Cool Winchester Program FAQ

This document covers the following question areas:

• Cool Mass Program
• Cool Winchester Program
• Low Carbon Diet Workbook
• Carbon Calculator (Excel)
• Low Carbon Diet Excel Action Plan

Cool Mass Program

1. What is the Cool Mass Program and where can we read more about it?
   "Cool Mass is a ground-breaking new program that brings the strength and determination of Massachusetts residents to become part of the climate change solution. The Cool Mass Campaign goal is to empower 25% of the households in the state to reduce their carbon footprint 25% by 2012. This will be accomplished by supporting local organizations through three-year campaigns to help between 25% and 85% of the households in their community reduce their carbon-footprints by an average of 25%. Its intention is that the program and the participating Cool Communities (such as Winchester) serve as prototypes for bold and timely carbon reduction action for states and communities across America." To read more you can go to MCAN's Cool Mass website.
    
2. Besides Winchester, who are the other Cool Communities in the first wave of the program?
   1. Boston
   2. Braintree
   3. Brookline
   4. Cohasset
   5. Dedham
   6. Hull
   7. Milton
   8. Newton
   9. Winchester
       

Cool Winchester Program

1. Who can be a Cool Winchester Partner Organization?
   Any Winchester civic group, business, faith-based community, neighborhood association, condo association, school, or government agency .
    
2. What are the benefits to being a partner organization?
   • The program will help your members save money.
   • It will help your members’ families stay healthy.
   • It will bring your members together to participate in a fun, team building activity.
   • You’ll be helping to leave a healthier planet for future generations.
   • The program will showcase your organization and Winchester as a leader in reducing our town’s carbon footprint .
      
3. Are there any costs associated with being a partner organization?
   The only potential cost would be if your organization would like to purchase the Low Carbon Diet books for its members. And of course if any partner organization chooses to apply the knowledge about carbon reductions to its own physical space, it may incur some up-front costs to implement its own savings’ measures.
    
4. How will Sustainable Winchester supply the books to partner organizations?
   We have arranged with Book Ends (Winchester’s community bookstore since 1984) in Winchester Center to sell them at a special discount as this is a town wide program. We also have some copies available at the library, though people may prefer to buy their own copies so they can write in them, as intended.
    
5. How much do the Low Carbon Diet books cost and where do we purchase them from?
   Book Ends in Winchester Center is selling them at $10.36, a 20% discount. For store hours or directions please go to www.bookendswinchester.com or call 781-721-5933. They are also available on the web from the Empowerment Institute for $12.95 plus shipping, but we encourage you to support our local book store and save money too.
    
6. How was it determined 34 organizations are needed to form 25 Eco Teams over the next three years to reach 85% of the population?
   • As of 2007, there were 7,905 households in Winchester.
   • With an average of eight households per Eco team this would equal 988 Eco Teams. However the maximum participation rate would probably be 85%, which equals 839 Eco Teams.
   • To reach the goal of 839 Eco Teams, we need 34 partner organizations to each commit to forming 25 Eco Teams over the three years.
      
7. Do the Selectmen support Cool Winchester?
   Yes.
    
8. Can friends from other towns participate in Cool Winchester?
   Persons from other Towns are encouraged to attend our meetings and observe what we do in Winchester as a foundation for implementing like programs in their own Towns. They may also join a Winchester Eco Team if they wish. However, their carbon footprint reduction will not be counted in the total carbon footprint reduction for Winchester.
    
9. How will we know how much the Eco Teams are cooling off Winchester?
   There will be a website available later this year where each Eco Team can report their carbon footprint reductions. In the meantime, eco teams can use a standard excel file to track their results. The book explains how to measure your footprint before and after so everyone is reporting on the same metrics.
    
10. How long does an Eco Team meet?
    Each team meets four times over a month. Each meeting will be 1.5-2 hrs long.
     
11. Where does an Eco Team meet?
    Eco teams usually meet in a team member's home however they could meet at the library, a business place, a school, or wherever else is convenient for the team.
     
12. Who runs each team?
    A team leader from your organization .
     
13. What is the time commitment of a team leader?
    Estimated to be 3-5 hours / week .
     
14. How much does a household usually save in the program?
    According to Empowerment Institute, each household on average for the year achieves:
    • Financial savings in the hundreds of dollars.
    • 35 to 51% reduction in waste-stream garbage.
    • 25 to 34% reduction in water use.
    • Nine to 17% reduction in energy usage.
    • 16 to 20% reduction in transportation fuel use.
       
15. When will the program start?
    Eco teams are forming now! You can sign up here.
     
16. Will there be training on how to run an Eco Team?
    Yes, Sustainable Winchester will provide this. Prospective team leaders can be trained by ...
    • Going to the Eco Team Leader page in this website
       
17. Has anyone in Sustainable Winchester used the Low Carbon Diet program?
    Our first eco team has successfully completed the program with most participants achieving a 25% or more reduction in their carbon footprint! One household even achieved a 60% reduction! And we’re continuing to form eco teams within the organization to meet our goal of forming 25 eco teams over the next three years.
     
18. Our organization isn’t comfortable committing to forming 25 Eco Teams over the next three years. Can we still participate and commit to forming a smaller number?
    Yes, absolutely.
     
19. We would like to join as a partner organization, what are the next steps?
    1. Determine how may eco teams your organization can form by going to the Partner Organizations page.
    2. Download and complete the Organization Commitment Letter and return it to Cool Winchester (coolwinchester@gmail.com)
    3. Identify an Eco Team Coordinator for your organization.
       • Responsibilities are listed on the Partner Organizations page on the Cool Winchester website.
    4. Develop a strategy for how your organization is going to form the committed number of eco teams over the next three years.
    5. Recruit Eco Team Leaders from the organization.
    6. Ask the Eco Team Leaders to complete the Eco Team Leader Training.
       • See the Eco Team Leaders page.
    7. Execute the strategy
        
20. What if we have members in our organization who have already participated on an eco team or have already taken the actions in the Low Carbon Diet workbook?
    Please see if they would be willing to become eco team leaders for your organization.
     
21. Our organization is a school, is there anything similar to the Low Carbon Diet workbook for young children?
    There is a book called Journey for the Planet for elementary school students and a Coach’s Guide to accompany it.
     
22. How much do the Journey for the Planet books cost and where do we purchase them?
    Book Ends in Winchester Center is selling them at $10.36, a 20% discount. For store hours or directions please go to www.bookendswinchester.com or call 781-721-5933. They are also available on the web from the Empowerment Institute for $12.95 plus shipping, but we encourage you to support our local book store and save money too. The Coach's Guide that accompanies it can be purchased on the web from the Empowerment Institute for $29.95 plus shipping if Book Ends is unable to order it.
     
23. I’m a resident who is interested in participating on an eco team, how do I sign up for one?
    Click on “Eco Team Signup Form” on the Cool Winchester website under Quick Links and submit the form .
     
24. I’m a resident who is interested in becoming an eco team leader, what do I do next?
    Click on “Eco Team Signup Form” on the Cool Winchester website under Quick Links and submit the form. Be sure to select “Participant and Group Leader” under Participant Type. Then take the “Team Leader Training” on the Eco Team Leaders page.
     
25. Who do we contact if we have additional questions?
    Cool Winchester at (coolwinchester@gmail.com).
     

Low Carbon Diet Workbook

1. Why are we being asked to achieve a 25% reduction in our carbon footprint when the book only states a reduction goal of 5,000 lbs?
   • The other 10 Cool Communities in the Cool Mass Pilot are using this reduction target and we wanted to keep it consistent across Cool Mass .
   • It's easier for people to understand the kind of impact Cool Winchester will have if we use a % reduction vs. a number in pounds C02 .
     • Many people would be left wondering if 5,000 lbs is big, small, etc..
   • It's a more aggressive target given new research tells us we must move faster to reduce our carbon emissions than previously thought so now is the time to be bold when setting goals .
   • Most Winchester households will easily achieve a 25% reduction based on results from our pilot eco teams.
      
2. Does the 25% carbon reduction target apply to both our Winchester residence and our vacation home?
   The 25% carbon reduction target applies to your Winchester residence however we encourage you to try to achieve a similar reduction at your vacation home.
    
3. If we’re able to get a carbon reduction for eating more vegetarian meals, why is the amount of red meat a household is consuming missing from the carbon calculator?
   David Gershon said it’s a bit difficult to translate this to the carbon calculator format. The carbon calculator is intended to cover the majority of your footprint but certainly not all of it since it doesn’t take into account the amount of red meat your household is consuming or the embedded carbon in your purchases.
    
4. If we’re able to get a carbon reduction for taking shorter showers, why is this missing from the carbon calculator?
   It’s accounted for in the amount of oil, gas, electricity, or propane your household uses to heat your hot water. If your household takes shorter showers, you’ll use less oil, gas, electricity or propane.
    
5. Who do we contact to borrow a kill-a-watt device to determine the energy hogs in our home?
   Please contact us at coolwinchester@gmail.com. Since we have a limited quantity, each eco team can borrow and share no more than three of these devices.
    
6. Why does it say "Do not install insulating blankets on gas water heaters!" on pg 25?
   Primarily because so many portions of the exterior need to be kept clear for your safety (local fire or building codes may prohibit or recommend against it) and for the proper functioning of the unit. You can consult your gas utility or the person who services your tank whether it's feasible and worthwhile.
    
7. According to the carbon calculator, each 100 kWh of fossil-fuel made electricity generates 140 pounds of CO₂. However pgs 33 and 53 say to credit yourself 200 pounds of CO₂ for each 100 kWh of green power you purchase. Why does the credit differ from the carbon calculator?
   It's a typo on pgs 33 and 53; the correct CO₂ credit for purchasing green power is 140 pounds of CO₂ per 100 kWh of green power purchased.
    
8. Why does the first bullet on pg 64 direct us to the Cool School Program?
   It’s a typo; it means to refer you to page 52 instead of pg 48 .
    
9. Why does the second bullet on pg 67 direct us to the Cool School Program?
   It’s a typo; it means to refer you to page 53 instead of pg 49 .
    
10. Why does the second bullet in section 5 of pg 70 direct us to the Section 4 page?
    It’s a typo; it means to refer you to page 54 instead of pg 50.
     
11. Is it okay to make copies of the action plan (pgs 51-54)?
    Yes, we have approval from author David Gershon.
     
12. Who do I contact if I have additional questions on the workbook?
    Please contact your eco team leader with any additional questions.
     

Carbon Calculator (Excel)

1. What if our household is already on green electricity; what do we enter into question 2 of the carbon calculator?
   If your household is already purchasing 100% renewable electricity then enter 0 for kWh used. If your household is purchasing 50% renewable electricity, then enter the other 50% into the calculator.
    
2. If our family took a flight together and we’ve figured out the air miles for that route, do we then multiply the air miles by the number of people in our family to determine our total air miles for that trip?
   Yes
    
3. Do we include business travel when determining our household’s annual air miles traveled?
   No.
    
4. What if our household has already purchased carbon offsets for our air travel; what do we enter into question 7 of the carbon calculator?
   If your household is already offsetting 100% of each family member’s air travel then enter 0 for number of air miles traveled. If your household has offset a percentage of the family’s air travel, then enter the remaining percentage into the calculator (for e.g. 50% of family’s air miles have been offset; remaining 50% would be then be entered into the calculator).
    
5. We have a vacation home, do we include our utilities bills from that house as well in the carbon calculator?
   No. We recommend calculating your carbon footprint for the vacation home separately from your Winchester residence so we can keep the Winchester metrics separate from the city where your vacation home is located.
    
6. Who do I contact if I have additional questions on the carbon calculator?
   Please contact your eco team leader with any additional questions.
    

Low Carbon Diet Excel Action Plan

1. Why does the Excel file state the credit for Action 16 is 140 pounds of CO2 for each 100 kWh of green power you purchase when the book states it's 200 pounds of CO2 for each 100 kWh of green power you purchase?
   It's a typo on pgs 33 and 53 of the book; the correct CO2 credit for purchasing green power is 140 pounds of CO2 per 100 kWh of green power purchased.
    
2. How do we fill out the Excel file if we have carbon reductions for our Winchester residence as well as a vacation home?
   If you wish to work on carbon reductions for your vacation home as well, you should use a separate Action Plan file for it and you may turn it in to Cool Winchester also, though it will not count in the Winchester results.
    
3. Who do I contact if I have additional questions on the Excel file?
   Please contact your eco team leader with any additional questions.