GreenSpot Climate Pledge

CAP 1.1 Empower a Community of Climate Leaders

There is a climate leader in all of us. Taking small or large steps; talking with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors; you have the power to help turn the tide on climate change. Outreach on this issue is best told from one neighbor or business owner to another. This effort is an expansion of the successful Columbus GreenSpot program. The goals include 200 training events by 2030; 1,000 new community partner (businesses, nonprofits, etc.) signatories, and 5,000 residential GreenSpot climate pledges. Can we count on you?

What does taking the GreenSpot Climate Pledge mean?

The GreenSpot Climate Pledge is a way to show your commitment to making Columbus a better place to live. By taking the pledge you are acknowledging to live more sustainably without giving up comfort. (Psst-you may already be doing some of the pledges!) Simply review them below and sign up! We will track our progress on this page. After you take the pledge a Columbus Climate Coach will reach out to you to build your own resilience kit to help achieve the pledge goals. 

Resident Pledge Here!

GreenSpot Climate Pledges

  • Energy
  • Change lights to LEDs*
  • Use cold water in laundry cycle
  • Turn thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter*

Water

  • Water yard once a week or less*
  • Use WaterSense labeled shower heads and/or keep showers to 5 minutes or less
  • Turn off water when you brush your teeth*
  • Plant a native tree or help with a tree giveaway*

Reduce Reuse Recycle

  • Pay bills online or over the phone
  • Compost food scraps*
  • Recycle Right*

Travel Green

  • Shop closer to home and plan your route.
  • Carpool, walk, bike, or take the bus at least two miles per week.

 

Click here to view form.

Resiliency Kit

Resources for the pledge

Interested in how to achieve your pledges but don't know where to start? Check out the resources and ideas below!

Conserve Energy

  • Change lights to LED.
  • Use cold water in the laundry cycle. 
  • Turn your thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter. In the summer use a ceiling of floor fan, turn it on in the summer time to cool down. That way you aren't having to cool the whole house. When you aren't home turn up the thermostat by 7 degrees. In the winter, keep the thermostat at 68 degrees (or cooler) while you are home.

Conserve and Protect Water

  • Water yard once a week or less. 
  • Use WaterSense labeled shower heads and/or keep showers to 5 minutes or less. (WaterSense)
  • Turn off water when you brush your teeth. This can save you a gallon or more of water a day. (take hand and turn the faucet handle off)
  • Plant a native tree or help with a tree giveaway. (www.GreenSpotBackyards.org) or (www.GreenCbus.org)
Reduce Waste
Travel Green

Climate Literature

Take a deeper dive into climate science. Check out these books and websites.

  • The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History.  Elizabeth Kolbert. *A look at Earth’s previous five mass extinctions and the issues associated with our contemporary loss of biodiversity.
  • Our Final Warning: Six Degrees of Climate Emergency.  Mark Lynas. Fourth Estate Publishing, London, UK, 2021
  • Introduction to Modern Climate Change, 3rd Edition. Andrew Dessler. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 2021.
  • The Discovery of Global Warming, 2nd Edition. Spencer Weart. *A great easy-reading book that depicts the detective-story of the modern historical recognition of climate change.
  • The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet. Michael Mann. Scribe Publications, London, UK, 2021.
  • Climate Change and the Course of Global History. John L. Brooke. Cambridge University Press, 2014 (Please note the second revised edition is in process)

Helpful websites:

Climate Change Impacts on Columbus

Columbus' winter is expected to be like Virginia and North Carolina by 2095 and our summers more like Arkansas. 

“The Bill is Coming Due: Calculating the Financial Cost of Climate Change to Ohio’s Local Governments” is a groundbreaking report that analyzes the impacts of climate change on local municipal budgets in Ohio. Authored by the OEC, Power A Clean Future Ohio (PCFO), and Scioto Analysis, this report is a tool for local governments to drive climate action in their communities.

 

 

Neighbor testimonials

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Peak at Progress

Interested in becoming a Columbus Climate Leader?

Columbus Climate Leaders are individuals with a strong passion for sustainability. They can be a CEO, worker, and/or resident. It is a two year commitment. To be considered a Columbus Climate Leader, follow these steps:

First step:

  • Watch these two short National Geographic videos on climate change and answer the multiple choice quiz here. Video one: Climate Change 101. Video two: Causes and Effects of Climate Change  
  • Sign the GreenSpot Climate Pledge (above).
  • Sign up to be a GreenSpot Household member (above).
  • Click the “Interest in Climate Leaders” (above)

Second step:

  • You will be contacted by a climate coach within a week's time. They will give you information/support on holding a training event and presentation.
  • Hold at least two of the 200 training events on a topic related to the Climate Action Plan/GreenSpot.
  • Present the Empowering a Community of Climate Leaders presentation at least four times to existing groups. [This would need to be created along with standalone talking points]
  • Recruit at least ten residents to take the GreenSpot Climate Pledge. Share these names with the climate coach.
  • Share feedback to the city from what they are hearing from folks on the street.
  • Volunteer at least twelve times a year at a community garden, a litter clean up, tree giveaway/planting, or other conservation project.
  • Attend at least 6 “Climate Leaders” roundtables which meet monthly (virtually or in person). 

Benefits of being a Climate Leader:

  • Making a difference by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Contributing to a carbon neutral city.
  • Reducing the likelihood of future heat waves, power outages, and polar vortices.
  • Recognized by the city at the GreenSpotLight event.
  • Name on the Empower a Community of Climate Leaders website.
  • Certificate of Recognition by Sustainable Columbus and/or Council?

 

Climate Coaches

Climate Coaches are paid staff that are responsible for the following:

  • Supporting individuals with reaching climate pledge goals through one-on-one meetings and in group meetings.
  • Promoting rebates and other funding opportunities to household pledgees to make a home more sustainable.
  • Foster a community where people can learn from each other not just expert learning. So that people can support each other. This could take the form of a social media group page, regular meetings with neighbors, etc.
  • Help install water saver kits, CFL bulbs, and other items on the resiliency kit list.
  • Lead monthly virtual meetings on how to achieve a pledge/networking/ask questions.
  • Notice connections in neighborhoods-if several folks from one neighborhood join let them know about GreenSpot Neighborhood program.
  • Be a connector with the pledgee and city resources/programs.
  • Share successes with the city to highlight.
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