Life at Lights Out

Here's a taste of life in the Lights Out office:




Nate and Peter get serious...



More images to come!

The lights may be going out in and around LA...

Our first Lights Out LA article went to print! We were featured today in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. The article has also been reposted in the Los Angeles Daily News, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, and the Whittier Daily News.

Meet LOSF on October 8th at Medjool

We’re having another fundraiser! Please join us from 6:30-9:30pm on Monday, October 8th at Medjool. Medjool is located at 2522 Mission Street, between 21st and 22nd.

People want to do something about climate change. Period.

Wow.

I came across this amazing study recently published by Gallup and Yale. It shows what I think we already know, which is, people are concerned about climate change and increasingly want to do something about it.

Summary:

• 72% are either ‘Completely Convinced’ or ‘Mostly Convinced’ that “global warming is happening”.
• 69% are convinced that Global Warming is caused either completely or partially by human activities. (57% believe that human activities are directly to blame.)
• 67% Strongly favor “Requiring automakers to increase the fuel efficiency of cars, trucks, and SUVs to 35 miles per gallon, even if it meant a new car would cost up to $500 more to buy.” An additional 12% “somewhat favor” this step.
• 82% either ’strongly favor’ or ’somewhat favor’ “Requiring electric utilities to produce at least 20% of their electricity from wind, solar, or other renewable energy sources, even if it cost the average household an extra $100 a year.”

Blog Action Day

Today we joined Blog Action Day. Bloggers everywhere will join together on October 15th to spread the word about way in which we can help the environment. Each blogger will address environmental issues by writing a post relating to their own topic. Check it out!




Stop Your Junk Mail and Learn About Green Jobs for All

Green for All is a campaign dedicated to “harness[ing] the growing power of the green economic revolution to fight the war on poverty.” They intend to secure training for thousands of workers for the green job market in order to create job opportunities for impoverished urban community members in cities such as Baltimore, Detroit, Oakland, and New Orleans. To learn more, or to get involved, visit their website.

According to 41pounds.org , over 100 million trees are cut down each year to print junk mail. This month, New American Dream: Carbon Conscious Consumer is asking folks to remove themselves from mail junk lists in order to save paper. New American Dream is a site directed toward encouraging individuals to adopt “climate-friendly daily habits”. You can also sign up at website to stop receiving junk mail.

MORE PRESS: The Boston Globe featured the article John M. Glionna wrote about Nate and Lights Out in the Los Angeles Times

Welcome new supporters!!!

A very special welcome goes out to two of our new supporters: the Environmental Law Society at Golden Gate University School of Law and the Bay Area chapter of the American Red Cross!

The Environmental Law Society (ELS) will be distributing CFLs and LOSF promotional material to the students and faculty at Golden Gate University starting next week. A big thank you to Lucas Williams, ELS president, for helping to lead the effort!

Another big thank you goes out to Brianna Warren, AmeriCorps Preparadness Specialist at the Bay Area chapter of the American Red Cross. Brianna and several of her co-workers at the American Red Cross will be out in force in San Francisco on Friday, October 19th (the day before LOSF) distributing CFLs and spreading the word about LOSF. Friday will be a HUGE outreach day for LOSF. I am thrilled that the American Red Cross will be out "hitting the streets" with us on that day!

Is your company or business interested in being a sponsor or supporter? Drop Brendan an e-mail at Brendan@lightsoutsf.org.

Seattle's Climate Action

While San Francisco is doing an exemplary job of implementing “green” programs, we can always learn from other cities. Seattle is also working toward a sustainable future. Learn more about what they’re doing in the Northwest by reading “It takes a city to limit greenhouse gases”.

Interested in a Lights Out SF t-shirt or tote?

Visit our Cafepress store:

More CLF Info

We have continued receiving emails from individuals concerned with the potential dangers of disposing of CFLs. We appreciate your concern, and most definitely advocate safe and proper disposal. For more information, read 5 Ways to Recycle a CFL. You might also find How to live with CFLs a helpful resource.

Black Balloons and Sea Level Rise

A new friend tipped me off to an interesting visual. Black Balloons: making CO2 real provides an interesting visualization of household greenhouse gas emissions. Yet another reason we need to conserve energy.

If those black balloons aren’t scary enough, watch ABCs Fear of Rising Waters video. For more information, read Architecture2030’s Coastal Impact Study: Nation Under Siege.

Also, uur web host put us on their website. Check it out--we’re at the bottom of the page. Thanks AISO!

Lights Out--for the birds?

Every spring and fall, birds migrate along the Pacific Flyway through the San Francisco Bay Area. Several migratory bird species are threatened or endangered; needing all the help they can get along their journey. Some birds fly long distances, between Alaska or Canada in North America and Patagonia in South America.

The birds that migrate at night rely upon the stars and moon for navigation. Studies indicate that artificial light disorients birds, especially the many birds that migrate at night.

If you are interested in volunteering for "lights out for birds," please email Golden Gate Audubon's Conservation Committee at Noreen@naturetrip.com. You can also learn more about protecting Bay Area resident and migratory birds at goldengateaudubon.org.

More press...

We’ve been featured on ECOFRIENDS weblog.

Also, stay tuned to our Lights Out America webpage for details about a national event in March 2008.

Help promote LOSF by adding a banner to your website!

The Associated Press sent out this LOSF press release today. We’re very pleased to be getting recognition on the national level!

Please help us spread the word by posting one of our great banners on your website, MySpace page, or blog. Here's just one of the three you can download:

Another big day!

Great news. Today we were featured in both the SF Chronicle and the LA Times. Nate’s got some priceless quotes, and LOSF received some great publicity!

CalTrans has just confirmed that the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will turn off lights. The Transamerica Pyramid has agreed to turn off lights as well.

Thanks also to Coalition of San Francisco Neighborhoods which moved to endorse us last night.

Some Notes on Green Building

Edward Mazria, keynote speaker at both West Coast Green, and Climate All Stars Conference, is the founder of Architecture 2030. Mazria established his non-profit organization in response to the climate crisis. Architecture 2030 hopes “to achieve a dramatic reduction in the global-warming-causing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the Building Sector by changing the way buildings and developments are planned, designed and constructed”. They’ve got a great vision, and their website is an excellent resource.

Earthship Biotecture, a New Mexico-grown phenomenon, is an interesting example of sustainable architecture. These eco-friendly living spaces are made using recycled materials. They also collect water from rain and snow, and use solar and wind power as an energy sources. Some are humble, and others are works of art.

Jay Shafer, creator of Tumbleweed Houses, presents another alternative to the average home. Shafer lives in a home of just 100 square feet in size, and designs and builds Tiny Houses as well. My favorite is the Weebee.

On another sustainability note, I came across this article about PG&E. In late July, the power company signed an agreement with Solel, which will provide customers with 553 megawatts of solar power when the Mojave Solar Park plant is completed in 2011.

Down to a Science

Thanks to Eric Case, Lights Out SF made it into Blogs of Note last week!

Upcoming event: Please join us this coming Monday, September 24th, for Science Café hosted by Down to a Science. Melissa Capria, SF Climate Action Coordinator, will be giving a talk entitled "Microclimate change: Global Warming and the Bay Area". LOSF will be on hand to pass out info about our October 20th event as well. Science Café will begin at 7pm, at 330 Ritch between 3rd & 4th Streets and Brannan & Townsend near AT&T Park.

Down to a Science (DtaS) is an ongoing Science Café, a casual forum where leading scientists discuss their research with the public. DtaS is held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at a local San Francisco bar. No lectures. No technical jargon. Just food, drinks, and science!

Down to a Science was created to start a civic discourse through scientific dialogue with a focus on science here in the Bay Area. Topics range from local climate change to fertility to earthquakes. You'll never know what you'll learn about next!

In addition, DtaS features an entertaining science blog with content related to the topics.

Stay tuned this week for information about sustainable building and renewable power sources…there are too many interesting things to write about in just one sitting!

P.S.

Check out the Boing Boing page here.

Thanks to Yahoo!, we now have 10,000 CFLs to begin handing out!

Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Turning Lights Out

Exciting news....today we announced that the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, City Hall and others are joining us and in turning off lights. And...our good friend Xeni just Boing Boing(ed) us!

Here's the press release (sorry a little long).

Lights Out San Francisco Invites City to Turn Off Lights on October 20^th

from 8:00-9:00 P.M.; Install One Energy-Efficient Light Bulb to Save Energy

Event Gaining Momentum with San Francisco City Hall, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and Local Businesses to Darken Facilities in Support

SAN FRANCISCO (September 17, 2007) – Lights Out San Francisco, a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to energy conservation, announced today its inaugural citywide energy savings event (www.lightsoutsf.org). On Saturday, October 20 between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m., San Francisco residents and businesses are invited to turn off non-essential lights for one hour and install one energy-efficient light bulb in an effort to raise awareness about energy conservation and to reduce carbon emissions into the air.

“Lights Out San Francisco is an innovative way to incorporate energy conservation into our daily lives,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “This is an opportunity to fundamentally change the way people think about their energy consumption.”

This first-ever U.S. public call-to-action will be highlighted by the participation of some of San Francisco’s most notable landmarks. The Golden Gate Bridge will extinguish lights on its main towers (roadway lighting will remain on for safety); City Hall and other city buildings will turn off lights; the Golden Gate National Parks Alcatraz Island will also turn off lights.

“San Francisco is the ideal place to launch this energy conservation event because of the city’s strong commitment to environmental awareness and activism,” said Nate Tyler, founder and executive director of Lights Out San Francisco. “We’re amazed by the positive reception we’ve received, and we hope San Franciscans will create a model for energy awareness that can be adopted nationwide.”

Free, energy-efficient light bulbs, or compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), will be distributed throughout the city during the months of September and October to provide resources for continued energy-saving. Bulbs will be donated by PG&E and Yahoo!.

“The goal of this program is to increase public awareness about simple energy conservation practices such as using energy-efficient light bulbs, taking public transportation, and unplugging appliances when idle – all viable ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said San Francisco Supervisor Jake McGoldrick.

The San Francisco Restaurant Association is organizing candlelight dinners throughout the city. Neighborhood coalitions are recruiting residents to turn off lights and host local celebrations. The list of supporters continues to grow. For more information, visit www.lightsoutsf.org/supporters.html.

It is estimated that one hour of energy conservation in San Francisco could save as much as 10 percent of the energy consumed on a Saturday night. A similar event recently took place in Sydney, Australia where by turning out the lights for one hour, 2.2 million participants conserved 24.86 tons of carbon dioxide that would have normally been released -- an amount of energy equivalent to removing 48,613 cars from the road for one hour.

After its San Francisco launch, Lights Out San Francisco plans to take its energy-conservation mission nationwide with Lights Out America in March 2008. The organization hopes to link its efforts with other cities around the world, including Sydney, London and others.

Demonstrating their commitment to energy conservation and environmental awareness are Lights Out San Francisco sponsors eSurance, Integrated Archive Systems, and Safeway.

Community supporters include: California Interfaith Power and Light, California League of Conservation Voters, Flex Your Power, Gap Inc., Golden Gate Restaurant Association, The International Dark-Sky Association, Neighborhood Parks Council, PG&E, Rainforest Action Network, SF Chamber of Commerce, SF Climate Challenge, Salesforce.com, San Francisco Department of the Environment, San Francisco Parks Trust, Sports Basement, Teacher With the Bus, Tides Center, Working Assets Wireless, and Yahoo!.

A citywide celebration will be held at Dolores Park on Saturday, October 20 between 5:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., where San Franciscans can come together to enjoy free live music ranging from local bands and DJs to Opera in the Dark.

Volunteers interested in becoming more involved with the Lights Out San Francisco can sign up to join the field campaign by contacting volunteer@lightsoutsf.org. For further information on how to get involved, or to make a donation to Lights Out San Francisco, please visit www.lightsoutsf.org.

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Thanks to all who came to Pete's!

Many thanks to the great folks who attended our Happy Hour at Pete's Tavern last night! We greatly appreciate your donations. We'll be hosting several more fundraising events before October 20th, so stay posted. Online donations are also gratefully accepted.



Also, we were mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle. Check out their Energy waste focus of 'Lights Out' event article.

Small Things Are Important

Our friends over at Grist magazine have an amazing article up today called The power of voluntary actions.

Read it. Lot's of great perspective on how important it is for people to do small things to make change happen on a larger scale.

Nate

New Supporters, Upcoming "Green" Events

The SF Neighborhood Parks Council and San Francisco Parks Trust have both signed on as Supporters. Many thanks!

Festivals are a great way to learn more and to learn more and become involved in conservation activism. Two big eco events are taking place next week. West Coast Green is a residential green building conference with speakers, architects, builders, and green builder materials suppliers.

The Climate All Stars Conference, which takes place next Friday, September 21, will provide a venue for leaders, businesses, and individuals to learn practical ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and work together toward more sustainable living.

October 19-21 (just in time for Lights Out!), the annual Bioneers Conference will take place. The Conference is a forum for learning about and exchanging ideas and solutions, and networking with "visionary thinkers and doers from wildly varied fields, cultures and walks of life".

In November, The San Francisco Green Festival takes place at the San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center. The Green Festival is a “three-day party with a purpose” featuring green businesses, speakers, workshops, live music, and organic food and beverages.

If you have the time, check out one or more of them!

Don't forget to join us at Pete's Tavern on Thursday night!

Hello everyone! This is Brendan writing from the LOSF office in the Mission. Just wanted to remind everyone that LOSF is hosting a great happy hour event at Pete's Tavern this Thursday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We want to share the enthusiasm about LOSF and tell you how you can do your part!

Pete's will be offering us drink and food specials, and they're really excited to help spread the word about Lights Out San Francisco . Come early, come late...we'll be there!

Pete's Tavern is located at 128 King St. in San Francisco...right near the ballpark! E-mail me at Brendan@lightsoutsf.org if you have any questions. Thanks!

Volunteers needed for LOSF outreach ASAP!

Hello! This is Brendan and Julia writing from the LOSF office here in the Mission. We are launching our outreach efforts starting next week and we need your help! We are looking for some active and energetic volunteers to assist us in getting our message out! Our volunteers will be “out and about” in communities throughout San Francisco spreading our message and distributing bulbs to city residents. More specifically, volunteers will be taking part in tabling sessions during the lunch hour/evening communte between Monday and Friday and also on the weekends at different events. At these sessions, volunteers will distribute literature, answer questions about LOSF from interested citizens, and assist in the distribution of CFL bulbs.

Also, we have some great INTERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES available with LOSF. See the following position description:

"Lights Out San Francisco is offering opportunities to experience and develop skills within a fun and considerate environment over the next six weeks where multi-tasking and creative solutions are encouraged. This position is the primary point in contact for the public and will have various responsibilities including: formulating strategy, community outreach, event planning, tabling, distributing light bulbs, and volunteer coordinating. An ideal candidate will be motivated and have a positive attitude. A professional phone manner and a sense of humor are also important."

Please contact either of us if you are interested in volunteering or interning! Thanks!!!

Brendan
brendan@lightsoutsf.org

Julia
julia@lightsoutsf.org

Green Drinks, LOSF Happy Hour, Avaaz Petition

Today I’m writing from our new office (!). The LOSF team is getting ready to head over to Green Drinks at Varnish this evening (see Monday’s post).

We’ve got another event coming up one week from today—Happy Hour at Pete’s Tavern. They're offering us drink and food specials, and they're really excited to help Lights Out SF move this exciting plan forward. Stop by early (we’ll be there around 5pm), or stay 'til late. Suggested contribution - $20. Please pass along the Evite to anyone you think might be interested in attending.

Avaaz.org sent out an email alert requesting it’s member to sign a petition regarding the September 8-9 APEC Economic Leader summit. The petition states, “Petition To World Leaders: Climate change is the greatest threat facing our world today - and we are almost out of time to stop it. You must tackle this problem now, decisively and together. Start working toward a new global agreement this year. Set binding global targets for emissions to avert catastrophic climate change. Take bold action immediately - and we will join our efforts with yours”. Check out the petition , and add your name to the list if you support their cause.

The team, the new office

Here we are (from left to right) Rachel Ray, Brendan Devlin, Julia Sullivan.

New Office, Come Help Us!

We are very excited by the opening of our new office. We are located at 2548 Mission St. Between 21st and 22nd on Mission. Come down and give us a hand with organizing the event. We need lots of help tabling around the city, contacting businesses, putting up posters and distributing CFL's. E-mail us at volunteer@lightsoutsf.org if you have any questions or just stop by. Maybe call first to see if we are in... 415-643-5673.

Green Drinks this Thursday

Join us at Varnish (77 Natoma, near 2nd St) for Green Drinks this Thursday, September 6th at 6pm. We'll be available to discuss Lights Out and answer your questions. We'd love to see you there!