by jboullion | Oct 25, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by Nate Enwald in The Pointer, Stevens Point, WI:
Students at the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point are in for a few changes in their dining routines at DeBot Dining Center; some may have noticed a change in the Oct. 11 Monday menu and what it served, or lack thereof.
The University Dining Services department has taken to the “Meatless Monday” movement that has been a spreading trend in other schools across the country. The new meatless menu that began on Oct. 11 is scheduled to take effect for the Mondays of Nov. 8, Feb. 7, and April 11.
The Monday Campaigns originally started the “Meatless Monday” movement in association with the Johns Hopkins’ Bloomberg School of Public Health, with the goal of reducing the consumption of meat by 15 percent. This movement hopes to ultimately better public health and reduce the carbon footprint left by the production, transportation and cooking of meats.
“We are doing this [Meatless Monday] to raise awareness about the program and the benefits of lowering meat consumption,” said Kathleen Gould, the Public Relations representative and Marketing Coordinator of University Dining Services.
At meatlessmonday.com, the organization promotes going meatless at least once a week to aid in efforts of reducing the public health issues of cancer, diabetes and obesity along with the inevitable ecological benefits that go with a meatless diet.
by jboullion | Oct 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
From a column by Matthew Davidson, CEO, XTen Industries, Kenosha, in BizTimes:
Xten Industries, a Kenosha-based injection molding firm, has found several ways to reduce its environmental footprint by using less electricity and natural gas and more earth-friendly plastics. Matthew Davidson, chief executive officer of the company, has made being “green” a central tenet of his company’s operating model.
“There are many ways for manufacturing companies to become more sustainable – to make choices that benefit the environment while actually saving cash. This is even true of small companies like Xten Industries, an injection molder dependent on heavy machinery, high energy use and the consumption of plastic.
“We found it easiest to approach sustainability in three broad areas: reduce waste, reduce energy and design parts more intelligently.
“As an example, Xten reduced our scrap by over 40 percent last year by re-examining our internal processes and how we identify, sort and reuse plastic, steel, oil and corrugated.
“This year we slashed our electric usage by more than 30 percent with the help of Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program and Clean Tech Partners, which allowed Xten to retrofit its large machines and lighting through incentives and an innovative, cash-positive financing program that allows us to pay back the loans with the energy savings. These are terrific programs for Wisconsin manufacturers.
by jboullion | Sep 27, 2010 | Uncategorized
From an article by B.C. Kowalski in the Stevens Point Journal:
As visitors from Stevens Point’s Russian sister city, Rostov Veliky, leave today, they’ll take with them a message of environmentalism.
That was the focus of a weeklong stay for Rostov Veliky Mayor Yuri Aleksandrovitch Boiko and four others as they traveled through Stevens Point.
Boiko said Stevens Point could serve as a good example of environmental consciousness for Rostov Veliky.
“The one thing that is really unique is the way Stevens Point residents respect nature, the way they relate to the environment,” Boiko said through an interpreter. “What is really cool is that everyone seems to care about nature, from the young and old.”
The Rostov Veliky delegation met with various groups related to the environment, including Trout Unlimited, a number of farms, a lake management roundtable and a watershed group from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Boiko said he will take a number of environmental ideas back to Rostov Veliky. Of the 14 he listed in his journal, Boiko mentioned installing a solar panel at Liberty Park, buying an electric car for Rostov Veliky’s stadium and creating an environmental youth group that would focus on Nero Lake.
by jboullion | Sep 15, 2010 | Uncategorized
THINK GREEN PICNIC
…FOR PEOPLE WORKING TO SAVE THE PLANET
Join other GREEN people, for your monthly dose of what’s going on in the “green scene” – the picnic will feature many representatives from environmental groups.
Brats, hot dogs, veggie option, potato salad, chips, condiments, cookies, water and pop are provided. You are welcome to bring your own beer, wine or other drinks.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2010
Pine Pavilion, Carson Park
4:30-7:00 PM No rain date
Be kind to the earth:
Please bring your own reusable plate, cup, napkin and utensils
***Payment and RSVP MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE***
$3 Individual $5 Couple $7 Family
Send to Think Green, 3013 Putnam Glen Place, Eau Claire, WI
Sponsored by Green Drinks Eau Claire.
by jboullion | Sep 9, 2010 | Uncategorized
From article in the Green Energy newsletter of Scenic Valley:
Together with Scenic Valley Farms, our sister company, we have merged sustainable agricultural and renewable energy into a single package. The project employs high tunnel farming, in-ground solar thermal heating, and the best performing small wind turbines on the market.
The entire operation allows you to earn a high return on investment while promoting both locally grown food and clean energy.
High tunnels are naturally ventilated gothic shaped structures similar in appearance to greenhouses but significantly less expensive. They are constructed with metal purlins to provide horizontal support which are attached to metal hoops. The whole structure is then covered with plastic.
High tunnels have a wide variety of advantages compared to field grown produce. They can extend the growing season, allow growers to receive a premium price for offseason produce, boost the quality of produce, conserve natural resources and help meet the increasing demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Our company begins the process by locating property with above average wind resources. We then tap into all available financial incentives, and launch a high tunnel agriculture operation.
A high performing small wind turbine provides all the necessary electricity for the high tunnels. Plus, the excess electricity generated is sold back to the utility at retail rates.
And the in-ground solar thermal technology developed by our company, eliminates the need for fossil fuel based heating.
