Noteworthy Sustainability
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Welcome to our Noteworthy Sustainability section!
Here you will find a list of noteworthy articles and links submitted by our Sustainability Task Force. Know of something you think we should include? Send an email to Brad Cornell (bcornell@olathe.org).Articles
Local Resources
General Interest
- Ceiling Fans Can Help Reduce Air Conditioning Costs During the summer months ceiling fans can supplement air conditioning, allowing the thermostat to be set at a higher temperature without reducing comfort. For every degree you raise your thermostat, you can save from 7-10% on your cooling costs. In the summer, the ceiling fan blades should turn in a counter-clockwise direction. If a room is unoccupied, turn off the fan to save energy. For the most efficient ceiling fan, purchase an ENERGY STAR model.
- Personal Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator: Use this online calculator to estimate you or your family’s greenhouse gas emissions and learn what you can do to reduce them: www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
- 31 Green Tips and Techniques
Click here to get the scoop and get started today!- The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard
Click here for story!- Save On Your Energy Bills And Reduce Vampire Energy Loss
by Jon Stall, June 10th, 2009
Click here for story!- Earth to America - Video by the Blue Man Group promoting awareness on global warming
http://www.blueman.com/land/archive/earth/- Green Energy tax credit info
http://www.kchandg.com/Kansas-City-Home-Garden/October-2009/Energy-Boost/
Science and Policy
- The Projected Impacts of Climate Change on the Midwest
Click here for story!
- The Pew Center on Climate Change - Climate Change 101, Climate science, policy, and what's going on in Washington
http://www.pewclimate.org/- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - Organization leading the global research on climate change
http://www.ipcc.ch/- America's Climate Choices - from the National Academies - Convened by Congress to develop national policy recommendations.
Click here for story!
News
- Grist.org - environmental news online
http://www.grist.org/- Assignment Earth - PBS series on environmental issues
http://www.assignmentearth.org/- Treehugger.com - online environmental news, blogs, videos
http://www.treehugger.com/- Marketplace, from American Public Media - Sustainability web page - Good links section
http://sustainability.publicradio.org/index.html
Resources for Cities, Businesses, & Homeowners
- ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - Climate protection planning resources for municipalities
http://www.icleiusa.org/about-iclei- Natural Capital Solutions - Helping cities and industries harvest benefits from sustainable solutions
http://www.natcapsolutions.org/- For municipal planning - The Economic Benefits of Parks, by The Trust for Public Lands
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=1195&folder_id=727- World Goin' Green - green internet web portal developed here in the KC metro area
http://www.worldgoingreen.com/- Building Green.com
http://www.buildinggreen.com/
- U.S. Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org/- The U.S. electric grid - from NPR, showing power sources in each state, and solar and wind potential across the country.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=110997398Links
- EPA: http://www.epa.gov/
- Bridging the Gap: http://www.bridgingthegap.org/
- Environmental Excellence Business Network: http://www.eebn.net/egap.php?id=178
- Mid-America Regional Council: http://www.marc.org/
- Johnson County, Kansas Environmental Department: http://jced.jocogov.org/
