Pratt Center Participates in Launch of Change By Us Social Network

On July 7 , Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith and other City officials were joined by the Pratt Center and community-based environmental action organizations to launch Change by Us, a social networking website dedicated to organizing participation in neighborhood-level environmental projects. Visit Made in NYC, Retrofit NYC, Sustainable Houses of Worship, and Green Agenda for Jackson Heights at nyc.changeby.us to participate in these Pratt Center projects and share your ideas and resources.

The launch event was held at the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, where Rev. Michael Sniffen thanked the Pratt Center's Michael Kriegh and Adam Friedman for their help getting the historic church facilities upgraded to improve their energy efficiency. Rev. Sniffen's congregation is one of more than 40 that are now participating in the Pratt Center's Sustainable Houses of Worship program, which helps churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques identify opportunities to upgrade facilities for energy efficiency.

More than half have already proceeded with a survey of their lighting and at least 10 have signed up for a full audit of their energy use from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). As they invest in upgrades congregations are seeing big savings on their energy bills, and some are also inviting their members to retrofit their homes and take other personal action to improve the environment.

Sustainable Houses of Worship has been sponsoring a series of workshops for religious institutions. The next one, "Green Maintenance for Religious Institutions - Is Your Kitchen Ready?" will be held on July 19 in Brooklyn - more details here.

Connect with Sustainable Houses of Worship at Change By Us

or contact us for more information about how your religious congregation can improve your facilties' energy efficiency.