Kehillat Israel Moves Toward Becoming Carbon-Free Synagogue

As seen in The Palisadian Post's September 11, 2008 edition by Libby Motika, Senior Editor, Kehillat Israel has taken the lead among religious institutions in moving toward becoming a carbon-neutral synagogue. The action means that the synagogue will offset all climate-changing emissions through carbonfund.org, one of the nation's leading carbon offset organizations.
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Major Religious Organizations Partner To Repair the Hole in the Moral Ozone

Remember when going to church or temple was enough to instill positive values in kids? Well, not any more. Religious educators have come to realize that the social forces promoting dishonesty and undermining traditional religious values are getting so strong that historic methods of teaching virtue simply aren`t effective enough.

Click here to read the complete article.

Making the Oil Last: Sustainable Energy Solutions

On December 8, 2011, we gathered in the Sanctuary to consider how the story of the Hanukah miracle - one night’s oil lasting eight nights – applies to modern times: the imperative to make our natural resources last.

Click here for more information on the program and a list of things you can do to help conserve energy.

Green Tips: 76 Little Things to Help Fight Global Warming

Do as much as you can. You don't have to do everything listed to help!

1. Plan car trips efficiently and combine errands.
2. Turn off lights when you leave the room, and appoint a person to be the "light monitor" at home, school and work. Use natural light instead of electric light whenever possible.
3. Decline a bag when buying only an item or two.
4. Plant trees -- as many as you can. Donate trees at http://www.americanforests.org/planttrees/ And to celebrate an occasion, give trees at http://www.arborday.org/join/TICTIM/index.cfm?trackingid=306
5. Print on both sides of the paper and reuse printed paper for scraps and notes.
6. Use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper.
7. Use electronic checking instead of paper checks.
8. If you have a choice, take the car that gets better gas mileage for all trips.
9. Use the Internet to shop, to reduce global warming both by using less gasoline and by making a contribution with your purchases. Go to: http://www.ourenergy-shopping.com/ and a percentage of all your online purchases from more than 700 participating retailers (including Walmart.com and The Gap), will be contributed for green energy credits automatically every time you shop.
10. Read newspapers and magazines online.
11. Insulate your hot water heater and hot water pipes, and turn down the heat on your hot water heater.
12. Set your furnace 3-4 degrees lower and your air conditioner 3-4 degrees higher.
13. Run full loads for your washer, dryer and dishwasher.
14. Replace light bulbs with energy efficient CFL bulbs (compact florescent), and ask businesses that you frequent to change to energy efficient bulbs.
15. Buy paper products made from recycled paper.
16. Charge your cell phone in the car. Unplug home chargers when not in use.
17. Activate the energy saving feature on all computers and printers.
18. Share a ride (car pool) to work, shop or go out.
19. Work from home; allow employees to work from home once or twice a month.
20. Return empty printer cartridges to the manufacturer or store -- Staples, Office Depot, etc.
21. Don't buy disposable products.
22. Fix or mend instead of replacing. Reuse as many things as possible -- recycle everything you can! Insist that recycling is offered at your place of work and home if you rent.
23. Get removed from unwanted mailing lists at www.greendimes.com
24. Buy carbon offsets at http://www.carbonfund.org
25. Use a coffee pot instead of individually wrapped packets for groups.
26. Use a glass or reusable cups instead of plastic, paper or Styrofoam cups.
27. Send an E-Card instead of a paper one.
28. Buy bulk instead of individually wrapped products.
29. Buy previously owned books, DVDs, videos etc., and rent a movie instead of buying it.
30. Give away useful products instead of throwing them out.
31. Make your next car at least 35% more fuel efficient than your current one.
32. Take brief showers.
33. Use light dimmers if you have them.
34. Use reusable plastic containers instead of zipper-top plastic bags.
35. Use a lunch box instead of a paper bag.
36. Use a thermos or cup instead of buying throw-away juices or small plastic bottles.
37. Walk a few flights of stairs instead of taking an elevator. Walk short distances instead of driving.
38. Shut doors and air vents in unoccupied rooms.
39. Drive 5-10 miles per hour slower.
40. Roll to red lights vs. using the gas and braking (it will save your brakes as well), and at any opportunity, use cruise control when driving.
41. Save a piece of the rainforest at http://www.arborday.org/shopping/donations/orderrfr.cfm or http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/
42. Install a water filter instead of buying bottled water.
43. Wash clothing in warm instead of hot, and cold instead of warm water.
44. Buy organically grown food and drink coffee made with organically grown beans.
45. Shop at farmers markets and buy food grown locally.
46. Buy reconditioned computers, printers, etc. and recycle your discarded electronics.
47. Recycle everything you can. Learn where to recycle almost anything at: www.earth911.org
48. Keep your car tires properly inflated for best gas mileage.
49. Share this list with everyone you know, by E-mail of course. http://www.beatglobalwarming.info/globalwarming76things.asp
50. Buy music online and download it instead of buying the actual disc.
51. Replace old bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, it saves energy and money.
52. Keep the lint pipe of your dryer clean.
53. If you need an appliance, buy an "Energy Star" appliance since they are the most efficient.
54. Take digital photos and only print the desired pictures.
55. Send electronic bills instead of paper bills by mail.
56. Buy green electricity. Find out where at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/locator/index.htm
57. Cut and paste an electronic file instead of printing a paper file.
58. See or read "An Inconvenient Truth;" learn all you can about the climate crisis.
59. Print only the parts of documents you need, not the entire document.
60. Turn off heating and air conditioning units when you're not home; better yet, use a programmable thermostat to do this for you.
61. Bring your own reusable or recycled bags to the supermarket.
62. Remove a few light bulbs from lights fixtures or banks of lights.
63. Volunteer to head an effort to"go green" at your work, school, place of worship or any organization you belong to.
64. Pray for others to follow your lead. ("When you pray, move your feet" -- African proverb)
65. Send a Native Energy greeting card ($12) as a donation toward clean energy. http://www.nativeenergy.com/cards.html
66. Make sure the gas filter and air filter on your car are clean and keep your car tuned up.
67. Remove any heavy items from your car.
68. Avoid rush hour driving whenever possible; better yet, take public transportation.
69. Have your paycheck deposited directly to your account.
70. Use propane or natural gas for barbeques and camping instead of wood or charcoal.
71. Install an attic fan to ventilate your attic, and then insulate your attic.
72. Install ceiling fans to help with both heating and cooling.
73. Install weather stripping around drafty windows and doors.
74. Turn off decorative lighting at night and ask stores you frequent to do the same.
75. Don't use wooden chopsticks! Either bring your own (plastic or ceramic) or use a fork.
76. Wrap gifts in newspaper, magazine or other used paper product instead of gift wrap. http://www.beatglobalwarming.info/globalwarming76things.asp

Thanks for caring!
Compiled by David Fried, The Climate Project / ddcoast@aol.com

KI Greening Tip of the Month

Outdoor playtime is here! The Spring months are the time to recommit your family to a sunscreen routine. Unfortunately, the very product that’s supposed to protect us can put us at risk for toxic chemical exposure. Misting sunscreens and powdered mineral sunscreens put you at risk for inhaling chemicals, not to mention all the people around you. And just because it says a sunscreen is formulated for babies doesn't mean it is the safest option for your little ones. While protecting your skin, don’t put your health in harm’s way. Click here to read more.

Green Tip - Recycling

If you have been wondering where you can take your used batteries, CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs), or dried out paint cans taking up space in your garage,UCLA has a program called S.A.F.E. (Solvents, Automotive, Flammables, Electronics) that accepts these items. The S.A.F.E. building is located at 550 Charles E. Young Drive but only accepts electronic waste on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. For more information, toaccess the UCLA S.A.F.E. Center flyer, click here.