Despite the rainy weather, Newton residents descended on Garland Road on Sunday to learn more from their neighbors about sustainability actions they can take to help reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. The road was lined end to end with with tents staffed with residents and volunteer energy coaches providing information and advice. Signs indicating the actions homeowners have taken were proudly posted on lawns.
Garland Road resident Jon Slote noted that of the 45 homes on the street, 22 have had have recent energy audits, and 15 have added insulation; seven homes have heat pumps; 15 homes have solar systems, and 6 people have EVs. “The penetration of green technologies is pretty high here, even among the 34 people who chose not to be hosts for this event. I’m sure there are comparable neighborhoods around, but we weren’t trying to compare, just help accelerate everyone’s journey towards a more sustainable future.”
Slote shared the progression of cutting his homes carbon footprint nearly in half following added attic insulation, solar panels, and a heat pump. He also welcomed residents in to see his home’s new induction cooktop range.
Liora Silkes, the City’s Energy Coach, described the event as a neighbor-to-neighbor initiative, non-commercial (no vendors present) event. Neighbors partnered with the 4OurFuture campaign, to illustrate ways residents can reduce their energy usage and carbon footprint as well as improve the comfort of their homes.
Silke encouraged residents to take advantage of an Energy Coach – “you can schedule a meeting with an energy coach, either me as a city employee, or a volunteer, about any sort of questions you are having, from just starting out a project, to reviewing quotes, to follow up details after an installation, we are hear to have a phone call or zoom with you.”
Jonathan Regosin’s yard takes “No Mow May” to whole new level. Jonathan welcomed residents to his backyard to share his gardening and composting strategies and describe the 165 species on the property he has documented using the iNaturalist app.
Green Newton President Marcia Cooper commented “It’s just wonderful that Garland Road residents open their homes , and so many of them had made so much progress on sustainability that they can share that information with other residents in the community. We’d love to see a lot more of that.”
Each participating home had a sign (sampling below) indicating the green learnings they were inviting their fellow residents to learn more about.
