By A. Nicole Thran, MD
Emergency Medicine
The Gifford Energy Committee is kicking off our Greener Gifford campaign on Oct. 1. Our goal is to demonstrate a measurable decrease in our energy consumption and landfill and hazardous materials, while simultaneously increasing our recyclables and compostables.
We cannot do it alone. To attain our goals, we are working with partners on the Randolph Energy Committee* as well as with Efficiency Vermont.
The Greener Gifford campaign is designed to raise awareness among patients and staff about ways to increase energy savings at work and at home. To do this we will be hosting events and thinking of ways to conserve energy.
Here are three things we all can do at work and at home to help conserve energy:
- Contact Efficiency Vermont, efficiencyvermont.com, or call 1-888-921-5990, for more information. We’ve done this already at Gifford. Efficiency Vermont works with businesses and homeowners to conduct energy assessments to help us save energy from leaky buildings.
Gifford Facilities Manager Patrick Giordano conducts a tour with Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI) partners, including representatives from several Vermont hospitals, at Gifford Medical Center. The CEI partnership, facilitated by Efficiency Vermont, provides technical assistance, education, and support to develop a comprehensive approach to energy management in order to reduce waste, improve energy performance over time, and cut costs.
- Change your bulbs to LEDs (light-emitting diodes). These are the next generation of bulbs. They are replacing CFBs (compact fluorescent bulbs) and contain no hazardous materials, so they can even be recycled.(Question: How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: Only one, but the bulb has to really want to change.)
- Turn if off! We all have to remember to turn off lights and appliances, including computers, when not in use. I’ve taken to unplugging my electric toothbrush every day.
Let’s work together as friends, neighbors, and citizens to decrease our energy usage and create a #GreenerGifford.
Dr. Thran serves on the Energy Committee at Gifford and advocates for environmental stewardship and sustainability in her community. For more information about the Energy Committee, email .
*If you are in the Randolph area and would like more information about the Randolph Energy Committee, email .
