Challenge for Change

Welcome to the blog for the Minnesota Energy Challenge - a place to learn about energy efficiency, to ask questions, to learn about events in Minnesota and, of course, to make a difference! I’m your host, Neely, the Challenge Coordinator. Today’s topic is: The Minnesota Energy Challenge Frequently Asked Questions. Here are the answers to the most basic questions about the Challenge. I’ll update with more FAQs to address most of the questions I get about the Challenge.

And if I don’t get to the question that you desperately need answered, leave it in the comments and it will get added to the batch.

(If you are having a problem with logging into the Challenge, visit this post to learn how to retrieve your login information.)

What is the Minnesota Energy Challenge?

I’m glad you asked. The Challenge is a website run by the non-profit Center for Energy and Environment, by Minnesotans, for Minnesotans, to help you profit from our many years of experience in energy efficiency and conservation. It will help you calculate your carbon footprint, learn how to save money and energy in your home, reduce your impact on the environment, support communities and save the world.

Save the world. Really.

Really! If every Minnesotan reduced their energy use by just two percent, we could stop building new power plants and start converting old ones to renewable energy. That would be a huge change in the way that Minnesota produces energy - mainly in that we would use a lot less coal, which would release a lot less pollution, which would help slow climate change.

So what is a carbon footprint, anyway?

Everyone has a carbon footprint, whether you own or rent, if you are a kid or a grown-up, if you drive or bike - everyone. It’s the amount of carbon dioxide that your household produces annually. Just like you wouldn’t start a diet without knowing how much you weighed, it’s hard to reduce your energy use without knowing where you’re starting.

Geez, that number is a bit higher than I thought it would be.

The average Minnesotan’s carbon footprint is over 50,000 pounds, or over 2 tons of carbon dioxide annually. It’s larger than the national average. But the good news is, it’s not hard to reduce your footprint! That’s why we show you exactly how much CO2 and money you can save by taking action.

I don’t know…I’m pretty attached to my way of life.

Don’t worry - we’re not asking you to be cold in the dark or anything drastic. Remember the two percent? Little changes can make a big difference.

Well, I’m already doing everything I can. I don’t need to take the Challenge.

Au contraire. Even if you are taking every conceivable action to reduce your energy use, even if you have re-insulated every wall, don’t step foot in motorized vehicles and have solar panels, there’s still one thing left to do to make a difference in Minnesota: take the Challenge. Because the more people who log on and make a commitment to energy efficiency in Minnesota, the more people will pay attention. So if you’re really that devoted to energy efficiency, stopping global warming, green action - how can you not take the Challenge?

Do you share my information with anyone?

No.

What do you think is the best part of the Challenge?

I’m so glad you asked. After you calculate your carbon footprint and decide which actions you want to take to reduce your use, you can then assign your savings to up to three teams - your business, congregation, neighborhood, organization, whatever. By checking the team standings you can see how many households are pledging to save in your community and how many pounds of CO2 they’re going to avoid by taking action. It’s a great way to support your communities, be part of some healthy competition and show that you are “walking the walk.”

I am really interested in promoting the Challenge to my community. What is my first step?

Contact me, Neely, at ncranesmith@mncee.org or 612-335-5852. I can send you a Community Organizer Toolkit for the Challenge, brainstorm ideas, provide you with a variety of materials and help get your Challenge campaign started!