The results are in. At 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, at the Community Center at Mercer View, the Green Ribbon Commission will present the results from the Commission’s inaugural Carbon Challenge between the members of the Mercer Island City Council and School Board.

In early 2010, the City Council and the School Board accepted the challenge to a contest of personal commitment to reducing their carbon footprint.  Each individual member of the board and council would adopt some number of the 22 ways to lower their household carbon footprint. Twelve months later, the winner of the challenge would be the group that had collectively adopted the highest number of green practices in their households.

Council member Bruce Bassett stated that “Both the council and the school board have learned new ways to reduce their carbon footprint by taking simple steps. Our participation in this challenge provides the community with a very visible example of how to minimize their household environmental impacts.”

At the meeting, the city will also have electric and energy efficient vehicles on display and will review the results from the city and the school district facility energy reduction programs.

In  2011, the Green Ribbon Commission is launching “22 Ways Carbon Challenge” with participation from the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Mercer Island Rotary Club and City of Mercer Island staff .

“The Mercer Island Green Ribbon Commission has actively engaged the community to take the 22 Ways Carbon Challenge,” said Green Ribbon Commission member Sam Hickman. “Over time, we hope to grow the range of participants and deepen community involvement in carbon reduction activities.”