As we head into a heat wave this weekend — reminding us again of the accelerating pace and severe local impact of fossil fuel-driven climate change — please do everything you can to conserve energy during these “peak demand” days.
Peak demand means that our utility providers turn to dirty fuels — coal, oil and fracked gas — to bring us extra energy, further contributing to a death spiral of pollution, heat and extreme weather. Hitting “peak demand” here in the Valley also gives ammunition to Columbia Gas as it tries to foist new gas pipelines and other fossil fuel infrastructure on us at a time when we need desperately to transition to clean energy.
Here are some of the things my family does to stay cool without using air conditioning: We planted shade trees that cool our house. We have window fans running all night, then close our windows and blinds first thing in the morning to trap cool air and block direct sun. We don’t cook in our the kitchen in summer (thanks to our reliable outdoor solar oven), we sleep with all cotton sheets and ice packs, we hang out in our well insulated, cool basement. In late afternoon, we retreat to a public space with air conditioning (like the library) or go for a dip in the Mill River.
If you are still hot in your home after employing all the conservation measures you can, contact MassSave for a free audit of all the ways you can insulate your house. The cheapest, cleanest energy is the energy we never have to use.
Lilly Lombard
Northampton