Sustainable Living

14
Jun

Walking the Talk on Saving Energy

saving-energy-walk-the-talk

“Do as I say, not as I do?”

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5
Jun

A Cool Approach to Fuel Efficient Driving

fuel-efficient-driving

Now that summer is finally here, it’s time to clear up some misconceptions around driving with the windows down versus using the AC to cool down your car.

Is it more energy efficient to use the A/C or to roll down the windows?

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15
May

Finding Sustainability Leadership and Inspiration in Eau Claire

uw eau claire city sustainability

Cool Choices Executive Director, Kathy Kuntz, recently talked about behavior change strategies as part of a panel discussion in an environmental economics class at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. 

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16
Apr

Alumni Sustainability: Mary Makes a Cool Sustainable Vehicle Choice

 

sustainable vehicle options cool choices sustainability engagement program alumni

Cool Choices alumni continue to practice the sustainable habits they were inspired to take as part of our employee and community engagement programs long after the programs end. Often, alumni will send us stories to tell us the green steps they are continuing to make in their daily lives.

This month, we spotlight Mary and celebrate the sustainable vehicle choice her family made.

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2
Apr

Alumni Sustainability: Jane Opts for Sustainable Travel Choices

sustainable-travel-cool-choices-alumni-sustainability-story

Cool Choices alumni continue to do amazing stuff after participating in our workplace and community sustainability engagement programs. Our program encourages individuals to make lifestyle changes in their daily activities that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other waste. The lasting changes participants make continue to persist for years to come. In fact, the changes they make not only affect themselves, but they share their new behaviors with friends and family to inspire even more sustainable action. 

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29
Mar

Gerding Edlen Sustainability Engagement Program Results

gerding edlen sustainability engagement program results

Cool Choices recently completed a tenant sustainability engagement program at six Gerding Edlen multi-family buildings in Boston and Chicago.

Gerding Edlen is a national leader in real estate investment, development, and asset and property management. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, Gerding Edlen has built or renovated over 75 LEED certified properties.

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27
Feb

Go Meatless for Sustainability on Monday or Any Day

meatless-monday-sustainability-1

Going meatless – on Monday or any day of the week, and as often as you’d like – is not only good for your health, but for the health of the planet as well. In fact, going meatless on Monday is something Cool Choices program participants can earn points for in our sustainability engagement programs. Some participants earn points just by eating less meat—opting for plant-based meals some of the time. While others adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. Recently a 2018 alumna, Judy, reported that she’s switching to a plant-based diet so she can create a greener footprint for herself. Here’s more information on the benefits of going meat free.

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12
Jan

2018 Sustainability Goals and Trends

2018 sustainability goals trends

In the wake of the US federal government pulling out of the Paris Treaty on Climate Change, cutting the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and reducing national park land, some might wonder what 2018 sustainability trends might look like. However, new entities have emerged to lead the fight to reduce climate change and champion sustainability. We saw more than 2,500 businesses, local governments, colleges and universities, tribal leaders, and faith-based organizations step forward and sign the We Are Still In pledge, committing to tackle climate change, ensure a clean energy future, and uphold the Paris Agreement with or without the help of the federal government. Efforts like We’re Still In demonstrate the power of leadership at all levels.

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10
Jan

Calculating the ROI of Employee Engagement

employee-engagement-roi

If you ask a savvy sustainability manager to calculate the return on investment (ROI) from an efficiency project, they are likely to ask a few follow up questions—because they know that a solid ROI compares all costs to all benefits, and it can take a little digging to get the requisite data.

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27
Dec

Sustainable Resolutions for the New Year

sustainable-new-years-resolutions

Here at Cool Choices, we stand by the idea that sustainable actions – no matter how small – add up to make a positive, meaningful impact. Since the new year is the perfect opportunity to start practicing new, more positive habits, here is a list of ten small actions you can take to expand upon your sustainability journey in 2018.

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