New Video Posted: American Wind Energy Association

Whether you manufacture wind turbine components, drive a truck hauling rotor blades, lease your land, or operate a crane erecting wind towers, we want to hear about your wind industry job. Together, AWEA and the Greener Milwaukee are looking for wind industry stories to use for our website, speeches, and advertising, and we want to know just how important these jobs are to you, your family and the American economy.




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Get to know your Greener Milwaukee members: Ryan Thompson

Hello,

This is the first entry is a special part of Greener Milwaukee that will showcase different members of Greener Milwaukee and why they want to be part of the Greener Milwaukee Movement.

Please click here to join!

So as I have helped interview local business owners before, such as here. iThink it might be fun to let you know a little bit about myself regarding the green movement.

First thing to know... it's coming.

iLike to think of the Green movement as an artistic rendering of human efficiency and design. Humanity has reached a point where engineering, communication, and social thought have achieved levels where we can again as humans measure and perfect systems to work as one eco-system.

Within that framework of system, one item I find so very, very fascinating about it is the possibility. And we have to start locally first. But where and what questions should be ask before we begin the task of rendering a cleaner, more efficient, albeit "greener" Milwaukee?

Is it a good idea to put giant wind turbines off the shores of the Great lakes? Or should we think smaller and they be nestled under the hone bridge? Heck, will the hone bridge still even be there? Will mass transit and parks be put in its place?

Like you, iHave no idea - however iDo have a grasp of how to get there - and iAm going to need a lot of help. iAm going to need the help of the government, small, big business, the media, individuals exactly like you. There is no better place than here, no better time than now. Please join up at our website and meet us for meetings as we discuss as the organic seeds of ideas and  iHope to get to know you better in person.

iF you want to know why iWrite in this style, check out my technology blog, Thunk Different.

iF you want to join us, or contact us, Greener Milwaukee is much bigger than me, it's you, so click here or the video for the Greener Milwaukee Movement

Abrazos,

Ryan Thompson

Follow us on Twitter! = www.Twitter.com/GreenerMKE

Follow me on Twitter = www.Twitter.com/WebMedia

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Be a green machine and $hovel!

Want to make yourself useful this winter? Read This...

Ok, So do you know the story of John Henry? The one with the folkoric hero who beat a shoveling machine with his brawn and enduring human spirt?

Well, you can emulate that dude without the tragic consequences this winter and fly your green card in the process... well depending who you are.

How?

With all this snow and and the ability to shovel, do you have to ask?

Snow shoveling is almost as green as it gets as; it's A. Good for you B. it's healthier for air quality than a snow blower, (or "thrower" as retail chains are now calling them) C. It's nice to do for a neighbor orelderly person that may need a helping hand. D. You could make some scratch with that hard work.

So grab your shovel and start shoveling, shucks, check the link below there is even a demand for it... Apparently you can make around $32,000 shoveling snow according to Simply Hired.

So just don't site there reading all day, get out there and help make a Greener Milwaukee today.

Sustainable Dance Club Video

Presentation of the sustainable dance club in Rotterdam (NL). It's kind of the ultimate machine... see for yourself!

Green Car Tips for Winter Blues

Face it, it is going to snow today. It's going to snow and you are going to have to drive through the stuff. So how can you do it without spinning your tires, getting stuck, or burning to much carbon in your chariot of fuel? Greener cars and Greener Milwaukee tips are a good way to start. #1 Drive carefully.

Here are a few more...

Buying green is just the first step in reducing the environmental impacts of automobile use. Your choice of vehicle is most important, but how you drive and how well you maintain your car, van, or light truck will also make a difference.

Avoid "jack rabbit" starts and aggressive driving. Flooring the gas pedal not only wastes gas, it leads to drastically higher pollution rates. One second of high-powered driving can produce nearly the same volume of carbon monoxide emissions as a half hour of normal driving.

Think ahead. Try to anticipate stops and let your vehicle coast down as much as possible. Avoid the increased pollution, wasted gas, and wear on your brakes created by accelerating hard and braking hard.

Follow the speed limit! Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your fuel economy by about 10 percent, and can dramatically increase tailpipe pollution in many vehicles.

When possible, plan your trips to avoid rush hour. Stop-and-go driving burns gas and increases emissions of smog-forming pollutants.

Combine trips. Warmed-up engines and catalysts generate much less air pollution, so combining several short trips into one can make a big difference.

Take a load off. Carrying around an extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by about 1 percent. Take a few moments to unload your cargo area.

If your vehicle has it, use overdrive gear at cruising speeds. When driving a manual transmission, shift up as soon as possible. Running in a higher gear decreases the rpm and will decrease fuel use and engine wear.

Try using the vents and opening windows to cool off before you turn on the air conditioner. Air conditioner use increases fuel consumption, increases NOx emissions in some vehicles, and involves environmentally damaging fluids.

Unlike many older cars and trucks, modern vehicles don't need to warm up and they have automatic chokes, so you don't need to step on the gas pedal before starting the engine

...and keep air in those tires for better mileage and better traction in the snow!

Eco-Hatchery Interview

I conducted a short interview on a local business owner, Adam Borut and his partner's start-up called, Eco-hatchery. Their focus is on Green gift packs that could come in handy this holiday season... what do you think?

0. Who are you?

Eco Hatchery is a Milwaukee based company dedicated to helping homeowners reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

1. How did you get started with this Hatchery business?

My business partner and I were discussing the challenge of moving from environmental consciousness to action. In talking with friends and family, we found most were environmentally conscious, but had done little in their personal lives to take action. They were overwhelmed by information, and short on time. We sought to develop a collection of tools that would enable homeowners to have the greatest impact in a single weekend. Along the way, we realized this was not enough. People needed to see in economic and environmental terms the size of opportunities, and the impact of their actions. They also wanted a clear and personalized roadmap for moving forward. We therefore married our Eco Starter Kit with on-line programs we developed to identify, prioritize and track impact of opportunities.

2. How long have you been into the green movement?

I lived for over eight years in Asia, which brought personal focus to the immediate dangers of environmental neglect. I worked for many years in consumer products. I have been 100% focused on this business for the past 2 years.

3. Where are you living? I live in Milwaukee.

4. Where do you see you and the company going?

Our hope is to have a national impact through continuing to educate and provide tools to homeowners to transform the way they live.

5. What makes your product unique, what is it and why should people care about it?

The product marries physical tools, easy step-by-step instructions with on-line tools to maximize peoples impact on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the shortest time with the least resources.

Thanks EH for helping making this city a greener Milwaukee.

Winterize Your House & Be Green!

As the first real snowfall covers the ground this morning on this post-Thanksgiving December dawn, we now all have to turn our attention to the next season at hand... the red and green one.

This involves buying gifts for those that you love & those you don't, this is either the most wonderful time of the year, or if you have bad insulation in your rented apartment, the most feared. So this year, I decided to take action instead of cowering in candlelight over a dusty Charles Dickens novel. I decided to educate myself of some simple tips to be green, save money, and gift the gift of knowledge in lieu of spending a few bucks.

1. Know the Facts – The average family spends $1,400 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of that spent on heating and cooling. Energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment, sized and installed correctly, with properly sealed ducts, can save homeowners as much as 20 percent on their annual energy costs.

2. Keep it Clean – A dirty air filter can increase your energy costs and lead to early equipment failure. Clean or change the air filter in your heating and cooling system monthly. Some filters only need to be changed every 3 months. Also, have your equipment checked seasonally to make sure it’s operating efficiently and safely – check-ups can identify problems early. Dirt and neglect are the #1 causes of system failure.
3. Bundle Up Your Home – Hidden gaps and cracks in a home can add up to as much airflow as an open window. The more heat that escapes, the more cold air enters, causing your system to work harder and use more energy. Home Sealing can improve your home “envelope” – the outer walls, ceiling, windows and floors -- and can save up to 10 percent in energy costs. Start by sealing air leaks and adding insulation—pay special attention to your attic and basement, where the biggest gaps and cracks are often found. If replacing windows, choose ENERGY STAR qualified ones.

4.Tighten Your Ducts – If you have a forced air furnace or heat pump, then a duct system is responsible for circulating warm air throughout your home. Leaky ducts can reduce your system’s overall efficiency by 20 percent. Sealing your ducts can save up to $140 annually on energy bills and help you consistently heat every room.

5. Don’t Oversize – If you’re replacing old equipment, make sure your new equipment is properly sized for your home -- bigger isn’t always better. An oversized system will cost more to buy and operate and will cycle on and off too frequently, reducing your comfort and leading to early system failures and repair costs. Correct size and proper airflow will ensure that your equipment works efficiently, saves you money, and helps protect our environment.

6. Put Your Home to the Test – Doing a home improvement project this fall or winter? ENERGY STAR has online tools to evaluate your home’s energy performance and offer solutions to increase comfort and energy efficiency. Visit www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement. Have your utility bills handy for savings calculations.

7. Consult a Professional – Find an experienced, licensed contractor before embarking on any heating and cooling overhaul. Visit http://www.natex.org/ to find a contractor whose technicians are certified by NATE (North American Technician Excellence), the leading industry-supported testing and certification program. Your contractor should properly size your equipment, test airflow, and perform a quality installation.

So if you are interested in more funky, fun fact, feel free to join the Greener milwaukee community online. Until then, stay warm and be green.

(Photo: JDCow, St. Francis, Wisconsin)

8 secrets to better gas milage

Happy Turducken Day!

A new video on 8 ways secret ways to save gas was posted on Greener Milwaukee in response to a post on our forum. Feel free to ask questions, and we'll find you solutions that will make your city cleaner and save you money! See VIDEO

Ready for a Green Milwaukee?

Greener Thanksgiving!

Would you like to have your kids help you create a green Thanksgiving centerpiece? It's easier than you might think. SustainLane Lifestyle Editor, Reenita Malhotra Hora shows you how. For more tips on green living ideas, visit Greener Milwaukee's Community Site HERE

National Geographic Green Guide & Turkey Tips...

The real history of Thanksgiving isn’t quite as simple as Squanto feeding the pilgrims of Plymouth Colony. Throughout early American history, colonists declared thanksgiving celebrations to mark safe landings in the New World, political and military successes as well as successful harvests. Thanksgiving Day didn’t become a national holiday until 1863 when President Lincoln proclaimed a day of thanks, not for the harvest but for the stability of society in spite of the Civil War.

Despite the history, the simple story we should be teaching to our kids is that Thanksgiving is a day to be thankful for the harvest—the local harvest that takes place right near our homes. We should be thankful not just for the delicious food on our tables but for all the benefits that local growers contribute to our lives and our country. The health of our nation and each one of us rests on the wellbeing of small family farms. When those prosper, our environment, economy and families all share in the good fortune.

Ninety-seven percent of Americans serve turkey as the centerpiece of their Thanksgiving meal, and although there are scores of recipes for roasting a whole turkey, there really isn’t as much variation as you might expect. The variety on our tables comes from >>>MORE

Milwaukee Green Map & Links

Whether you're a bicyclist who wants to locate interesting bike trails, or a resident looking for a natural clothes cleaner with water-based alternatives to chemicals for dry cleaning, Matthew Groshek's Green Map of Milwaukee has a site for you.

For two years, Groshek, a graphic designer who operates the Education / Design Link on the east side, has been developing a Green Map of Milwaukee County. In this case, green isn't just a color on a map, but a symbol of ecological awareness and conservation.

The Green Map highlights about 400 environmentally or ecologically significant places, such as community gardens, farmers markets, recycling centers, green stores and nature paths. HERE

The greenest line of notebooks?

How to Put Bike Chains on your Tires

(Milwaukee, WI)
Putting chains on your tires is illegal just about everywhere but rural American because of the damage snow chains can do to paved roads. No such restriction exists for bicycles, nor will you likely find a bike with enough weight to do any damage with chains on the tires! If you're braving a commute or keeping up a fitness routine via bicycle this winter, there is an excellent tutorial at cycling enthusiast blog Mountain Bike Riders to help you chain your tires and keep going strong through the winter. A quick trip to your workshop bins or the local hardware store for braided chain, wire and zip ties will get you started. The tutorial's author spent a scant $13.66 to outfit his bike, a significant savings over the cost of your average ER visit. For more season-appropriate biking tips, check out more articles on the original post, here.

Green Resource: Milwaukee's Office of Environmental Sustainability

Milwaukee
Office of Environmental
Sustainability

The Milwaukee Office of Sustainability was created by Mayor to Barrett to position Milwaukee as a leader in environmental sustainability and performance in the 21st Century. The Office is charged with coordinating efforts to improve Milwaukee's water quality, reduce energy consumption, and stimulate economic development in the green technology sector. The Office of Sustainability emerged from the community input received from the Milwaukee Green Team, commissioned by Mayor Barrett in 2004. Visit today!

President Elect Promises Green Jobs

President Elect Barack Obama's Historic first You Tube address speaks about change and green jobs totalling up to 5 million jobs or more.

Local Company Rishi Tea to Offer Organic Tea Gift Sets for the Holidays

Milwaukee, WI, November 06, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Organic handcrafted loose-leaf teas best reveal their nuance and unique origin characteristics when prepared in appropriate teaware. Rishi Tea is proud to offer our Organic Tea Sets, each of which includes two best-selling teas, a teapot or infuser cup specially chosen to pair well with the teas. Each gift set is beautifully packaged in an environmentally friendly, hand woven gift box made of renewable bamboo.

Organic Black Tea Set includes a highly functional glass teapot with easy to clean removable stainless steel filter, Organic Fair Trade China Breakfast Black Tea and Organic Fair Trade Earl Grey Black Tea. Retail Price: $25

Organic Green Tea Set includes a handcrafted sky blue teacup with lid and infuser, Organic Fair Trade Jasmine Green Tea and Organic Fair Trade Jade Cloud Green Tea. Retail Price: $35

Organic White Tea Set includes a glass teapot with glass infuser, Organic White Peony and Organic Peach Blossom. Retail Price: $40

Available through select Whole Foods Markets, specialty retailers and direct from www.rishi-tea.com.

Alliant Coal Power Plant Rejected in Wisconsin

PRESS RELEASE:

Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) has rejected a proposal by Wisconsin Power
and Light Company (WPL), a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation (NYSE:
LNT), to expand its existing Nelson Dewey Generating Station in Cassville,
Wisconsin, to meet the future energy needs of its customers.

  (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020405/LNTLOGO)

  In a 3-0 oral decision, the PSCW denied WPL's Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) application. The PSCW stated that
construction and operation of Nelson Dewey Unit 3 would not be the lowest
cost option for customers. The PSCW also expressed concern regarding Nelson
Dewey 3's potential greenhouse gas emissions and its impact upon the
environment.

  "Our company is extremely disappointed in the PSCW's decision today and
the opportunities lost with it," said Barbara Swan, President-WPL. "We will
need to evaluate the PSCW's decision prior to considering alternatives for
our long-term generation growth strategy in Wisconsin..."

###

The plant was voted down due to environmental concerns as well as the controversial need for coal power.

5 Healthy Habits to stay Green in the Winter Blues

What are some healthy habits that you can work into your daily routine if the weather is so ch-ch-chilly as it is here in Milwaukee?

1. Eating Healthy.

Your eating habits are as important as your sleeping habits, so even though the farmers market's aren't out their, don'e mean you can't buy local. The Milwaukee Public Market, local farms, the Riverwest co op, outpost, and even Whole foods and Metro Mart are places to grab local fare.

2. Sleeping Healthy

Get to bed at a decent hour. Even though Milwaukeeans have historically stayed up to drink alcohol, this is not a real good idea, especially when you can't be as active when the weather keep you indoors.

3. Exercise. yes, it sucks, but if you get into a routine, you will feel better, look better, and it is a never ending cycle of being and feeling your best. Just do it. There is the YMCA, the Wisconsin Athletic Club (the WAC), 24 fitness, invivo, bay view fitness, and many other places that are sure to have the right price for the facilities that you are looking for.

4. Save Energy. That means plastic over the windows, turning lights off when not in use, using fluorescent lights when you can, keeping the thermostat low, and if need be, turn it way low and just sleep with an electric blanket. This could save you some serious cash with the price of heating going up this year (curiously oil has gone down!) but of course you could get pneumonia and die, so not too low.

5. Get outside. One way to save money, energy, exercise, and support your local community is just to walk. Yes bundle up, and dont expose your nose, fingers, and sensitive bits and piece, do wear layers, dress appropriately, and wave to the bio diesel buses when they drive by.

Corpse Plant comes back from the dead, Blooms

Milwaukee, WI - The Corpse Plant, or titam arum is considered by many one of the "stinkiest" plant in the world. It takes an average of 6 years to bloom and did just that in Milwaukee's Public Museum. The Plant fell over yesterday to Museum officials dismany thinking that the plant was dying, it may well be, but has come back from the dea to bloom today and cast it's terrible stench throughout the first floor of the Museum. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has a web cam on it if you would like to take a look for your self.

Web cam of Corpse Plant

Greener Milwaukee Business Cards...

Great News!

I received my Greener Milwaukee Business cards today. They look pretty sharp and will be integral in getting the word out there about this new video blog show and a community. Please send Greener Milwaukee to friends, family, students, teachers, and those you value in your community that are looking to make a difference in your urban environment. 

Thanks -Ryan

McConnell: What’s greener than reusable bags?

When most people think about saving the environment, they think about recycling, driving their car less or, for the true activist, making their Facebook carbon neutral with some slew of fancy applications.

At the grocery store, these people do their part to cut down on petroleum use by bringing their own reusable bag, often printed with some sort of “green” slogan, despite rarely actually being green in color.

But when it comes to fuel use, what kind of bag you use is less important than what you’re putting in it.

When you bite into a crisp Washington apple, that apple is covered in more than just wax to give it that beautiful, glossy sheen — it’s dripping in oil all the way back to its state of origin.

That’s because that apple has had to be shipped across the country — in a refrigerated truck, no less — just so it can take up space in grocery stores where other, gas-saving local apples could be.

An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but if it’s not local, it’s definitely not shrinking your carbon footprint.

As the United States approaches winter, when it’s more difficult to grow and harvest food, the environmental cost of produce goes way up as we start enjoying “fresh” fruits from places like Chile.

National and international transport has gotten more efficient, which means it’s easier than ever to import specialty food items and out-of-season produce from across the globe. In addition, fuel used for international freight traveling by air or sea is tax-exempt, which also cut costs. So although transport may be cheap, the environmental price is high.

Fortunately, people like Will Allen, former pro basketball player and now the CEO of Growing Power and recent recipient of a MacArthur Foundation genius grant, are stepping up to the challenge.

To address the lack of local produce in urban areas, Allen has developed a system of vertical indoor farming, which saves space in areas where land is at a premium. This practically eliminates the environmental costs of transportation by growing food right in the neighborhoods that will consume it.

Allen’s urban farm, located in the center of Milwaukee, Wis., uses a unique three-tiered system of plant and fish farming, which saves space, water and huge amounts of fuel. It also cuts carbon emissions. This system is what Allen hopes in the future will allow him to build “vertical farm skyscrapers” in other cities.

As global trade becomes easier and faster, food needs to stay local and slower.

Within Lawrence, organizations like the ECM and the campus garden grow some of the produce to sustain their projects. In addition, several community gardens as well as the local farmers market provide the community with opportunities to grow or buy local produce.

Although most of us aren’t being handed $500,000 no-strings-attached grants, we can still help by buying locally grown and produced foods. You may have saved some petroleum with your reusable shopping bag, but if it’s full of imported produce, it’s just as delusional as emblazoning a blue bag with the phrase “I’m green.” by Uof K writer, McConnell whom is a Dallas junior in English.

Greener Milwaukee Video Intro

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Greener Wisconsin

I recently came across one of the better photojournalist of the state of Wisconsin that I have seen. Judge or yourself...

CLICK FOR SLIDESHOW

Eco Tips for a Greener Milwaukee

This video showcases local green and sustainable living and renewable energy savings that help both the earth and the pocketbook.

Hello Milwaukee

Happy Halloween!

Travel Channel: Milwaukee

Check out this British guy dig on Miller Brewing, Potawatami Restaurants "Dreamdance" with it's organic food and retail price wine list, the grounded harley brand, the lofty intercontinental and swanky zen den, the art museum's wings, the word "superlatives", and America's coolest small hip museum, the Eisner museum of art and design. Enjoy ;-)

Eco Driving Video & Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed website

Simple Solutions to Increase Mileage and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Believe it or not, you may already have much of what you need to save money at the gas pump. And you could reduce your carbon dioxide emissions at the same time...

It's as easy as subtly changing your driving habits and adjusting your maintenance techniques.
Today's autos are about more than getting you safely from point A to point B. They're computers on wheels - and what's known as "EcoDriving" provides easy tips for getting the most mileage out of your vehicle. And because burning gasoline produces carbon dioxide, saving fuel helps reduce carbon dioxide emissions - which helps address climate change.
No matter what you drive, you can reduce carbon dioxide and save money - right now. Here's how to start... click here to see arnie blow off a little smoke about pumped up driving habits!

Easy Bake Loving - Happy Halloween Treat!

Greener Milwaukee Photos

The Milwaukee Green Map

The Milwaukee Green Map shows environmentally significant sites throughout Milwaukee County. Click on the link to find hundreds of Green locations, population density, and even about your local watershed. Click here!

Fall in the City

I recently came across some stunning photos that meshed beautiful ambers, leaves, reds, and rocks. These Photos are courtesy of Karen Cinpinski, author of Milwaukee based blog betweenthebars.typepad.com and former author of Visit Milwaukee's "Play in the City" Thanks Karen, they are beautiful photos!

Milwaukee Art Museum & Photostream

Click for Slide Show/Photostream

Green Collar Jobs

"If local work force development experts have their way, Milwaukee will be a leader in the nation’s transition to green-collar jobs." - By DANI MCCLAIN,

VP presidential debates

Milwaukee Recycles

Yesterday, the Milwaukee Brewers failed to top the Philadelphia Phillies in game one of their quest for World Series glory. However, I still have hope we can best them I stopped at my house during my lunch hour and lying in a pile of post was a flyer from the city of Milwaukee promoting recycling. This is good news. Milwaukee really needs to get on the recycling bandwagon if we are going to be a greener city -

 it's great to see the city send out the message in order to reach people. It's good to be green.

Hello, Welcome to Greener Milwaukee.

Welcome Friends!

This is the Greener Milwaukee blog. Let me take a moment of your time to describe what this blog is about in several bullet points.

• A forum for expressing ideas
• A place to discover upcoming events
• Community leaders & individuals that promote better business & lifestyle
• Video & Audio for Milwaukee's Best TV, the show, "Greener Milwaukee"

Visit Greener Milwaukee's main site >>>HERE

-ARThompson