the warmest years on record. In the last decade, 9 out of 10 years, the month with the most energy usage in the District of Columbia was July. In July 2019, DC consumed more than 1.1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, translating to more than 500,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) – the equivalent to the emissions of more than 170,000 cars on the road for a year. 

In fact, on July 19, 2019 at 6PM, DC used more energy than any other hour in 2019 - more than 2 million kilowatt hours. Emissions from that usage equals the emissions of a car driving 3.6 million miles.

 THE KARYN DRESS 

Rebecca Ballard, Founder and CEO, Maven Women

The global garment industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. The pesticides, synthetic materials and/or dyes used to make fabric, the waste that’s part of the production process, the environmental issues around the care of clothes, and the fact that the average American throws away about 80 pounds of clothing a year, makes this one dirty industry. I was a frustrated consumer, working in public interest law and nonprofit management and unable to find the type of clothing I desired. Thus, I created Maven Women to make clothing that honors people and planet at every step. In addition to creating our elegant wardrobe staples we also educate and advocate, teaching consumers how to be more thoughtful and working on cross-industry initiatives to move the needle.

It’s week three of Reduce Energy Use DC’s Take Action Period and this week we’re focusing in on water. We’ll show you how to reduce your hot water use, because it takes energy to heat it up. Did you know that on average 14% of household energy use is due to water heating?

It’s week two of Reduce Energy Use DC’s Take Action Period and this week we’re focusing in on temperature. Did you know that heating and cooling costs can account for up to 50% of electricity bills? In fact, it’s recommended that you keep your thermostat at 78F as much as possible during the summer.

But don’t worry, we’ve got some additional tips if that temperature is a bit too balmy or you have a have a health condition that requires a cooler temperature:

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