GLNO - Tip the Block Information

TIP THE BLOCK - greening
New Orleans one block at a tim
e
We provide a pathway for residents to use less energy by installing free
energy efficient light bulbs. Each installation lowers residentsʼ energy
bills and reduces our carbon impact on the environment. Thousands of
volunteers create a movement, which results in individual experiences
that incentivize conscious actions and energy awareness.
Overview
Green Light New Orleans, a local non-profit, has now reached 1-3 homes in almost
every block in the city (230,000 energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
in over 8000 homes). The strong ties and close networks we have developed within the
community grant us an opportunity to support
community members even further, and we are
committed to doing so.
We aim to take advantage of the great
participation in our free light bulb program and
engage neighborhoods in a process of switching
to energy efficient light bulbs in the majority of
homes. To reach this goal, we have transitioned
some of our installations to a block by block
system. Green Light is currently entering
Phase II, where we install CFLs in entire
blocks to involve residents in an initiative to
green New Orleans.
As an initial step, we “tip” one block, which
helps to “tip” the next block. Enough tipped
blocks will eventually tip the neighborhood.
GLNO
8203 Jeannette St. NOLA 70118
(t) 504.324.2429
Above: Google map of pilot area in Hollygrove
green@greenlightneworleans.org
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TIP THE BLOCK - greening
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Goals and Impact
Goal
Impact
Switch all incandescent light bulbs to
energy efficient compact fluorescent light
bulbs (CFLs) in a block
Lower CO2 emissions (2,500,000 lbs),*
energy usage (225,000 kWh)* and
increase financial savings ($26,200)*
per block.
*{calculations derived from the life time of bulb}
Engage residents and volunteers in the
installation process
Cultural exchange. Increased
communication and community
involvement, which will lead to higher
participation
Educate residents about other green
measures they can take themselves
Greater CO2 reductions. Higher
quality of life, and Self-empowerment
Invite residents to become volunteers in
the next block
Community building. Increasing
Neighborly cooperation. Creating
further environmental awareness.
Positive social change.
Implement green measures residents want Greater CO2 reductions. Increased
but cannot implement themselves
financial savings and higher quality of
life.
The Concept behind Tipping a Block
The area map of Hollygrove (Figure 1) shows the amount of homes that have received
CFL light bulbs. Everett Rogers ‘Theory of Diffusion of Innovations’ (Figure 2) predicts
home owner / renter participation in a block. An average block consists of 15-20
homes. Blocks flooded during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina might consist of only
5-8 homes, depending on the pace of rebuilding progress. Choosing a block with just 4
households who have already made the switch to CFLs will yield a greater success rate
towards tipping the block.
GLNO
8203 Jeannette St. NOLA 70118
(t) 504.324.2429
green@greenlightneworleans.org
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TIP THE BLOCK - greening
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Figure 1 Triangles represent recipient homes
Figure 2 Everett Rogers ‘Theory of Diffusion of Innovations’
By reaching out to the innovators and early adopters and asking them for help, we will
be able to reach the early majority, which will tip the block to a majority creating ideal
conditions to collaborate and reach out to the late majority. We aim to transform our
innovators to “Green Ambassadors” in the community.
During this process, we will make the most of our interactions with participating
residents. Our early adopters and innovators will create communicative action talking
points with neighbors. During the installation process, Green Light volunteers will
inform residents about other energy efficient and green measures. Green Light will take
inventory of the community’s needs and resource goals.
Resource Inventory of the Community
a)The criteria of need for each Topic below is evaluated as existing, needed, desired, or
needs support based on residential response.
EDUCATE
b) Topics: Weatherization (doors, windows, gaps), Attic
Insulation, Water Heater Blanket, Smart Meter, Low Flow
Shower heads, Aerators, Green Chemical-free Cleaning
Agents, Recycling, Air Drying of Clothing, Composting,
Backyard Vegetable Garden, Solar Water Heater, Healthy
Food Education, Trash Removal, Street Lighting, and Health
Care Options.
EVALUATE
ACTION
c) Personal information of the home owner or renter:
Home owner / renter contact info, Amount of people in home, and Income.
d) Each Topic above, if needed and/or desired, will require a short and/or long term
solution.
GLNO
8203 Jeannette St. NOLA 70118
(t) 504.324.2429
green@greenlightneworleans.org
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TIP THE BLOCK - greening
New Orleans one block at a tim
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How to Get People Involved
We will partner with neighborhood organizations, community organizers and outspoken
community members. They know the community best and can point us to blocks with
actively engaged residents. It is important that the desire for energy efficiency and
participation comes from within the community and is not imposed by Green Light. Until
this point, Green Light has refrained from actively recruiting participants. Most current
program participants signed up for the free energy efficient light bulb service out of their
own desire to take action. Changing this system will require ambassadors from within
the community. Implementation will be based on partnerships with residents. Once a
few blocks are tipped, residents in the neighborhood will notice a difference.
Steps in the Process
a) A Green Light team member meets with neighborhood / community leaders to
evaluate potential blocks to tip. Their feedback combined with our database data will
determine blocks which seem ideal to the neighborhood / community leaders and
have already received Green Light’s services in 3-5 homes.
b) Green Light team members will contact previous CFL recipients and request
meetings. We determine who will invite neighbors to participate at the tip the block
event and suggest a date for the event. Green Light ambassadors will receive a T-Shirt
in appreciation for their support. Green Light team or AmeriCorps members will call
participants to evaluate needs and confirm an installation date.
c) On event day, volunteers and Green Light staff will educate residents, and residents
will complete questionnaires during the CFL installation. We expect neighbors to help
each other. All residents will be instructed about the benefits of CFLs and recycling.
d) The questionnaires will be evaluated. AmeriCorps members will visit the residents
within a week to suggest solutions and ask for permission to publish solutions on the
web.
Benefits and Additional Green Measures
Quantitative Benefits:
(kWh) energy savings, ($) financial savings, (CO2 lbs) carbon reductions
Qualitative Benefits:
energy efficiency education, improved quality of life, happiness from supporting a good cause and
connecting with neighbors
Community Benefits:
increased neighbor to neighbor connection and support, increased resources to block residents
GLNO
8203 Jeannette St. NOLA 70118
(t) 504.324.2429
green@greenlightneworleans.org
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TIP THE BLOCK - greening
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Implementation of Other Greening Measures
Need
Action
Implementation
1. Weatherization
Referred to other agency
Catholic Charities, Global
Green, TCA etc
2. Attic insulation
Referred to other agency
Catholic Charities, Global
Green, TCA etc
3. Water heater blanket
Changed by GL
AmeriCorps, Volunteers
4. Smart Meter
Referred to Entergy
Entergy New Orleans Inc.
5. Low flow shower head
Changed by GL
AmeriCorps, Volunteers
6. Aerators
Changed by GL
AmeriCorps, Volunteers
7. Green chemical free
cleaning agents
Education & Information by
GL
AmeriCorps and
Community members
8. Recycling
Education by GL, Creating of AmeriCorps and
a drop off procedure with
Community members
community members
9. Air drying of clothing
Education & Information by
GL
AmeriCorps and
Community members
10. Composting
Collaboration with Food
and Farm Network,
Hollygrove Market. Include
community members
Community members
11. Trash removal
Collaboration with
community members
Americorps and Community
members
11. Backyard vegetable
garden
Collaboration with Food
and Farm Network, include
community members
Community members
12. Healthy food education
Need assessment, GL
AmeriCorps
13. Health care option
Refer to Daughters of
Charity
Community members
GLNO
8203 Jeannette St. NOLA 70118
(t) 504.324.2429
green@greenlightneworleans.org
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TIP THE BLOCK - greening
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Spreading the Word and Getting Volunteer Support
Word of mouth
We educate the community about how to incrementally increase quality of life with
attainable measures. Experiential learning is a big part of our program. We believe it is
important that education outreach goes beyond theory. Our suggestions are followed
by desired community actions, and these actions prove the theory.
Step 1:The community has the need to reduce energy costs.
Step 2: We educate residents about the use of energy efficient light bulbs.
Step 3: We install the CFL light bulbs.
Step 4: We calculate their savings.
Step 5: The next month’s utility bill will decrease proving previous steps.
Step 6: Community members recommend the program to friends and family leading to
increased community involvement and positive social change.
We expect word of mouth to spread benefits of the program to neighboring blocks, and
participating residents will be encouraged to act as volunteers in those blocks.
The Act of Giving Through Volunteer Work
Recent studies have proven that the benefit of
giving to others has a really substantial health
benefit over and above the benefit of receiving.
http://www.webmd.com/balance/features/science-good-deeds
The September 2003, issue of the journal of
Psychosomatic Medicine reports the findings
from behavioral scientist Carolyn E. Schwartz’s
study of more than 2,000 Presbyterians. The
study shows that giving help rather than
receiving it is more closely linked to improved
mental health:
GLNO
8203 Jeannette St. NOLA 70118
"The sample was not a small sample -- this
was a robust finding," Schwartz said. "The
statistician and I were very careful to check
all the alternative hypotheses, and it really
did look like the benefits of giving to other
people had a really substantial mental
health benefit over and above the benefit of
receiving." (Boston Globe)
(t) 504.324.2429
green@greenlightneworleans.org
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TIP THE BLOCK - greening
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We receive requests to volunteer almost everyday
“I am the Service Chair for the Tulane chapter of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity. Our group has worked with Green Light in the past and we are very interested in working with
you again.”
(email from Regan F. on 9/9/10)
“I'm hoping that this will be an introduction for our corps members to Green Light NOLA, so
that individuals may continue volunteering on their own.” {Green Light New Orleans: how many
people will you bring? Meg: 34}
(email from Meg B. on 9/8/10)
“I am a 7th grade teacher and want to set up opportunities for my students to help out during
our Saturday classes. I will have a few parents to help with driving, and we would love to start
ASAP. We usually meet on the 1st Saturday of each month. Thank you. I also left a voice mail
message.”
(email from Matthew D. on 9/7/10)
“Hi, My boyfriend and I are visiting over Halloween. We'd like to volunteer a half day on one of
the days listed above. Please call or email if you have additional questions. Thank you.”
(email from Kate from Vashon,WA on 9/6/10)
Above One of the many great AmeriCorps* NCCC teams who work hard to fulfill the mission of Green Light New Orleans.
GLNO
8203 Jeannette St. NOLA 70118
(t) 504.324.2429
green@greenlightneworleans.org
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TIP THE BLOCK - greening
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How We Measure Success
We will measure success with follow up visits to determine if our suggestions have been
implemented. We will post the results on the internet and enter the data in our data
base. Full transparency in this process is important. We want to ensure the accuracy of
our findings to create a real picture of our work and its impact. This will allow us to
make adjustments to program procedures if necessary. We view challenges as learning
tools towards success and innovation.
Projected Cost per Block
materials
cost
details
540 Energy Efficient CFL light bulbs
for 20 homes
$1,620.00
Cost includes energy efficient
bulbs and basic overhead
20 Energy Savings Charts
$40.00
To guide self-driven energy
efficient actions
20 Aerators
$50.00
To reduce water and water
heating energy consumption
Additional Printed Material
$9.00
To conduct outreach and
provide clear information
20 Home Consultations / Evaluations
$1,000.00
To assess needs and contact
entities that provide resources
that address needs
20 Yard Signs
$340.00
To display proudly within the
community the efforts of
participants
TOTAL for an Entire Block
$3,059.00
Tips-the-Block Green
GLNO
8203 Jeannette St. NOLA 70118
(t) 504.324.2429
green@greenlightneworleans.org
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TIP THE BLOCK - greening
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Frequently Asked Questions by Donors & Supporters
Why do you change all the light bulbs in a home?
Changing all the light bulbs in a home guarantees a near 75% reduction of household
energy usage on lighting. It guarantees a lower energy bill in the following months all else
remaining equal, which reinforces the energy efficient information we offer recipients. It
is important that our calculations are proven by a lower energy bill to promote energy
efficient actions by program participants in the future.
Why do you calculate the carbon reduction?
We give the CO2 reduction information to the recipients to inform them about the
positive environmental impact of their action. This increases environmental awareness
and empowers the community to take further action.
Why do volunteers have to install the light bulbs?
We want to guarantee to our supporters and funders that each sponsored light bulb is
installed and creates actual reductions in energy usage, carbon impact and utility costs.
What is the cost/return ratio?
Each CFL light bulb costs $3. This cost includes the overhead of the organization and the
light bulb installation. Each light bulb has an average energy savings return of $46 to
community participants. This calculation does not include the benefits from volunteer
efforts for both the volunteer and recipient. It does not include the domino effect in
which volunteers commonly change the light bulbs in their own homes once they return
to their own communities. It does not include the large amount of residents who are
inspired by Green Light and switch to energy efficient light bulbs on their own.
In what area, do you install light bulbs?
We install light bulbs in the entire metropolitan area of New Orleans and as far as
Slidell, Covington, La Place, and St. Bernard. We have a subsidiary in Gramercy, La and
Anderson, South Carolina. We also consult the Green Light Model to groups all over the
U.S.
How many light bulbs have you installed so far?
We have installed more than 230,000 energy efficient light bulbs in over 8,000 homes.
This impact translates to an energy reduction of 90 million kWh, a monetary savings of
$10.5 million dollars for participating residents, and a carbon reduction of over 100
million pounds of CO2.
GLNO
8203 Jeannette St. NOLA 70118
(t) 504.324.2429
green@greenlightneworleans.org
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