Ten days ago, I was listening to Science Friday on Wyoming Public Radio and was struck by one caller's point of view. The context of the conversation was Step It Up 2007 and the choices folks can make to live a low-carbon life.

Here's what Brendan from Connecticut had to say:

I live in New York. I work in Connecticut. We have the option in both areas to change where our power comes from. ConEd and CL&P both have green options. My power is now coming from 65% new hydro, 35% wind.

So everything, you know, I'm doing in my house, I don't have to conserve electricity. It's all clean now. It's all green. Of course, I will conserve electricity.

Kudos to Brendan for investing in green power, but he's really missing the point–we all should commit to actually reducing our consumption of electricity…and invest in renewable energy.

Following on the recent Town/County resolution to reduce governmental use of electricity and fossil fuels by 10% by 2010, Jacksonites will be offered two opportunities to make their own pledge to reduce electricity consumption this week:

1. On Friday, Sustaining Jackson Hole will be hosting a workshop at Teton Science Schools' Jackson Campus (from 8 am-noon, $30) with Mayor Rocky Anderson of Salt Lake City. Titled Resource Use and Climate Change: Local Actions, Global Consequences, the workshop will explore ways we all can reduce energy use and trash generation by 10% by 2010.
2. At 11 am on Saturday, as part of Eco-Fair (10 am-5 pm, $3-5), County Commissioner Ben Ellis and I will host a workshop titled 10 Steps to 10 x 10: Practical ways to reduce your energy use 10% by 2010. Our workshop will also be held at Teton Science Schools' Jackson Campus.

Eco-Fair will also feature the debut of a new bright green bumpersticker with the slogan 10 x 10 Jackson Hole–choose to reduce.

I hope you'll join us at one of the workshops and by making the choice to reduce your energy use!

Carbon Neutral Journal's choices are brought to you by Jorgensen Associates.

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