San Francisco Challenge

SustainLane’s Local Action Challenge is a way for you to make a difference in San Francisco, and win prizes doing it! As world leaders prepare to hammer out a new climate treaty at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen this December, the Hopenhagen movement inspires local, on-the-ground action in the US. Take the Local Action Challenge for San Francisco, and win prizes every week!

Each point you earn is an entry into that week's drawing for prizes from green business sponsors. Earn points by completing challenges from your city's list.

Here’s how to play:
1. Choose a challenge.
2. Take a photo of yourself completing the challenge.
3. Upload it.
4. Win a prize.
5. Repeat.

Step 1: Choose a Challenge

This list was submitted by your city’s mayor and/or office of sustainability.

Thermo-Monitor

Be smart about your home heating and cooling. The energy it takes to heat and cool our homes emits half a billion ton of greenhouse gases in the United States alone. Turn off heating at night and reduce it during the day. (Hint: Take a pic of yourself adjusting the thermostat, or wearing a sweater... Read More »

Just Say No

Say no to junk mail. The energy taken to create and distribute puts out thousands of tons of greenhouse gases in California alone. Sign up to avoid receiving that annoying junk mail at https://www.dmachoice.org/dma/member/regist.action. Read More »

Home Energy Czar

Become the master of your home’s energy usage by completing an online SmartEnergy Analyzer. Offered by our local utility PG&E, this online analyzer takes less than ten minutes and identifies where you can make the biggest change in your energy usage. http://www.pge.com/myhome/saveenergymoney... Read More »

Be a Workplace Leader

Look around your workplace and find ways to limit lighting and unnecessary electric use. Ask your workplace to join Flex Your Power, a State program to help limit energy demand on days of highest energy usage. And make sure your employer provides convenient recycling and composting in your workplace... Read More »

Screw in the CFLs

Replacing all conventional light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) is the easiest and most effective way to reduce your home energy usage and save you money. Visit your local hardware store this weekend to purchase low cost CFLs. 10 incandescent bulbs with CFL’s and... Read More »

Ditch the Car

Transportation related pollution accounts for over half of San Francisco ’s carbon footprint. Carpool, take BART and Muni, bike or walk. You’ll save money and help the environment all at once. (Snap a shot of yourself on public transit, or discovering something new on your walk or bike ride to work... Read More »

Install Solar Power

If you own your home, create renewable energy on your own building by installing solar power on your rooftop. Federal and state tax credits and incentives, paired with the GoSolarSF solar incentive (the largest of its kind in the country), an average home will get more than 50% off the cost of the... Read More »

Cart it

Use your blue and green carts for compostables and recyclables. If you live in a building that doesn’t offer these bins, call the garbage and recycling company at 330-1300, and they’ll work with your landlord. (Hint: snap a photo of yourself carrying the goods out to the carts, or of yourself on the... Read More »

Buy Energy Star

Commit to buying appliances that have the Energy Star label on them. This national standard identifies the most energy efficient models of dishwashers, refrigerators, and all appliances. When shopping for new appliances or the next electrical gadget, ask for the Energy Star rated models. Read More »

Join up

Join PG&E’s Climate Smart Program to minimize your carbon footprint. By adding a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to your monthly PG&E bill—around $5 a month for the typical home—you reduce your carbon footprint and fund environmental conservation, restoration and protection projects... Read More »

Local Action Challenge: