Energy

Fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum produced 80% of the energy used in 2020. Producing all of that energy released toxic air molecules, destroyed natural wildlife, and polluted waterways, forests and communities. In 2020 the United States released and emitted 1.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. While there’s no denying that enormous amounts of energy are necessary to operate botanical gardens, museums and zoos, there are environmentally conscious options and opportunities to reduce our energy footprints that organizations should consider.

One such opportunity is for organizations to purchase or generate 100% renewable energy. The Climate Toolkit created goals to support and assist organizations as they address energy emissions within their own operations.

Click to read more about each goal and explore further resources. If you need more support, please email the Climate Toolkit at climatetoolkit@phipps.conservatory.org.

Resources:
Fossil Fuels, Explained
Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Electricity Generation

Energy goals of the Climate Toolkit:

Meet the Paris Climate Agreement targets for CO2 reduction OR reduce fossil fuel use by 25%.

The Paris Agreement is a global agreement to addresses climate change with a long-term goal of keeping the global average temperature to at least 2°C (3.6°F) below pre-industrial levels. In alignment with the Paris Agreement, the Climate Toolkit recommends that institutions set realistic goals to reduce fossil fuel usage and its associated emissions and make plans to accomplish those goals. This is a critical step to address climate change and diminish our carbon footprint. Click here to read more about the Paris Climate Agreement.

 

Institutions Pursuing Energy Goals:

Anchorage Museum

Anchorage, Alaska

Asheville Art Museum Association Inc

Asheville, North Carolina

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

Bok Tower Gardens

Lake Wales, Florida

California Indian Museum and Cultural Center

Santa Rosa, California

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Cornell Botanic Gardens

Ithaca, New York

Discovery Museum

Acton, Massachusetts

Duke Farms

Hillsborough Township, New Jersey

Florida Aquarium

Tampa, FL

Ganna Walska Lotusland

Santa Barbara, California

Hillwood Estate, Museum and Garden

Washington, D.C.

Hoyt Arboretum Friends

Portland, Oregon

Jardin botanique de Montréal, Espace pour la vie/ Montréal Botanical Gardens, Montréal Space for Life

Québec, Canada

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Austin, Texas

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Sarasota, Florida

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey, California

Morris Arboretum

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Morton Arboretum

Lisle, Illinois

Mt. Cuba Center

Hockessin, Delaware

National Nordic Museum

Seattle, Washington

New York Botanical Garden

Bronx, New York

Norfolk Botanical Garden

Norfolk, Virginia
North Carolina Botanical Garden

North Carolina Botanical Garden

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Edinburgh, UK

San Diego Natural History Museum

San Diego, California

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden

Santa Barbara, California

Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Science Museum of Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Visual Arts Center of New Jersey

Summit, New Jersey