Environmental Stewardship at Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Bruce Daggy

Environmental Stewardship at Morristown Unitarian Fellowship Bruce Daggy For the Green. Faith Workshop, 15 Nov 2010

Unitarian Universalist 7 th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Morristown Unitarian • Founded 1955; 330 Members • 98 -year-old mansion + modern octagonal meeting room • Extensive grounds (gardens, lawn, forest, parking) • Green Sanctuary since 2002; reaccreditation candidacy in 2010 • Space rented to French school, Gay Activist Alliance of Morris County, Alcoholics Anonymous, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Folk Project)

Green Sanctuary Committee’s Chief Concern in 2005: Global Warming • Rev. Fletcher Harper, “A Vision for a Cooler World— Spirituality and the Challenge of Global Warming” (Apr 05) • How can we: – Reduce the carbon footprint of this inefficient building? – Educate and support our members in sustainable practices? • Early Actions: – Professional Energy Audit, aided by Green. Faith (winter 2005 -6) – Series of speakers, films, work parties and workshops – CFL light bulb sales after Sunday services

Selling the Audit • 7 th Principle • The Mission of the Fellowship is not to pay PSE&G and JCP&L • This will pay back quickly – Made people aware of how much utility costs were impacting the budget – and growing • We have the volunteers to take this on • I joined (and later chaired) the Building & Grounds Committee

Great Results! • 1/3 of audit costs recovered immediately, when auditor discovered electric company had overcharged us • Volunteers caulking and weather-stripping cut gas use 20% -- saving more than $2000/yr (it really helps to show the data) • Worked across committees on improvements such as insulated drapes • Comfort was improved in some rooms – our efforts were appreciated on multiple levels

Change Wasn’t Always Easy….

Energy-Saving Light Bulb Trial If this room were illuminated by the compact fluorescents on trial, MUF would save about $560 & stop about 400 pounds of CO 2 from being released into the atmosphere over the life of the bulbs, & Recoup the cost of the bulbs in about 18 months. Would you support this change? Would you support the use of these bulbs elsewhere in the building? Would you like to know where to buy them for your home? The Green Sanctuary Committee would Like to hear from you. Write us at Environment@muuf. org

Persist, persuade, compromise • Worked with Paul Walitsky to identify energy-saving, aesthetically acceptable alternatives (walitsky@industrialecologyllc. com) • Result: Incandescents are being replaced by Halogenas -- 1/3 less energy use, longer life, payback ~18 months. Everybody happy. • Waiting for next generation LEDs!

Beyond Energy Efficiency • Reusable kitchenware • Compost bins & butterfly garden • Collecting cell phones and sneakers for recycling • Selling earth-friendly items at holiday alternative Gift Fairs • Hosting lecture on the Green Economy, dinner based on Local Foods • Harvesting and eating our invasive weeds!

Simple Garlic Mustard Pesto • • 1 clove garlic, peeled 1 cup garlic mustard leaves and stems, thoroughly washed 2 cups parsley 1/4 cup pitted olives (we used black olives) 1 cup pine nuts or walnuts 1 teaspoon tamari soy sauce 1 tablespoon olive oil (or more as needed for proper consistency) Chop the garlic in a food processor. Add the garlic mustard leaves and chop. Add the olives and nuts and chop coarsely. Add the olive oil and tamari and process until you've created a coarse paste. Makes ~ 1 cup.

It Takes a (Village-Sized) Committee…. • • • • Linda De. Lap Caroline Gower Claire & Fred Mayer Stefano Crema Steve Gruber Steve Humphreys Jo Sippie-Gora Linda Clark Gloria Dyer Anne Paust Janet Kreha Hazel Bell Eleanor Mason Plus MUUF Staff, Other Committees, & And Many More!

Thank you for listening! Questions? bruce. daggy@gmail. com