Make the Switch at Phipps! Green Power Drive
Support clean energy, impact climate change and receive a free Phipps membership — all in a day’s visit.
Nearly nine out of 10 Phipps guests consider climate change a threat now or in the future, and it's up to every one of us to do our part to address this critical issue. Climate change is a topic that can feel so daunting that you might think you can’t have an impact. But making a difference right now is easier than you may imagine, and you can start with your next visit to Phipps.
On select dates and times, you’ll now find a station in our Tropical Forest Conservatory or Tropical Fruit and Spice Room where you can switch your home electricity generator to 100% green power right on the spot, and if you do, you’ll receive something special: if you’re not yet a Phipps member, you’ll be given a free one-year membership at our family/household level, and if you’re already a member, you’ll receive a six-month extension at your current level. This offer is only available on site at Phipps. Participating guests must be residents of Pennsylvania and New York who have paid admission for the day or are visiting as a current member. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
Switching is easy and takes just a few minutes, and representatives will be available to help you choose the right plan. Your bill still comes from your current provider, and rates are competitive and may even be cheaper. Plus, for each year your household uses green power, you remove as much carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere as 8.4 acres of forest.
The Difference You're Making
In a new display at Phipps' entrance, 16 oil barrels provide a visual representation of the amount of CO2 you can prevent from being released into the atmosphere annually by switching to renewable energy:
Since January 2017, more than 7,200 Phipps guests have switched their household electricity to fossil-free renewable energy. Powering the average Pennsylvania home emits about 8 tons of CO2 annually; at the end of each year, these guests will have prevented 59,000 tons of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to annually saving:
- 124,000 barrels of oil from being burned, or
- 709 tanker trucks worth of gasoline from being burned, or
- 136 million miles from being driven in an average gasoline-powered passenger car.
As you can see below, 124,000 barrels arranged in a circle would take up more than the entire Phipps campus!
⬤ 1 Barrel
⬤ 100 Barrels
⬤ 1,000 Barrels
⬤ 5,000 Barrels
⬤ 124,000 Barrels
Phipps is committed to promoting human and environmental well-being through action, research, and making the sustainable choice in everything we do — and we hope to inspire each and every one of our visitors to join with us in this effort. So the next time you visit the Conservatory, you’ll leave knowing that you’ve made an important change in your life to support clean, renewable energy — and increased your family’s access to Phipps’ amazing year-round exhibits and programs.
Sponsored by Green Mountain Energy
* 1 ton of carbon dioxide = 2.1 barrels of oil burned. Additional equivalents can be found on the EPA website.
More Events You’ll Enjoy
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Summer Solstice Night at Phipps
Fri., June 20
Enjoy an evening out at Phipps' Summer Flower Show to celebrate the summer solstice! The first 300 people to arrive at 5 p.m. or later receive complimentary potted Gerbera daisies. -
Native Plants of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Their Bird Associates and Pollinators
Opening Fri., June 20
Enjoy beautiful illustrations of the native plants and their fellow pollinators of southwestern Pennsylvania! -
Play Farmers’ Market
Now Open
Come to Phipps' Play Farmers' Market where children can interact with toy food, shopping carts and cash registers!
