This list of websites includes resources and information around climate change. Some sites provide background, some explain government policies, some are focused on a particular topic, for example air sealing or green building. We hope you will find these helpful.
If you're up early on Sunday mornings, listen to "Living on Earth". It's on WBUR at 7:00 am and provides environmental news. Its web site is loe.org.
Another great resource is "Environmental Health News".
Information Sources by Subject Matter | Multipurpose Organizational Resources
Information Sources by Subject Matter
Energy Efficiency | Appliances | Heating Systems | Air Sealing and Insulation | Solar Hot Water
General Green Building - Residential | General Green Building - Commercial
Energy Efficiency
EERE (Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy), part of DOE (US Dept. of Energy)
www.eere.energy.gov
Works to strengthen the United States' energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in partnership with the private sector, state and local government, DOE national laboratories, and universities.
Home Energy Audits
www.masssave.com
Provides free energy audits. They will tell you what energy upgrades are useful and will analyze your home for improvements. They provide a list of certified contractors so that homeowners can get competitive pricing for any work they plan to do.
Solar Shopping
www.energysage.com
Provides a way to learn about solar and to get multiple quotes from qualified installers.
DSIRE (Database of State Incentive for Renewables & Efficiency)
www.dsireusa.org
Comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Milken School of Public Health at George Washington University
https://publichealthonline.gwu.edu/how-to-reduce-climate-change/
A good resource of tips for everyone interested in reducing their personal carbon footprint.
Appliances
Energy Star
www.energystar.gov
Joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy
Heating Systems
HeatingHelp.Com
www.heatinghelp.com
Info about heating systems and problems, particularly steam
Air Sealing and Insulation
Energy Star - Air Sealing and Insulation
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing
Background on air sealing and insulation, and "how to"
United States Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Blower Door Tests
www.energysavers.gov/your_home/energy_audits/index.cfm/mytopic=11190
Blower-door tests
United States Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Weatherstripping
apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11260
Weatherstripping background, and "how to"
Energy Star Home Improvement
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=diy.diy_index
Do-itself-yourself guide to sealing and insulating
Caulking and Weatherstripping
www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Commerce/
Caulking__Weatherstripping_110802035458_CaulkandWeather.pdf
Techniques, tactics, and tips for caulking and weatherstripping
Solar Hot Water
An article on Solar Hot Water and its benefits:
http://environment.about.com/od/renewableenergy/a/solar_water_hea.htm
Link to the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center's rebate program for Solar Hot Water:
http://www.masscec.com/index.cfm/page/Commonwealth-Solar-Hot-Water/cdid/11766/pid/11159
General Green Building - Residential
Energy and Envirnmental Affairs
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_improvement.hm_improvement_index
Within EERE, select Energy Efficiency / Residential and Business Energy Efficiency / Energy Efficiency for Your Home
Energy Star - Home Improvement
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_homes.hm_index
United States Green Building Council
Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)
Home Energy
BuildingGreen.Com
GreenBuilding.Com
360Chestnut
www.360chestnut.com
A resource for information about residential energy efficiency
General Green Building - Commercial
Energy and Environmental Affairs - Business
Within EERE, select Energy Efficiency / Residential and Business Energy Efficiency / Energy Efficiency for Your Home / Assistance for Business
Energy Star - Building and Plants
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=business.bus_index
Amazon Books - Energy Conservation in Small Business
www.amazon.com/Energy-Conservation-Small-Business-Pearson/dp/081913659X
Center for Small Business and the Environment
Multipurpose Organizational Resources
ASES (American Solar Energy Society)
www.ases.org
Nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the use of solar energy, energy efficiency, and other sustainable technologies in the U.S.
BuildingGreen, LLC
www.BuildingGreen.com
Independent company providing accurate, unbiased, and timely information for building-industry professionals and policy makers to improve the environmental performance, and reduce the adverse impacts of buildings.
CSBE (Center for Small Business and the Environment)
- Mobilizes the economic and political powerhouse known as small business on behalf of environmental protection
DSIRE (Database of State Incentive for Renewables & Efficiency)
www.dsireusa.org
Comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
EERE (Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy), part of DOE (US Dept. of Energy)
www.eere.energy.gov
Works to strengthen the United States' energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in partnership with the private sector, state and local government, DOE national laboratories, and universities.
EFI store
www.energyfederation.org/greenstart
Online store.
- Offers energy saving products for members of New England GreenStart
- Sponsored by Center for Ecological Technology, Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, and People's Power & Light
ENERGY STAR
www.energystar.gov
Joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Helps save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices
EEA (Official Website of the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs)
www.mass.gov/?pageID=eoeeahomepage&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Eoeea
Massachusetts Cabinet-level office that oversees both environmental and energy state agencies (Dept of Conservation and Recreation, Dept of Energy Resources, Dept of Environmental Protection, Dept of Food and Agriculture, Dept of Fish and Game, Dept of Public Utilities).
GRT (The Green Roundtable, Inc.)
www.greenroundtable.org
Independent non-profit organization whose mission is to mainstream green building and sustainable design and become obsolete.
Home Energy
www.homeenergy.org
Online magazine which disseminates objective and practical information on residential energy efficiency, performance, comfort, and affordability.
Web site of author, David Johnston (Green Remodeling)
www.greenbuilding.com
Source of information and expertise on green building.
Mass Energy
www.massenergy.com
Non-profit organization that both advocates and acts in the marketplace on behalf of consumers and the environment.
- Offers discount heating oil and renewable energy options
MTC (Massachusetts Technology Collaborative)
www.masstech.org
Massachusetts's development agency for renewable energy and the innovation economy
- Works to stimulate economic activity in communities throughout the Commonwealth
NESEA (Northeast Sustainable Energy Association)
nesea.org
Advances the adoption and practical application of sustainable, low carbon energy practices through a number ongoing programs and annual events.
- Chapter of the American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
Rate It Green
www.RateItGreen.com
User-driven directory, ratings site, and community portal for the green building industry.
- Provides a directory of service providers and ratings
RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network)
www.resnet.us
Industry not-for-profit membership corporation formed to develop a national market for home energy rating systems and energy efficient mortgages.
- Sets national standards for building energy efficiency rating systems
SEBANE
www.sebane.org
Business association of solar energy companies based, or doing business, in New England.
- Provides a source of solar professional
U.S. Green Building Council
www.usgbc.org
501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone.