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Action at Mass Audubon!
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| Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary in Newburyport has 60 roof panels, which supply an amount equivalent to as much as 40 percent of its electricity needs. |
Rapid climate warming is a serious long-term threat to the nature of Massachusetts and our planet. This warming primarily results from the burning of fossil fuels to power vehicles, planes and trains, and to generate electricity.
The burning of fossil fuels and consequences of climate change also raise public health and safety concerns. To reduce these impacts, the reliance on fossil fuels as a major source of energy must be dramatically reduced. Simultaneously, we must increase energy derived from cleaner renewable energy technologies.
Mass Audubon is leading by example to address the effects of climate change. We are conserving energy, increasing energy efficiency, and promoting the use of renewable energy technologies.
How? By reducing our energy consumption and supporting clean, also known as green, energy. When produced or stored, green energy has less of an impact on the environment and public health than energy produced by traditional sources of energy. Green energy is produced by renewable sources, such as wind and solar.
Mass Audubon's commitment to address climate change is demonstrated through the following actions.
Energy Conservation and Energy Efficiency
Mass Audubon is conducting energy audits on all heated buildings we own to identify ways that energy is wasted. After conducting an audit, we implement conservation improvements. These actions may include converting to more energy-efficient lighting, adding insulation, installing caulking and weather-stripping, and retrofitting or replacing systems for improved air quality.
Energy efficiency works hand in hand with energy conservation. Mass Audubon has improved energy efficiency in the following ways.
- Appliances are being replaced with energy saving alternatives.
- 82 refrigerators and freezers manufactured before 1995 were replaced with ENERGY STAR models
- All air-conditioning units were updated with ENERGY STAR models
- More than 1,700 compact fluorescent light bulbs were distributed to all Mass Audubon sites to replace less efficient incandescent bulbs
- 80% of computer monitors (200+) were replaced with more efficient flat screen versions. Remaining CRT-type monitors will be replaced by June 2008.
Supporting Renewable Energy
Mass Audubon is one of the largest consumers of green energy from National Grid. Currently all Mass Audubon sites that obtain their electricity from National Grid (14 sites) purchase 100% green electricity from New England GreenStart Program, a program provided by Mass Energy through the local utility — National Grid.
Our sanctuaries on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard also purchase 100% green energy from ConEdison and the Cape Light Compact.
Results to Date
Our energy efficiency and renewable energy efforts have paid off! We have consistently decreased energy use over the past three years and increased green energy consumption.
| Electricity Use at Mass Audubon |
Total Electricity consumption (KWH) |
Total Green Electricity consumption (KWH) |
Green Electricity consumption as a % of total consumption (KWH) |
| 2003 |
980,404 KWH |
0 KWH |
0% |
| 2004 |
986,354 KWH |
53,551 KWH |
5.4% |
| 2005 |
957,974 KWH |
210,178 KWH |
22.0% |
| 2006 |
943,975 KWH |
293,085 KWH |
31.3% |
| *Energy consumption numbers do not include additional green energy (generally photovoltaic) that we produce at some of our buildings. |
| Mass Audubon CO2 Produced (pounds) |
| Updated table with new data will be posted soon. |
Green Building
Energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies are often applied in design and construction of green (sustainable) buildings. Green building design and construction uses resources in an efficient and responsible manner. It also saves money over the life of the building by reducing operating costs.
Green buildings may include such features as passive solar heating, solar photovoltaic arrays, and water collection systems to capture rainwater or graywater. Use of recycled materials and/or lumber harvested from certified (sustainable) practices, as well as native plants in landscaping, are other common practices employed to use resources wisely.
Mass Audubon is committed to the concept and practice of green building as applicable to all new buildings, additions, renovations, and site improvements. We have applied green building principles at several of our nature centers.
Raising Awareness
Education is a key way in which Mass Audubon helps protect the nature of Massachusetts. We wish to share what we've learned about energy conservation and renewable energy with others.
In 2007, we received a grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) to develop a statewide public awareness program highlighting renewable energy systems. We will create new exhibits at our sanctuaries, and enhance our website and printed materials. The result? Individuals, families, and school groups can learn more about how to apply renewable energy technologies to lessen their own ecological footprint.
Long-term Goals
Although we have made significant improvements, we have more to accomplish! Mass Audubon has set the goal of becoming carbon neutral. This means we will have neutralized the effects of Mass Audubon's CO2 emissions to our planet.
To achieve this goal we must continue to reduce energy consumption and increase green power use.
- Our energy task force has established the following Habitat Protection and Stewardship Goals for Mass Audubon to achieve by 2010
- Support development of near and offshore wind energy capacity resulting in no less than 1,000 MW of new production annually
- Reduce total consumption of electricity, heating oil, and natural gas
- Obtain 50% of all our electricity from renewable sources, with an ultimate goal of 100%
- Monitor and reduce fuel consumption by Mass Audubon vehicle fleet by 25%
Mass Audubon also received a feasibility grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) to research siting a wind turbine at our Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Mass Audubon has supplemented the grant with additional funding. We are evaluating avian risk as well as meteorological and financial considerations. If developed, a windmill would offset all of Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary's electricity use. Any additional power generated would be sold back to the power grid.
- Furnaces
- Mass Audubon is working to identify and replace inefficient furnaces with high-efficiency models
- Energy Audits
- Mass Audubon will continue conducting audits at five sites each year, targeting system wide completion by 2009.
Climate Change and Adaptation
Mass Audubon joined with the New England Climate Coalition in urging the New England Governor's conference to do more to stop global warming.
Mass Audubon has partnered with The Nature Conservancy in their efforts to address the impacts of climate change on our environment, including coastal wetlands, rare species, etc. This falls under the umbrella of adaptation.
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Adaptation is the strategic planning, projects and programs that help plants, animals and natural communities cope with, adjust to, and manage the impacts of climate change. Adaptation can help prevent local extinction of plant and animal species by restoring, protecting and connecting lands and waters. These efforts build healthy and resilient ecosystems and allow species to migrate as temperatures change.
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For more information, see The Nature Conservancy's fact sheets on climate change.
Policy Participation
Mass Audubon has also assisted with crafting legislation, advising state and national panels on energy projects, and supporting relevant regulatory reform.
- Mass Technology Collaborative
- United States Offshore Wind Energy Collaborative
- Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Work on Wind Energy Siting Standards
- Mass Audubon advocacy and science staff participated in the state's working group that explored potential guidelines for siting land-based wind energy facilities. Of particular interest to Mass Audubon were studies regarding avian and bat collision hazards. This work continues through administrative and legislative channels.
- Massachusetts Wind Working Group
- Mass Audubon helped formulate the mission of this group, and is a member of the Policy Subcommittee.
- Wind Energy Projects Position Statements
- Wind Energy
- Mass Audubon supports the responsible development of wind energy, both on and offshore. We also strongly believe that each potential project assessment should consider environmental impact. Read our position here.
- Cape Wind
- South Coast Wind Energy Project at Buzzards Bay
- Mass Audubon staff actively participates in other potential wind projects. We provide advice regarding siting considerations and monitoring of avian and bat activity and interactions.
- Ocean Management Bill
- We support the Ocean Management Bill as a means to promote responsible and well-organized use of our public ocean space. This will affect energy projects as they interact with our Commonwealth's offshore waters.
- For more on Mass Audubon's Policy Participation please visit our Advocacy Homepage.
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