How it works:
The Ten Percent Challenge is a movement of innovators who believe that the chemistry of change begins with bringing people together. The Challenge is designed to support, and coordinate with, detailed climate action programs like the New York Climate Smart Communities Pledge ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/50845.html  )

However you start, we recommend these basic steps (and we'll help you if you want us to!):

Making a plan:

Assess your current greenhouse gas emissions and opportunities for environmental improvement that get people involved and create economic opportunity.

Plan a signature outreach event:

We offer the Forum on the Possible Community, a half-day or evening event, an intriguing format for large groups to engage in conversations that generate new ideas and build relationships for implementation.

Commitments:

You participate by making a public commitment and action plan. Commitments and progress are tracked on the Campaign’s website and publicized in the news media to build a compelling regional story.

Toolkits:

We show you the way with expert resources such as The Climate Challenge: 101 Solutions to Global Warming by Guy Dauncey; the New York State Climate Smart Communities Pledge and Handbook; and the Empowerment Institute’s Low Carbon Diet workbook.

Incentives:

The first community to make a convincing case that it has achieved a 10% reduction in energy use and gotten 10% of its citizens meaningfully involved, will win 4 cool prizes: a solar thermal system from EarthKind Energy; a sail on the sloop Clearwater for as many school kids as the boat will hold; a day of rest and renewal at Omega Institute for the governing board or council; and a communitywide solar opportunity assessment from The Solar Energy Consortium.

Measurement and feedback:

Track and share your progress by requesting "before and after" energy use data from your utilities and fuel suppliers, and by inviting households to use the free calculator at www.myenergyplan.net to estimate their use and commit to specific reductions.

Overcoming barriers:

Technical assistance and problem-solving, including referrals to the resource programs of utilities, agencies and local businesses.

Imagery and Imagination:

This campaign asks people to close the gap between what they know and how they live, walking a path of improved performance. Its natural symbol is the green footprint.

Telling the story:

Local pledges and successes, and the regional campaign, are our way to generate a stream of distinctive news and feature stories, as well as in-depth case studies.

Leadership:

What we are creating is a social movement – a person-to-person invitation to get involved in an effort that is energizing, satisfying and meaningful.