Kilowatt Ours Blog

Nearly two decades ago, when I was an undergraduate in Environmental Studies at UCLA, I made a commitment to use my talents to help make the world a better place — to solve the environmental problems facing our world.  In this frame of mind for many of the last 20 years, I believed that if I focused my time and energy on tackling problems facing the world, I would make a difference. I made environmental documentaries, and launched environmental campaigns to save Arctic wilderness, reform transportation in Tennessee and build an energy conservation movement nationwide.

The only problem with this mentality and approach is that it neglected some important things. Recently I have developed a new paradigm, and it is this:  If I really want to save the planet and make the world a better place, I must start with me — my emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health.  I have been spending much more time on myself. The seeming paradox is that the more time I spend on me, the less time I have to spend on the saving-the-planet projects.  However, this is also the essence of my new belief — the time I spend saving myself is just what is needed to take care of the bigger picture stuff.

As I take care of myself, I have more time and energy and love to share with my family (my beautiful wife and two beautiful daughters).  Me first, then family, then my home and financial health, then neighborhood, then planet.  This is a radically different approach than what I have known for a long time, so there have been some growing pains.

What I have discovered is that I experience much less fear, anxiety and despair, and a much greater sense of joy, happiness and prosperity.  I feel more strength, energy and joy in addressing the bigger global challenges, as I feel inspired.  Best of all, as I look out at the world, it too has become a better place, as if by magic.

Last night, I was filled with joy as I watched the live online simulcast of the Blessed Earth “Hope For Creation” video debut (if you missed it, click here to watch it).  My friends Matthew and Nancy Sleeth have created a movement within communities of faith worldwide.

One of the more thought-provoking questions raised by a viewer during the simulcast was “what’s wrong with using natural resources if it makes our lives easier?”  My answer is that there is nothing wrong with using natural resources.  We live in a world of abundant resources that bless our lives with good, and true riches, if we choose the right path.

Digging deeper, I have drawn much guidance from the parable known as “The Unjust Steward” (Luke 16:1-8) in which Jesus tells the story of a rich man (i.e. “God”) who accuses his manager of “wasting his possessions” and fires him.  The parable goes on to say “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,” and clearly teaches us that if we can prove trustworthy in being good stewards of our abundant resources, we will be blessed with “true riches.”

We are the managers, or stewards of all the abundance blessing our lives.  This includes good health, financial income, material resources, loving relationships, creative ideas, and an intimate relationship with God.  However, when we are poor stewards of our abundance, even the smallest pieces of it, we rob ourselves of our highest potential (true riches).  Wasting our God-given possessions through poor stewardship will certainly lead us down a path of poor health, financial indebtedness, broken relationships and even environmental pollution.

If we want to reach our highest potential, both as individuals and as a global community, we are asked simply to take good care of all that we have, including our abundant natural resources.  This does not mean doing without, but merely paying attention, asking for guidance in good stewardship, and making a good-faith effort to reduce our usage.  Conservation.  Saving energy.  Progress, not perfection.

Stewardship is the path to our highest good.  And we are given the freedom to choose this path, or disregard it, and continue wasting our master’s possessions.  The Blessed Earth project is a powerful tool to guide people from all walks of life down the path of good stewardship.

Yesterday’s vote on the Tennessee Scenic Vistas Protection Bill was postponed for one more week.  This bill, when passed, will essentially ban any form of mountain top removal mining in this state, which would be the first of its kind in the nation.  Read more about this hot issue in Tennessee politics at News Channel 5.com

Stay tuned for more info.

Jeff

We know that the entire universe is energy. Abundant.  Limitless.  Our planet receives just a tiny tiny piece of this abundant energy.  Much of it comes from the sun.  Much is within the earth itself.  Even in this tiny piece of the universe, the energy here on our planet, within our reach, is infinite.  So, why do we feel we must dig, destroy and pollute our planet in order to fuel our world?

I don’t know.  I accept this as where we need to be, just for today.  However, we know that there is powerful, abundant energy down to the tiniest level — that of the atom.  So, I have hope that we may learn to live in balance with this eternal power, without digging and contaminating to get it.  NO, I am not advocating for expanding nuclear power plants.  I am advocating a new awareness of the limitless good around us.

I believe that when we become good stewards of the abundant energy around us and within us, we will unlock more and more of that energy and be able to use it to provide the goodness we now rely upon coal and fossil fuels and nuclear power to provide.

What is a good steward?  Look up stewardship (you can’t spell it without “e-a-r-t-h”)  in the dictionary, or wikipedia, and you will get a good sense of what it means. A steward is someone who can be trusted to take good care of something, to use it mindfully, with respect, and trust.  When we are good stewards of our bodies, we thrive with good health.  When we are good stewards of the money that passes through our hands, we grow wealth.  When we are good stewards of our relationships, we feel more loved and loving.

There is a universal imperative to be a good steward of these forms of energy and good in our world.  And so it is with the energy at our fingertips when we flip on the lights, or crank up the heat in winter, or the cool in summer.  We may not see the consequences of this form of energy as immediately as with health, or money, or relationships, but the consequences are there — in destroyed mountains, polluted air and water, and excessive energy bills.  Perhaps a stagnant economy is a signal that we have not been good stewards. Perhaps stewardship is the answer to a strong, and clean economy.

So, what will be the consequence of practicing good stewardship of electricity and gasoline?  Let’s get started and find out!  Globally, perhaps it will be greater access to free solar energy, or cars that go much greater distances on a gallon of gas, or even run on pollution-free fuels.  I do believe in the possibility of a thriving global economy that is clean.  And I do believe that good stewardship is the key to this clean energy economy.  When we demonstrate that we can be good stewards of our natural energy resources, we will unlock unimaginable good and abundance for ourselves.  Anything else, and we restrict our growth and hold ourselves back.

Let me be clear: good stewardship does not mean doing without!  It means looking honestly and accepting where we are today, making a commitment to be a good steward, and taking every energy-saving step that presents itself to us.  To make progress, not perfection.  Progress IS the perfection.  Reduce the amount of energy you use, gradually, or at whatever pace works for you.  Just make progress.

This journey is life-long, just as being a good steward of your health, money, or relationships.  It is not to be feared, or seen as a sacrifice, but rather a joyous, life-enriching process.  With it will come greater freedom, greater prosperity, and greater energy for everyone on the planet.

Stewardship tip of the season: As spring arrives, open your windows, and turn off the heat!  Let the air flow.

“As we practice good stewardship of our abundant natural resources, we prosper.  As we prosper, the planet heals.” Jeff Barrie

I have never been more excited about my work. Today, Kilowatt Ours launches our “Good Energy Stewardship Program” with a mission to help you reduce energy usage by making simple changes in your daily habits and behaviors. This will be the central focus of our organization’s work for years to come, because stewardship is a life-long process, and there are always opportunities to learn and grow.  Please help us by sharing this information with everyone you feel would benefit.

What is the Good Energy Stewardship Program?

Before you install solar panels or invest in energy efficiency retrofits there are countless steps you can take immediately that require no budgeting, hiring, or upfront cash investments. I have come to believe that the greatest untapped, potential energy savings available in our world are those that can be realized through changing our minds, actions, and relationship to the energy we use every day. This is the first step available to all people right now, regardless of geography, climate, technical expertise, or income. The “Good Energy Stewardship Program” will help you save energy, save money, and contribute to a cleaner, more prosperous world.  I do believe as more and more people make a commitment to practice good energy stewardship, many of the environmental challenges we face today will vanish and be replaced by the clean, abundant energy we all know is there for us.

We will help you on your good energy stewardship journey by providing the following resources for you (all of these can be accessed at www.KilowattOurs.org):

* informational emails about this initiative

* worksheets with practical steps you can take immediately

* downloads and DVDs to watch and share

* online discussion forums to share your experiences

* community workshops to learn and grow together

When can you get started?

Right now! Take 45 seconds to download and print our free energy saving worksheet at www.KilowattOurs.org , follow the instructions, and create your Personal Stewardship Plan.  The small steps you take are proven to yield big results, when you take them with diligence and a positive attitude.

How can you help?

Participate: Do the best you can to reduce the amount of kilowatts you consume, one day at a time.  Share your experiences in our discussion forums.

Donate: Your financial contributions allow us to expand our work and achieve our goals.  Click here.

Stay tuned and share: I will blog and email with more information, uncovering the immeasurable value we gain when we practice good energy stewardship.  Tell your friends about our work!

I am eager to take this journey with you.  Please be in touch!

Jeff Barrie

My first trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia was cancelled due to two feet of snow.  The rescheduled event takes place this coming weekend — March 27 — see below for details.

I am thrilled about my trip this weekend to Fredericksburg,
Virginia, to speak about the virtues of energy conservation
at the Energy Fair hosted by Rappahannock Valley Garden
Club. (Thank you Garden Club for bringing me to Fredericksburg!)
If you are in the area, please come say hi.

My talk is Saturday, March 27, 1pm at James Monroe High School.
Get all the details at: www.Fredericksburg.com

ENERGY SAVING TIP

Energy conservation guru Amory Lovins once said the best thing
anyone can do to save energy is to “pay attention!”

Here is a simple way to become an energy conservation guru yourself.
Every time you turn something on – a light, a thermostat, an appliance,
ANYTHING that uses energy, pause ever so briefly and say this short
prayer:

“Thank you for this energy. May it serve me well. Please guide me in
good stewardship.”

Then, when you turn it off, repeat “Thank you for this energy.”

Please try it, and tell me about your results.

On a personal note, I am always excited about my work for
Kilowatt Ours, but it pales in comparison to my excitement about
the recent birth of my second daughter. Antonina Sky
was born in our energy-conscious home on Sunday, January 24.
Mom (Heather) and baby are healthy and well.

All the best,

Jeff Barrie

Since we are now in the heating season, and the big storm is
coming (or past if you are in the West), I feel inclined to share
with you some tips on keeping your heating bills down.

Today’s tip is about thermostats. Do you have one? They come
in many shapes, sizes and technologies, posing a challenge to
come up with a tip that works for everyone.

In a recent meeting with NES (our local power company), we had
a long discussion about thermostats. [By the way, Kilowatt Ours
is now partnered with Nashville Electric Service (NES) -- one of the
12 largest public utilities in America. Our work together is to offer
energy saving workshops for low-income neighborhoods in our
region of Tennessee. I will share some of the materials and
learnings from these workshops over time.]

The topic we recently discussed with NES was, “does it save energy
to turn down my thermostat at night, or when our home is empty
during the day?” Answer: YES, this does save energy. And YES, if
you have an electric heat pump, and you crank up the heat after
having it set down for a few hours it may turn on your emergency
resistance heat and end up consuming more energy than you
saved. So, it does matter “how” you bring the temp back up.

***Rule of thumb***
There is a rule of thumb to keep your savings: when you are
ready to crank the heat back up, turn up your thermostat one
degree at a time to prevent your system from kicking on the
emergency heat (if you have natural gas heat, this doesn’t
matter. Crank it up baby!). Here’s what I mean: Turn your
thermostat up one degree. When the room has reached this
temp and the heat pump clicks off, turn it up another degree.
And so on until you are back in your comfort zone. This will
keep your savings in place.

Special thanks to NES for helping us improve our energy savings
knowledge!

All the best. Stay warm. Keep it at 68 or lower for greatest
savings (and put on a sweater, or do some jumping jacks).

Jeff

PS: Please make a donation to support our work at:

http://www.KilowattOurs.org/savekilowattours

Yesterday I received a mailing from Home Depot, and discovered
a wonderful way to brush up on my energy-savings skills for free.

***E-TIP***
Home Depot stores nationwide are now offering free energy-saving
workshops on topics ranging from sealing and insulating your
home, to selecting the best efficient lighting for your needs
and desires (and other home improvement).

I just registered online for my first home-sealing workshop this
Saturday. Signing up is easy and quick. Find a workshop near you
and sign up at: http://www.homeimproverclub.com

***TAKE ACTION!***
Kilowatt Ours has partnered with The Climate Project and Repower
America to build support for clean energy policies for our
nation. Please click to register for action alerts, updates and
ways to take action: http://www.RePowerAmerica.org

That’s all for now. Stay tuned for more breaking news, e-tips and
fun stuff to do.

Jeff Barrie
(615) 340-5005

PS: Please support our work by making a donation at:
http://www.KilowattOurs.org/savekilowattours

PPS: If you feel these informational emails are of value, please
forward to your friends, and encourage them to sign-up at
www.KilowattOurs.org (simply register for the energy-saving
download on our home page)

Pssst… The Kilowatt Ours DVD is now on sale at Whole Body/Whole Foods in Nashville. Would you please support us by visiting Whole Body (next door to Whole Foods) and purchasing a copy?.. and pass it on! For readers not in Nashville, I have this to share:

My dream is that Whole Foods Market will carry Kilowatt Ours in all stores nationwide, and you can help. Currently WFM is testing the Kilowatt Ours DVD in selected stores. If you and all your friends purchase the DVD and/or request a copy and the DVDs fly off the shelves, Whole Foods will likely continue promoting it — getting the conservation message out to new audiences and financially supporting our work. Please visit your local Whole Foods Market and ask if they carry KO. If they don’t, please request it. If they do carry KO, make a purchase (it is still a great gift for friends and family). And encourage your friends to pick up their copy too! THANK YOU!

***ENERGY SAVING TIP***

As the cooling season draws to a close, please remember to change

the filter in your HVAC intake vent. This will improve your indoor

air quality, and cut energy usage as we move into the heating season.

***NOTES FROM THE ROAD***

Last week I delivered a keynote address at EPA Headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The office’s mission is to protect public health and the environment by improving air quality across the U.S. I was so impressed with the important research being conducted by EPA — uncovering the effects of pollution and toxics on our health, and finding cleaner, more efficient ways to thrive. This research facility recently discovered Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals — a breakthrough discovery that received major news attention.

My speech to EPA staff explored the tremendous and often overlooked role that our behaviors and choices make in solving our great environmental challenges. A recent study by Gerald Gardner and Paul Stern reports that significant, I mean GIANT energy savings can be realized in America with little infrastructure investments — simply through education and by changing our household behaviors and choices. So, the seemingly small actions you take do make a world of difference. Get out there and continue your energy savings journey! It is saving our planet.

All the best,

Jeff Barrie

Kilowatt Ours

(615) 340 5005

PO Box 60322 Nashville, TN 37206

please make a donation and support our work at http://www.KilowattOurs.org/donate

PS: While in the Research Triangle area, I visited Lowes Grove Middle School and shared the Kilowatt Ours message with junior high students. Read the story.

# October 3, 11:00am-4:00pm, Dan Joranko will be representing Kilowatt Ours at the ALA Breathe Easy Fall Festival @ Riverside Village in East Nashville
# October 8, 8:45am-9:45am, Jeff will speak at the USGBC/ASLA conference in the Renaissance Hotel
# October 16, 12:00pm, Jeff will show Kilowatt Ours and speak briefly at the Women in Business Luncheon in Donelson, TN
# October 19-20, TN Governors Housing Summit, Nashville
# October 26-27, GNAR Convention in Nashville, TN
# November 1st 11:30am, Tabling Event and Presentation for the Hadassah Nashville Green Meeting
# November 6-7, TSTA Conference at Cool Springs Marriott Hotel (Jennifer)
# November 7, 9am to 1pm, NES/KO energy savings workshop at Salem AME Church, 1800 4th Ave, N, in Nashville