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Climate change heroes:

    City of Stamford

    Stamford has committed to using 20% clean energy by 2010 and to reducing its greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 20% by 2018. The city is a member of Cities for Climate Protection and signed on to the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Since 1998, the city has reduced energy use by over 11million kilowatt-hours annually through energy efficiency projects in city buildings, saving almost $1.3 million a year.

     

Climate Heroes and Awards

The nomination period for the 2011 CT Climate Change Leadership Awards Program is CLOSED.  Nominations will be reviewed in early March.  The 2011 awards ceremony will be held in April or May.  

View recent CT Climate Heroes

Aetna Inc.

Aetna is committed to limiting its environmental impact by reducing its energy consumption and the use of other resources, and to identifying emerging environmental issues that the company can help address in recognition of the positive impact a clean environment can have on the health of its members. Aetna has cut corporate vehicle mileage, built a new LEED-Silver-certified Customer Center, reduced overall energy use, increased recycling, and is installing 1,000 solar panels.

Zane’s Cycles

Environmental stewardship has been a priority since 1981 when Zane’s Cycles first opened its doors. In 2008, Zane’s Cycles designed and built a new 15,000 square-foot bicycle shop with as many climate friendly components as possible. Environmental impacts were considered in all decisions, including the quality and integrity of the building envelop, dual flush toilets, the type and quality of the trees used in the landscaping. Solar thermal, solar PV, a windmill, produce 60% of the shops energy needs.

Roger Smith

Work statewide. Roger Smith, as coordinator of the CT Climate Coalition and campaign director of CT Clean Water Action, has devoted the past six years to mobilizing citizens, students, and other organizations to support clean energy, energy efficiency and strong public policy to address climate change in Connecticut. At the local level, he has also coordinated the creation of West Hartford’s comprehensive model municipal energy plan.

Interreligious Eco-Justice Network

IREJN, Connecticut’s Interfaith Power and Light affiliate, is a statewide network of nearly 550 congregations promoting environmental stewardship and advocacy among people of diverse faiths. In addition to their advocacy for climate protection and clean energy, IREJN stewardship classes’ have resulted in 56 congregations making up to 50% reductions in energy use. IREJN also organizes energy audits at congregant’s homes and businesses.

Heidi Golden

West Hartford. Heidi Golden is a citizen volunteer and ecologist who, in part, studies climate related issues in the Arctic. Heidi spearheaded efforts in West Hartford to bring the public schools together in an energy conservation competition. The competition resulted in cumulative reductions in one month of 185,000 kilowatt hours and total savings of $31,000 for participating schools.

Connecticut College

New London. Connecticut College has created comprehensive program that is reducing and offsetting the college’s carbon footprint, including: Purchase of 100% renewable energy offsets, installation of solar PV, development of a comprehensive sustainability baseline, following LEED guidelines for all renovations, student-led efforts that have reduced dorm energy use by 12%, and much more…

Amity High School Global Warming Club

These high school students won a CTCC Leadership award for their efforts to address climate change in their towns, including: signing up over 500 households and businesses for CTCleanEnergyOptions, earning their towns 21 kW of solar PV; getting their selectmen to purchase clean energy; writing to legislators; and organizing a competition at the high school to lower household electricity bills.

Cornwall Energy Task Force

Cornwall. Thanks to the efforts of the town’s Energy Task Force, the Town of Cornwall has the highest proportion of clean energy use of any town in CT and one of the highest on the east coast—with 33% of households, and over 6% of all users (including residential, commercial, and municipal buildings), signed up for the CTCleanEnergyOptions program.