Already a member?
Sign in
| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| May 11 2008, 12:07 PM EDT | carlmueller | 6 words added, 3 words deleted |
| May 11 2008, 12:05 PM EDT | carlmueller | 23 words added |
Changes
Key: Additions Deletions
| An interactive website where Wisconsin citizens come together to share knowledge and become informed about their environment.
| Greenvideo of the Week |
| . .................................      |
| News Briefs 11 May 2008 The Town of Menasha has authroizedauthorized the purchase of land for a sotrmwaterwet detention water pond to comply with sotrmwaterstorm water drainage regulations. 9 May 2008 Portage County will be selling compost bins. Don't forget about Bike to Work Week! Badger Meter, Inc. stands to profit from increasing interest in water metering devices. Ray Unger recommends investing in alternative energy stocks. Lake Namakagan is hoping to stave off invasive species with help from a DNR grant. The nation's truckers are taking steps to conserve fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including Wisconsin's Schneider National, Inc. Dropping speed limits nationally to 65 would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 90 million tons per year. 8 May 2008 Congress passed a new farm bill dealing with subsidies, but it is likely that it will be vetoed. 7 May 2008 Patrick McIlheran likes the Milwaukee county bus system funded with property taxes. Bird watching in Ashland. It was Conservation Day at Devil's Lake. The debate over baiting deer rages on in Chippewa County. There is no excuse for not getting out on the bike, especially as the weather improves. Racine has passed a city ordinance approving the use of neighborhood electric vehicles on city streets, joining Madison and soon, Union Grove. Deborah Seller contemplates eco-pranksterism. Sky Vegetables imagines growing fresh produce on supermarket roofs and then selling it in the store! Brilliant! 6 May 2008 Manitowoc, Wisconsin has decided to make everyday Earth Day in their area. Decision made after their Earth Day events were so very successful. Over 500 people came to the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc to help with the day's planned events. As more students lounge in the grass than in their homes, concerns have been raised at UW-Madison over the detrimental health effects linked pesticide-treated lawns around campus. Several students have started circulating a petition to hopefully make the campus pesticide free and ultimately avoid making any student ill. 5 May 2008 Baraboo Range landowners who want to sell their development rights to Sauk County no longer can expect their names to be kept private during negotiations, despite concerns that they'll be harassed by preservation opponents. Property rights advocates say disclosing the names of prospective sellers will bring fairness to the process. The Public Policy Forum is recommending a "wheel tax" as a temporary fix on Milwaukee County's mass transit woes. Long term solutions like a gas tax or a sales tax will be needed to help wean the transit system off of local property taxes. rBGH is given to most cows, but there are serious questions being asked about its health effects on humans who drink milk. Why we need more Rachel Carsons. Columbia County gardeners are being asked to plant a little extra to help fill local food pantries with fresh vegetables. People like Chuck Hatfield are important to have around. Barack Obama has suggested rethinking our ethanol policy as a result of rising food prices. The environmental and economic consequences will be substantial and any decision that is reached will have a significant impact on Wisconsin. Meanwhile, researchers are looking for feasible alternatives. 4 May 2008 The new compact fluorescent light bulbs save energy, but they are not being readily accepted by the public. Their high initial cost and concerns over the mercury they contain are making them a tough sell. Ridgeview Landfill, in the town of Franklin, applied for a permit to accept sediment for disposal contaminated with PCBs. The Greenhouse Cafe, a local cafe in Whitewater, has taken measures to help the environment and promote social responsibility. 3 May 2008 The DNR expects vehicle emissions to continue to drop, as older cars exempted from testing are replaced by newer models with cleaner technology. 2 May 2008 The Drumlin Community Garden outside of Madison is in danger of being replaced by a development of some sort. Maybe a big box store will replace this organically-farmed, community oriented space. Roof shingles made from baby diapers? On this new house, that's just for starters. Greenvoting's own Lisa Schaal points out that 20 solar panels on the roof will save about 300 kilowatts of electricity per month on average. The early muskie season slipped through the state legislature last year is turning into a political battle. Most fishermen know that an early season is a bad idea, but Paul Tubbs of Rhinelander is going to give voters a choice by running against Dan Meyer (R-Eagle River), who was responsible for the legislation. The Wisconsin DNR has been using funds from the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Program to build new shoreline fishing areas to make the sport available to those who don't own or aren't able to use a boat. As the fishing season opens, the DNR will be out in numbers to enforce new laws meant to limit the spread of the fish virus, VHS. The DNR executed a controlled burn on the Ferry Bluff above the Wisconsin River on April 21 as part of an ongoing effort to return the area to its pre-settlement ecological status. Wisconsin Renewable Energy Policy Project believes that the states can create over 35,000 new jobs due to alternative energy mainly because people want a more sustainable way of life. Several conservation organizations have filed suit against the USDA and the Coast Guard claiming that the agencies have been insufficiently attentive to the perils of VHS in ballast water. Federal officials still are unable to determine the health consequences of industrial pollution in the Great Lakes region. Clinton elementary school is considering installing a geothermal heating system. Rising gas prices have caused people to begin altering their driving patterns - here's a look at some stories from LaCrosse. The 2008 Badger Poll suggests that Wisconsinites are deeply concerned about the quality of their environment. 1 May 2008 Former Sierra Club leader Adam Werbach says that a consumer movement is needed to promote sustainability. Nobel Laureate Peter Agre says that politicians need to bring more science to environmental policy. Earth Talk: "How is wind power currently faring in the United States? Is more of it coming on-line and becoming a larger percentage of the grid?" A proposal to combine bills on budget repair and the Great Lakes Compact generated significant disapproval from both Republican and Democratic state lawmakers Wednesday, although both sides agree agreement is necessary to preserve one of our greatest resources. In an effort to limit water wasting, Greenville has decided to charge Outagamie County Regional Airport for an unaccounted water leak. 30 April 2008 Throughout this summer and fall, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center will hold a series of "Do-It-Yourself" environmentalism workshops. This craft movement emphasizes sustainability and living simply. Sara Sagrillo, a 19-year old UW-Manitowoc student, aims at reducing her carbon footprint and urges others to do the same for the sake of global warming. GE exec says that renewable fuel sales are projected to double in the next decade. Milwaukee officials want to know what's in the Great Lakes compact compromise that is being finalized. With economic woes ahead, infrastructure money could be on the verge of drying up, leaving cities with no resources to keep up roads, public transportation, etc. Eau Claire county is working to make windmill construction more affordable for residents. Meanwhile, the Blue Sky Green Field wind farm outside of Fond du Lac is nearly operational. Madison-based Virent Energy systems is researching the next generation of alternative fuels. Sheboygan is hosting an international energy conference focusing on making power plants more efficient generators of electricity. 29 April 2008 Dredging of the Fox River Valley continues even though there is no where to put the waste. Business groups sue DNR over pollution rules in the Madison Capital Times. Madison-based Alliant Energy is hosting the Asia-Pacific Partnership U.S. Peer Review on Best Practices in Power Generation which is looking at best practices and technologies to further energy production while not contributing to global climate change. A farmer near Eau Claire is feeding her animals leftover bread and vegetable peelings from a hospital kitchen to save money because grain prices are so high. Washburn County expects to have a public transportation system up and running by June 1. Tough economic times are extending to fair-trade oriented businesses. Look for Bike to Work Week events in your area starting up soon. Coulee kicks off their second annual this week. Paper mills along the Fox River have told the state that they expect to be able to comply with deadlines for dredging set for next year. The hazardous substance sweep in Chippewa Falls has received accolades from the police chief. Vote for Beloit's city flower. Americorps volunteers will descend on Sauk County next month to remove invasive plants and pests. The Wisconsin Wildlife Action plan is a step closer to completion. Dennis Slater thinks the temporary suspension of the federal tax on gasoline promoted by John McCain and Hillary Clinton is a bad idea. Wisconsin is front and center in a regional push to create 820,000 new jobs producing cleaner energy technologies, which could turn the "Rust Belt" into a "Green Belt." 27 April 2008 The Wisconsin state Natural Resources Board approved new deer hunting regulations for the fall of 2008. Baraboo's own Aldo Leopold Legacy Center was named a 'Top Ten Green Project' by the American Institution of Architects. The Center has been awarded 61 out of 69 points from the Leadership in Engineering and Environmental Design (LEED) program, more than any other building in the world. The Wisconsin Big Cats Rescue and Education Center, a refuge for lions, tigers, and leopards, opened in Rock Springs over the weekend. 26 April 2008 Gardening can help your grocery bill! This story is about how gardening can be a rational response to rising food costs and an investment that yields significant savings in one or two summers. 25 April 2008 Oneida County 4H created a circular walking trail in the airport complex and is used as a educational tool to teach students about the value of forestry. Old automobile oil equals heat source for combustible engines in Manitowoc. The companies that recycle oil filter out the carbon build up and then sell the oil to help heat homes and companies. UW-Madison professor Majid Sarmadi had led the way with over 25 years of research into how to make "green" carpet. Many homes and businesses want to use carpet but worry about what's in it. His research has been focused on "textile manufacturing and recycling issues to protect the environment." Madison is set to open a hazardous waste site next week where UW students and residents can safely dispose of things like televisions, left over paint, etc. that would otherwise prove harmful in a regular landfill. 24 April 2008 Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas announced that 25 municipalities will recieve checks this week totaling more than $879,000 for participating in the County Recycling Program. The University of Wisconsin -Extension Basin Initiative is hosting Rain Garden Fair on June 11. The event is designed for people who want to learn about rain gardens. Besides reducing oil consumption and exhaust, EcoDriving can also reduce your gas bill by up to 30%, turning $3.40-a-gallon gas into the equivalent of $2.38 per gallon. A recent Rasmussen Reports poll shows that 73% of Americans express concern about the long-term effects of global warming. Their concern—combined with anxiety over $4-a-gallon gas—and dismay over imported oil’s pernicious effects on U.S. foreign policy are sparking interest in alternative fuels. Electric cars like the Xebra are one alternative. Earth Day may only come once a year, but 25 Marquette students and one determined professor have been working all semester to create a unique tool for environmentally minded people at www.greenvoting.com. Evansville High School students are building an energy efficient house as part of a trades class, and they will show it off during Friday’s community energy fair. Once it is done it will include many energy efficient aspects and be the only home in the city with solar panels. 23 April 2008 Stateline areas are gearing up for the second annual Great American Clean Up set for this Saturday, check it out to see if your community is involved! Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton announced today that the state will establish a website that walks people through options in their area for saving energy. This comes as part of the state’s recently established Office on Energy Independence. Pigeon River Elementary School has committed to a five-year agenda of "gradual greening." Brown County Recycling Supervisor Bernie Erickson proposed to place boxes at 20 county locations to make it easier for the public to dispose of spiral fluorescent light bulbs. This will keep mercury from contaminating nearby lakes. The Sustainable Marshfield Committee approved the city's plan to build a new power plant. The Committee said that a comprehensive conservation plan must be devised by 2009. Richard Hall, a man from Oshkosh, is one of four finalists for the Leopold Conservation Award. The giant recycling bins that Green Bay is thinking about using are projected to save the city $156,000 a year, due in part to decreased numbers of stops and the prediction of less worker-related injuries. The backlash against Bisphenol-A continues, as CVS joins other retailers and the Canadian government in banning products containing the chemical. 22 April 2008 Wisconsin gardener, Nancy Skelley, provides tips for creating and maintaining an eco-friendly garden. An Eau Claire resident shares how she remodeled her home in a "green" way. Tourism and travel in Wisconsin and beyond is becoming "green." The UW-Madison bookstore will donate 25 cents per hug to one of three charities for every student who hugs a tree outside the State Street store from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday for Earth Day. The U.S. dependence on oil is hitting Wisconsin hard. State gas prices have hit a record hight. The previous record of $3.49 — set in May 2007 — was broken this month as crude oil prices continue to increase to more than $100 a barrel. Both environmentalists and concerned citizens can thank former U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin who pushed the observance of Earth Day through legislation in 1970. Earth Day is experiencing a revival here in Wisconsin. Menasha is planning to create a storwater utility in 2009. 21 April 2008 Efforts are being made to bring back the sandhill crane from the brink of extinction in the areas surrounding the Fox Cities. The Today Show is "going green" with tips on how to be environmentally conscious all week long. These tips include green investing, greening your home, and living "eco-chic." For more information, visit their website. Jesuit colleges and universities nationwide are looking at their ecological footprints and making strides to create more environmentally sustainable campuses. A report Wednesday showed Wisconsin saved over $3 million each year by using public transportation systems in major cities, along with significant environmental benefits. A new draft of the Great Lakes Basin Compact - a statewide water conservation effort - has been tentatively agreed to by Gov. Jim Doyle, Senate Democrats and once-reluctant Assembly Republicans. More Earth Day events brought to you by Milwaukee's Shepherd Express. Milwaukee "river watchdogs" keeping the waterways clean. The Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter brings you ten ways to help the planet on Earth Day. Sturgeon have begun spawning in the Wolf River and will continue to this week. Editorial on hunting Wisconsin's Timber Wolves discusses creating a hunting season for the animal. Interest in acquiring energy from geothermal heating and cooling systems is growing in Wisconsin. People are turning to these alternative energy sources to slash utility bills and reduce their impact on the planet. Click here for news archives | What We're Doing With summer approaching, greenvoting.com is looking for help compiling our daily news roundup. If you're interested in keeping tabs on your local paper (or a few papers!), drop us a line. ***** We've got some new folks signing up. lisamswi runs Sol Power, a local solar energy installation firm. nlbickha is part of the Live Local Milwaukee group that has a couple of events coming up at the Urban Ecology Center. ***** Keep an eye out for a new discussion essay this week. We'll be talking about the pollution that sullies Milwaukee area beaches each Spring. For now, check out contributor MeaghanO's call for greater federal protection for clean water in an essay that should speak to all of our concerns. ...Runoff from industrial farming systems has greatly increased, as farming has turned away from sustainable practices. The result is that waste from these farms often finds its way into the drinking water supplies of many U.S. communities. And the result is that the local communities are left with a problem that far overreaches the limitations of their water cleanup budget. People are left with water that makes them sick, and a national government that is unwilling to step in and stop this from happening...***** Don't know how the Presidential Candidates feel about the Environment? Check it out on the Presidential Candidates page, find out the candidate's environmental record, start a thread, or add more information! While you're there, check out all of the other elected officials that have been profiled. Can't find who you are looking for? Find out how to add your Wisconsin politician on our page! ***** Are you worried about wildlife habitats? Check out our conservation of wildlife and habitats page. If you know something about this issue, consider collaborating to improve the information. If you have something to say about this issue, comment in the discussion thread at the bottom of the page. While you're there, check out all of the other issues that we are following. ***** How Does This Website Work? Greenvoting is sort of a hybrid between Wikipedia and Craigslist. We are a resource of information on issues related to the environment (with a focus on Wisconsin), but our information is primarily user-generated. We are also a community resource, and we invite individuals and organizations to contribute to our site, edit (yes!) our pages, and collaborate with other individuals and organizations. We are utilizing an innovative web service provided by a company called Wetpaint, which allows users to edit web pages without any special training. It's as easy as word processing! |
