Climate Smart Bainbridge

You can be part of the solution to climate pollution!

With the start of the new year comes new Climate Smart goals! In 2022, we almost met our goal of signing up 250 households for the Climate Smart Challenge and reducing 100 tons of CO2. In 2023, we’re aiming even higher, with a goal to sign up a total of 550 households and reduce 200 tons of CO2 by May 31, 2023!

If you want to be part of the solution to climate pollution, there are three simple ways you can help:

Sign up for the Bainbridge Island Climate Smart Challenge.
Complete new actions and watch your carbon footprint decline.
Participate in special City events supporting the Challenge this spring.

Each month the City will focus on a new Climate Smart topic with supporting events and tips on how you can help create a Climate Smart Bainbridge. Learn more about upcoming events below.

Join the Bainbridge Island Climate Smart Challenge and you could win a home composting bin!

Everyone who has earned at least 10,000 points in the Challenge by May 31, 2023 will be entered in a drawing to win one of five outdoor or indoor composting bins!

Why is composting important? Composting food scraps creates a rich soil additive and keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas. A home composting bin will also provide a great place to dispose of the home compostable food service ware used at local food establishments for to-go orders!

Have questions about the Challenge? Contact Autumn Salamack, Climate Mitigation & Adaptation Manager, via email.

May 20th: Kitsap Electric Vehicle and Bike Expo

Over 300 people attended the Kitsap Electric Vehicle and Bike Expo on Saturday, May 20th to learn more about electric vehicle and electric bicycle options for low-carbon travel. The Expo supported goals outlined in the City’s Climate Action Plan and Sustainable Transportation Plan to:

transition the City’s fleet to electric vehicles and biofuels;
increase the number of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles on the island;
increase the mode share of active transportation (such as biking and walking);
support the use of electric bikes; and
install more charging infrastructure for vehicles, bikes, etc.

Several dealers and approximately 20 residents had electric vehicles on display, including the City’s first EV – a Ford Mach-E for the police department, and an all-electric bus from Kitsap Transit. Attendees had an opportunity learn more about electric vehicles, the new community EV carshare program, and other low-carbon travel options at booths with Puget Sound Energy, the City of Bainbridge Island, ZEV Co-op, Pacific Mobility, Bainbridge Greenways, and others. Attendees also got to test ride various models of e-bikes from B.I. Cycle.

Thank you to volunteers from Climate Action Bainbridge for organizing this fun and informative community event!

May 11th: Webinar - Save Energy with PSE’s Peak Energy Rewards Program

Thank you to everyone who joined City and PSE staff to learn more about the demand response pilot program, Peak Energy Rewards (specifically for Bainbridge Island), and key actions to reduce home energy use. Puget Sound Energy customers on Bainbridge Island are now eligible for increased financial incentives on a variety of home upgrades through Peak Energy Rewards, a new pilot energy-efficiency program. Learn more in this PDF document (please visit the PSE website for the most up-to-date information and note that you will need to login to your PSE account to access the Peak Energy Rewards page on the PSE website).

This voluntary pilot program uses smart technology to meet high energy demand during the coldest days of the year. When the demand is forecasted to peak, PSE smooths it out by adjusting your smart thermostat. This increases reliability and is designed to reduce the need for more new infrastructure. As a reward for participating, you’ll receive $75 annually and be eligible for increased rebates on home heating, water heating and weatherization. Please note: only customers living in Bainbridge Island who heat their home with electricity as the primary fuel source and have an AMI meter qualify for enrollment. Contact PeakEnergyRewards@pse.com or call 833-203-1947 for more information.

April 12th: Climate Smart Cooking Demo

Thank you to everyone who attended the Climate Smart in the Kitchen cooking demo! We had a great turnout and a very tasty evening exploring plant-based protein swaps. Thank you to islander and vegan consultant, Nancy Travis, and the volunteers at BARN for supporting this Climate Smart event!

What is the Climate Smart Challenge?

Bainbridge Island has big climate action goals and we need your help!

We’re working to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25% by 2025, and 90% by 2045, compared to 2014. Roughly 40% of U.S. GHG emissions come from five basic household activities: transportation choices, electricity use, heating, food choices, and waste. The great news is there are lots of ways you can take action to protect our environment, save money, and improve your health and the comfort of your home.

The Climate Smart Challenge makes it easy and fun to reduce your GHG emissions. You select the actions specific to your journey and lifestyle, track your progress, and watch your carbon footprint decline as you make changes at home. You can collaborate with your neighbors, share ideas and resources, and work towards your goals together.

Together we can create a Climate Smart Bainbridge!

Join the Bainbridge Island Climate Smart Challenge today!

Youth & School Resources

Climate Action Lessons Plans for Grades 4-12

The City’s Climate Smart Challenge has free lesson plans and activities to help students measure carbon footprints, identify concrete climate solutions, and address climate anxiety. Lesson plans with short videos and slide decks for grades 4-6 and grades 7-12 are available below. *Please right click to open the documents below in a separate tab*

Lesson Plan Outline for Grades 7-12: includes a 40-minute and 60-minute "What is Your Carbon Footprint?" activity and a 45-minute "Climate Solutions Challenge" activity.
Lesson Plan Outline for Grades 4-6

Kids can also download and print these coloring sheets. Post your artwork in a window to show you have a Climate Smart home!

If you have questions about the lesson plans or are interested in a presentation for your classroom, please contact ClimateAction@bainbridgewa.gov.

Climate Smart 4th Graders

The City partnered with Ordway Elementary School in late 2022 to pilot the Climate Smart Youth program. This six-week program helped students measure their carbon footprints, identify concrete climate solutions, and address climate anxiety. This was achieved through games, quizzes, and opportunities for students to serve as Climate Smart ambassadors for their peers. At the conclusion of this program, students were invited to City Hall where they gave a presentation to City staff on what they had learned and what actions they believed staff should take to be more Climate Smart. The Climate Smart Youth program received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both students and staff! The City is continuing this program with other schools in 2023.

If your school, PTO, or other youth representatives are interested in this program (for 4th graders or any other grades), please contact ClimateAction@bainbridgewa.gov.

Schools Participating in the Climate Smart Youth Program:

Ordway Elementary
Captain Johnston Blakley Elementary

Teams Program & Resources

The Climate Smart Teams Program provides a fun and impactful way to learn about actions to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare your homes and families for the impacts of climate change. The Teams program helps you take action, get more connected with your neighbors, and build a more resilient and sustainable Bainbridge Island.

The Teams Program includes a series of meeting agendas that focus on climate and sustainability solutions, emergency preparedness and resilience. You can form a team with neighbors, friends, church members, PTO members, classmates, coworkers - anyone you like! Materials include short videos, guided discussion questions and a celebration to recognize the impact of team members who complete actions in the Climate Smart Challenge.

Read the Team Leader Guide (PDF)

Learn how to form a team (Video)

Meeting Topics

Click on the links below to review the agendas for facilitated discussions related to the Climate Smart Bainbridge Team program.

For more information, please contact ClimateAction@bainbridgewa.gov.

Climate Smart Leaders

Do you know someone who's going above and beyond to address climate change? Nominate them as a Climate Smart Leader!

The Climate Smart Leaders program celebrates and promotes individuals and groups that are active in the Climate Smart Challenge and taking the lead on climate action in our community. Climate Smart Leaders help to inspire others in the community to join the Challenge - and perhaps become Climate Smart Leaders themselves!

Climate Smart Leaders have achieved one or more of the following:

Earned at least 5,000 points in the Climate Smart Challenge
Participated in the Challenge Teams Program
Completed one or more of the "Big Actions" in the Challenge
Taken other actions to lead on climate action in our community

Leaders can be nominated by themselves or others. If you believe that you or someone you know is a Climate Smart Leader, please fill out this short nomination form. If selected, leaders will receive recognition via social media.

Climate Smart Leaders in the Community

Please help us celebrate our newest Climate Smart Leader, Sarah Daubenberger! Sarah helped initiate the Climate Smart 4th Grader pilot program at Ordway Elementary School, working with City staff to bring this program from an idea to implementation. Congratulations Sara and thank you for your efforts to create a Climate Smart Bainbridge for both today's residents and future generations!