“The planet has been stuck for too long with governments doing nothing about the biggest problem we’ve ever faced: the climate crisis,” said Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, the international climate campaign coordinating Moving Planet. “This is the day when people will get the earth moving, rolling towards the solutions we need.”

For this global day of climate action Sustainable Flatbush will focus on local solutions, by providing opportunities to learn and participate in a more sustainable future right here in our own neighborhood!

WHAT:
Moving Planet Sustainable Flatbush

WHERE:
Church Avenue Communal Garden at the Flatbush Reformed Church
East 21st Street and Kenmore Terrace, Brooklyn (map)

WHEN:
Saturday, September 24th 2011, 11am – 3pm

This event will take place rain or shine! If it’s raining hard we will keep the outdoor portions very brief and move inside the church house building (located in the center of the property).

Come join us, as we:

Kady and the composters (photo by Jocelyn Cohen)

Bump up the Compost!
Jump into hands-on education with Master Composter Kady Ferguson. We’ll collect and shred leaves (“browns”) for our 3-bin system, harvest finished compost, and add mulch to the garden beds. Learn how YOU can compost at home or here at our community compost site!

WHY COMPOST? Composting reduces waste by recycling organic matter that would otherwise be  considered garbage (food scraps, yard trimmings, etc.) into a nutrient-rich soil amendment through natural decomposition. That means fewer methane-producing landfills, fewer pollution-spewing garbage trucks, and more locally-generated rich fertilizer for NYC community gardens!

Blue Wood Aster (photo by Flatbush Gardener)

Go Native… native plants, that is!

Chris Kreussling (aka Flatbush Gardener) will lead a tour of our native plant garden, explain the benefits of gardening with native species, and teach us how to identify native plants (and distinguish them from weeds).

WHY NATIVE PLANTS? Native plants provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and other desirable wildlife, even in urban settings. Native plants save water and energy (including your energy!). Because they have adapted to local conditions, once established they are hardy and require no additional watering or maintenance. That means no need for fossil-fuel-based fertilizers and pesticides!

SunBike! (photo by Keka Marzagão)

Show Renewable Energy in Action with the SunBike!

The Sustainable Flatbush SunBike is a mobile off-grid solar energy system that travels around on a cargo bike. We use it to provide power for outdoor events and activities – from street fairs to garden work days! The SunBike shows that clean, renewable energy can be a reality right now.

WHY SOLAR?
Renewable energy sources are a crucial tool in the fight against climate change. In New York City, solar could potentially provide 49.7% of the current estimated daytime peak demand and about 14% of the city’s total annual electricity use (NY Times). That means a significant reduction in NYC’s greenhouse gas emissions!

Spring Celebration potluck (photo by Keka Marzagã

Finish the day with a Potluck lunch!
Bring something tasty to share. Potlucks are a great way to meet your neighbors and build a resilient community.

WHY A POTLUCK?
It’s fun!

We will also have a photo and graphic display including information about 350.org and Sustainable Flatbush’s work, and an exhibit of climate-themed photos by Diane Lent.

About 350.org
350.org is an international climate campaign named after the safe upper concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, 350 parts per million. Right now, the atmosphere contains 392 ppm of CO2. Scientists say immediate action is necessary to address the crisis.

Making smoothies with solar power at the Cortelyou Greenmarket

You’ll have another chance this Sunday, August 7, to get to know our SunBike, the mobile solar-electric unit that Sustainable Flatbush built to take clean energy to the streets.  Our Solar Team will be on hand to blend up some sun-powered pesto with ingredients from local farmers.

We think solar power and food vending are a great combination for New York City.  There’s no need for noisy generators blowing fumes on the sidewalk when quiet, clean solar will do just fine.  Come see how it works this Sunday!

Solar Team members Joel Acosta and Sam Tesfaye at Seeding the City Skillshare

Last Saturday, July 30th, the Solar Team led a workshop on how to solarize a toy at Seeding the City, a sustainability skillshare held at the beautiful and historic Weeksville Heritage Center in Crown Heights. The event was produced by The Laundromat Project and New York Foundation for the Arts‘ Immigrant Artists Project. It was a perfect day for solar energy, and a wonderful time was had by all!

SunBike Build: Making Connections from Sustainable Flatbush Media on Vimeo.

We built the SunBike to show what renewable energy can do right now, encourage people to adopt renewable energy, and study renewable energy systems in-depth.

This summer, the SunBike will be a visible presence on the streets of Flatbush, at block parties, community gardens, solar-powered film screenings, outdoor dance parties and much more, showing that we don’t have to wait to meet our need for energy with clean, renewable resources.

To find out how to bring the SunBike to your event or learn more about our Solar Team educational opportunities, write to the SF Energy Solutions Initiative.

Until Sunday, check out this video of me and our technical advisor Gregory Rodlico, showing a little bit of how the SunBike works.

Video Credits:
Camera & Editing: Jocelyn Cohen
Sound Mix: Anne Pope
Titles: Keka Marzagão
Music: Free Royalty Free Music by DanoSongs.com
SunBike Builders: Jocelyn Cohen and Gregory Rodlico
Solar Team: Kimberly White and Joel Acosta

The SunBike is made possible with the generous support of ConEd

Our winning entry in the Empire State Solar Generation photo contest!

This means it can be seen on a digital billboard in Times Square, along with the other winning entries, through July 24th! The New York Times Green blog also features our photo in a post about NYC’s solar potential. Background on Vote Solar’s campaign for the New York Solar Jobs Act of 2011 is available here.

The photo collage, by Keka Marzagão, features Solar Team intern Kimberly White with the SunBike and its solar panels.

The SunBike was conceived by Sustainable Flatbush Energy Solutions Project Manager Jocelyn Cohen, and built with support from ConEd.

Joel working on the SunBike

My name is Joel Acosta, I am 28 years old and live in Brooklyn, NY. Since I was 7 years old, I have constantly been fascinated in the region of engineering, mechanical and electrical affairs. Growing up I used to take stuff apart just to see how they look in the inside and then eventually put it back together, my way. After migrating to the U.S. from Dominican Republic in 1994, I always tried to sustain myself drowned in these sphere. After a while, I figured that, as humble of a person I was, I continuously wanted to stayed involved in electrical and mechanical stuff.

After Junior High School, I attended a Vocational School, where I graduated with an electrical, residential technician diploma. Having that on my resume, I later became interested in perusing a career in the environmental ground. I am now attending Brooklyn College, with a Major on Environmental Studies. Now I have many goals in my mind in which my past experiences have guided me to conduct and assemble all those skills into my ultimate aspiration. With that being said, I nevertheless keep in touch with my professors from Brooklyn College. They send me emails about different events that are going on in the neighborhood, and that’s how I got involved in this new project where we’re trying to build a SunBike with the organization called Sustainable Flatbush. The SunBike project is run by Energy Solutions Project Manager, Jocelyn Cohen. I consider this to be a very interesting development in which I am planning to keep myself focused for a long time.

Join Sustainable Flatbush and NYC Councilmember Jumaane D. Williams for an informational event about energy efficiency programs, including the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for low-income homeowners, Empower NY for renters and homeowners, free or low-cost energy audits for homeowners of all income levels available through Green Jobs Green New York, subsidies for benchmarking and energy efficiency for multi-family buildings, and energy-saving tips for everyone!

Learn about free Weatherization Benefits available through WAP including:

• - Replacing or repairing heating systems, including boilers and hot-water heaters
• - Applying superior weather-stripping and caulking
• - Installing high-efficiency cellulose insulation in walls and attic
• - Replacing inefficient appliances with Energy Star® models
• - Installing health and safety hardware, especially smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• - Installing low-flow shower heads, aerators, and energy-saving light bulbs

Weatherization Will Help:

• - Make your house warm in winter and cool in summer
• - Lower your electric, gas, oil, and water bills (by as much as 32%)
• - Improve your comfort and safety

Learn about other energy efficiency programs, including free or low-cost energy audits for homeowners available through NYSERDA’s Green Jobs Green New York program. Homeowners who bring their utility bills can sign up for these audits at the event; the first 10 participants will receive free energy-saving CFL light bulbs!

WHAT:
How to Fix Your Home and Save on Energy Bills

WHERE:
St. Thérèse of Lisieux Church
1281 Troy Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11203

WHEN:
Tuesday, May 24th from 7-9pm

While everyone at the conference was vocally pro-clean energy, what seemed to divide us and create tension was what we were against. I spent most of my time with the group raising awareness of hydrofracture gas drilling, and we saw great results. That being said, we were surprised at how many attendees of this conference – involved, like-minded students – had no idea what hydrofracking was. They were involved in anti-coal action. Or they were involved in anti-nuclear action. Or they were only in DC and at PowerShift for a march to protest the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Or they were anti-capitalist. Or they were anti-government. Or they were anti-biomass. We were all a little too wrapped up in our own crusades to talk about what we agreed on.

The most poignant phrasing of this issue – of why it’s important – came from Josh Fox, director of Gasland. During Saturday’s plenary, he took the stage to remind the audience to beware of resource-extraction companies who would try to paint a picture in which anti-coal activists and anti-gas activists are enemies, not allies. That they would try to use our divisions to break us down, to make us believe that we were weaker and more beleaguered than we actually are. And that we can’t let them do that.

While we all have our particular focuses, PowerShift inspired me as an individual to look more closely into that issue – the idea that small differences in our community can be drawn as yawning chasms of disagreement by our opponents to make us appear petty, or ill-organized, or unprepared. As in every other situation we face today, sowers of discord will create false disagreements and conflicts to deflect attention away from their own wrongdoing, and we cannot let that happen. I met a lot of very good people at the conference, and I think we did good work, and that we have  more good work to do. I hope that we can remember just how much we’re on the same team.

image: CUNY Sustainable Cities

On Thursday, March 24, Sustainable Flatbush will host the second in our series of informational events to promote the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This federally-funded program provides home improvements that reduce energy bills by an average of 32%, while at the same time improving health, safety and comfort, all at NO COST to income-eligible homeowners and tenants. Although the Weatherization Assistance Program has existed for over 30 years, it is not well-known or understood. The purpose of these events is to connect Flatbush residents with the program’s benefits.

The primary goal of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is to help low-income families reduce energy consumption and costs. Weatherization can include some or all of the following:
•    Replacing or repairing heating systems, including boilers and hot-water heaters.
•    Applying superior weather-stripping and caulking.
•    Installing high-efficiency cellulose insulation in walls and attics.
•    Replacing inefficient appliances with Energy Star® models.
•    Installing health and safety hardware, especially smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
•    Installing low-flow shower heads, aerators, and energy-saving light bulbs.

Most importantly, Weatherization means:
•    Your house or building will be warm in winter and cool in summer
•    Your electric, gas, oil, and water bills will go down (an average of 32%)
•    Your comfort and safety will increase

Income-qualified homeowners receive these benefits at NO COST. Weatherization not only lowers energy bills, it also benefits all Brooklynites by reducing pollution, upgrading housing stock, and decreasing New York City’s carbon footprint.

Co-sponsored by Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush (NHSEF), the event is being held at Lenox Road Baptist Church, 1356 Nostrand Avenue at Lenox Road, from 6 – 8 p.m. Representatives from Community Environmental Center (CEC) will be on hand to discuss details of WAP, assist participants to determine whether they qualify, and help them enroll in the program by beginning the application process.

Neighborhood Housing Services of East Flatbush is a community-based not-for-profit housing organization founded in 1982. Through financial education and affordable lending, NHSEF enables individuals and families to invest in, preserve, and improve their Neighborhoods, their Homes and their Future.

Community Environmental Center, a Long Island City-based non-profit, was founded in 1994 to address the housing and energy efficiency needs of low- and middle-income communities. Through our partnership with CEC, Sustainable Flatbush is able to provide the resources to inform Brooklyn residents about subsidized opportunities to make their homes more energy efficient.

Although the focus of our event series is WAP for 1-4 family owner-occupied homes, information will also be available on other energy efficiency programs and subsidies, provided by the Pratt Center for Community Development. NHSEF will provide information on financing for energy efficiency improvements, in addition to other home improvement programs. A home inspector/contractor will discuss do-it-your-self repairs to make your home more energy efficient.

Sustainable Flatbush, established in 2007, is a grassroots community-based organization that brings neighbors together to mobilize, educate, and advocate for sustainable living in our Brooklyn neighborhood and beyond. SF’s Energy Solutions Initiative provides information and resources to bring the benefits of energy efficiency to our community in central Brooklyn.

WHAT:
How to Fix Your Home and Save on Energy Bills

WHERE:
Lenox Road Baptist Church
1356 Nostrand Avenue (at Lenox Road)
Brooklyn, NY

WHEN:
Thursday, March 24th from 6-8pm

(image courtesy of CUNY Sustainable Cities)

Sustainable Flatbush is hosting an informational event and workshop on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 to provide information on the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This federally-funded program provides home improvements that reduce energy bills by an average of 32%, while at the same time improving health, safety and comfort, all at NO COST to income-eligible homeowners and tenants. Although the Weatherization Assistance Program has existed for over 30 years, it is not well-known or understood. The purpose of this event is to connect Flatbush residents with the program’s benefits.

The primary goal of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is to help low-income families reduce energy consumption and costs. Weatherization can include some or all of the following:
•    Replacing or repairing heating systems, including boilers and hot-water heaters.
•    Applying superior weather-stripping and caulking.
•    Installing high-efficiency cellulose insulation in walls and attics.
•    Replacing inefficient appliances with Energy Star® models.
•    Installing health and safety hardware, especially smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
•    Installing low-flow shower heads, aerators, and energy-saving light bulbs.

Most importantly, Weatherization means:
•    Your house or building will be warm in winter and cool in summer
•    Your electric, gas, oil, and water bills will go down (an average of 32%)
•    Your comfort and safety will increase

Income-qualified homeowners receive these benefits at NO COST. Weatherization not only lowers energy bills, it also benefits all Brooklynites by reducing pollution, upgrading housing stock, and decreasing New York City’s carbon footprint.

Co-sponsored by Pastor Gil Monrose’s Brooklyn Center for Quality Life and NYC Councilmember Jumaane D. Williams, the event is being held at Mt. Zion Church of God, 203 East 37th Street, between Church Avenue and Linden Boulevard, from 7 – 9 p.m. Representatives from Community Environmental Center (CEC) will be on hand to discuss details of WAP, assist participants to determine whether they qualify, and help them enroll in the program by completing the application process.

CEC, a Long Island City-based non-profit, was founded in 1994 to address the housing and energy efficiency needs of low- and middle-income communities. Through its partnership with CEC, Sustainable Flatbush is able to provide the resources to inform Brooklyn residents about subsidized opportunities to make their homes more energy efficient. Although the focus of the event is 1-4 family owner-occupied homes, information will also be available on other energy efficiency programs and subsidies, provided by the Pratt Center for Community Development.

Sustainable Flatbush, established in 2007, is a grassroots community-based organization that brings neighbors together to mobilize, educate, and advocate for sustainable living in our Brooklyn neighborhood and beyond. SF’s Energy Solutions Initiative provides information and resources to bring the benefits of energy efficiency to our community in central Brooklyn.

Refreshments will be served. Free energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs will be available, courtesy of Beam NY.

WHAT:
How to Fix Your Home and Save on Energy Bills

WHERE:
Mt. Zion Church of God
203 East 37th Street (between Church Avenue and Linden Boulevard)
Brooklyn, NY

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 8th from 7-9pm

Sustainable Flatbush is proud to announce a partnership with Con Edison to build the SunBike, a mobile solar electric system that gets around in a retrofitted cargo bike.  The SunBike will be able to provide enough energy to power a small sound system and lighting for up to two hours without access to sunlight, and do so much more.

Making Clean Energy A Reality

A rendering of the Sustainable Flatbush SunBike

A Vital Learning Tool

SF Intern Mark Miretsky and Energy Solutions Project Manager Jocelyn Cohen with our 10-watt charger at Park(ing) Day 2009

The SunBike and You

The SunBike will be a visible presence on the streets of Flatbush starting next summer, at schools, street fairs, on sidewalks at “charging events” under the sponsorship of local businesses, and beyond.  So if you’re walking down the street and you hear a little jingle, it just might be the SunBike coming your way, offering you clean and free power to fuel your day, and showing the way to our clean energy future.

Thanks to ConEd for their generous support of this project!