NCAT and Climate Change
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 The National Center for Appropriate Technology recognizes that climate change is a serious challenge that
requires a comprehensive and global response from all sectors of society. To address it, it is the stated policy of
NCAT that we are committed to measuring, transparently reporting, and reducing the carbon footprint of our
own operations.
Carbon-reducing measures form an integral part of the overall organizational strategy, helping to improve both
operational performance and a reduction in potentially harmful emissions to land, water and air. NCAT’s
ultimate goal is to achieve a zero carbon footprint by the period ending 2025.
Nearly everything that NCAT does either addresses the causes of climate change or helps people and communities deal with the effects of climate change. For example, NCAT projects are helping farmers extend growing seasons, improve soils, and diversify their crops to manage weather-related risks. Other projects are implementing energy-saving strategies and equipment in homes and businesses, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy production. Several NCAT projects help energy consumers manage demand, explore renewable energy options, or find sources of assistance with rising energy costs.
NCAT is addressing climate change on a corporate level in part by installing renewable energy generation capacity and improving energy efficiency at its offices. Solar panels provide part of the electricity for NCAT's headquarters office, and staff there chose to reduce energy usage by removing electric vending machines. NCAT's intranet site even has a dark background to reduce energy consumption by computer monitors. Regional offices with cutting-edge communications technology are helping NCAT reduce the climate footprint of its corporate travel.
Visit NCAT's Sustainability page to learn more about our efforts to make our organization's practices more sustainable.
As an organization, NCAT is also involved in several collaborative efforts to help citizens and governments become aware of their roles in addressing impending climate change and dealing with the impact it is having on the environment, the economy, individuals and communities. |
The Montana Climate Action Project
The Montana Climate Action Project is a collaboration of partners in Montana working to find solutions, create opportunities and empower people around the issue of climate change. Our goal is to provide Montana citizens with the information and tools they need to understand climate change and make personal changes that will have a positive effect on the climate change crisis.
Climate Challenge Conferences
NCAT was one of the sponsors for the South Dakota Climate Challenge Conference, Strategies for the Future, held September 28-30, 2007. The conference implemented a progressive, proactive approach to address the growing global climate challenge, and specifically its effects on South Dakotans from all walks of life. The conference
followed the format of the successful Montana Climate Challenge conference held in September 2006, which NCAT also co-sponsored and helped organize. These climate challenge conferences involved
participants in interactive breakout sessions that produced recommendations for
politicians and decision makers who will have to draft policies to address climate change issues.
Leadership Summit for Sustainable Development
By invitation, NCAT worked with The National Energy Center for Sustainable Communities (NECSC) and The Johnson Foundation to co-sponsor in a series of meetings
over two years that addressed a nationwide approach to sustainability. The first meeting, held in June 2006, focused on
Energy and Global Climate Change, and established
global climate change as a context that must drive future sustainability efforts.
Presidential Climate Action Project
The Presidential Climate Action Project is a national initiative to develop a bold and decisive climate action plan for the next President of the United States.
The initiative is gathering the most promising proposals for new
policies, programs, legislation, regulations, incentives and agency
authorities, and will compile them in a Presidential Climate Action Plan. NCAT is supporting this initiative with website development and administration services.
Alliance for Climate Protection
NCAT is a supporter of the Alliance for Climate Protection, a group that has released the first advertisement in a national campaign that is helping alert Americans about the urgency of the climate crisis and engage them in solving it. The ads bring to life the contribution that each household is making towards climate change and demonstrate some very easy ways to help reduce it while saving money.
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NCAT Newsletters
oilseeds for fuel, feed and the future
Farmers Market Food Stamp EBT Project
Energy Assistance
National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) is a free service for persons who want information on where to apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which may pay a portion of the energy bills of eligible low-income persons. Call 1-866-NRG-NEAR
(866-674-6327).
The Presidential Climate Action Project
The imperative to address global warming grows daily. The Presidential Climate Action Project is a national initiative to develop a bold and decisive climate action plan for the next President of the United States.
Keys to Successful Solar Design
Take-to-the-field guides designed to help homeowners and builders successfully plan and implement energy efficient homes using solar energy.
For Homeowners
[PDF/144K]
For Builders & Designers
[PDF/265K]
Home Energy Rating Service
Certified energy raters at NCAT can help developers or homeowners achieve ENERGY STAR ratings.
Sustainable Housing Tools
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