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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 ISSUE 85

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6 EARTH- FRIENDLY CHILDREN’S CLOTHING

REAL GREEN INVESTING 8 INVESTING Growing TO EMPOWER WOMEN Community WORLDWIDE Solar 24 WORLD HEALTH ORG. RETHINKS CELL PHONE SAFETY

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2 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG IN COOPERATION

Green America's mission is to harness economic power for a just and sus- Local Solar: tainable society. We work for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the abundance of Growing Like Sunflowers the Earth is preserved for all the generations to come. Our programs grow the green economy, stop corporate abuse, tackle climate change, build fair trading systems, support local communities, and help families and businesses go green. We define “green” to mean social and economic Dear Green Americans: justice, community and environmental health—people and the planet. hen I travel the country talking with Watch this video to learn about our work members and others about their hopes A publication of Green America (formerly Co-op America) and fears for the future, the issue I PUBLICATIONS FAIR TRADE CAMPAIGNS DIRECTOR W consistently hear the most despair about—even DIVISION DIRECTOR Dennis Greenia Elizabeth O’Connell EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tracy Fernandez Rysavy FAIR TRADE INTERN in the midst of this punishing economy—is SENIOR WRITER Sarah Tarver-Wahlquist Julia Mayeshiba climate change. EDITORIAL INTERNS Andrew Schein, DIRECTOR, SOCIAL INVESTING & Kara Turtinen STRATEGIC OUTREACH Fran Teplitz There’s real reason for this anguish. Despite the DESIGN DIRECTION Tracy Loeffelholz Dunn POLICY INTERN Ben Cruikshank waves of bad climate news, our national political ALISA ILLUSTRATOR Jem Sullivan GREEN CONSUMER MOBILIZATION leadership again failed to pass climate legislation, GRAVITZ PUBLISHER Denise Hamler & TECHNOLOGY SPECIAL PROJECTS & ADVERTISING MANAGER DIRECTOR Mouhamad Alem and international leaders failed to negotiate a cli- Rob Hanson IT/SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Pat Keyes GREEN PAGES ADVERTISING INTERN mate deal in Copenhagen. Both national and international politics seem SENIOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS ANALYST Laura Emberson Bernadette Morales Gaskin to be in total dysfunction without any hope of resolution on the horizon. GREEN BUSINESS SALES & DEVELOPMENT SENIOR WEB DEVELOPER Shireen Karimi Yet, thanks to Green America’s Climate Action program, I get to Sandy Burke TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT Hans Bauman ADDITIONAL ADVERTISING Dennis Greenia work on some of the most hopeful climate breakthroughs in the world. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ONLINE & SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Andrew Korfhage I get to see the news, too-often unreported, that behind the scenes and Richard Kim-Solloway EXECUTIVE TEAM MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER Christy Schwengel away from the political debacles, our world is making real progress on EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Alisa Gravitz SPECIAL EVENTS & MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER climate. Let me share some of that good news with you: EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Elizabeth O’Connell Amy Genevieve Kozak • Thanks to an amazing, effective, and collaborative coalition—to which GREEN BUSINESS NETWORK™ MEMBERSHIP MARKETING MANAGER DIRECTOR Denise Hamler Dana Christianson Green America is proud to bring our powerful consumer and investor DEPUTY DIRECTOR Desireé Reese-Wolford MEMBERSHIP MARKETING COORDINATOR Molly Rubin voice—144 of 150 proposed coal plants have been stopped in the last five DIRECTOR, SEAL OF APPROVAL & STANDARDS Maren Maier DEVELOPMENT INTERN Elizabeth Hall years. Now we aim to shutter over one-third of the existing plants in the GREEN BUSINESS DIVISION ASSISTANT MEMBERSHIP MARKETING INTERN next five years, with real progress already in sight. With this, the US will be Misha Deborah Clive Hannah Glassman SENIOR RESEARCHER Tish Kashani ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS close to meeting its 2020 carbon reduction targets, without one new piece GREEN PAGES LISTINGS INTERN Miya Ward CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER Russ Gaskin of legislation—and with more jobs for more communities. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ASSISTANT GREEN FESTIVAL SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION Nora Marsh • Clean, renewable sources now generate more energy in the US than REGIONAL DIRECTOR (CHICAGO & SENIOR ACCOUNTANT & BENEFITS MANAGER NEW YORK) Alix Davidson Linda Carpenter nuclear power. Green America’s Clean Energy Victory Bond legislation, GREEN FESTIVAL REGIONAL DIRECTORS: ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SPECIALIST & to be introduced this fall, will help keep green energy growing fast. SAN FRANCISCO: June Brashares DATA ENTRY Deanna Tilden • On the transportation front, strategies for electric vehicles that SEATTLE: Jenny Heins ACCOUNTING INTERN Jie Yuan CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY & we’ve been urging—solar-charged during the day and plugged-in at DONOR SERVICES Becky Keyes PROGRAMS night to take advantage of excess power—are coming to be. (If charged DIVISION & CLIMATE SOLUTIONS DIRECTOR COMMUNITY & DONOR SERVICES Todd Larsen COORDINATOR Aubrey McCormick late at night, 70 percent of our cars could be electric without needing RESPONSIBLE SHOPPER INTERNS DONOR & VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATIVE one more power plant.) The major car companies are working closely Kimberly Cullen, Amrita Mukherjee ASSISTANT Valerie Pejoro BETTER PAPER PROJECT DIRECTOR GREEN BUSINESS STANDARDS INTERN with electrical utilities for overnight charging on electric vehicles. Now Frank Locantore Ben Eskin Green America is working with them on daytime solar-charging. BETTER PAPER PROJECT GREEN VENTURES INTERN Nicolas Biber CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER Sophie Glass ATTORNEY Lara Pearson • This year, China exceeded the US in solar installations. Unlike BETTER PAPER PROJECT INTERNS FOUNDER/PRESIDENT EMERITUS the US, China doesn’t have an energy politics dominated by coal and Philip Angelides, Emma Stevens Paul Freundlich oil interests. As China brings more solar online, they’ll happily curtail

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bernard Brennan, Dana Christianson, Nikki Daruwala, their coal production. Paul Freundlich, Alisa Gravitz, Denise Hamler, Eric Henry, Diane Keefe, Andrew Most exciting of all, there’s so much more we can do without Korfhage, Krista Kurth, Deborah Momsen-Hudson,Vince Siciliano, Rebecca Shaloff Washington. All over the country, local strategies for solar, like Green American magazine (ISSN: 0885-9930) is free with Green America Individual Membership (starting at $20/year) or Green Business Network local food, are growing like sunflowers! Community solar makes solar Membership (starting at $85/year). accessible and affordable. It’s something we can all do for the climate, For address changes or individual membership information, call good jobs, clean air, energy security, and a better future. Turn to our 800/58-GREEN or e-mail [email protected]. For Green Business Network information, call 202/872-5316 or e-mail [email protected]. “Community Solar” feature (p. 14) and learn more about this exciting For article reprints, call 202/872-5343 or e-mail [email protected]. new way to grow solar. Green America • 1612 K St. NW, #600, Washington, DC 20006 Shine on, 800/58-GREEN • fax 202/331-8166 • GREENAMERICA.ORG

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 3 ECO ACTIONS THE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF OUR TIME

BetterPaper.org + ClimateAction.org FairTradeAction.org + GreenPages.org ResponsibleShopper.org + Sweatshops.org

Congress Moves to Limit Toxins While TSCA covers individual chemicals, the Food and Drug Administration in US Products (FDA) regulates “cosmetics”—a legal term that includes a broad range of personal care products for men, women, and children. However, the FDA does not review their ingredients; as a result, the majority of the products we use on our bodies may have never been safety-tested. The Safe Cosmetics Act would phase chemicals linked to cancer and devel- opmental harm out of personal care products. It would require full ingredient disclosure (current law allows companies to hide ingredients in their fragrance for- istock.com mulas, as these are considered proprietary information). It would require data sharing of safety tests to avoid duplicate testing. merica’s chemical policy needs was enacted. It has only been able to ban And it would provide adequate funding a serious overhaul to keep US or partially ban five of those chemicals. for the FDA to provide effective oversight Aconsumers safe from potent toxins Meanwhile, toxins like formaldehyde, over the body care industry. that make their way into thousands of which the US National Toxicology Pro- “The personal care products that make everyday products, like body care items, gram listed as a known carcinogen this us clean should not make us sick,” Rep. art supplies, and food packaging. Two new past June, and bisphenol-A, which hun- Markey said upon the bill’s introduction. pieces of legislation recently introduced in dreds of studies have linked to hormone “The Safe Cosmetics Act will close a Congress aim to do just that. disruption and cancer, continue to be gaping hole in the federal law that allows As we reported in the June/July 2011 legally used in common US products such potentially toxic chemicals to remain in the issue of the Green American, Sen. Frank as building materials, beauty products, and cosmetics products we use every day.” Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Safe food containers. Chemicals Act (S. 3209) in April. In July, The Safe Chemicals Act and Toxic Take Action Call or write your Congressional Reps. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Bobby Chemicals Safety Act would at last give representatives today and ask them to support Rush (D-IL) launched a companion bill in TSCA some teeth. Both would require the Safe Chemicals Act and the Safe Cosmetics the House, the Toxic Chemicals Safety safety testing of all chemicals in use in the Act. Find them at House.gov and Senate.gov. Visit Act (H.R. 5820). Green America has been US, so companies would have to show The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics for more details working behind the scenes to ensure that their chemicals are safe before using them and to watch their film “The Story of Cosmetics”. the strongest versions possible of these in manufacturing. They would allow the bills were introduced. EPA to prioritize high-risk chemicals for Watch The Story of Cosmetics These bills would help strengthen the fast action. And they would establish a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). public database of chemical safety data Enacted in 1976, TSCA allows the US from the EPA and manufacturers. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to On the environmental justice front, both LG Commits to Recycle track the nearly 85,000 industrial chemicals bills would establish a new program for used in the US. However, TSCA only gives the EPA to identify communities where E-Waste Responsibly the EPA authority to restrict a chemical chemical exposure is grossly dispropor- International electronics maker LG became after it’s been found to cause “serious tionate and to develop action plans to the first Global e-Stewards Enterprise this harm” once the public has already been alleviate these exposures. July. With this move, LG will retool its exposed to it—and legally establishing that In addition, another important toxins consumer Electronics Recycling Program harm has been notoriously difficult. bill, the Safe Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2359), worldwide to give preference to recycling Consequently, the EPA been able to was re-introduced to the House in June by companies that are certified by e-Stewards gather enough proof of harm to order Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Ed Markey as being socially and environmentally testing of only 200 chemicals since TSCA (D-MA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). responsible.

4 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG Old electronics often contain highly toxic innards and can leach chemicals like neu- rotoxic lead and mercury into water and PACE Return Could Make Solar soil when thrown into landfills. And when people try to do the right thing and recycle, More Affordable some so-called “recycling” companies may Up until May 2010, homeowners in com- export their electronic waste, or e-waste, munities across the country had been able to developing countries, where children to take advantage of municipal programs and adults often dismantle them by hand, called PACE, or Property Assessed Clean unprotected. Energy—which went a long way toward For these reasons, Green America has making solar affordable for more hom- long recommended that people send their eowners. But then mortgage lenders Fan- old electronics to recyclers certified by the nie Mae and Freddie Mac and the Federal Basel Action Network’s (BAN) e-Stewards Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) refused program. This system of certification man- to lend to PACE-associated homeown- dates independent audits to ensure that ers, which brought most residential PACE recyclers not throw e-waste into landfills, programs around the country to a stand- use prison labor to de-manufacture it, or still. Now, it looks like these innovative export it to developing countries. programs could be resurrected. “This is historic,” BAN executive Through PACE, homeowners partner director Jim Puckett says. “To have a with their city or municipality to cover company like LG, with 120 operations on the up-front cost of their new renew- five continents, embrace the e-Stewards able energy system, which they pay back program around the world will not only to the city through a lien, or add-on to significantly protect human health and the their property taxes. Payments are spread environment from toxic pollution, but out over 20 years and, in most cases, the will raise the profile of the e-Stewards savings from their lowered electricity bills internationally.” more than cover the higher property tax. Municipalities can get in on the e-Stewards Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the FHFA action, as well. California’s Santa Clara mainly objected to the fact that PACE pro- County (widely known as Silicon Valley) grams are structured so the lien gets paid became the first municipality in the nation first if a borrower defaults on a mortgage, to become an e-Stewards Enterprise last rather than the lender, which they felt fall, meaning that the county government presented a “significant risk to lenders and and all public e-waste collection events secondary market entities.” Since the two must dispose of e-waste via certified e- lenders own 80 percent of all mortgages in Stewards recyclers. This June, the county the US, the decision had effectively killed extended that requirement to all e-waste PACE funding. recycling events, public or private, in un- But in July, national legislation was incorporated parts of the county. E-Stew- introduced with bi-partisan support to ards Enterprise manager Mike Enberg says bring PACE back; the PACE Assessment he expects other city and county govern- Protection Act of 2011 (H.R. 2599) would ments to follow in Santa Clara’s footsteps. prohibit lender discrimination against Also in June, the Responsible Electronics homeowners with PACE assessments, and Recycling Act (H.R. 2284/S. 1270), a bill it would provide additional underwriting with bipartisan support, was proposed in regulations to protect lenders. both houses of Congress. The bill would “The PACE program is an important disallow companies from exporting e-waste contribution to building our nations’ clean to developing countries. energy future,” says Fran Teplitz, Green “We think it’s a brilliant bill,” Puckett America’s strategic outreach director. says. “It would solve the e-waste dumping “Its many benefits include promotion of crisis, and then we’d have more incentive secure, domestic jobs; lowered pollution The ﬁ rst metal to deal with the toxic waste issue from the levels; cost savings for residents; and low- manufacturing end because there’d be no ered risk of homeowner mortgage default. hydration bottle opportunity for manufacturers to external- As more states adopt PACE legislation, without BPA has been ize the costs of toxic waste.” we will see the much-needed and long- re-imagined without overdue growth of the energy-efficiency plastic or paint. Take Action To find an e-Stewards recycler and renewable-energy sectors.” near you, visit e-stewards.org. And call or write Take Action your Congressional representatives and ask them Visit Pacenow.org to read the bill to support the Responsible Electronics Recycling and send a letter to your member of Congress Act. requesting his or her support.

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REAL GREEN living

ticides are removed from finished clothing during processing, says author Debra Eco-Friendly Lynn Dadd (Toxic Free, Tarcher, 2011), they can harm farm workers and the Earth. Other synthetic fibers in kids’ cloth- Children’s Clothing ing include polyester and nylon, which are made from petrochemicals that have significant environmental impacts. For example, nylon manufacturing creates nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. Another artificial fiber of concern is rayon. Since it’s made from wood pulp, old-growth forests are often cleared to make way for the pulpwood plantations. To make rayon, wood pulp is treated with toxic chemicals such as sulfuric acid, considered a potential skin, organ, and muscular-skeletal toxicant by the National Institutes of Health—which affects those exposed during manufacturing.

Fearsome Fabric Finishes and Dyes Green-living expert Annie B. Bond, author of Home Enlightenment (Rodale, 2005), notes that many conventional fabrics are coated with toxins for stain-, risten Suzanne started her green fire-, and wrinkle-resistance. These can lifestyle years before her now- WHAT? Buy used or eco- affect both clothing workers and wearers. one-year-old daughter Kamea friendly children’s clothes. Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, was born. But Suzanne, a raw can be found in some permanent-press Kfood chef, realized that “green” took on WHY? Avoid toxic and fire-retardant clothing, says Bond— a whole new meaning when she became chemical finishes that can including children’s polyester sleepwear affect children’s health. a mother—and became fully in charge of up to size 14, which is legally required to keeping little Kamea free from harm. One meet federal flammability requirements. WOW! Protect workers of the biggest steps she took toward that from exploitation, and Also, perfluorocarbons (PFCs), linked in goal was to ensure that the clothes she workers and communities several studies to hormone disruption, bought her daughter were eco-friendly. from toxic chemicals can be found in stain-resistant fabrics. Today, Kamea’s closet is filled with used in growing and And heavy metals such as the carcino- organic cotton, hemp, and bamboo cloth- manufacturing gens chrome, copper, and zinc are often ing from green retailers, says Suzanne, who conventional fabrics. used in conventional fabric dyes, says gets great deals through EcoBabyBuys.com OTA spokesperson Sandra Marquardt. and GreenBabyBargains.com. [Editor’s “For the consumer, the most toxic part note: Parents can also find green bargains at Green and finished children’s clothing made from of clothing comes from fabric treatments,” America’s GreenDeals.org and GreenPages.org.] eco-fabrics can help you protect your chil- says Bond. “Chemicals that resist flames, “It’s important that I do everything I can dren’s health, workers, and the Earth. moths, stains, soil, and wrinkles have been to keep my daughter safe while preserv- impregnated into the fabric and are often ing our home for future generations,” says Issues with Conventional Fabrics hard to remove through washing.” Suzanne, who details her green journey Most children’s clothing is made of Bond says that the “new” smell in at GreenMommyBlog.com. “I don’t want cotton, and if that cotton isn’t organic, clothing often indicates the presence of chemical-laden materials touching my ba- it’s been sprayed with dangerous chemi- these toxins. She recommends soaking by’s delicate skin, so choosing eco-friendly cals. For example, the pesticide Aldicarb new clothes overnight in water and a clothing has eased much of my worry is acutely poisonous to humans, yet it is small box of baking soda, then launder- about what she is being exposed to.” still commonly used on cotton fields in ing as usual. If the smell doesn’t go away Most chemical finishes on conventional 25 countries and the US, according to the after washing, neither have the chemicals. clothing fade away with multiple wash- Organic Trade Association m (OTA). ings, so buying used is still a great way to More than ten percent of the world’s Labor Practices save resources. But when you need new insecticides and 25 percent of pesticides Conventional clothing can also harm the items, choosing sustainably grown, sewn, are used in cotton production. While pes- people who make it possible for your child

6 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG to wear denim jeans and cotton T-shirts. that true bamboo fiber will not feel “silky In Uzbekistan—the second-largest cot- smooth” like bamboo-based rayon. ton exporter in the world—the govern- Wool: Wool is renewable, doesn’t need ment shuts down schools each September chemicals to grow, and is naturally fire- “Green” Kids’ Clothes when the cotton season begins. Children resistant. Animal rights activists, however, Our readers often tell us they have a as young as seven are forced to pick cotton have expressed concern about “mulesing,” harder time finding eco-friendly clothes by hand until the harvest is brought in. where farmers cut the folds around sheep for older children than for babies Uzbek workers receive little pay and poor- genitalia. Farmers say mulesing helps pre- and kids wearing size 6T or under, so quality food and water, and they are often vent fatal blowfly infestations, but activists below, we’ve listed several resources punished if quotas are not met. say the process is painful and ask shoppers for clothing in kids’ sizes 8-14. For While many US retailers have pledged to avoid new sheep wool items. many more green retailers offering to stop buying Uzbek cotton, popular eco-clothes for babies and children up children’s and youth clothing retailers Other Things to Look For to 8T, and for Fair Trade kids’ clothes, Gymboree, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Truly eco-friendly clothing will also consult the “Clothing” and “Fair Trade” Carter’s only adopted similar pledges display the following qualities: categories of our National Green this year, after months of activist pres- No chemical finishes: You’ll often Pages™ (GreenPages.org). sure on the issue, including from Green have to take a company’s word that its America’s Responsible Shopper program. clothes are not treated with chemicals, Esperanza Threads m : 800/397-0045, Also, much of the cheap clothing sold although as stated earlier, the “new cloth- esperanzathreads.com. Organic in the US is made in China, where the ing smell” is a common giveaway. One cotton T-shirts. average hourly rate for a factory worker label to look for is the Oeko-Tex Stan- Hanna Andersson: 800/222-0544, was $1.36 in 2008, according to the Bu- dard, a certification system that limits the hannaandersson.com. Organic cotton reau of Labor Statistics, far below many use of a list of toxins in everything from and Oeko-Tex tops, pants, skirts, of the country’s neighbors. raw materials to finished clothes. leggings, sleepwear, dresses, sweaters, Nontoxic dyes and inks: Most green jackets, socks, tights, underwear, Sustainable Fibers companies will tout their eco-friendly and hats. Items made from these sustainable fibers dyes and inks on clothing labels, but you Hanna’s Dream m : 603/384-1747, are the safest and Earth-friendliest options: can call the company if you’re unsure. hannasdream.com. Organic cotton Organic cotton: Organic cotton is Another option is to look for “color- tops, pants, skirts, dresses, sleepwear, grown without the use of synthetic pesti- grown” cotton garments, made of undyed sweaters, jackets, socks, tights, cides and fertilizers. Be careful of cotton cotton that naturally grows in shades of underwear, hats, and gloves. that is described as “undyed,” “untreated,” green, brown, beige, and ruby. “natural,” or “green.” These labels are not Fair labor practices: Look for a union Kusikuy m : 802/254-2273, kusikuy. regulated and are sometimes used to mar- label to ensure that clothing workers had a com. Fair Trade alpaca or merino wool ket conventional cotton. Also, organic cot- voice on the job and earned fair benefits. sweaters, hoodies, scarves, hats, and ton may still be coated with toxic finishes. You can also buy from companies that mittens. (No mulesing.) Industrial hemp: Rapidly renewable belong to the Fair Trade Federation m , Natural Clothing Company m : 877/ industrial hemp produces three times more which ensures workers labor under fair, 800-8878, naturalclothingcompany.com. fabric per acre than cotton, and it requires healthy conditions and use green produc- Organic cotton and hemp T-shirts, tank little to no pesticides or herbicides. tion methods (FairTradeFederation.org). tops, dresses, and socks. Soy cashmere/silk: This fabric is made All of the above: The Global Organic Patagonia: 800/638-6464, patagonia. of the soy protein fiber left after processing Textile Standard (GOTS) sets both envi- com. Organic fleece, organic cotton, soybeans into tofu, oil, and milk. Look for ronmental and social criteria for clothing and recycled polyester jackets, buntings, non-genetically engineered soy. throughout the manufacturing process. pullovers, sweaters, vests, pants, hats, Recycled polyester: Recycled polyester GOTS requires that clothing wearing its belts, and gloves. is made from recycled soda bottles, cast-off “organic” label be 95 percent organic and TS Designs m : fabrics, and worn-out garments. have no toxic dyes or finishes. Manu- 336/229-6426, x. 205; Bamboo: Bamboo is a hardy plant that facturers along the supply chain must tsdesigns.com; store.tsdesigns.com. grows quickly and easily. However, toxic comply with GOTS standards to minimize Organic cotton screenprinted T-shirts; bulk, chemicals can be used to turn the plant waste and to ensure that workers labor custom-designed screenprint orders. into what is basically rayon. The US under key norms as established by the Wear the Earth m : 702/526-3278, Federal Trade Commission mandates International Labour Organisation. Under weartheearth.com. Organic cotton, that companies using this process must the Nile m , Levana Naturals m , and Green bamboo, and hemp T-shirts, tops, label their products “rayon made from Gamboni m sell baby clothes and dresses, leggings. bamboo,” rather than just “bamboo.” Econscious m sells clothing for adults Xylem: 541/953-7799, xylemclothing. Companies that use an eco-friendlier with the GOTS label (follow this link for more com. Organic cotton, hemp, and non- process may label their clothing as made details about the GOTS label). GMO soy tops, skirts, dresses, and pants. from “bamboo.” Consumers should note —Kara Turtinen

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REAL GREEN INVESTING

profitability,” writes Keefe, citing several reports, including a 2008 paper entitled Investing to “A Business Case for Women” from the management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. The paper cites research suggesting Empower Women that companies with several senior-level women tend to perform better financially. The United Nations also notes that “among Fortune 500 companies, those in the top quartile when it comes to women’s representation on their boards outperform those in the lowest quartile by at least 53 percent on return on equity.”

Investments That Support Women “Even though we know women improve business, the world does not behave that way. The financial sector is still dominated by men,” notes Leslie Christian, president and CEO of Portfolio 21 Investments m . But investors don’t have to sit around waiting for this to shift—they can actually effect change. The most obvious way to increase gender diversity in business is to invest in companies that are committed to diver- ocially conscious investors have WHAT? Invest and sity and to empowering women. been making investments in vote your shareholder Donna Clifford, investment consultant companies that make equal rights proxy ballots in ways at Rainbow Solutions Inc. m in Medford, for women a priority. A growing that support women’s MA, notes investors can first look at a com- Sbody of research confirms that doing so is empowerment. pany’s board of directors and management a smart financial decision. team to see how many are women. Inves- Experts have found there is a relation- WHY? Studies show that tors can also examine a company’s policies ship between women’s participation and companies that empower and procedures, such as on equal oppor- the economic success of both companies and advance women tunity, maternity leave, advancement, and perform better financially. and overall economies, which means that educational opportunities, says Clifford. shareholders may enjoy better financial Hiring a socially responsible financial advi- WOW! You can also and social returns from companies that invest in microcredit sor can be a big help here. have more women in management. programs that empower By investing in socially responsible mu- But women are still underrepresented women in the developing tual funds, investors can take a shortcut, in the economic arena. A March article in world, which studies show as these funds screen for social criteria, The Atlantic, for example, points out that reduces poverty overall. often including diversity and equal op- 23 of the world’s top companies have no portunity. They may eliminate companies women at all on their boards. with poor diversity records, and seek out Also, the World Bank notes that “in businesses with forward-thinking policies low-income countries, women consistent- that promote opportunity for women. At ly trail men in formal labor force partici- empowering women are finally being rec- least one specialty fund makes women’s pation, access to credit, entrepreneurship ognized, on a global basis, for what they empowerment its primary focus: Pax rates, income levels, and inheritance and are—urgent moral and economic impera- World’s Global Women’s Equality Fund. ownership rights.” tives,” says Joe Keefe, president and CEO Criteria behind the fund screens vary, There are now a wide range of actions of Pax World Management m . In Pax’s as do definitions of how much diversity, investors can take to boost women’s in- recent report, “Gender Equality as an and what kind, is enough. You can find volvement in the global economy—while Investment Concept,” Keefe is helping out details about a mutual fund’s screens gaining from it financially. bring these findings to light. or other efforts to promote diversity in its “Numerous studies … have shown that prospectus or by discussing this with a Empower Women, companies that empower and advance financial advisor. (See sidebar for Green Strengthen the Economy women are likely to reap the benefits America’s picks of mutual funds that are “Eliminating gender inequality and in terms of improved performance and active on women’s empowerment.)

8 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG Shareholder Action for Women that appear on your annual proxy ballot. One powerful way stock-market inves- Online services such as MoxyVote.com m tors can promote diversity is to vote and ProxyDemocracy.com m can help Mutual Funds That their proxy ballots, which every publicly you keep track of and vote your proxies. traded company sends out annually to Green America’s 2011 “Shareholder Reso- Stand Up for Women each shareholder. The boards of directors lution Focus List” includes resolutions on are elected through these ballots. non-discrimination issues: GreenAmerica. Many of the socially responsible In addition, many investors are taking org/socialinvesting/shareholderaction/ mutual funds listed in Green America’s a stand on diversity by filing shareholder You’ll only get your proxy ballots for Mutual Fund Performance Chart resolutions. These non-binding requests individual company stock you own—not (GreenAmerica.org/socialinvesting/ to management also end up on a compa- for mutual funds. Fund managers cast mfpc) screen for diversity. The funds ny’s annual proxy ballot—which is voted proxy ballot votes for all mutual funds. below also directly invest in women’s upon by shareholders, thus alerting them Each fund is required by the SEC to empowerment. and the public to hot-button issues. disclose its proxy-voting guidelines and Large-scale shareholders—such as records, so call investor relations or visit Calvert Funds m mutual funds, pension funds, founda- its Web site to view this information. Domini Social Investments m tions, faith-based groups, or other Neuberger Berman m investor coalitions—can use their Microlending for Women Parnassus m considerable economic power to wield Microcredit serves as another avenue Pax World m a great deal of influence by entering into toward women’s empowerment. The term Praxis Mutual Funds m dialogue with corporate management or generally refers to very small business Walden Asset Management m by filing resolutions. loans, perhaps as small as $25, for low- Byrd Bonner, executive director of the income people across the US and around For more contact information and an United Methodist Church Foundation in the world otherwise unable to access in-depth look at why we chose these Nashville, TN, has been involved in sev- capital. These programs frequently focus funds as standouts for women, visit eral shareholder campaigns on diversity. on women, who research shows register GreenAmerica.org/go/funds4women. For example, he says, at Hertz Global higher repayment rates. Studies also show Holdings, “we negotiated to include some that increasing women’s participation in language in their proxy statement disclo- the economy, as many microcredit pro- sures that puts them on record as having a grams aim to do, benefits society overall. women—to a far greater extent than for commitment to seeking women and people “Gender equality has a whole slew of men—continue to be health care, the of color for board membership.” positive ramifications on development, education of their children, and housing.” An ongoing case of a resolution being including increased poverty reduction,” Consult our free guide to community repeatedly filed to keep pressure on a says Malcolm Ehrenpreis, senior gender investing (greenamerica.org/go/CI) to company involves Home Depot. Eight specialist at the World Bank. find screened and approved community different parties, including Trillium Asset Numerous studies show that when a development organizations offering mi- Management m , filed a resolution with mother is educated, her children gain crofinance investments. You can invest as Home Depot in hopes of persuading the better health and education prospects, little as $10 through Web-based services company to make public its data on diver- which are the foundations for sound hu- such as Kiva.org. sity, which it is required to collect under man development that in the longer run federal law. Having to disclose diversity tend to lead to higher rates of economic Looking Ahead data, thus making the company account- growth, he notes. Research also shows Laura Berry, executive director of the able and marking its progress, is an that giving women access to credit or a Interfaith Center on Corporate Respon- incentive to break the glass ceiling. Susan salary leads to greater increases in the sibility m , says she sees these strategies Baker, portfolio manager at Trillium, adds welfare of all household members, beginning to bear fruit. “Even though that “diversity strengthens a company’s Ehrenpreis says. the numbers haven’t changed as much brand image, employee satisfaction, and Expect these topics to be fleshed out as we’d like, I think we’re directionally customer loyalty, and can sustain share- further in the World Bank’s much-antici- correct,” she says. “Women have moved holder value over the long term.” pated “World Development Report 2012: from tokenism to authentic leadership. A failure to ensure diversity in the Gender Equality and Development,” due Even when you look beyond the social workplace has financial consequences out late this year. investing audience, you can start to see relevant to investors: Home Depot has Also, women tend to invest their busi- women making a real difference.” paid out more than $100 million to settle ness proceeds “in ways that would have a The strongest argument to keep moving discrimination lawsuits in the last 14 longer-lasting, more profound impact on in this direction is simply that involving years, she notes. “That’s investor capital the lives of their families and communi- women makes better business, Christian getting diverted to settle lawsuits.” ties,” notes Women’s World Banking, says: “Investing in women is a very smart If you own stock, vote to support a nonprofit microfinance organization. business decision.” diversity-related shareholder resolutions “The key economic priorities for poor —Kristi Bahrenburg Janzen

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 9 ACROSS GREEN AMERICA NEWS FROM OUR PROGRAMS

GreenAmerica.org Get a Paperless Green America Membership! You asked for it, you got it! Green America is pleased to invite our members to sign up for our new paperless membership and renewal program, which features exciting, exclusive member benefits. We call it “Green Renew,” and here’s how it works: • Green Renew is paper-free, saving trees and resources. You’ll never get another renewal letter from us—your membership will automatically renew via credit card. • An exclusive benefit for Green Renew members is that you can choose to get our flagship publications—theGreen American Elizabeth O’Connell and the National Green Pages™—digitally Our “Raise the Bar, Hershey!” protest drew massive crowds to to read on your desktop, laptop, or tablet New York City’s Times Square to demonstrate against Hershey’s computer. Each digital issue includes special connections to child labor in cocoa fields in West Africa. features, extra content, and direct links to online resources. Green Renew members can choose to receive digital-only or paper- only subscriptions, or both! “Ask Green America” is our new green help helps ensure that workers labor under healthy • Green Renew members also receive all desk—a comprehensive database of informa- conditions for fair wages, and that there are no our special reports—like the Guide to Socially tion, tips, and references. Want to figure out child workers—Hershey lags behind the indus- Responsible Investing and our corporate the most cost-effective ways to save water and try with no certification for its cocoa. exposés—delivered directly to their in-boxes energy at home? Need to responsibly recycle Thanks to our members across the coun- as soon as they become available. an old computer? Just ask Green America! try, the momentum continues to grow: • And Green Renew members enjoy special, Our “Green Living Makeover” is an interac- • Already, more than 44,000 concerned one-click access to our new Green Living Make- tive Web site that helps you green every aspect consumers have signed petitions and sent over and Ask Green America online resources of your home life, from buying green cleaners letters and e-mails to the CEO of Hershey, (See “New Member Benefits,” below). to making energy-saving retrofits to investing in asking the company to go Fair Trade. With Green Renew, you know that you socially responsible ways. Check off each green- • Over 2,600 people have ordered the are supporting Green America’s high-impact living step as you take it, and you’ll receive your filmThe Dark Side of Chocolate from us to work to accelerate the green economy in the very own green score, plus a badge to put on show in their communities to bring greater most efficient way. You save paper, post- your Facebook page to get your social network awareness of child labor in cocoa fields. age, trees, and energy. All those savings go involved in going greener with you. • We organized a huge rally in front of directly into Green America’s programs. Both sites were created with Green the Hershey store in Times Square, where Paperless membership is also a benefit of Irene m , an eco-consulting company that human-rights activist Kerry Kennedy, our Sustainer’s Circle, our generous mem- helps homeowners and businesses go green. daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, spoke about bers who support our programs through Contact: Sign up to access Ask Green America at our campaign. monthly donations. To sign up for Green AskGreenAmerica.org. Get started with your own • And this past April, Green America Renew or our Sustainer’s Circle, call 800/58- Green Makeover at GreenLivingMakeover.org. Fair Trade campaigns director Elizabeth GREEN or visit GreenAmerica.org/digital. O’Connell attended Hershey’s annual shareholder meeting, where she raised concerns Our Hershey Campaign about Hershey’s lack of commitment to Fair New Member Benefits Trade to the CEO of Hershey, as well as the Help You Green Your Life Gains Momentum shareholders and executives in attendance. Green America has been calling on Hershey In addition to participating in our ongoing Do you have burning questions about going to remove child labor from its cocoa supply actions against Hershey, you can take even green? Green America can help! This chain and go Fair Trade since September of more action to help end child labor and sup- summer, we launched two new online last year. While some major chocolate com- port Fair Trade in the cocoa industry. This resources that will help you in your journey panies have moved some or all of their fall, take part in our Reverse Trick-or-Treat- toward joyful, green living. cocoa to Fair Trade certification—which ing campaign with Global Exchange m ,

10 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG Southern Company and The Dirty Seven where kids go door to door handing out Fair Trade chocolates to adults. This year, our Reverse Trick-of-Treat kits will have information kids can hand out to alert people of the labor issues around Hershey’s chocolates.

Take Action Visit RaiseTheBarHershey.org to participate in our actions against Hershey’s. Get your Reverse Trick-or-Treat kits at ReverseTrickorTreating.org. Southern Company the Dirtiest Utility in the US Green America recently named Southern Green America’s Climate Action Team chose the “Dirty Seven” based on ownership and construction of coal-fired power plants; levels of CO2, NOX, SO2, and mercury emitted; Company the nation’s dirtiest and most existing and planned ownership of currently existing nuclear power plants; construction irresponsible utility. Now, thanks to pressure and/or planned construction of new nuclear plants; and lobbying expenditures. from us and our allies, Southern announced in May that it is planning to reduce its reliance on coal from 60 to 40 percent over the this damage is over $9 billion. next decade. But the company still has a long Todd Larsen, Green America’s corporate Wanted: People’s Choice way to go to relinquish its “dirtiest” title. responsibility director, hand-delivered the Award Nominations Released this summer, Green America’s report, along with our “No More Nukes” report, Leadership We Can Live Without: The letter, signed by thousands of our members Every year, Green America members from Real Corporate Social Responsibility Report for from across the country, to Southern Com- across the US vote online for their favorite Southern Company, assigns letter grades to pany executives at its annual shareholder green company to win our People’s Choice seven major US utilities on four fronts: reliance meeting this spring. Larsen joined activists Award for Green Business of the Year. It’s on coal, pollution, reliance on and expansion from the Sierra Club at the meeting in criti- time to send in your nominations for 2012. of nuclear power, and lobbying expenditures. cizing Southern’s reliance on dirty coal and Last year’s winner was gDiapers m , an Southern Co. came in dead last with straight slow adoption of renewable energy. eco-friendly diaper company whose products “F” grades in all four of the categories. (See “Pressure from Green America, Sierra combine the best qualities of cloth and “The Dirty Seven” in the chart at right.) Club, and investors is having an impact on disposable diapers. The report garnered widespread media Southern Company,” says Larsen. “But it is “Companies that win our People’s Choice attention, putting energy companies on the still making too many excuses about using Award are among the best of the best when defensive as people continue to learn about more truly clean energy and is opposing new it comes to social and environmental re- the tremendous costs of coal and nuclear rules from the US Environmental Protection sponsibility,” says Denise Hamler, director of power. For example, the report shows that Agency to restrict mercury emissions.” Green America’s Green Business Network™. Southern’s coal-fired power plants cause “We encourage all of our members to nomi- Take Action nate your favorite green business today.” 1,224 deaths, 1,710 heart attacks, 20,770 Download the report on asthma attacks, and 752 cases of chronic Southern Company and the other “Dirty Seven” at Take Action bronchitis per year. The total annual cost of GreenAmerica.org/go/southerncompanyreport/. To send in your nominations, visit GreenAmerica.org/peopleschoice. Urban Roots Wins Our Green Grants Contest Green America is pleased to announce that Urban Roots of Austin, TX, has won our 2011 Green Grants Contest. Green America launched the Green Grants Contest last year to help draw public attention to great projects across the US that share our commitment to defining “green” as promoting both social justice and environmental sustainability. As the top prizewinner, Urban Roots earned a $2,500 grant. courtesy of Urban Roots Urban Roots is a youth development pro- Urban Roots, winner of our 2011 Green Grant Contest, helps young gram that uses sustainable agriculture to build people learn about sustainable food and gardening, while providing entrepreneurial, leadership, and life skills fresh produce to underserved communities in Austin, TX. among participants, while producing

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 11 local, organic food for Austin residents who have limited access to healthy foods. “Ever since Urban Roots’ inception in 2008, we have relied upon the generosity of thousands of dedicated volunteers, who help us cultivate young leaders and get their hands dirty planting and harvesting on our 3.5-acre farm,” says Max Elliott, Urban Roots’ program coordinator. “Urban Roots will use this Green Grant to purchase seeds and to pay for youth Farmers’ Market Intern stipends.” Three other great, green projects also each received $1,000 grants. They include: • Cully Community Market, an organic, local farmers’ market serving a community in Portland that has been labeled a “food desert.” The market also disburses micro-loans to help residents establish vendor stalls. • Fair Trade Los Angeles, an LA-based nonprofit working to make Fair Trade products more available in the southern California area, to raise awareness of Fair Trade, and to make Los Angeles into one of the largest Fair Trade Towns in the US. • Hiram Farm Living and Learning Com- munity, an organic farm in Ohio that provides meaningful work for adults with autism.

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GreenGain: Helping Businesses Go Green

reen America’s Green Business Net- Gwork™ (GBN) has been helping businesses go green for over 25 years. We’ve poured our knowledge and experience into a new, state-of-the-art online platform: This fall, GBN will launch GreenGain, our exciting new program to help businesses measure their sustainability efforts, identify and implement new ways to go green, and earn Green America’s Seal of Approval. GreenGain makes it easy for companies to: 1. Assess their sustainability perfor- official White House photo by Samantha Appleton mance. Using a points-based assessment As part of her Let’s Move campaign against childhood obesity, First Lady Michelle system, GreenGain draws from over 600 Obama announced the creation of the California FreshWorks Fund in July, a loan factors customized to a company’s industry fund that will help bring healthy, fresh food to California’s “food deserts.” to help them assess their environmental and social performance. of businesses to use GreenGain to make in California’s food deserts. Thanks to 2. Improve their performance stra- deeper commitments to sustainability.” Green America Green Business Network™ tegically. Based on a company’s current ac- GBN Members: Stay tuned for opportuni- member Calvert Foundation m , you can tivities, GreenGain will prioritize projects that ties to begin using GreenGain this fall and invest in this fund with as little as $20. provide the highest social and environmental add gold-tier status to your Seal of Approval. The California FreshWorks Fund benefit for the least investment of time and Green America Individual Members: Be (CAFWF) is a $200 million public-private money, so businesses can make the most loan fund that will provide financing for over progress possible with limited resources. on the lookout for a new, interactive Seal 1,500 grocery stores and other healthy food 3. Report leadership to clients and of Approval on green business and Green outlets in the state’s food deserts. customers. Every business using GreenGain America’s Web sites—all you’ll have to do Calvert Foundation is one of the pri- will have a live, real-time sustainability report is click on the seal to access a company’s vate partners investing in the fund, and in to share with clients and customers— GreenGain report, and get the full picture of partnership with Microplace.com, it’s made differentiating them from the millions of its sustainability practices. it possible for everyone to get involved. green-washing claims out there. Take Action Sign up for our e-newsletter Individuals can invest as little as $20 in a Cal- “Any business, no matter how large or to be the first to know when GreenGain vert Foundation Community Investing Note small, no matter where they are on their launches: GreenAmerica.org/signup. supporting the fund via Microplace. Investors journey to go green, will be able to use will earn 0.5 percent interest and can receive GreenGain to strengthen the social, environ- their principal back after a year or reinvest it. mental, and economic sustainability of their Invest in Food Deserts At the announcement event, Mrs. Obama company,” says GBN director Denise Hamler. noted that the CA FreshWorks Fund was just Today, 23.5 million Americans live in food GreenGain will also make it possible for a beginning: “[If] the companies represented deserts, or communities where residents Green America’s certification program to here today can step up and make these in- have little access to fresh, healthy food. recognize companies as they make greater vestments, there is absolutely no reason why Residents in food deserts commonly rely on progress: We will now award bronze, silver, every food retailer in this country can’t find and gold levels for our Seal of Approval. convenience stores and fast food outlets, some way to get involved as well.” “GreenGain is the perfect platform for which mainly sell high-fat, low-nutrition food. Take Action driving the green economy to scale,” says In July, First Lady Michelle Obama announced For more details, Russ Gaskin, Green America’s chief business a new fund that would invest capital in visit CAFreshWorks.com. To invest, visit officer. “We will be inviting tens of thousands increasing access to healthy, affordable food Microplace.com/freshworks.

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 13 COMMUNITY SOLAR Green American Feature

It’s possible to go solar without breaking the bank—and, due to the accelerating climate crisis, along with concerns over jobs and national security, more necessary than ever before. Solar Energy For All

ave you ever imagined the best-case supply. The world simply can’t reach that goal scenario for what some call a “post- without solar. Indeed, we estimate that at least Hcarbon world”—one where people 50 percent of the US energy supply will need to don’t rely on the toxic and dwindling supplies come from solar. of fossil fuels to power their homes and cars, US demand for all types of energy sources will but on clean, renewable energy? grow by 31 percent within the next 25 years, an That scenario may be closer than ever to a increase that will require the equivalent of 300 reality, say a group of scientists working with more power plants, according to the US Environ- the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on mental Protection Agency (EPA). Climate Change (IPCC). In a May report, the We can choose to fill that gap with coal 120 scientists show how nearly 80 percent of and nuclear, which would be devastating to the the world’s energy needs could be met by clean, country and the planet, or we can fill it with green, renewable sources like solar and wind by clean, abundant solar. Solar panels emit no 2050. In contrast, renewables currently make up pollution or greenhouse gases, and they’ll never 13 percent of the world’s energy supply. go into meltdown. In today’s contentious political climate, with Enacting the IPCC’s best-case scenario of 80 the very serious concerns about the Middle East percent green energy by 2050 will reduce carbon and energy security, as well as the climate crisis dioxide emissions between 2010 and 2040 by 220 hanging over America’s collective head, it may be to 560 gigatons. This reduction would, in turn, difficult to envision anything but energy-related help keep the increase in global temperatures crises in our country’s future. below two degrees, which scientists around the But even without major government assistance, world agree is vital to keep the worst effects of cli- a quiet revolution has been taking place—one mate change at bay. that’s poised to put solar power at the forefront And then there’s the jobs potential. In 2006, of a major green-energy revolution. And it’s up to there were 170,000 jobs in the solar photovoltaic all of us to keep that momentum going. industry worldwide. By 2030, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) projects there Solar: Clean Air, Green Jobs will be 6.3 million—more, if countries unite to tru- Solar is an essential part of a renewable energy ly transition from fossil fuels to renewables. UNEP future. Green America’s Solar Catalyst program experts also note that “alternative energy creates crunched the numbers to look at how to get to more jobs than conventional sources do—in other a world where at least 80 percent of all energy words, a switch from oil, gas, or coal produces a needs are met by green, renewable energy by net gain in employment.” Illustration by Maxemillion, istock.com 2050. We found that even after implementing Eighty percent green energy worldwide, with all possible energy-efficiency measures and de- 50 percent worldwide coming from solar, is a ploying all other renewable energy sources like lofty goal. In fact, you might think there’s no way wind and geothermal, there’s still a gap between we could be on target to achieve it by 2050. demand and what the clean-energy sources can You would be wrong.

14 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG Solar Leases Why Solar is Our Best Hope areas of the US by 2015 and all across “Back in 2005, Battelle National Labs the US by 2020. Avoid issued a thought-piece stating that if the A study released earlier this year by world was to reach a goal of 80 percent the economics research arm of the glob- Big Initial Costs of its power coming from carbon-free al consulting firm McKinsey & Compa- Would you like to get a solar system sources by 2050, it had to go gung ho on ny found that the cost of manufacturing on your roof without having to pay a efficiency, and then do as much wind, and installing solar has decreased by single cent up front? Solar leases are geothermal, and biomass as possible,” about 20 percent with every doubling making it possible for people in several says Green America executive director of installed capacity over the last two states to go solar with no money down. Alisa Gravitz. “Battelle said that would decades, while the cost of conventional The single biggest barrier to going get the world halfway to our goal, and electricity continues to rise. solar has always been the high up- the other half would have to come from “As a result, solar power has been front costs of purchasing solar panels, solar or nuclear. Since that would have creeping toward cost competitiveness says Solar City founder Lyndon Rive. required 17,000 new and dangerous in some areas,” states the report, which “So we created a service that al- nuclear plants, Green America naturally notes that solar currently costs less lowed the homeowner to go solar and started looking into the solar option.” than conventional power in California. save money from day one with no So our Solar Catalyst team analyzed Confirming the results of our USA investment on their side. We started available data and created a set of report, McKinsey went on to state that the solar lease in 2008, and it has done milestones the US would have to reach “during the next three to seven years, fantastically,” Rive says. to achieve the goal of having half of its solar energy’s unsubsidized cost to end A solar lease allows you to have a power supply come from solar in 2050. customers should equal the cost of con- solar system installed on your home “America is ahead of that curve now,” ventional electricity in parts of the United with no upfront investment. Instead, says Gravitz. “We are so ahead of that States ... and in Italy, Japan, and Spain.” you basically rent the system, mak- curve, in fact, that we can achieve 50 ing monthly payments over a period percent solar by 2040 or 2045.” Community Solar of 10-20 years that tend to be about Couple that with solar’s growth in While Washington bickers, it’s up 15 percent lower than the average countries like Germany, Japan, and to us all to create a critical mass of conventional utility bill, says Rive. China—which is outstripping the US support for solar. Across the country, Historically, utility rates have in- and Europe in solar production and is people are joining together in commu- creased over five percent every year, churning out half of the world’s solar nity solar programs to make going solar but with a solar lease, you can lock in panels—and the world is well on its easier and more affordable than ever. lower electricity rates for the term of way to meeting the 2050 goals. They’re forming solar buying coop- your lease. “If financed, solar is less Like cell phones, solar power is eratives, where people interested in expensive than the conventional forms growing more rapidly than anyone going solar join together to share in the of electricity generation,” says Danny would have thought just ten years ago. pre-purchase research and negotiate Kennedy, founder of Sungevity m , In fact, ten years ago, the world had group price discounts (see p. 16). which also offers solar leases. enough solar power to equal the output They’re starting solar gardens, or Companies that offer solar leases of just one coal or nuclear power plant, centrally located solar panels pur- often don’t charge interest, but recoup according to Photon Consulting, which chased by large groups, making it costs by accepting the applicable tracks global solar data. By the end of possible for renters and people with federal, state, and local tax incen- this year, Photon estimates we’ll have unsuitable roofs to go solar (see p. 18). tives. Most offer free maintenance and enough solar to equal 6,000 coal plants. And they’re pooling their funds to cleaning for the entire term of their That increased capacity means solar help nonprofits or religious congrega- customers’ leases. The panels them- can continue to experience exponential tions to go solar (see p. 20). selves are under warranty for about 25 growth. The global market for solar On the following pages, find out how years for customers who lease or buy. photovoltaics grew from $2.5 billion these community programs make going Currently, homeowners in 11 states in 2000 to $71.2 billion in 2010—a solar easier and more affordable for ev- and Washington, DC, can get a solar compound annual growth rate of 39.8 eryone involved. Read through our sto- lease from Sungevity and/or Solar percent, states Clean Edge m ’s “Clean ries and see if any of these community City, and both plan to expand to other Energy Trends Report 2011.” solutions might put going solar within states soon. Sungevity offers Green And as the industry expands, thanks your reach. Add in solar lease programs America members a special deal: Visit to increased demand, prices are com- (see box at right) and all available fed- Sungevity.org/green-america to get ing down. In 2008, Green America and eral, state, and local tax incentives (see $500 off your leased or purchased so- Clean Edge released the Utility Solar As- p. 17), and you may find going solar is lar system, and Sungevity will donate sessment (USA) report, projecting that more feasible than you thought. another $500 to Green America. solar would be cost-competitive in key —Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, editor-in-chief —Kara Turtinen

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 15 bors about the idea and helping each other through the process. Rubado likens the co-op to a “solar support group.” “I feel like it gave the neighborhood an identity,” O’Neil says.

A Little Help from One Block Off the Grid Solar buying co-ops are popping up all over, but if you don’t already have one in your area, One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) may be able to help you start one. This company does much of the work involved in forming a solar cooperative for you—from finding interested Learn more about your options at One Block Off the Grid’s Solar University people in your area to vetting potential solar companies to negotiating with courtesy of One Block Off the Grid Ed Lortz (right) with One Block Off the Grid’s (1BOG) those companies for the lowest prices CEO David Llorens in front of Lortz’s home, which features on solar home systems. The majority of nine solar panels he purchased at a discount via 1BOG. 1BOG customers see a savings of 15-20 percent, before tax incentives. Ed Lortz, a resident of San Francisco, Solar Buying Co-ops had spent a couple of years conducting his own research on switching to solar power, but he was still unsure about Neighborhood “Solar Support which solar company to purchase from. “I received about five different propos- Groups” Reap Big Savings als from companies, and they were all over the map in terms of price,” he says. When Tim O’Neil approached fellow Mt. share in the pre-purchase research and Then he attended a briefing about Tabor Neighborhood Association member negotiate group discounts. 1BOG, and he liked what he heard. 1BOG Stephanie Stewart in 2009 about starting a With Energy Trust’s help, the Solar- had already pre-qualified the solar con- solar buying cooperative in their suburban ize Portland co-op obtained bids from tractors and pre-negotiated a discounted Portland community, she loved the idea. contractors, eventually choosing one that group price for the briefing attendees. “Literally within a couple of days, gave a very competitive price, offered a That price was significantly lower Stephanie had created a Web site and a group discount, and fit with the commu- than what Lortz had been able to find logo,” says O’Neil. nity’s values. In addition, the co-op held on his own, and he was so pleased, Then O’Neil and Stewart turned to workshops to help members take full he ended up getting nine solar panels Lizzie Rubado of the nonprofit Energy advantage of local, state, and federal tax through IBOG instead of the eight panels Trust of Oregon to help them put togeth- incentives for solar energy. So instead of he’d originally planned. er workshops on installing solar panels. paying $6,000-$8,000 for each kilowatt Currently, 1BOG has hundreds of Originally, the new team expected to of capacity (most systems are between group deals in over 40 states throughout sign up 50 or so people, and they hoped one and three KWs), Solarize Portland the US. If there’s one in your area, all that about 10-20 would go through with members shave 70 to 80 percent off the you have to do is sign up at 1BOG.org to the installation. After all, 2008 saw only cost of their solar systems. enjoy a group discount on solar. 38 solar panel installations across the After Solarize Portland’s success, the If there is not a 1BOG deal in your city, entire city of Portland, Rubado says. city government stepped in to replicate the company can set one up. Just sign To their surprise, about 300 people the program in other areas. In total, the up at 1BOG.org, and 1BOG representa- signed up for what would become the Solarize programs have installed 754 resi- tives will keep you updated on how Solarize Portland solar buying co-op. 120 dential systems in Portland to date. close your area is to having a group deal. installed solar panels that year. While 1BOG will assemble your group, it “We were blown away at how many Download the Solarize Portland Guidebook doesn’t hurt to spread the word to your people came to the workshops,” says In the end, not only was going solar neighbors. 1BOG also can help you hold Rubado. “Tim and Stephanie and I realized the environmental thing to do, but it also a meeting to get people interested. that this concept really jibed with people.” brought the community together. The Once your area reaches a critical mass Solar buying cooperatives have sprung model relies upon tried-and-true concepts of around 100 potential participants, up across the country, as neighbors of community organizing, O’Neil and 1BOG will begin vetting and negotiating interested in going solar join together to Rubado say, with neighbors telling neigh- with solar installers. The more people

16 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG who sign up for the program, the bigger and better the terms 1BOG can negotiate. 8 WAYS TO “Before we choose an installation company, we’ll meet with them, view their AFFORD SOLAR NOW facility, and take a look at some of their work to make sure they are the best for 1 Efficiency First!:Before going solar, improve the energy-efficiency of your the job,” says CEO David Llorens. “We home—you’ll save resources and need to buy fewer panels. Find steps to help at want every customer to be satisfied.” GreenAmerica.org/go/efficiencyfirst and GreenAmerica.org/go/23steps. Once 1BOG chooses a company, it provides personal consultations to edu- Find federal, state, and local tax incentives for solar and energy-efficiency cate members about the solar systems, 2 retrofits at dsireusa.org. including how they will operate and whether customers will receive a credit on their energy bill if their panels pro- Form a solar buying co-op: Solarize Portland offers a guidebook for those duce more energy than they use. 3 wanting to replicate its solar buying co-op program at SolarizePortland.org. In addition, 1BOG’s experts will help If you need a little help starting a group from scratch, One Block Off the customers unearth all available federal, Grid (1BOG) can help you launch one anywhere in the country, and it’ll vet state, and local tax incentives. For Ed installers and negotiate a group discount for you: 877/444-4002, 1BOG.org. Lortz’s nine-panel, 1.8 kw system, the original price with tax was $17,244 after the group discount. However, after tak- 4 Buy into a centrally located community solar garden. The National ing advantage of tax incentives, his total Renewable Energy Labs have a guide to developing community solar projects out-of-pocket cost was just $3,600. at nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/49930.pdf. The VoteSolar Initiative also offers a In addition, Lortz sees an average of community solar policy toolkit at VoteSolar.org/communitysolar/toolkit/. $40 per month in savings during the summer on his energy bill, and $15 in Consider a solar lease. Whether you’re going solar with a group or monthly savings during the winter. This 5 alone, a solar lease will help you avoid the high up-front costs of buying solar past May also brought Lortz more savings, as California just passed a net-me- panels. Companies offering solar leases include: BrightGrid (BrightGrid.com) • tering law requiring utilities to pay for CentroSolar (877/348-2555, CentroSolarAmerica.com) • Citizenré, (877/660- excess energy generated by solar panels. 0131, Citizenre.com) • Solar City, (888/765-2489, SolarCity.com) • Solar “I am unbelievably pleased,” says Universe (925/455-4700, SolarUniverse.com) • Sun Edison (888/786-3347, Lortz, who recommends 1BOG to any- SunEdison.com) • Sun Power (800/786-7693, us.SunPowerCorp.com) • body who asks him about going solar. Sun Run (855/478-6786, SunRunHome.com) • and 1BOG’s program is open to all who Sungevity m , (866/786-4255, Sungevity.com). own a home. Not all homes are ideally suited for solar panels, but 1BOG will Get a discount on your solar home system and support take care of your home evaluation for 6 Green America. When you buy or lease a solar home system through free. It also offers solar leases (see p. 15). Sungevity m , you’ll get a $500 discount on your panels, and the company will “I liked the people at 1BOG,” Lortz donate another $500 to Green America’s Climate Action program: said. “I didn’t feel any pressure, and Sungevity.org/green-america. they give you a good product. If you can swing it, now is the time to do it.” —Kara Turtinen and Andrew Schein Go solar with your house of worship. Churches, temples, and mosques 7 interested in teaching energy-efficiency to congregants or mobilizing them to invest in solar panels for a house of worship can get help from local chapters of Interfaith Power & Light: InterfaithPowerandLight.org.

Help low-income communities go solar. You can buy $100 shares in solar 8 projects across the US and around the world through SolarMosaic.com. As the projects you fund earn revenue, you can earn up to 100 percent of your investment back.

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 17 The co-owners of Colorado’s Garfield County community solar garden pose in front of their solar panels, facilitated by the Clean Energy Collective.

achieves maximum efficiency,” says Paul Spencer, CEC president. Community-Owned Solar Gardens Spencer explains that when electricity customers cooperate on a large common project, each step of the process—from Group Ownership Makes Solar purchase of the panels to installation to Accessible to All maintenance—becomes more efficient and much cheaper, thanks to economies of scale. That’s how the CEC can step in as the organizer, negotiating GLENN SLIVA WORKS as a consultant for ownership structure allows participants with local electric utilities, coordinat- some of the biggest oil and gas compa- to access some of the local- and state- ing site-selection and construction, and nies in the world, like Chevron, Exxon, funded clean-energy incentives single providing maintenance—all while still and BP. As a reservoir engineer, he cal- homeowners enjoy, and bulk-purchasing offering co-owners a pricing structure culates the amount of oil and gas in the drives the cost down even more. that’s more competitive than the average ground at a given site, so he’s intimately As ratepayers to Holy Cross Energy home-based system. aware that fossil fuels are, as he calls (the local electric utility), the solar co- For example, says Spencer, a partici- them, “depleting assets.” owners see credits on their utility bill pant with very little up-front invest- “I’m in the energy business, so I know for all of the solar power their individual ment capital available can purchase into what’s coming. Energy prices are going panels have produced. The panels also as- the collective with a single panel (at to skyrocket,” Sliva told Green America. sist Holy Cross in meeting its renewable- around a $500 cost), which would be an That’s why he’s chosen to get in early on energy goals. Required by Colorado law unthinkable option at the single-rooftop an innovative new program established last to produce ten percent of its power from scale due to installations costs. At the year near his home in western Colorado. renewable sources by 2020 (and pursuing higher end of the investment continuum, Sliva is one of 19 co-owners of the an even more ambitious internal goal of a participant who purchases enough pan- nation’s first community-owned “solar 20 percent by 2015), Holy Cross moves els to cover a home’s full energy needs garden,” a 338-panel solar array installed closer to these goals each time citizens also benefits from the collective struc- in El Jebel, CO, in August of 2010 as the working with the Clean Energy Collective ture, spending a good deal less money first project of the Clean Energy Collec- establish a new solar garden. up-front than someone installing an tive (CEC), a for-profit company that “Collective purchasing also means individual system—and then seeing that helps facilitate these projects. Conceived optimal siting and angling of the solar smaller investment break even in about as a way to reduce costs and make solar array, rather than working around indi- 10 to 13 years, versus up to 20 or 30 on energy more accessible, the collective vidual rooftop conditions, so each panel many home-based systems.

18 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG The SUN Act Rises While there’s a 30 percent federal tax credit for individual homeowners who in urban areas like Edmonds, WA. This install solar panels, people participating fall, the Frances Anderson Center in in community solar gardens aren’t able downtown Edmonds will be the site of to take advantage of this credit. The a 75 kw solar installation, with 750 solar Solar United Neighborhoods (SUN) panels adorning the roof of this city- Act aims to change that. owned community center. Carlo Voli, a The SUN Act (S. 1093) was native of Italy who has lived in Edmonds introduced in 2010 and re-introduced for ten years, is the proud owner of one in May by Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO). It of those panels. And the other 749? They belong to different community members would tweak the federal tax code to who have come together as the Edmonds state that solar panels do not need Community Solar Cooperative. to be tied to a single residence to be Voli, who has since become the eligible for the federal credit, so cost- president of the cooperative’s board of effective group solar gardens would directors, bought the very first share in then qualify. The nonprofit Vote Solar the cooperative. Each share, called a Sun Initiative calls the bill a potential “game Slice™, represents one panel that will be changer” in expanding access to solar. installed on the Frances Anderson Cen- Take Action Learn more about ter; each SunSlice costs $1,000. Members courtesy of the Clean Energy Collective the bill and download action tools at of the cooperative will receive revenue VoteSolar.org > Community Solar > generated from the project in proportion SUN Act 2011 Campaign. to the number of SunSlices they own. So far, most participants have bought “Joining a community solar coopera- into the Collective somewhere between tive is a more affordable way to partici- Florek notes that buying a SunSlice those extremes; many have purchased pate in clean energy projects that reduce doesn’t give someone the right to run off half of their power-usage as solar energy. greenhouse gases and generate clean with the solar panel on a whim—mem- Still, some, like Glenn Sliva, have bought energy,” says Chris Herman of Sustain- bers of the cooperative agree to keep in all the way. Sliva started by bringing able Edmonds, a local group that started their panels on the installation spot his at-home energy use down as much as organizing the project in 2008. “You for ten years. During that time, each possible, and then invested about $10,000 can purchase a solar panel or two, and cooperative member gets a yearly check of his savings in 15 panels to power his then receive a share of the energy and of his/her portion of the revenues of the 3,000-square-foot home. Compared to incentives generated indirectly through a project—Florek estimates that members what he could have spent on an at-home rebate to cooperative members.” of the Edmonds cooperative will receive system, he considers it a bargain, espe- The project, which sold 100 percent $100 a year per panel, meaning that they cially when he thinks forward to how of its initial offering of SunSlices this will earn back their investments in ten he’ll avoid future fossil-fuel costs. summer, lets people who may be years. At the end of that period, the The idea is catching on. In June, the renters, or have unsuitable roofs for members of the cooperative will vote on Clean Energy Collective activated its solar, support and invest in clean energy whether to keep the solar array or sell it. second solar garden, a much larger array in their community. For Voli, the cooperative embodies the with 3,575 panels co-owned by about 250 “In the Seattle area, 50 percent of type of activity he wants to see in his city. people. Two more Colorado projects are residents are renters,” says Stanley “This is a project that brings together under discussion at present, and Spencer Florek, CEO of Tangerine Power, a local people in the community, helps us work says his group is working with poten- company working with the Edmonds together and share revenues as a coop- tial partners in 26 states and five other Community Solar Cooperative and oth- erative, and generates clean energy!” he countries to share the collective solar ers looking to do similar projects. “And says. “And what’s just as exciting is that purchasing model elsewhere. 20-25 percent of homeowners have trees this is the first fully citizen-owned power “Colorado is our proving ground,” blocking the south-facing part of their generation project in the state, and one of says Spencer. “We wanted to create a roof, so we’re left with only a quarter the first in the entire country, creating a vehicle to make clean energy accessible of the population who could do solar in reference point for a lot more of these to and affordable to the masses. I think the first place. That’s where SunSlices happen in the future. I believe that what we’re showing we can do it.” come in—anyone in the community can we’re doing here will be a model for solar purchase a piece of a solar installation, energy generation and community action Buying a Slice of the Sun and they’ll be able to walk by and see for people all over the country.” While the solar garden model is fairly their panel generating energy for the —Andrew Korfhage new, it’s starting to catch on, including community.” and Sarah Tarver-Wahlquist

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 19 stallation of the church’s 44 solar panels. Together, these members formed the LeDroit Park Energy LLC, incorporated as a for-profit entity in the business of maintaining the solar panels and selling the electricity to the church. Within 60 days of the installation, LeDroit Park Energy was able to recoup $18,000 of its initial investment from a federal tax credit that rewards for-profit entities for investing in renewables. In addition, the company generates one

Eric Vance for the EPA Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) for each megawatt-hour of electricity it EPA administrator Lisa Jackson, Pastor Earl Trent, and Dr. Janice Ray Trent (from left to right, holding the scissors), along with several congregants of produces, which can then be sold to help the Florida Avenue Baptist Church, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the investors earn back their capital. the 44 solar panels installed on the church’s roof in May. Also known as “green tags,” RECs have value for conventional electric utilities, which purchase the certificates to meet government-mandated renewable- energy requirements. Rather than moni- Churchgoers Care for Creation tor the REC market and seek out buyers, the LeDroit Park group signed a contract A DC Church Helps with Sol Systems, a local DC-area REC reseller, which guarantees a payback of Congregants See the (Solar) Light 25-cents per kilowatt-hour produced for the next five years. “With both the tax credits and the The congregation of the Florida Avenue tion as necessary steps toward helping solar RECs, we expect that the investors Baptist Church made history this past all communities shift to cleaner energy. will break even in just about six years,” May, when Pastor Earl Trent stood on Through Volt Energy, the company Pastor Trent tells Green America. “At the flat roof of the 99-year-old church that installed the church’s solar panels, that point, the plan is that the inves- building with Environmental Protec- Pastor Trent made contact with Volt tors will turn around and sell the solar tion Agency administrator Lisa Jackson. board member Dr. Pam Page Carpenter, system to the church for one dollar, and Together, the pastor and the Obama a renewable-energy expert at NC State we’ll own the system outright.” administration cabinet member cut the University. This fall, the church will use Meanwhile, the church itself is saving ribbon on the first solar-energy system a curriculum Dr. Carpenter developed money, with monthly utility bills ex- to power an African-American church in for a series of special classes for middle- pected to run an average of $450 less than the nation’s capital. school students to adults to learn about before the panels were installed. Trent “In the history of this nation, faith energy-efficiency at home. expects this figure to drop even further, communities have been instrumental Both the panels and the educational as the church has an energy audit planned in efforts to improve the world we live series represent the church’s com- and in September will begin implement- in,” said Jackson, citing the work of the mitment to “look at the footprint we ing the audit recommendations. civil-rights movement as a blueprint leave—and not just the carbon, but all “One of the tenets of our faith is stew- for churches to lead a new clean-energy of the consequences,”says Pastor Trent. ardship; we take care of the planet,” says movement. “Those who have tradition- Meanwhile, planning to implement the Pastor Trent. “But really, with sustainable ally had the least voice in this conver- solar-roof project involved another kind energy, we’re taking care of people. With sation have also disproportionately of education for Pastor Trent and his other forms of energy, we’re draining suffered the most, from challenges like congregation, as they learned more about resources, and others are suffering. When heart disease, cancer, and asthma that the local renewable energy market and we take better care of our resources, are linked to smog and air pollution and figured out a financing structure to make people live better lives, more productive other environmental causes.” going solar as affordable as possible. lives. This is the awareness that has begun Jackson hailed both the panels them- Initially, 12 generous members of the to change [societal] behavior—and selves and the church’s new energy- 500-member church stepped forward to that’s exciting.” efficiency curriculum for its congrega- invest a total of $60,000 to fund the in- —Andrew Korfhage

20 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG TRUE TALES FROM GREEN AMERICAns

Joshua Barclay and Mary Ledvina • Whitmore Lake, Michigan Barclay and Ledvina’s house is similar to the average American home in its size Exclusive expanded version for e-readers! and the sorts of appliances it contains. Yet, while the average American home uses 30 kilowatt-hours of energy per day, theirs uses about ten. Even so, their behavior and lifestyles have not changed radically, says the couple. “I feel that a lot of things that we’ve done, I haven’t even noticed,” says Ledvina. The solar array they installed produces 15 kilowatt-hours per day, on average (more in the summer and less in the winter). With the efficiency improvements, this figure is more than the house needs on average, showing that solar energy can power a home, even in Michigan. Interestingly, the energy conservation steps Barclay and Ledvina took cut down on the amount of electricity their home gets from the grid more than the house’s solar array does. courtesy of Joshua Barclay “We saved more from energy As Joshua Barclay and Mary Ledvina installed a solar array to efficiency than we ever saved from our power their home, they also increased their home’s efficiency. solar array,” he says. “So really, the most ‘efficient’ thing is to target energy renewables are flashy and exciting, is efficiency.” Why Josh Barclay and where you gotta start,” he says. Barclay and his wife had already tried Taking Efficiency Green America say, to cut down on electricity costs, for to School instance by setting the thermostat lower Crediting Green America with helping “Efficiency First!” during the winter, when they received him make his home as efficient as the original “Efficiency First!” issue of possible, Barclay has also been teaching the Green American (then the Co-op his students at West Bloomfield High High school science teacher and Green America Quarterly) in 2008. School about the benefits of energy America member Joshua Barclay’s super As recommended in that issue, efficiency for over ten years. He started energy-efficient home started off as a Barclay scheduled a Home Performance by collaborating with School District simple science experiment, trying to with Energy Star energy audit. He and Facilities Operations Supervisor Bill answer the question: Can solar panels Ledvina also implemented all of the Wold to have his students audit the power a home, even in cloudy Michigan? efficiency steps Green America had school’s energy use. But as he and his wife Mary Ledvina detailed, such trying not to heat or cool “We didn’t do it just so we could save installed a solar array to power their empty rooms, air-drying their dishes money,” Wold says. “The primary focus home in Whitmore Lake, just outside of instead of applying the dishwasher’s was teaching the kids about energy Detroit, they made that home as energy- “dry” setting, using power strips to turn efficiency.” efficient as possible. Barclay agrees with off electronics and eliminate phantom When these audits began, appliances Green America’s longtime advice that load, keeping the refrigerator full, wash- that measure power usage were not on before going solar, it’s vital to improve ing clothes with cold water, putting a the market yet, so Barclay made some your home’s efficiency in every possible blanket on their hot-water-heater, and of his own using ammeters and exten- way so you’ll need fewer panels, saving plugging air leaks. They also implement- sion cords from his classroom. He and money and resources. ed all the retrofits recommended by their his students made a database looking at “The energy efficiency piece, although energy auditor. what parts of the school used the least

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 21 and most amount of energy; they found that replacing light-bulbs, installing motion-sensor light switches, and turning off computers at night and over breaks could bring significant savings. At the same time, Wold employed professional energy auditors who also found significant savings. With Barclay’s help, students presented these findings to the school board, noting how much money could be saved each month through efficiency improvements. They illustrated these savings by showing what the money could get the school district: astroturf for the field, coaches for all-female varsity teams—the list went on and on.

The school board took the energy The combination Barclay Joshua of courtesy auditors’ recommendations, and Barclay of Barclay and believes his students’ presentations Ledvina’s solar tipped them over the edge. And so the energy system West Bloomfield School District schools and energy began retrofitting. They picked the “low- efficiency hanging fruit” first, Wold says, putting measures generates in new windows, roofing, and light excess energy bulbs, and they have continued schedul- to go onto the ing retrofits to this day. The results are electrical grid already having positive financial effects, for use by their with Wold and Barclay reporting savings neighbors. of around $100,000 on last year’s heating and electricity bills at the high school. placing a solar array on one of the area’s Network™ member ChicoBags m (Chico- Getting the busiest streets, where students, parents, bags.com), holding organic bake sales, Community’s Attention and regular community members would and getting local businesses to chip in. Soon after the first retrofits, Barclay be able to see renewable energy up close “To be honest, when we first were found grants through Michigan’s public instead of through a television screen. talking about ‘Let’s get a solar track- service commission for a renewable He offered to cover the matching funds ing array,’ we knew it was going to energy project. To apply for the grant, required by the grant-making commis- be a long road,” says Kacie Mills, who schools had to show that they had sion—enough to secure the grant, but was EARTH’s co-president during the already undertaken energy efficiency not to fulfill Barclay and his students’ lead-up to the installation of the solar measures—just as West Bloomfield had. dream of a free-standing solar array array. She notes that Barclay’s confidence West Bloomfield won one of the whose panels followed the sun as it rubbed off on the group. grants, but they charted their own traveled across the sky. “He always had faith in the project, course on how to use the grant money. “The grant was what got us even from the beginning,” she says. For one, the grant specified erecting interested in the project and that was “With him, you knew it was going to solar panels on an existing building. really the jumping off point,” says get done.” “That didn’t fit our dream, because Natalie Davenport, who was a student in The biggest fundraiser was the sale we wanted to attract people’s atten- the school’s environmental club EARTH of inscriptions on the paving stones tion,” Barclay says. “We wanted to put it (Environmentally Aware and Ready to planned to rest in front of the solar out there by itself. And we wanted it to Help) during the lead-up to the instal- array. Mills says that the club had a grid move, because according to educational lation of the solar array. “Even with the showing where each inscription would theory, the more action and motion you grant, we had to raise a lot of money and go, and she remembers her excitement have in something, the more you attract jump through a lot of hoops.” each day as the grid filled up. people’s attention.” So Josh Barclay and EARTH sponsored Before the grid was completely Mel Barclay, Josh’s father—whom Josh initiated a series of fundraisers, selling filled, the members of the student credits for fueling his fervor for renew- collapsible, reusable shopping bags environmental club each chipped in able energy—was thrilled by the idea of from Green America Green Business some money to buy a paver, together.

22 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 GREEN AMERICAN GREENAMERICA.ORG On it, they inscribed: “Proof that all big things start small.” LEARN MORE ABOUT CREATING YOUR OWN Continuing the Science Experiment ENERGY-EFFICIENT HOME The science experiments and educational exercises continue. Last Read more about Barclay and Ledvina’s efforts at DreamFarm.org. year, Barclay and his students made two YouTube videos about energy efficiency: View the “YouTube videos Barclay and his students made: one showing how Barclay and Ledvina “How to Green Your Home and Save Green for Your Wallet” took the steps recommended by Green America’s “Efficiency First!” issue, and the other detailing their energy audit and the efficiency steps they made after it took place. “We based much of the footage [from the first film] on the 2008 ‘Efficiency First!’ issue. We took all of Green America’s advice and captured each improvement item on film as we did them at my home,” says Barclay. During the 2011-12 school year, Barclay’s students will measure whether the entire science classroom’s energy needs are covered by the school’s solar array, first by calculating classroom electricity consumption and then by tracking the array’s production. Part 1: Low and No Cost measures you can do today Meanwhile, the biggest sun-tracking solar array in the greater Detroit area remains a point of interest for passers- by, as does the big digital sign next to the array showing how much energy is being produced. “While it’s true that we are not powering the whole school with this array, it is a symbol of hope and change,” Davenport says. “Every day, there are thousands of people the drive by the array, and the subtle hint that a high school is doing this might plant the seed for them to do the same. The Environ- mental Revolution, just like every revolution in the past, is by the people and for the people.” Despite the interest generated by the Part 2: Getting an Energy Audit and Insulating your Home solar arrays at Barclay’s house and at West Bloomfield High, Barclay empha- sizes the need to reduce energy consumption first. “Lots of people are like, I’m going to go green, I want to go solar—but these Take Green America’s recommended steps for energy efficiency: non-flashy things like taking plugs out when you don’t need the appliances, See our 2008 “Efficiency First!” issue of Green American that’s really the way to go green,” he (GreenAmerica.org/go/23steps), and our says. “Once you’ve done those efficiency 2010 “Efficiency First!” update in the November/ December Green American measures, then you can go solar.” (GreenAmerica.org/go/efficiencyfirst). —Andrew Schein

m Designates an approved member of Green America’s Green Business Network™ 23

LETTERS & ADVICE

World Health Organization: “Cell Phones May Cause Cancer” Good News and Food fter we published our Jan./Feb. 2011 issue, “Do Cell My compliments on the Phones Cause Cancer?”, we received a lot of letters “Good Food Gone Local” A from members who were happy with the information we’d section in the June/July issue—perfect for this summer! provided and determined to use headsets to prevent po- Please have something similar tential harm. We also received a handful from readers who in future issues. It’s wonderful didn’t buy into our precautionary stance on cell phones. TRACY to read uplifting news! The vast majority of the pushback included references to FERNANDEZ Pam Kaufman the fact that the World Health Organization (WHO) had RYSAVY Bettendorf, IA long stated on its Web site that there was no need to worry about cell phones, and its 2006 13-country Interphone study had determined them to be safe. How Gross is As I wrote in the letters section of our April/May issue, Urban Soil? the Interphone announcement was made before scientists Water Filters and had fully analyzed their data. Once that analysis had tak- Thank you for your June/ Junk Mail July feature on “Good Food en place, researchers noted that there were “suggestions Gone Local.” The urban of increased risk in brain cancer at the highest exposure Could you please advise on garden projects are inspiring, levels” in the study. Then, Dr. Elisabeth Cardis, who led how to recycle or properly dis- but I can’t shake a nagging the Interphone study, and Dr. Siegal Sadetski, who led the pose of used water filters (spe- question: Might city soils be Israeli portion of the study, published further comment on cifically, ClearTap ones made by contaminated with pollutants the results in January 2011, saying, “Even the smallest risk American Standard)? Also, do you have any information about that could pass into crops at the individual level could eventually result in a consider- 41pounds junk-mail service grown there? able number of tumors,” and urging people to use headsets. (41pounds.org)? It claims “to Katherine Rhoda As a result, WHO reversed its stance on cell phones in May. dramatically reduce your junk Monhegan, MI The agency now lists cell phone use as “possibly carcinogen- mail and unwanted catalogs for ic,” a category that includes lead, the dry-cleaning chemical You’re right to the next five years.” TRACY: perchloroethylene, and chloroform—all considered possible be concerned—due to Barry Fass-Holmes or likely carcinogens by several US government agencies. widespread use of lead San Diego, CA So, once more with feeling, please take the simple, pre- paint and leaded gasoline years ago, urban soil is often cautionary step of using a headset with your cell phone, TRACY: Unfortunately, used contaminated with lead and keep it away from your head and body, and take extra care water filters are not recyclable, other toxins. Unless they’ve with exposing children. Better safe than sick. unless they are made by Brita. tested their soil, city-dwellers —Tracy Fernandez Rysavy, editor-in-chief Whole Foods and Recycline m should assume that it is have a partnership with too nasty in which to grow Brita to recycle its filters, Safe Cosmetics Campaign, TRACY: Despite the name, but not those from other anything directly. removed toluene, formalde- tosylamide/formaldehyde An easy way to get around manufacturers (learn more at hyde, and dibutyl phthalate resin is not the same chemical PreserveProducts.org). You can this is to garden in raised from its nail polish. However, as formaldehyde. beds, and fill them with clean always send your filters back within the past month a friend The National Library of to the company with a letter soil/compost. Consult our gave me a bottle of the Opi Medicine considers tosylamide interview with PBS host Patti saying they should take them nail polish, and the fine print a possible skin irritant and a back and recycle them like Moreno on how to easily list of ingredients included suspected immunotoxicant, construct (or buy) and garden Brita does. “tosylamide/formaldehyde which means it may adversely 41 Pounds has a partnership in raised beds: GreenAmerica. resin.” I hope Green America affect the immune system. org/go/UrbanGardening. with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s will investigate this apparent Tosylamide gets a 4 on a Ocean Futures Society and a discrepancy between Opi’s toxicity scale from 1-10 in decent reputation. You should Formaldehyde in OPI? claims and its ingredients. the Environmental Working feel secure about trying it out. The April/May 2011 issue of Mara Schlackman Group’s CosmeticDatabase. If you want to go the Green American mentions that Ft. Lauderdale, FL org, with 10 being the worst. DIY route, you can use Opi, under pressure from the Regular formaldehyde, CatalogChoice.org to remove which is linked to cancer and yourself from catalog mailing neurotoxicity, gets a 10. lists for free, if catalogs make up the bulk of your junk mail. It Please send your letters to: Editors, Green America, 1612 K St. NW, Ste. 600, also has a $20/year “Unlisting Washington, DC 20006. Or e-mail [email protected]. Letters used Service” that reduces all junk in this column may be edited for length and clarity. mail, similar to 41 pounds.

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