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Clean Air-Cool Planet is the Northeast's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to finding and promoting solutions to global warming.
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New and Notable Yale announces ambitious GHG reduction target and plan Yale University has become the first campus in the Northeast to formally adopt a greenhouse gas reduction target consistent with the Regional Climate Change Action Plan, and an institutional roadmap for meeting such a target. On October 11, Yale University President Richard Levin wrote in a memo to all Yale students, faculty and staff, "Yale is committed to a level of investment in energy conservation and alternate energy sources that will lead, based on current projections, to a reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions by 10% below our 1990 levels by the year 2020... By adopting this goal Yale is one of the first universities in the country to commit to a fifteen-year strategic energy plan. We intend to reach our goal through a combination of a strong energy conservation program, investing in alternative energy sources, purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates, and implementing on-site renewable and clean energy demonstration projects." President Levin said this commitment was effective immediately and gave additional details of the plan, including energy conservation targets of 15% over three years for residential colleges and 10% reduction of enery consumption at all other facilities. Yale's effort involves student, staff and faculty-led contributions and is consistent with not only the regional but the Connecticut state climate action plan. CA-CP salutes Yale and looks forward to supporting them in this work! For more on the announcement, see www.yale.edu/sustainability/index.html. For more on campus climate leadership in the region, visit our online Campus Climate Action Toolkit.
UNH program teams with local merchants on energy efficient dorms The University of New Hampshire's Office of Sustainability introduced a new approach to campus GHG reduction and climate change education by teaming up with a local Houghton Hardware and Best Buy to offer discounts (and move-in day delivery) of Energy Star products for student dorm rooms and apartments. Returning students received letters late this sumer notifying them of the program and giving them the option to order items like dorm fridges and other appliances early, so they would be available upon a student's return to campus. The program didn't end with the first week of school however; these discounts continue to be available to students all year 'round - and UNH hopes to increase its outreach around the program at the beginning of each semester. For more, check out www.sustainableunh.unh.edu/climate_ed/wildcap/index.html.
Study identifies more severe weather effects from global warming
You can get more on this study at www.physorg.com/news7158.html. Also, check out CA-CP's recent Indicators of Climate Change in the Northeast 2005 report documenting additional changes already occuring in the region as a result of global warming.
The City of Stamford, the Business Council of Fairfield County, and Clean Air-Cool Planet hosted a morning discussion Friday, October 14, on how to save money and improve energy and environmental performance for commercial and residential buildings. This event featured an exciting agenda: Welcoming remarks from Stamford Mayor Dannel P. Malloy Attending were developers, property owners, architects, planners, building managers, municipal leaders and investors in the tri-state area. Stay tuned to learn more about outcomes of this exciting, high-powered event! To learn more about how CA-CP can help organize trainings and events in your community, go to our Comunities website.
New York City opts for hybrid buses and green construction According to the New York Times,"The City Council passed legislation [September 15] that would require any major building construction or renovation paid for with city capital funds to adhere to "green standards," which include using renewable energy sources and conserving materials. Council leaders said the law would affect $12 billion in planned construction projects, including $5 billion for new schools." The Big Apple also announced plans, this week, to purchase 500 hybrid buses for the city fleet - on top of the 325 the City had already ordered. What's next for this CA-CP partner community? The City Council is considering legislation to limit power plant pollution and to support energy efficiency and renewables. One specific example, Intro. 661, would require New York City government to reduce its global warming pollution, creating an inventory of said pollution for the entire city and establishing incentive programs for non-governmental entities to reduce emissions with a city-wide goal of 7% below 1990 levels. While the private sector’s programs are voluntary, the bill ultimately commits the City to a 30% reduction from a 1994 baseline by 2020. For more on NYC’s emerging climate policies and actions, please visit www.climaterescue.org.
Clinton Global Initiative event offset through NativeEnergy
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Just days before floods inundated Keene, New Hampshire, researchers at Keene-based Antioch New England Graduate School presented findings to the
local Cities for Climate Protection Steering Committee,
indicating that climate change will lead to more severe weather events likely to overwhelm munipal sewage and drain systems capacity. Aside from its prescient timing, the study is noteworthy in that it demonstrates specific local effects of climate change and points to equally specific possible adaptation measures. 
One focus of the Clinton Global Intiative is climate change - so in organizing the Initiative's conference in NYC this fall, carbon neutrality was a priority. The Initiative chose to purchase renewable wind energy credits from NativeEnergy, retired through CA-CP.
Get more on this carbon neutral meeting from the 