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greenvoting for Wisconsin

greenvoting — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:37:10 CDT

An interactive website where Wisconsin citizens
come together to share knowledge and become
informed about their environment.

Join the Collaboration Today!
Just click on the yellow box
(Join This Wiki) to the above right.

Greenvideo of the Week

IN THE NEWS

News Briefs

14 August 2008

Waterfowl hunting season indicates flooding did not harm ducks.

State officials are considering opening a wolf hunting season.

Wisconsinites drive 5% less this June.

Ashland to use state grant to redevelop waterfront.

6 August 2008

Plan to stop invasive borer may take months.

Madison City Council has asked that power lines but put underground along the Beltline.

County wide surveys have begun to to canvas for attempts to pass a state-wide smoking ban.

Illegal well installer pleads guilty on ten misdemeanors.

5 August 2008

Residents win legal battle with developers.

Washburn Co has decided to lift its moratorium on camground expansion.

Menasha Utilities receives settlement over scrapped steam plant.

The emerald ash borer beetle has spread to Wisconsin, found in Ozaukee co.

1 Aug 2008

Blue-green algae closes Madison beaches.

Senate approves Great Lakes Compact.

Doyle wants to lead Wisconsin into greener pastures by stopping state-owned coal power.

Ethanol plant seeks decision from DNR on new equipment.

29 July 2008

Doyle supports Midwest emissions capping policy.

$1050 dollars offered as reward in Osprey shooting.

Crop progress called good but behind last year's numbers.

Bayfield was dedicated as a preserve America community by First Lady.

Click Here for RSS feeds from other sources

Click here for news archives

What We're Doing

We have a couple of new initiatives lined up for the summer. First, if you are the owner of an environmentally friendly business, we will be rolling out a marketplace section of the site that will allow you to advertise your products or services free of charge.

Second, we are interested in the stories of people who are taking an initiative to do something good for the environment. No matter how small, we would like for you to tell your stories.

*****

With news that Bradford Beach in Milwaukee will be staffed by lifeguards this year, our discussion essay turns to the question of why anyone would want to swim at Bradford Beach. If there is a metaphor for the inattention to pollution in Milwaukee, perhaps nothing is more fitting than the sewage that befouls our lakefront seemingly every Spring.

Check out contributor AFSpillane's essay here.

For a nice article summarizing recent efforts to address stormwater runoff, see this report by WUWM here.

*****

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!

July 2008

carlmueller — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:16:10 CDT

23 July 2008

The DNR issues permit for new marina in Egg Harbor.

Paddock Lake is likely to see utility costs rise to pay for sewage renovation.

Locals disagree with Army contractor over wildlife impact of Badger Ammunition plant.

slands have been inserted into the Mississippi to improve the river's quality.

22 July 2008

Crop loss filing due to flooding deadline extension.

Madison area park to open planning to public.

Mixed levels of crop reaction to heavy rains.

MMSD's rain barrel program gains in popularity with rainy summer.

21 July 2008

Brief tornado causes damage in Town of Menasha.

Sewer trench collapses in Manitowoc.

A tree saves a drunken driver in motor vehicle accident.

17 July 2008

A flood watch has been issued for southern Wisconsin through saturday by the National Weather Service.

New commercial fishing rules for Wisconsin lakes revealed in Ashland.

Extension granted to Wisconsinites in flood disaster areas on taxes.

Gina Duwe considers the option for Lake Leota.

RFK Jr. spoke about the importance of conservation at the Wellness Conference at UWSP.

16 July 2008

Gas mileage interest has resulted in increased auto tuneups.

113 sign petition against cell phone tower in Door County.

Discolored water prompts action in Fon du Lac.

Tips for reducing Summer energy costs.

Invasive species have cost the Great Lakes $200M Scienctists say.

15 July 2008

Manitowoc part of air quality advisory from DNR.

MMSD proposes temporary railroad bridges during stormwater project.

Madison forced to close four beaches due to algae.

Adams County will have Mobile Disaster Recovery Center July 30-Aug 1.

The Fox Cities have started a program to get kids outside to play in nature.

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District

carlmueller — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:11:40 CDT

MMSD is the service provider for water treatment in the greater Milwaukee area. While they are a leader in environmental innovation to help improve Milwaukee's water quality, they still find themselves subject to multiple lawsuits due to overflows and regulation violations. They are a major part of the SWWT and have a rain barrel program to give a subsidy to citizens who desire rain barrels within the district. These serve as examples of some of their environmentally friends policies. However, the frequent overflows during heavy rainfall events still leave many citizens and service receivers unhappy with MMSD's overall performance.

Click Here to go to MMSD's offical website.

Issues

carlmueller — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:04:53 CDT

While there are a number of environmental issues in a number of different categories, there are issues specific to Wisconsin that are important to know and understand. The goal here is to expose and educate residents of the state of Wisconsin about what the issues are, how national and international issues are present in Wisconsin, and to help residents better understand the far-reaching impacts of these issues (or rather, why something has become an issue).

Following are the preliminary issues being discussed on this site. For more in-depth information on each issue, click on the issue below or use the left-hand navigation links to go to a page for each particular issue.

Lake Michigan

Climate Change

Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats

Development and Sprawl

Green Incentives for Cities

Ethanol

Recycling

Return of Bears, Moose & Wolves

State Parks

Paper Mills

Wind Energy

Invasive Species

Water

Institutions

carlmueller — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:50:58 CDT

Firms under the institutions heading are organizations that have an impact on Wisconsin's environment. Brief overviews of their environmental policies as well as links to the information they provide are available on each institutions page.

Listed Institutions:
Local Businesses
Sol Power
Hunzinger Corporation

Others
Johnson Controls
Wisconsin Green and Healthy Schools
Wisconsin Energy Corporation
Milwaukee Venues
Wisconsin Paper Council
SCA Tissue
Milwaukee Metropolitican Sewerage District

Water

carlmueller — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:49:23 CDT

In a state bordered by the Mississippi on the west, Lake Superior to the north, and Lake Michigan eastward water and its related issues make up a large share of our environmental issues and conflicts. According to Wikipedia, Wisconsin contains 11,188 square miles of water and has more lakes than Minnesota.

Wisconsin's water issues are many and varied. As a major part of of the state's industry, Paper Mills have long been a major actor in the water issue due to their past pollution and current cleanup attempts of many of Wisconsin's water ways. Now water quality has moved past the simple clean up of point source pollution however. Non-point pollution caused by large farming operations, stormwater, and construction site runoff has become an increasingly important part of Wisconsin's water quality questions. The Clean Water Act has stipulated the regulation of these on-point sources and Wisconsin at the state and municipal levels has started to take on solving this problem. There are many organizations working on the stormwater and non-point problems, including the Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust. Stormwater and runoff are one of the key sources of pollution in most waterways today, including Lake Michigan.

Stormwater management has become an important part of municipal regulations throughout Wisconsin as more and more municipalities begin taking on and considering stormwater utilities. Many Wisconsin residents, specifically those in the Milwaukee area and expanding, have started noticing an addition charge on their water bills for stormwater. While many residents are initially upset by the new charge, usually quite small, the money is used to set up Best Management Practices (BMP) for thinks like flood prevention, sewer overflow prevention, and storwater retention, which will benefit the overall community. Stormwater utilities are a contested subject matter. Many people feel that the money should either come from property taxes or that the utility is a new and illegal tax. Many proposed utilities fail, however the number of operational stormwater utilities in the US increases every year.

Milwaukee Area

carlmueller — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:00:15 CDT

FEATURED ORGANIZATIONS:

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:

Caledonia Conservancy
This organization is a trust that protects recreational trails and open land in the Caledonia area, just south of Milwaukee. There is no specific membership fee, but donations are accepted and fundraising is a big part of this organization. It is run by a board of directors and several committees. The group is currently working with land owners and developers in an effort to conserve and expand the trails that used to be the traditional path from Milwaukee to Chicago. For more information, go to: www.caledoniaconservancy.org.

Relevant Issues:

Friends of Milwaukee's Rivers
Friends of Milwaukee's Rivers Organization is dedicated to preserving and protecting the rivers in the surrounding Milwaukee area. Information on particular initiatives and policies can be found on their website.

Relevant Issues: Green Incentives for Cities, State Parks, Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats, Water

The Great Waters Group
The Great Waters Group is a Wisconsin Chapter of the Serria Club amd serves members in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, & Waukesha counties. Memebrs vouunteer to promote environmental sustainability by taking action on local issues and educating others to understand the issues and opportunities available to make informed decisions that will better protect our shared environment. Membership fees start at $25. More information available at http://www.wisconsin.sierraclub.org/gwg/

Relevant Issues: Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats

The Park People, Inc., Friends of Milwaukee County Parks
The Park People, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of open green space and the integrity of the Milwaukee County Park System, in order to serve present and future generations. For more information, go to: www.parkpeople.org

Relevant Issues: Lake Michigan, Conservation of Wildlife and Habitats,State Parks,Deer & Hunting, Invasive Species

Southeastern Wisconsin Watershed Trust
SWWT is a conglomerate of Non-Profits, municipalities, service providers, and State Agencies working to help Southeast Wisconsin development continue in an environmentally friendly way.

Relevant issues: Lake Michigan, Water, Green Incentives for Cities, Development and Sprawl

Events

carlmueller — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:46:55 CDT

On this page you'll find events of environmental interest going on around Wisconsin.

If you would like to post an event, please email greenvoting, or just add it yourself!

Video Archives

carlmueller — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:06:15 CDT

7/15/08
Better lightbulbs make the news

May 2008

carlmueller — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:25:55 CDT

20 May 2008

WUWM profiles greenvoting.com on its Lake Effect show today. Listen to it here.

Southeastern Wisconsin has failed to meet federal ozone requirements and will remain under more restrictive environmental regulations than the rest of the state. A curious complication is that the pollution in part seems to be blowing in from northern Illinois.

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District (MMSD) has agreed to pay $500,000 in fines for its dumping in 2004. Part of the fines will go toward efforts to reduce runoff from several parking lots along the Milwaukee river.

While still lagging behind its neighbors, Wisconsin's wind energy production is picking up, with WE Energies bringing its newest plant online this week. Overall, wind energy production is generating six times the electricity in the state as it was last year.

Find gas mileage ratings for new cars h ere.

Christina Beam notices that the Culver's in Baraboo has installed recycling bins.

Menomonie Mayor Dennis Kropp has signed onto the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, joining 17 other Wisconsin mayors in promising to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. Sustainable Dunn led the way in encouraging the city council to approve the agreement.

What are the implications of the Great Lakes Compact?

The Waukesha Water Utility rather than the city of Waukesha will be responsible for the filing fee associated with an application to divert water from Lake Michigan.

18 May 2008

The Journal-Sentinel finishes its coverage of Team Biodiesel.

About 250 people volunteered to help clean up the urban environment in Chippewa Falls.

Is Alliant Energy greenwashing in its efforts to reduce emissions at its Iowa power plant?

More volunteer spirit on display in Sheboygan as the Gatchell family chips in to help clean up the river.

Kayla Bunge is the "green reporter" for the Janesville Gazette. She's looking for folks who tried to add a touch of environmental consciousness to their weddings.

16 May 2008

Jim Stingl takes a ride in a Smart Car, as gas prices approach $4.00/gallon at area pumps.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel thinks that ethanol mandates should not be maintained or expanded.

Given the concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, state regulators are scrutinizing plans for a new coal-fired power plant in Cassville.

Northland College students have been installing solar panels on the residence of College President Karen Halbersleben (with her support!).

Sheboygan's Brian LaFave is on a personal gasoline strike. No gas for at least a month, perhaps longer. His alternatives: biking, walking - and the savings he plans to donate to charity.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette realizes that the Great Lakes Compact is really just a first-step in protecting the waters. Pollution problems, invasive species, and brownfield remediation loom in the foreground.

LaCrosse county commissioners are debating over how "green" to make a planned addition to the county jail.

Meanwhile, the first "Green" veterinary clinic is set to open in Madison.

Cycling retailers are boosting their business by offering a low-cost alternative to high gas prices.

The Milwaukee Business Journal profiles architect Joel Krueger, whose most recent work is the new Aldo Leopold Legacy Center in Baraboo.

14 May 2008

The Wisconsin Senate passed the Great Lakes Compact that will block arid states from taking water from the Great Lakes. It still needs to be passed in other states and in Congress.

12 May 2008

Calculate your walk score.

It is Bike to Work week in Milwaukee. While you're at it, join the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin.

High commodity prices are leading farmers to opt out of conservation programs that have been protecting environmentally sensitive areas.

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel followed around five Marquette engineering students as they tried to build a bio-diesel engine. You can follow the story here. It's quite an engaging read.

11 May 2008

The Town of Menasha has authorized the purchase of land for a wet detention water pond to comply with storm 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

The Milwaukee River Work Group (MRWG) is taking baby steps to preserve the Milwaukee River.

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.

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.

2 May 2008

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.

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.

April 2008

carlmueller — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:21:12 CDT

30 April 2008

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.

4/20/08 - The Chippewa river, which used to be highly polluted, is now clean and a favorite recreational area. However, there are still environmental problems in Western Wisconsin.

4/19/08 - Wiscontrepreneurs: UW students compete to transform trash. Competition featured in the Madison Capital Times.

4/19/08 - The DNR wants to take St. Croix Lake back to the way it looked in the 1940's, by reducing phosphorus levels the lake will return to the healthy environment for it's inhabitants.

4/19/08 - In honor of Earth Day, several Manitowoc area churches have broadened their theological focus to include an emphasis on environmentalism.

4/19/08 - A Congressional hearing gave House members information about the need for government intervention with regard to the problems facing the Great Lakes.

4/19/08 - A project to dredgeLittle Lake Butte des Morts for PCBs will resume next week. This will be the fifth year of the project, with a planned removal of 50,000 cubic yards of sediment from the lake this year.

4/19/08 - Sky high fuel prices are causing Oak Creek based Midwest Airlines to scale back services and lay off employees.

4/18/08 - Not to be left out of the growing green movement, even funerals in Wisconsin are going green as people realize it's not going to be a pretty picture whether they're sealed in an air-tight coffin or left to compost underground.

4/18/08 - Bad news today for the Great Lakes Compact, which has yet to receive a vote in a special legislative session called to help its passage. Absenteeism and continued revisions of the bill have halted the passage, even though there is agreement on all sides that legislation will pass.

4/17/08 - Despite a late start and a shallow frost, Wisconsin maple syrup producers say production is above average thus far this year.

4/17/08 - Madison city officials want to make the city one of the most bike-friendly cities in the nation. It currently has gold status, but could increase that to platinum, the highest level, which only one other city has at present.

4/17/08 - Beloit, WI promotes Adopt-a-Road program in order to cut down on road side dumping

4/16/08 - Johnson Controls Inc. says its building efficiency business sales have increased 11 percent in the company's second quarter. (For more information on Johnson Controls, click here).

4/16/08 - The Wisconsin Conservation Congress voted to develop a hunting season for wolves.

4/16/08 - Check out some of the events being hosted by the Paper Discovery Center in Appleton for Earth Day.

4/16/08 - Take a look at what UW-Whitewater students and faculty have been doing to improve their ecological footprint.

4/16/08 - In celebration of Earth Day, the UW-Whitewater College of Letters and Sciences is holding a number of activities concerning Earth-friendly transportation.

4/16/08 - With Earth Day approaching, students at UW-Whitewater stress the need to ban foam cups from campus.

4/16/08 - Good news for Osprey fans in Wisconsin. A nest has been spotted in Cedarburg, potentially with an egg in it, after The American Transmission Company placed a platform atop an existing transmission pole to encourage the population, which competes with the re-emerging bald eagle population for food.

4/16/08 - The founder of The Natural Step, a scientific consensus on sustainability, spoke at UW-Madison last night, urging students to being "playing to game" and focus more on the society than the individual to further sustainability.

4/15/08 - UW-Madison's Big Red Go Green organization is sponsoring a competition between campus residence halls for the third-consecutive semester.

4/15/08 - A UW-Madison Professor says "green" success must combine science and the humanities.

4/15/08 - The city of Waukesha named the trails at Timber Ridge Park, Liska Woods Trail, to honor David Liska, a longtime city forester.

4/15/08 - Next week dredging of Little Lake Butte des Morts in Menasha will continue into its fifth year. The lake is being dredged in an effort to reduce the levels of PCB contaminated sediment in the water.

4/15/08 - Last week Wisconsin revised rules to prevent the spread of the fish disease VHS. The move will allow fishers to keep left over minnows purchased from bait dealers under circumstances.

4/15/08 - Monday night, an annual meeting concerned with spring fish and wildlife rules was held in Kewaunee. A substantial part of the meeting was devoted to a discussion of whether deer-baiting should be banned.

4/14/08 - The Conservation Congress, a powerful advisory group to the state Department of Natural Resources, will vote on a proposal to establish a hunting season on gray wolves.

4/14/08 - Manitowoc residents will have four different opportunities to dispose of their unwanted medications in a safe and environmentally-friendly way.

4/14/08 - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has extended the public comment period for mercury emission reduction rules proposed by Governor Doyle.

4/14/08 - The Great Lakes Compact is close to ratification in Wisconsin. This Compact would create an agreement between 8 states and 2 Canadian provinces that would limit consumption and diversion of Great Lakes water.

4/14/08 The South Milwaukee Voice will host an Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 18. Pick-up bags are available at three locations in the city. Please register with the County Clerk's Office at 414-762-2222.

4/14/08- A distinguished Swedish scientist considered to be one of the major figures in the internationalsustainability movement told a Madison audience today that basic system changes are crucial for our long-term environmental health.

4/14/08 - A growing wolf population in Northwest Wisconsin is concerning farmers. Wolf attacks on calves and other farm animals are becoming more of a problem.

4/14/08 - A vote tonight is expected to pass on whether or not Wisconsinites can hunt recently reintroduced timber wolves.

4/14/08 - The Green Bay Press-Gazette included a guest column today on the topic of climate change. Click here to view the article.

4/13/08 - Beloit, WI will be hosting their Residential City Wide Clean Up Day on May 3rd. Last year, Beloit was awarded a national honor in the America in Bloom contest.

4/13/08 - University of Wisconsin Oshkosh addressed the decision the possibility of creating a new, modern heat plant on campus or fix the existing plant at the Energy Independence Open Forum.

4/13/08 - University of Wisconsin Oshkosh is aiming for gold certification in environmental impact with its new academic building.

4/13/08 - New Appleton water facilities have increased their water output at higher water quality, but they are still producing below promised levels.

4/13/08 - Why should companies be more responsible? Recently, globalization and environmental concerns are boosting corporate social responsibility among American firms.

4/13/08 - UW-Madison students are hosting their first "Green Week" beginning Friday, April 11, and ending on Earth Day, April 22.

4/13/08 - Michael Gelboter, founder of Cooler, Inc., spoke in Madison about global warming. He stressed how climate change is a justice issue and said there is an unequal allocation of energy resources in the world.

4/13/08 - The State of Wisconsin is looking into investing in wind energy technologies. Authorities say it is a good alternative to other energy sources but, more importantly, it a less expensive option as well.

4/13/08 - Milwaukee city and county leaders are arguing over how to spend $91.5 million saved for transit improvement. Some have proposed improving bus transportion, other suggest electric "street cars," and supported a hybrid of the two.

4/13/08 - UW-Baraboo has announced plans to build an environmentally friendly dorm at a cost of $8 - $10 million dollars. The building will be constructed into a hillside in an effort to conserve energy and protect the landscape's view.

4/13/08 - Outdoor wood boilers have received many complaints because of the decrease in air quality. The EPA and American Lung Association are now involved in this conflict.

4/13/08 -Wisconsin's Conservation Congress holds vote on wolf hunt on Monday night as reported by the Rhinelander Daily News. If this vote is passed it will allow for Wisconsin hunters to legally hunt Timber Wolves

4/13/08 - The Baird Creek Preservation Foundation will be hosting another day of the Hikes in the Park series in Baird Creek, giving visitors an opportunity today to learn more about the fish species populating the area. To do this, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, "The group will toss nets into Baird Creek for a closer look at the native species

4/13/08 - Water technology a key to Milwaukee economic development in the 21st century.

4/12/08 - Rhinelander's Department of Natural Resources will recognize Earth day with an open house.

4/12/08 - Central Wisconsin Alliance for Economic Development pushes for renewable energy support.

4/11/08 - Sustainable Industry and Conference & Expo will be held on May 8, 2008 at the Eclipse Center in Beloit, WI

4/11/08 - is set to hold hearings in Oshkosh on Monday to receive feedback on proposed fish and wildlife rules changes. This is an important opportunity for the public to participate in the process.

4/10/08 - Greener Oconomowoc announces Earth Day 2008 and will be holding a resources fair in its honor

4/10/08 - In the village of Pewaukee there will be a series of 'green' condos built that will use green technology including thermal and geothermal.

4/10/08 - A number of wells in Cooperstown have been found to be contaminated with E. Coli and many had nitrate levels five times higher than federal drinking water standards.

4/9/08 - Interpretive Hike to help celebrate Earth Day and John Muir's birthday at the Fox River National Wildlife Refuge on April 22nd at 6pm.

4/9/08 - Fish Hatchery Manager Steve Fajfer will be the guest speaker for the presentation entitled “Cold Water Fisheries.” Fajfer will explain the intricacies of fish management and the varieties of central Wisconsin’s invasive species problem

4/9/08 - Great Lakes water compact to pass without amending veto provision.

4/9/08 - Polk county Highway Department is having air quality problems. Levels of the building had to be sealed off from employees.

4/9/08 - Wisconsin farmers are now selling raw milk. Even though it is illegal to sell unpasteurized, or raw, milk in some areas, demand for it is so high because of concern over the chemicals used in dairy products.

4/9/08 - Wisconsin DNR officials have proposed tighter rules governing invasive species in Wisconsin, which would make this the first comprehensive effort at regulating invasive species in the state. The goal of the proposal would be to strictly regulate certain species while banning others completely.

4/9/08 - UW-Madison is coming under fire for its practice of dumping snow, containing rubbish and salt, into a marsh located near Lake Mendota. Concern is particularly high considering the record snows this past winter, although the University contends it is safer to dump it in the marsh than in lakes.

4/9/08 - State lawmakers have reached a compromise regarding the Great Lakes Compact, which was approved in the Democratic-controlled Senate but then blocked in the Republican-controlled Assembly. Governor Doyle is expected to announce a special legislative session at a news conference this afternoon to approve the treaty.

4/9/08 - The Milwaukee Biodiesel Co-Op is trying to spread the word about the benefits of using biodiesel fuel and come up with ways to get it to people in the Milwaukee area.

4/8/08 - The EPA has awarded Baraboo a $600,000 grant to be used towards the clean-up and revitalization of the city's riverfront area. This award augments the $4 million already pledged by local and state officials for what will be known as the Baraboo Ringling Riverfront.

4/8/08 - Edward Kraemer & Sons, Inc., a Sauk County contractor, will pay $100,000 to settle a lawsuit concerning the pollution of protected waters in Rock County in 2005 and 2006. The Wisconsin DNR alleged that Turtle Creek, home to several endangered species of fish, was polluted because the contracting firm failed to use required erosion-control precautions.

4/8/08 - Great Lakes shippers say they're taking steps to prevent a deadly fish virus from spreading to all five lakes.

4/8/08 - Washburn County Forestry Committee is debating whether or not to start charging fees for entrance to various trails and sites.

4/8/08 - Many of the Northeastern Wisconsin state representatives expressed their commitment to pass a Great Lakes Compact that will protect Wisconsin lakes for future generations.

4/8/08 - This Letter to the Editor discusses the need for people to start recycling. With Earth Day approaching, people should think about doing their part to help save our environment.

4/8/08 - The Energy Department expects a cut in the demand for gasoline by about 0.4% during the summer season due to high gas prices and a weak economy.

4/7/08 - Great Lakes shippers are taking steps to stop a deadly fish virus from spreading into Lake Superior.

4/7/08 - Despite a standoff between Congress, US grain-growers, and the White House over the new version of the Farm Bill, two agricultural economists from the University of Wisconsin say that the Milk Income Loss Contract program should not be in any danger. The program guarantees farmers $13.96 for each hundredweight of milk used for cheese.

4/7/08 - Madison residents near the Owen Conservation Park are being urged to not feed wild turkeys. The feeding of these turkeys has made them less afraid of humans and are causing problems as they continue to frequent neighborhoods and pose threats to themselves and humans.

4/7/08 - UW-Milwaukee dorm residents are now 1 week into competing with one another to see which dorm can use the least amount of energy.

4/7/08 - The North American Bluebird Society presented its "Outstanding Bluebird Conservation Organization of the Year Award for 2007" to the Aldo Leopold Audubon Society of Central Wisconsin.

4/7/08 - Farmers in the Milwaukee River Watershed are eligible to apply for the Conservation Security Program for 2008. This program rewards stewardship and conservation on working farmland.

4/7/08 - The EPA has selected a cleanup plan for the Cedar Creek Mercury Marine Plant 2 Superfund site in Cedarburg.

4/7/08 - The snowy winter is expected to do little to mend the water ailments of the state. Lake levels will remain low and rapidly drying aquifers will not see any significant replenishment.

4/6/08 - The recent wolf population expansion is into agriculture areas at the edge of the northern forest or within that forest. DNR biologists are currently working on their overwinter wolf population numbers, which was more than 500 animals last year.

4/6/08 - According to the Rice Lake Chronotype, Norswiss Farms in the Town of Stanfold plans to nearly triple its dairy herd to over 3,000 cows and has applied to the state for a wastewater permit.

4/6/08 - For some Rock and Walworth counties farmers, responding to specialty consumer demands is a hobby gone wild. For others, it’s a way to survive in an exacting market.

4/6/08- Lake Superior's Isle Royale wolf, moose population has increased indicated by a 50 year old research project dedicated to the predator/prey relationship.

4/5/08- Scientists from around the world will be meeting in Rhinelander to discuss global warming.

4/5/08 - Jim Hightower is on tour promoting his new book. Corporate agriculture was the theme at his presentation in Madison.

4/4/08- Rhinelander Daily News reported that a new charter school will be giving students unique options by expanding programs to include careers in natural resources.

4/4/08- Pick a color any color.... Green automobiles come in any one you would like. Not only can you have a "green" car but you can make it fashionable as well.

4/4/08 - A handful of Baraboo-area private environmental and outdoor recreation organizations have donated several thousand dollars towards the Wisconsin DNR's annual spraying for gypsy moths. The private funds were necessary to make up for lower federal funds and greater statewide demand to target the pesky insect.

4/4/08 - In an effort to rid Sauk County of unwanted brush that crowds out native vegetation, the Wisconsin DNR will burn several public lands this spring. Among those units planned to be burned are Ferry Bluff, Rosnos Meadows, Bakkens Pond, and the Lone Rock Unit.

4/4/08 - Sauk County businesses are now eligible for up to $15 million in state grants available for efforts towards energy independence. Lorrie Keating Heinemann, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, visited Baraboo this week to promote the initiative.

4/4/08 - The different uses of state land are up for debate. Some land trusts currently exclude hunting within their limits.

4/3/08 - Prarie du Sac's hydro-electric plant has found Zebra Mussels on the plant's mechanical equipment. This means that a Zebra Mussel population has been established in Lake Wisconsin.

4/3/08- The Milwaukee Business Journal unveils a new portion of its website dedicated to reporting on environmental activity in the United States.

4/2/08- The American Wind Energy Association estimates that enough wind power has been installed to provide wind farmed electricity for 4.5 million homes.

4/2/08 - Environmental groups top the list of suspects in Madison where an April Fool's Joke included deflating tires on vehicles throughout the city then leaving notes on the cars reading: "Happy Fossil Fuel Day! Drive Less."

4/1/08 - Governor Jim Doyle announced a plan to pair up individual communities with resources from the State Office of Energy Independence to further Wisconsin's aim of being a renewable energy leader.

4/1/08 - A shut down pump at Mud Lake has continued dumping water into the lake.

Presidential Candidates On Environmental Issues

carlmueller — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:12:49 CDT

Democratic Candidate

Barack Obama

Republican Candidate

John McCain

James Sensenbrenner

greenvoting — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:32:03 CDT

James Sensenbrenner (R)

U.S. House of Representatives - Incumbent
5th District

	House Committees • Former Chairman of the Science Committee • Former Chairman of the Judiciary Committee • When the Democrats regained the majority in the 2006 midterm elections, Sensenbrenner was finishing his term on the Judiciary Committee and was ineligible to serve again as the ranking minority member due to party term-limit rules. • Select Committee on Energy Independence & Global Warming (ranking member) Sources: www.wikipedia.com, sensenbrenner.house.gov	Background Info • Wisconsin's 5th District forms an arc around Milwaukee to the North and West. This area includes parts of Jefferson, Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, and all of Ozaukee and Washington counties. • Served 10 years in the Wisconsin State Legislature before becoming elected to the House of Representatives in 1978. Sources: sensenbrenner.house.gov, www.ontheissues.org

Voting Trends

Sensenbrenner's ratings from The League of Conservation Voters' show an overall anti-environmental stance:
• 110th Congress (2007-2008) - 20%
• 109th Congress (2005-2006) - 20%
• 108th Congress (2003-2004) - 26%
• 107th Congress (2001-2002) -32%
• 106th Congress (1999-2000) - 20%

Voted NO on increasing AMTRAK funding by adding $214M to $900M (2006)

Voted NO on barring website promoting Yucca Mountain nuclear waste dump (May 2006)

Voted YES on deauthorizing "critical habitat" for endangered species (September 2005)

Voted YES on speeding up approval of forest thinning projects (November 2003)

Source: www.ontheissues.org, League of Conservation Voters

Achievements & Other Issues

In February 2008 Congressman Sensenbrenner urged the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry to release a report entitled "Public Health Implications of Hazardous Substances in the 26 U.S. Great Lakes Areas of Concern." The agency began the report in 2002 and its release has been delayed for some time. Sensenbrenner said that it was vital to publish the report and its scientific findings. This is especially true for the residents of the areas in question. You can view the 2007 draft of this report by clicking here.

Sources: sensenbrenner.house.gov

Discussions

greenvoting — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:04:25 CDT

3/31/08 - Ethanol - see also our ethanol issue page

4/8/08 - Wind Energy - see also our wind energy issue page

4/23/08 - Clean Water - see also our paper mills issue page

5/20/08 - Bradford Beach - see also our Lake Michigan Page

Bradford Beach

greenvoting — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:01:37 CDT

Contributed by AFSpillane

April Showers Bring Diseased Milwaukee Beaches
Last week, my brother and I were on holiday around the Gulf coastline of Florida. On the final day of our trip, we decided to soak up enough sun to last us through the next two months of the cold and dreary Wisconsin version of spring. As such, we headed to Clearwater Beach.

Just as we felt last year, the time of our first visit to this part of the country, we were still in awe of the breadth of the expansive white coast that marked this set of island keys just off of mainland Florida. Then, our conversation shifted to our hometown of Milwaukee, Bradford Beach near the eastside more specifically.

Without giving the idea too much though, I blurted, “Bradford beach is just…” I couldn’t find a word repulsive enough to accurately describe my sentiment regarding that particular stretch of Lake Michigan, so I simply grumbled under my breath. My brother, in turn, responded by laughing as if he understood what I was trying to say, despite my inability to attach a word to the idea.

Perhaps, other Milwaukeeans who have lived in the city in the last decade would relate to this too, but for those of you from out of town, let me describe, in brief, why I and others feel this way. Bradford Beach, in the last several years, has been the subject of a lot of press, and hardly ever for positive reasons. In fact, as a kid growing up in Milwaukee, the first I had ever heard of this member of the Milwaukee County Park System was a series of stories about a rancid smell that plagued not only the beach itself, but Lincoln Memorial Drive, the winding road following the Lake Michigan shore, extending from the Milwaukee Art Museum to the south, and the beginning of the North Shore neighborhoods to the north. When I was a teenager a few years back, more new stories that would make this beach even more notorious: according to the Journal Sentinel, a study found that, in the summer of 2004, “E. coli bacteria counts at Bradford exceeded safe levels for 61% of the three-month swimming season.” Further, the amounts of bacteria in the water were so high, that “you had a better than 50-50 chance of dousing yourself with E. coli” if you were to as much as go in the water there that year.

Peering over this old news article confirmed a memory stored in the back of head years ago as to the cause of this bacterial outbreak: the frequent sewage dumps executed by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD). These happenings also found their way into various manifestations in the news media, including an aerial view of a sail boat on the water, with bluer water on the east side of the boat, and dirty, brown clouds infesting the water closer to the shoreline. What’s more, local conservative talk radio host Charlie Sykes in the last few years has done a weekly segment of his show known as the “deep tunnel awards,” a set of dubious honors bestowed upon corrupt or incompetent players in the news each week, spoofing the project that is credited with initiating the nefarious dumps. In short, the deep tunnel was a Milwaukee city project to expand the municipal sewer system, to account for the occurrence of flash floods that in recent years have become more numerous. However, the tunnels built ended up being too small for even moderate amounts of rain. In response, MMSD began dumping excess untreated sewage into Lake Michigan. After a few years of this policy, correlated with years of the news media covering the story, such dumps in the lake are now public knowledge.

Obviously, a lot can happen in the course of only a few years. Every once in a while, when I’d take an afternoon run down Lincoln Memorial, I would see Bradford and McKinley populated with people looking to get some sun on a summer day, even a few people wading in the shallow water just short of where the sand begins. At the same time, though much of the blame for the state of Milwaukee’s beaches can be placed on the shoulders of MMSD, it is fantastical to expect local municipalities such as Milwaukee to be able to predict and prepare for any and every environmental hazard that its bureaucracies may encounter. Nonetheless, the failure of the deep tunnel project and the outcry against the sewage dumps should underscore the need for at least somewhat greater attention to the potential for such dangers. As is evidenced by at least one conversation in a distant beach in Clearwater, Florida, for some Milwaukeeans, the beaches that dot the shoreline of our hometown are now strongly associated with negative connotations, from a merely subjective shock and disgust at its past problems to a real fear for objective public health hazards in the future. Bradford Beach and the activities of MMSD provide only a few cases lending credence to the possibility of the consequences following such disgraces against nature as far outlasting the notorious events themselves.

temp

greenvoting — Mon, 12 May 2008 15:17:50 CDT

Random Acts of Green-ness

kris2090 — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:38:48 CDT

On this page you can find simple ways to reduce your impact on the environment. It will be updated throughout the month of April, in honor of Earth Day. Please feel free to add your own suggestions or share success stories by starting a thread at the bottom of this page.

Food
-Buy organic foods. They use natural growing practices that promote sustainable agriculture.
-Grow your own! Herbs, vegetables and fruits can be easy and cheap to grow- without the nasty pesticides! Seeds for your own organic garden can be found at your local gardening, grocery or hardware store.
- If you are a meat-eater, make a point to eat one meatless meal per week. Everyone can cut back on how much meat they consume without making huge lifestyle changes. Industrial farming requires huge amounts of energy and creates noxious waste problems.

Electronics
-Recycle electronic equipment. E-waste from discarded cell phones and computers is a growing environmental problem. Tons of electronic waste are being shipped abroad illegally for ‘disassembly’ by workers, who are then exposed to dangerous toxic substances, such as mercury, found in these items.

Shopping
-Reuse shopping bags or purchase reusable canvas bags from your grocery store.
-Buy used when possible. If you're moving, services like craigslist and freesharing have items listed to help furnish your home.
-Use your local library instead of buying books. Or, shop at used bookstores.

Energy
-Keep your refrigerator full. Food maintains temperatures better than empty space can.
-Turn off the oven 10-15 minutes before cooking time runs out. Food will continue cooking without using the extra energy.
-Use compact fluorescent bulbs. They use 1/3 the power and last ten times as long as regular bulbs.
-Unplug household appliances. Items that are turned off can use as much as 40% of the energy that an appliance that is on uses.
-Almost 90% of the energy used to wash clothing goes towards heating the water. Wash clothes in cold water to to avoid using this extra energy.

Holidays
-Wrap presents in recycled paper or newspaper.
-Save boxes for additional use.
-Consider donating to a favorite charity in lieu of a material gift.

Cleaning
-Use reusable and durable cleaning equipment instead of one-use wipes.
-Buy products in concentrated form. They use less packaging.

Water
- Adjust the ballcock in your toilet. You can usually just twist them a little so that the tank won’t have to get as full before the water shuts off. Another easy way to reduce the water used with each flush is to fill some plastic bottles with water and just sit them inside the toilet tank. This will have the same effect as adjusting the ballcock.
-Install a water filter in your kitchen and skip buying bottled water. Instead purchase a reusable aluminum bottle and refill for water on-the-go.

Laundry
-When whitening whites, skip the harmful chlorine bleach. When bleach goes down the drain and eventually interacts with sewage water, a poisonous combination is created. Why take risks? Instead, use hydrogen peroxide. It'll whiten whites and be kinder to the earth.
-Be smart about soap. Did you know that most liquid detergents in the big, giant bottles are actually watered down? Instead, choose a super-concentrated detergent that only requires a small amount to clean a large load of laundry. It is a greener choice because less packaging is involved to make the product. Less packaging means less waste, which means less fuel is used up to move more bottles to the store shelves. It all adds up.

Source: Trask, Crissy. It's Easy Being Green. Salt Lake City: Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 2006.
Source: "Do Just One Thing" Calendar by Eco-Expert Danny Seo. http://www.dannyseo.com/books.html

Earth Day

greenvoting — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 08:51:13 CDT

With Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 25, there are loads of opportunities for Wisconsin families and individuals to 'go green' and get involved in their communities.

See the threads below to find events specificially geared towards celebrating Earth Week.
As always, be sure to check our events page for environmental events throughout the year.

Sheila Harsdorf

johannafrench — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 19:51:05 CDT

Sheila Harsdorf (R)

Wisconsin State Senator
Incumbent 10th Senate District

	Wisconsin State Senate Committees • Committee on Agriculture and higher Education • Committee on Commerce, Utilities and Rail	Background Info • Graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1978 with a Bachelor’s degree in animal science. • In her hometown of River Falls, Sheila was a member of the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust Board and the Wisconsin Conservation Corps Board. • Elected to Wisconsin State Assembly 1988. • Elected to Wisconsin State Senate in 2000. Reelected in 2004.

Voting Trends

Achievements