Doing good for the environment comes in many forms.
On a large scale, it is government and industry working together to address climate change, which according to an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report released earlier this month, “will involve a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use, widespread electrification, improved energy efficiency, and use of alternative fuels (such as hydrogen).”
On an intermediate scale, it’s community power plans like the ones being proposed in Wilton and Peterborough that could provide the ability to receive more energy from renewable sources, which in Peterborough’s case, dovetails nicely with the efforts of the Peterborough Renewable Energy Planning (PREP) team. This group is charged with developing a plan for 100% renewable sources of electricity by 2030 and other energy consumption, such as heating and transportation, by 2050.
On an individual scale, it’s buying an electric car – which is a lot more feasible with charging stations available like the ones Peterborough recently installed in its Riverwalk parking lot and the financial incentives that are available such as a federal tax credit for certain models – installing solar panels or making other environmentally friendly changes to one’s home.
It’s also composting, recycling and participating in activities like the Earth Day town cleanups going on this week in most of our towns. In some cases, cleanup efforts are a single event where everyone gathers in a particular spot before spreading out to pick up trash for a couple hours. In others, it’s a multiple-day affair where people can pick up their bags and clean at their convenience.
Keeping roads, parks and public areas clean is good for the environment. These efforts make our towns more pleasant and beautiful places.
Even better, they don’t require huge policy changes or substantial cash outlays. Other than maybe the expense of work gloves and rakes, the primary cost is the time it takes to go out and pick up the trash. And almost anyone can take part.
So if you have a few hours free to help clean up, we encourage you to do so. It will make your town a better place.