Environment
Think Outside the Oil Barrel
Many of the world's best scientists just released their latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, their thrust? To continue to rely on fossil fuels is to invite incalculable disaster. Considering the reputation past IPCC reports have earned as much too conservative this one is so alarming then that we ought to rush out with arms opened wide to embrace renewable energy and other sustainable technologies like electric cars.
We should exuberantly grow our own food, gladly reduce the amount of meat in our diets and when possible buy locally sourced ...
Why Care about the Environment?
“Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species -man- acquired significant power to alter the nature of his world.” Rachel Carson author of Silent Spring
“These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar.” John Muir
In 1969 the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland caught fire. There was so much oil and flammable chemicals floating on the river that it could burn. I saw this river ...
ALL IS NOT WELL IN RIVER CITY
I am fortunate to be one of the nearly 50 citizens advising the DNR on matters related to the state's first Inland Trout Management Plan. In this capacity, I decided to visit with dedicated trout anglers and professionals from all over the state : Driftless Region, Central Sands, Blue Hills, Northern Highlands, Namekagan River area. We need to pay attention to what they said. In a nutshell, trout fishing is poised to go backwards without change.
What convinced these passionate anglers that changes are needed? Few anglers fishing after mid-June in most areas. Fewer ...
SAVE MONEY BY USING SOLAR POWER
SOLAR WISCONSIN GROUP BUY is just 18 kW away from hitting their second benchmark, triggering a $1,000 rebate for participants!
The program is well on its way to reaching the next benchmark of 100 kW, triggering a $.10 per watt ($1,000) rebate. Currently the average homeowner buying through the program will receive a $500 rebate, we need just 18 kW more to reach the program's second benchmark.
Attend an upcoming Solar Power Hour to learn more about going solar!
Grow Solar is a collaborative effort to make solar affordable for private home owners as well as busine...
SOLAR CENTRAL WISCONSIN
Grow Solar is a collaborative effort to make solar affordable for private home owners as well as businesses.
Check out their website www.growsolar.org.
You will find plenty of resources for municipalities, industry professionals and homeowners right here in central Wisconsin.
Many installations already have been done on homes and businesses in these counties: Portage, Wood, Waupaca and Marathon.
MREA (Midwest Renewable Energy Association) and Mid-State Technical College are leading this group buy program.
You can attend a free Solar Power Hour and learn the ...
SOLAR CENTRAL WISCONSIN
Home and business owners in Central Wisconsin are energized as the Central Wisconsin Solar Group Purchase Program began July 25 with a special presentation at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA).
The Solar Central Wisconsin program allows individual home and commercial property owners to access lower prices for solar installations through the power of volume purchasing. This program builds on the success of 2017’s Solar Central Wisconsin program, which led to 308 kW of solar on 46 properties, offsetting approximately 405,264 lbs of carbon dioxide in the ...
Ruminations on Roadside Trash
Water and air, the two essential fluids on which all life depends,
have become global garbage cans. Jacques Yves Cousteau
This time of year is garbage season. The snow has finally melted along our road revealing a winter's accumulation of trash. In the time between snow melt and new spring growth it is easily visible (and easy to pick up). We usually get several five gallon buckets just along the mile or so of county road that we pick up.
It is amazing what you can find along the road side. The variety is astonishing. You expect the usual food and beverage contai...
CLEAN GREEN ACTION LISTS 2018 PROJECTS
Clean Green Action (CGA). a local nonprofit environmental group, is beginning its 11th year of working on projects that focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impact. In 2018 Clean Green Action will continue to build on past successes while adding some new projects.
New projects for 2018 include:
Monarch Encouragement – This collboative effort between municipalities, the county and local organizations promotes pollinator gardens through education and action.
Groundwater/Surfacewater Forum – Clean Green Action has committed to sponsoring an educat...
CLEAN GREEN ACTION LISTS 2018 PROJECTS
Clean Green Action (CGA). a local nonprofit environmental group, is beginning its 11th year of working on projects that focus on sustainability and reducing environmental impact. In 2018 Clean Green Action will continue to build on past successes while adding some new projects.
New projects for 2018 include:
Monarch Encouragement – This collboative effort between municipalities, the county and local organizations promotes pollinator gardens through education and action.
Groundwater/Surfacewater Forum – Clean Green Action has committed to sponsoring an educat...
Demonstration, February 27: Demand Further Soil Tests on Thomas Street
Middle Wisconsin will be in attendance at the event below. We hope you are, too! There has rarely been such a sustained citizen-driven effort on a Wausau policy issue or project.
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Concerned citizens are invited to gather on the sidewalk in front of City Hall steps to demand further environmental testing of the neighborhood’s surface soils. This will take place at 5:30pm in front of 407 Grant Street in Wausau.
Elevated Dioxin Levels in Soils Recently Identified: In February, private ...
