Resources
Below is a list of resources for learning more about environmentally responsible practices. Sustainable Belmont does not endorse any organization or company listed below, but we have found these resources to be helpful in our own efforts.
Categories:
Bike and Pedestrian Friendly Communities / Carpooling
Renewable / Alternative Energy
Bike and Pedestrian Friendly Communities / Carpooling
GoLoco www.goloco.org -- GoLoco was created to share car travel, split costs, and reduce emissions. Sign up to carpool for one-time events or on a regular basis.
Greater Boston Breathes Better (GB3) www.epa.gov/NE/eco/gb3 -- Partnership between public, private and governmental entities that helps greater Boston’s citizens and visitors to breathe better by promoting strategies and implementing projects to reduce air pollution from transportation and construction sources. The Town of Belmont is a member of GB3.
LivableStreets Alliance www.livablestreets.info -- nonprofit organization that believes urban transportation has the power to make Boston a more connected, livable city.
Mass Bike www.massbike.org -- Works with community and legislature to improve conditions for bicyclists in Massachusetts.
MassRIDES www.commute.com -- Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation's statewide travel options program providing free assistance to commuters, employers, students, and other traveler markets.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) www.mbta.com -- Use the Rider Tool to find out public transportation alternatives between two destinations. Or to locate the nearest MBTA transit service.
Safe Routes to School www.commute.com/default.asp?pgid=massrides/srsMain&sid=MRlevel2 -- The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program promotes healthy alternatives for children and parents in their travel to and from school.
WalkBoston www.walkboston.org -- Nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving walking conditions in cities and towns across Massachusetts.
Energy Kids tonto.eia.doe.gov/kids -- This U.S. government website explains the basics of using and saving energy from a kids' point of view. There are also kid-friendly calculators, games, a history of energy and a glossary. Psst: Teachers: there are also K-12 lesson plans.
Carbon Footprint www.carbonfootprint.com-- Free calculators for homes and businesses to measure the impact activities have on the environment and, in particular, climate change. Includes tips for reducing carbon.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) www.ipcc.ch -- Scientific intergovernmental body set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide the decision-makers and others interested in climate change with an objective source of information about climate change.
Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) www.massclimateaction.net-- Coalition of locally organized groups fighting the climate crisis. Sustainable Belmont is a member.
Union of Concerned Scientists www.ucsusa.org -- Leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. Of special interest on the website: areas about global warming, clean vehicles, clean energy, and food and agriculture.
United States Climate Action Partnership www.us-cap.org -- Alliance of major businesses and leading climate and environmental groups that have come together to call on the federal government to enact legislation requiring significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.
Worldwatch Institute www.worldwatch.org -- Independent research organization that works for an environmentally sustainable and socially just society.
Alliance to Save Energy www.ase.org -- Promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment, and greater energy security. Web sections for consumers (including kids), educators, policy makers and energy professionals.
Belmont Municipal Light Department (BMLD) www.town.belmont.ma.us/Public_Documents/BelmontMA_Light -- Articles and tips on energy conservation and efficiency, appliance efficiency calculator, Watt's Up newsletter, and applications for rebates for select Energy Star appliances (residential).Energy Star www.energystar.gov -- Joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices; information on Energy Star applications for homes and businesses.
House Energy www.house-energy.com -- Tips for how to make your home energy-efficient.
Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light www.mipandl.org -- Nonprofit initiative offering Massachusetts congregations of every religious tradition a comprehensive means of reducing energy consumption, lowering operating costs, and promoting clean, renewable energy in houses of worship and related buildings.
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships www.neep.org -- Nonprofit organization based in Lexington, Mass., that promotes the efficient use of energy in homes, buildings and industry in the Northeast U.S.
Rocky Mountain Institute www.rmi.org-- National nonprofit that works on energy efficiency policy with many free downloadable publications. Includes a section for kids.
U.S. Department of Energy www.energy.gov-- Federal government website with resources on a wide range of energy-related topics.
BuildingGreen.com www.buildinggreen.com -- Web publication of BuildingGreen, LLC, an independent publishing company which disseminates green design information.
Green Building Resource Guide greenguide.com -- Database of over 600 green building materials and products.
GreenBuildingAdvisor.com www.greenbuildingadvisor.com -- Provides information about designing, building, and remodeling energy-efficient, sustainable, and healthy homes; published by BuildingGreen, LLC.
Green Roundtable www.greenroundtable.org -- Boston-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to mainstream green building and sustainable design.
U.S. Green Building Council www.usgbc.org -- National nonprofit community of leaders committed to expanding sustainable buildings, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
Washington Toxics Coalition watoxics.org -- Organization from Washington state which provides information and engages in advocacy regarding the safety of chemicals and products used in the home.
Worldwise worldwise.com -- manufacturer of environmentally responsible toys, treats, accessories, and bedding for cats and dogs.
Renewable / Alternative Energy
Alternative Technology Association www.ata.org.au -- Nonprofit community group that aims to use and promote environmentally friendly technology, including renewable energy sources such as the sun, wind and water; building with natural materials and conserving energy
American Solar Energy Society www.ases.org -- Nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in the U.S.
Belmont Municipal Light Department (BMLD) Green Choice Program www.town.belmont.ma.us/Public_Documents/BelmontMA_Light/GREEN%20CHOICE%20brochure.pdf -- BMLD customers can opt in to pay an additional amount on their electric bill to purchase Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to support development of clean energy in Massachusetts. For the FAQ, visit http://www.town.belmont.ma.us/Public_Documents/BelmontMA_LightNews/FAQ%27s%20on%20Green%20Choice.pdf?FCItemID=S0143255BGreen Grease Monkey www.greengreasemonkey.com -- Boston-based company that specializes in converting diesel vehicles to run on waste vegetable oil (a.k.a. “grease”).
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative www.masstech.org-- Public-private economic development agency for renewable energy, the innovation economy, and e-health.
Solar Harvest www.solarharvest.org -- Educational website that promotes the use of alternative energy and living a sustainable lifestyle.
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy www.eere.energy.gov
LaptopHeaven.com www.laptopheaven.com -- Company that buys used laptop and notebook computers, working or not; quote available online.
Vehicles for Charity www.vehiclesforcharity.org -- Nonprofit organization that sells donated vehicles and distributes a portion of the proceeds to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Belmont Farmers’ Market www.belmontfarmersmarket.org -- Nonprofit organization that organizes the June – October market.
The Center for Ecoliteracy www.ecoliteracy.org -- Dedicated to K-12 education for sustainable living, with a special emphasis on food.
Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) www.buylocalfood.com -- Includes a guide to locally grown farms products in Massachusetts and other resources.
The Edible Schoolyard www.edibleschoolyard.org -- Nonprofit program dedicated to teaching middle-school students about the cycle of food production.
The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture www.leopold.iastate.edu -- Research and education center with statewide programs to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources.
Local Harvest www.localharvest.org -- Nationwide directory of small farms, farmers markets, community-supported agriculture, and local food sources.
Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom www.aginclassroom.org -- Nonprofit dedicated to fostering an awareness and learning in all areas related to the food and agriculture industries and the economic and social importance of agriculture to the state, nation and the world.
Massachusetts Farm to School Project www.mass.gov/agr/markets/Farm_to_school -- The Commonwealth of Massachusetts offers assistance to match schools with local farmers to bring locally grown foods to school cafeterias.
Sergi Farms www.sergifarm.com -- Belmont working farm that grows and sells vegetables, melons, herbs and cut flowers.
The School Lunch Initiative www.schoollunchinitiative.org -- Project to design and implement curriculum and food service innovations across a public school district.
Shared Harvest CSA www.sharedharvestcsa.com -- Multiple farm winter CSA (community-supported agriculture), formerly known as Belmont CSA, created by Gretta Anderson.
Slow Food USA www.slowfoodusa.org -- Nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and celebrating the food traditions of North America.
Ecological Landscaping Association www.ecolandscaping.org -- Advocates for environmentally responsible stewardship of land and natural resources in the landscaping and horticultural practices of professionals and the public.
Northeast Organic Farming Association/Mass www.nofamass.org -- Massachusetts farmers, gardeners, and consumers working to promote healthy food, organic farming practices and a cleaner environment. See Programs to submit and view farming and landscaping questions and an Organic Food Guide. Also find an NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professional at www.organiclandcare.net/index.php.
Energy Literacy Advocates www.energyliteracy.org -- Nonpartisan, nonprofit, public education organization working to improve the energy literacy of all sectors of our democracy in order to empower a comprehensive national energy policy that is responsible and sustainable.
Green Decade Coalition/Newton www.greendecade.org -- Newton, Mass.-based organization of volunteers working together for a healthy and sustainable environment.
ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability www.iclei.org -- International association of local governments as well as national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. A key program that it sponsors is Cities for Climate Protection (CCP). More than 800 local governments participate in the CCP, integrating climate change mitigation into their decision-making processes. The Town of Belmont is a member of ICLEI.The Natural Step www.naturalstep.org/en/usa -- Nonprofit organization dedicated to education, advisory work and research in sustainable development. See the resources section for a free Sustainability at Home Toolkit.
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association www.nesea.org -- The Northeast’s leading organization of professionals working in sustainable energy, whole-systems thinking and green technologies. NESEA advances the adoption and practical application of sustainable, low carbon energy practices. Web resources include Sustainable Green Pages to find green contractors and businesses, clean energy, green buildings, sustainable transportation, and K-12 education.
Sustainable Business Leader www.sustainablebusinessleader.org -- Nonprofit organization working with small and midsized businesses in the Greater Boston area to become more environmentally sustainable.
Sustainability Institute www.sustainer.org -- Nonprofit organization dedicated to restructuring systems that help move human society toward sustainability.
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