Civic Engagement and Weatherization

In an attempt to address the policy involved with environmental civic engagement, I have set up this blog. I will be updating this site frequently when I learn about interesting environmental issues, especially those that come up in Congress.

Today I kicked off my civic engagement project by doing community service with Greater DC Cares. I, along with a group of other volunteers, weatherized and cleaned up the Josephine Butler Parks Center, often called a "greenhouse" for Washington's public parks. Their web site can be found here: http://www.washingtonparks.net/parkscenter.html.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, weatherization not only makes buildings more energy efficient, it can drastically reduce energy bills for families. At the Josephine Butler Parks Center we were removing and covering air conditioners to make sure no cold air seeps into the building through the units during the winter, but weatherization can be a much more diverse process than that.

Adding insulation to walls and roofs and weather-stripping and caulking doors and windows can also be important parts of the weatherization process. These steps are important because gaps in a house can let cold air in, leading to wasted energy, water damage and insect infestation.

As Americans' demands for energy independence and a cleaner environment increases, we must learn how to conserve energy and reduce our carbon footprints.

Weatherization has become an important economic issue as well because of its impact on decreasing energy costs, an increasing burden on many low- and middle-class families. The proposed second economic stimulus package that might be considered in a potential Congressional lame duck session this month includes $500 million for weatherization programs in addition to $5.1 billion for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).