“We also learned about proper recycling,” she added.

“I thought I was recycling but I was not doing it properly. I learned what can and cannot be recycled. This changed how I buy products in the store. Now I choose things that have minimal waste.”

Each week the families set small, achievable goals to minimize carbon emissions in their households to conserve energy. The workshop provided options which made it all easy.

“I learned a lot about food consumption and waste. We used to eat chicken or meat every night. We switched to two days a week to be vegetarian.” Now we are primarily vegetarian with a little chicken or meat. We really changed our food consumption habits. Through another participant Meredith found out about Imperfect Foods, an online store that delivers fresh, organic food that wouldn’t sell in the grocery store, as it is slightly damaged, but is otherwise good. “We get a box once a week. It’s fresh, healthy and you choose what goes in the box,” she explains. “It’s farmers market type produce that would normally go to waste. So not only do we get great food, but we’re keeping it out of the land fill.”

{Note: According to Drawdown Paul Hawkin’s book that evaluates different strategies for reducing carbon emissions worldwide, reducing food waste is ranked as #3 reducing 71 gigatons of CO2}

At the end of the class the group set a 6-month future goal of what they wanted to work on; recognizing that some things take time. Meredith’s first goal was to replace her 20-year-old gas furnace. “My PG&E bill was ridiculously high. I replaced my furnace with a heat pump system and also installed attic insulation. I have had the coziest winter ever. I didn’t even know what a heat pump was. Now I’m on the electric plan and I reduced my bill

significantly.” Her thermostat is now set on a timer so it goes on when it is needed.

{Note: new Federal rules aim to phase out gas furnaces by 2029.}

Resilient Neighborhoods equips their graduates with great resources such as companies like Quit Carbon, which makes recommendations about rebates and credits. Quit Carbon provides an online toolkit that you can use to claim your carbon tax credits and rebates.

Meredith made it her 6-month goal to replace her gas heater. She and her daughter reduced 13 pounds of carbon in their home over 6 weeks. She has more plans, as well. “As soon as my [current] car goes, I’ll replace it with a Prius or an electric vehicle. I’m also looking into a heat-pump water heater and potentially [going] solar.”

Her enthusiasm for the program is infectious. Meredith donates to the program and recommends it to all her friends. “In just six weeks, this easy, free class will teach you how to make a significant impact [positive] on climate change.”

The Resilient Neighborhoods project is sponsored by Sustainable Marin.