Why Now?

At my core, I am a writer. The impressions and insights that inform my compositions flow through me. I simply do my best to get out of the way. Sometimes the idea that spills out of me is so beyond me, so above where I am at that moment that I am clear it is not of me. I’ve come to understand that on those occasions I’ve just been fed a breadcrumb. I will be nourished and guided along a path if only I will take it.

That’s what happened in the Summer of 2006 when ZiptoGreen was conceived. The nation was abuzz with concern about global warming. Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth was in theaters everywhere, but I really wasn’t paying close attention. Then NASA scientist James Hansen inspired me to research the issue.

The gravity of the problem quickly became apparent. I saw that residential energy consumption was a huge and largely unaddressed factor, and it was clear why consumers were not a big part of the solution. That’s when the idea fell from my head. Of course, I knew that it was way beyond me, that it would be a huge endeavor. But I was more afraid of being stagnant than I was of appearing foolish, so I followed the breadcrumbs.

That’s all the explanation I can afford right now for why and how ZiptoGreen came to be. I wish I had kept a diary of the journey thus far. It is quite a story.

But there’ll be opportunities along the way to share those details. Right now I’m simply following another breadcrumb. A friend suggested yesterday that I consider the story I want to share with others.

What do I want to share with others? I suppose, first and foremost, that there’s an opportunity for you to be a part of the solution.

ZiptoGreen can connect every consumer in America to every energy efficiency and renewable energy resource by ZIP Code.

Users can create personal energy reduction plans. We give them easy, fast access to information, tax incentives, community resources, products and services that will help them meet their goals. Users are given a personal page to come back to and product discounts for motivation. They can even receive reminders of their scheduled actions. And more. For free.

But I must be honest. Following breadcrumbs can be scary when you’re living off them. So living off inspiration isn’t for the faint of heart. Sometimes it’s difficult to believe that there will be another crumb waiting for you. But that’s how it works. Reaching for the next morsel builds trust.

So in beginning this blog I am trusting. I trust that by sharing this story I’m on the right path. I hope it encourages others to follow.