On October 24, the Intl Day of Climate Action, Skagit Beat the Heat held a Climate Cafe in Anacortes and the Skagit Climate Stewards hosted one in Mt. Vernon. Over 150 people participated at the two events, forming at least 23 teams representing over 100 households who will take on the challenge of lightening their carbon load by at least 5000 lbs.

The Cafes launched the Skagit Cool Community Campaign, a county-wide effort to help residents reduce their carbon footprints. Though folks may have the best of intentions, making change is much easier – and more fun! – when done in peer-support groups. Teams are following the “Low-Carbon Diet” book, sharing progress and problems with each other, and each team received a “kill-a-watt” meter to check their “phantom loads”.

If you’d like to learn more, we’ll be winding up phase 1 of the campaign on January 9, 2:00 PM at the Senior Activity Center in Anacortes, 1701 22nd St and starting to recruit teams for the second phase. In the meantime, check out a kill-a-watt meter at Pelican Bay Books, 1104 9th St ($30 deposit required) and start to save money by plugging those energy leaks!