New England Carbon Challenge Communities

Reaching 234 towns and cities in New Hampshire and into New England is only possible through the partnerships we've developed with communities...schools, towns, local energy committees, faith-based organizations, civic groups, and regional entities. As partners, we each have a vital part to play:

We develop the tools and resources to help households and communities reduce their residential energy consumption and the communities implement the Carbon Challenge.

It's a partnership that works. The table below lists several of the creative approaches communities are using to implement the Carbon Challenge; strategies that have been successful in encouraging residents to reduce their energy consumption. Are you using a different approach and don't see it listed? Tell us about it; we'd love to share your ideas with others.

WHAT WE DO: OUR TOOLS TO REDUCE HOME ENERGY CONSUMPTION

If you're eager to have your organization take action on climate change and reduce its environmental impact, we can help. We have tools and resources to estimate your current emissions, map out a plan to reduce these emissions, and chart your progress in achieving your goal(s). We can also link individual households in your organization to each other, to document your collective progress. And we also offer several incentives for taking the Challenge!

Want to learn more? For a nominal fee we can help your organization reduce your energy costs and environmental impacts through our web-based tools and Implementation Guides. Check out our pricing:

School, Municipal (or local energy committee), Faith-Based Organization and other Non-Profits Pricing Information
Our 10 Great Reasons Your Organization Should Take the Carbon Challenge highlights our resource and service offerings.

RESOURCES TO GETTING STARTED:

NH Carbon Challenge Overview
10 Strategies for Launching Your Challenge
Framework for a Community-Wide Challenge
Community Challenge Implementation Guide Provided With Yearly Fee

For Schools:

Guide to Having a School Challenge
School Challenge Implementation Guide Provided With Yearly Fee

For Municipalities:

Implementing a Municipal Employee Challenge

Should you have any questions e-mail Denise denise@nhcc.sr.unh.edu or by phone 603.862.3128.

HOW COMMUNITIES ARE IMPLEMENTING THE CARBON CHALLENGE

Below is a listing of some of the strategies communities are using to encourage their residents to "Take the Challenge". Many of these are "works in progress"; a few had well defined start and end dates that have now ended.

If you'd like to help your community reduce its energy costs and contribution to climate change, these strategies can help you get there:

Location	Description of Challenge
Barrington, NH	A simple e-mail appeal to residents to take the NH Carbon Challenge. Sample E-mail: Text of E-mail
Hampstead Public Library	Hosting a month-long Challenge at the Hampstead Public Library. Raffle prizes and other incentives are being offered. Our first library challenge! Website: Hampstead Carbon Challenge Media Coverage: Hampstead library accepts carbon challenge Atkinson challenges Hampstead to save energy and money Learn how to reduce carbon emissions
Mount Washington Valley Climate Challenge	The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this Challenge; the kick-off was held at the Business to Business Expo in May, 2008 with laptops available to sign-up Challenge takers. Website: http://www.mtwashingtonvalley.org Media Coverage: How Green is Mount Washington Valley? Carbon Challenge Issued in Mount Washington Valley
Rye Carbon Challenge	Implemented a month-long Challenge in which classrooms competed to have the most participants taking the Challenge. Outreach Events: Rye Carbon Challenge Media Coverage: Rye Kids Work to Save Energy; Environmental Learning in Our Schools
Sanbornton UCC Church	The Sanbornton (NH) UCC Church is taking the Challenge; e-mail updates keep congregation members informed of their progress.
Williamstown COOL Challenge	Maintained a weeklong presence at a CSA farm this summer and promoted the Challenge at a recent community event. See below for details. Placed a warrant article on the town ballot encouraging residents to take the Challenge and Selectmen have all taken the Challenge. Outreach Events: Going to Where the People Are Warrant Article: COOL Challenge Warrant Article Website: http://coolwilliamstown.org Media Coverage: Carbon Gets a COOL Reduction; COOL Committee

Are you using a different approach and don't see it listed? Tell us about it; we'd love to share your ideas and strategies with others.

THE STARTING POINT: TAKE THE CARBON CHALLENGE

If you're interested in using the Carbon Challenge to help residents in your community reduce their energy costs and environmental impact, the place to begin is by taking the Carbon Challenge personally (it only takes 15 to 20 minutes). It will give you a "soup to nuts" overview of our program and what to expect and will likely answer most of your questions. Having worked with communities in New Hampshire and Massachusetts that effectively used our program, we know that a Challenge requires the enthusiasm, dedication, and time of local residents in order to be successful. Taking the challenge personally is step one and the "leadership by example" that marks a successful outreach initiative.