What’s your green new year resolution?

The new year is a time for making resolutions. And what better resolution than to commit to doing our part in lowering our own impacts on our planet and protect it for future generations?

Cool Davis asked community leaders to tell us about their personal plans to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in 2014. Add your climate resolution to the comments below!

Mayor Joe Krovoza

“The Krovoza’s are ready to go with our 2014 energy resolutions.  First we plan to use the  Clean Energy Yolo program by Ygrene to help finance replacing our 2001 solar panels with at least 5KW of new panels; and to conduct a major attic insulation upgrade and add attic fans.   Our original solar panels paid for themselves in 7 years, but their production has declined and the price of new panels has come down so now is a good time to upgrade.

“We are also striving for 2/3 of our vehicle miles traveled to be EV miles on our Nissan Leaf.  We love our Leaf and use it for all travel in Davis, and all regional miles to the airport and Sacramento.  Two-thirds of our vehicle miles by EV will be a challenge, but hopefully doable using the Capitol Corridor train service for some Bay Area trips, and, of course, bikes around town.”

Mark Allen, Rector, the Episcopal Church of St. Martin

“As a leader of the faith community of the Episcopal Church of St. Martin, a community serious about our responsibility for the creation we have been given stewardship of; I resolve to continue to encourage by word and example the variety of ways we can make a difference in our impact on the planet. We will continue our efforts to recycle, compost, decrease our energy use, and encourage alternative forms of transportation, as individuals, and a community.

“We will educate whenever possible, continue to search for creative pathways to decrease our carbon footprint, pray for the enlightenment of those in positions of authority making decisions that impact our planet and support the passion of community leaders committed to this endeavor.”

Sarah Worley, Economic Development Coordinator, City of Davis

“My New Year’s “Green” resolutions will be to ride my bike more, continue replacing home appliances/equipment and lighting systems with energy conserving models, and look into installing a new solar system hopefully using the new Ygrene program.”

Clara Ines Perez Pineda, Cool Davis volunteer

“We have an ever growing demand for natural resources yet are blind to the enormous abundance of things that can be reused, rented, lent, swapped, or gifted, extending their life cycle.

“So in 2014, I want to commit myself to support the sharing economy in Davis rather than buying new stuff. That will save me time and money to support good causes, local businesses and be active in the community!”

Allen Doyle, Sustainability Manager, UC Davis

“I am going to focus on reducing my emissions caused by flying by no longer traveling by air for brief meetings or engagements, even if travel costs are offered. When I do fly, I will seek to maximise my time through extended workshops, additional meetings and personal contacts.

“I will make compact instructions called “AC-Free to 93” to print and apply to box window fans. They will explain how to “flush your house” during Davis’ cool nights and avoiding air conditioning until the outside temperature peaks at 93 degrees F.  It will be available at the Cool Davis Festival and offered to local retailers.  The instructions also apply to whole house fans.”

Milton Kalish, Counsellor/Therapist and member of Yolano Climate Action

“This year I hope to make citizens of Davis aware of the dangers of explosive crude oil being shipped by rail in dilapidated tank cars through Davis, shipments that will vastly increase in number and volume if we do not take action in the next few months.  Last year 47 people were killed when a crude oil train exploded in Quebec, and there have been monthly derailments and many explosions since then.  http://yolanoclimateaction.wordpress.com”

Emili Abdel-Ghany, External Relations Coordinator, Campus Center for the Environment, UC Davis

The UC currently invests millions of dollars of its endowment in the Fossil Fuel Industry, including TransCanada. This, along with far too many other practices, is an egregious environmental and human rights violation.  I will work with the UC Davis campus and the Davis community to raise awareness about Fossil Fuel Divestment, bring the power back to the people and strive towards a more just and sustainable future for the UC.

Pastor Dan Smith at Lutheran Church of the Incarnation

“I’m planning to ride my bike more.  But that alone won’t make much of a difference.  Our congregation is becoming a GreenFaith congregation, going through a two-year process of lowering its carbon footprint corporately.  I have much more hope in that.

City Council Member Brett Lee

“My home has photovoltaic solar panels to reduce my electricity usage; I am now looking into a solar thermal system to provide for my hot water needs.

“Currently the largest contributor to my carbon footprint is automobile commuting. My biggest goal for 2014 is to switch jobs within my company to something that allows for telecommuting 1-2 days per week or to find a new job altogether here in Davis.”