Carbon Emitters Anonymous

Berkeley, California has launched a citywide program that offers support to residents who wish to reduce their carbon footprints. Like Alcoholics Anonymous, these support groups are "part social, part confessional and partly about accountability."

1 minute read

January 21, 2009, 8:00 AM PST

By Judy Chang

"To meet its ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Berkeley is encouraging all 100,000 residents to join support groups to help individuals fight global warming."

"'It does sound like AA,' said Timothy Burroughs, Berkeley's climate action coordinator, who is helping to start the program. "But it's in the context of a policy goal of the city's. In order for us to achieve our goal, individuals have to change their behavior. This is a way for them to do that."

The city kicks off the program with a workshop Jan. 28. Residents will learn simple things they can do at home, work and school to reduce emissions, and be encouraged to start groups with neighbors, friends and co-workers."

"The program encourages participants to meet four times over a month to calculate their carbon footprints, create individual goals and help each other meet those goals. The goals can range from giving up driving to insulating one's hot water heater to eating more vegetarian meals."

FULL STORY: Berkeley nudging residents to cut the carbon

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 in The San Francisco Chronicle

Energy Environment California Carbon Emissions Berkeley

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