The San Francisco Climate Challenge

After a few concerned individuals started to brainstorm ways to get people involved in combating climate change, they've founded a non-profit organization that aims to get people thinking about energy conservation in a new way.

The effort is called the San Francisco Climate Challenge. Starting on October 25th, teams of neighbors, schools, and businesses can compete against each other to see who can lower their energy use by the largest margin. The teams will spend their next billing period doing everything they can to reduce their energy use. At the end of the billing cycle, the energy used during the period is compared to the energy used during last year's billing cycle. The more energy the team saves over the month of the competition, the better their chances of winning.

In addition to feeling good about doing something good for the planet and increasing energy savings, the SF Climate Challenge is offering cash prizes of up to $5000, and other prizes such as tickets to San Francisco Giants baseball games. Awards will be given to teams that cut their energy use the most, as well as people that get creative in their approach to lowering their energy consumption.

The SF Climate Challenge shows how easy it is to take small steps that make a big difference. For example, a wealth of information is available on http://www.sfclimatechallenge.org for reducing energy use in everyday life. Also, contest participants receive discounts at their local hardware stores to purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs. The SF Climate Challenge also highlights the impact that our long-term choices concerning energy consumption can have on the planet. The project encourages making small and large lifestyle changes as a way to have a lasting effect on the health of the environment.

If you live in San Francisco, take the SF Climate Challenge! Sign up at http://www.sfclimatechallenge.org by October 24th to participate or join a team. Their email address is info@sfclimatechallenge.org. The Weather Underground is pleased to be a sponsor of the San Francisco Climate Challenge.

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