Sustainable Warwick NY | 10% Challenge to reduce energy consumption in one year

To increase public understanding of sustainability by providing information and encouraging individuals, community organizations, businesses, schools, and government to cooperate in protecting environmental quality and reducing carbon emissions.

This web page is broken up into five categories of energy use: Electrical Energy Savings, Hot Water Energy Savings, Heating Energy Savings, Transportation Energy Savings, and Renewable Energy. Each household will typically have several strategies that can be easily implemented. You can navigate directly to the topic of interest by clicking on the highlighted topic areas in the outline. In addition, there is a Resources section for further information, which includes Consumer Information. Comments on this document may be sent to Bill Makofske at makofske@warwick.net.

One of Sustainable Warwick’s major projects this year is the 10% Challenge, a campaign to encourage a 10% reduction in some form of energy in one year. The Town of Warwick, villages of Warwick, Florida, and Greenwood Lake, and local libraries and school districts are participating in this challenge.

You might even want to tie the campaign into one of your activities. For example, a book group might read a novel or non-fiction book related to the energy issue, or the quilters might do a "solar" quilt--or better yet, come up with your own creative idea.
We would be able to meet with you to discuss the 10% Challenge and how you might encourage members of your group to participate. Then we could meet a few times during the next year (or communicate via e-mail or phone, if you prefer) to see what questions/comments/problems arise. The FAQs sheet (see right) further explains the 10% Challenge. Even if you don’t know of a group interested, take the 10% Challenge yourself!
If you'd like to help or have ideas about this, contact Mary Makofske at makofske@warwick.net.

What Is the 10% Challenge?

The 10% Challenge is a campaign to engage our community (beginning with municipalities, school districts, and libraries) in reducing energy use by 10% in one year. We found the idea through Sustainable Hudson Valley, which is encouraging communities in our region to take the challenge. The Town of Warwick; villages of Warwick, Greenwood Lake, and Florida; the Warwick Valley, Florida, and Greenwood Lake school districts, and the Albert Wisner and Florida libraries are supporters of the 10% Challenge.

Why 10% and why one year?

New York State and many other states and localities have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050. The sooner we begin this reduction, the more impact it has. Doing a little at a time is the best way of taking on the challenge of an 80% reduction and lessening the impact of global warming as well as reducing pollution and depletion of non-renewable energy sources.

Why are organized groups the focus of the campaign?

Organizations and institutions meet regularly and are accustomed to establishing projects/policies to achieve results. They can become role models for other groups and for individuals.

What are some steps people can take to reduce energy use?

Members of a group can all decide to try one form of energy reduction and compare notes occasionally. Or it may be better for individuals to pick whatever strategy best fits their situation. Then they could report on their experience to the group. This need not take up meeting time, but could be done via e-mail or a note. If the organization travels or owns a building, it may decide to try energy reduction as a group. Information on reducing energy use is available at libraries, online, at municipal offices, and at sustainablewarwick.org. We’re also planning some talks and information in local media.

What can you bring to the 10% Challenge?

Your awareness, your imagination, your creativity, your willingness to focus on reducing energy use and your ability to inform and rally the community in this effort.

What are some benefits of the 10% Challenge?

Saving energy saves money, sometimes immediately, and sometimes in the long run, and it helps the local economy. It results in less pollution and slows down global warming. It conserves our non-renewable resources and reduces our reliance on foreign sources. The campaign also energizes people and shows them they can make a difference. An excellent side effect—the sense of achievement in working together as a community.