Blog
The History of Earth Day
How did Earth Day get started? Let’s take a look at the origins of this widely-celebrated day of action as well as its role in efforts to preserve the Earth’s natural resources and to protect public health.
A Week’s Worth of Sustainable Living Ideas
Are you looking to be a little more sustainable in your daily life? We have seven sustainable living ideas that you can get started on today!
Leveraging Social Norms to Achieve Sustainability Objectives
As human beings, we are surrounded by social norms – interactions with others that indicate approval or disapproval of our actions. We get cues from folks close to us, such as a partner who rolls their eyes when you start to tell ‘that’ story again. We also get cues from total strangers, like the pedestrian who smiles when I stop for them in the crosswalk.
Cool Choices Presenting at Emerging Technologies Summit 2017
Kathy Kuntz, Executive Director at Cool Choices, is speaking at the Emerging Technologies Summit in Ontario, California on April 19-21, 2017. The Emerging Technologies Summit brings together energy efficiency thought leaders to “ideate and debate the intersection of utility programs, technology, market drivers, customer engagement, policy and implementation in order to impact the advancement and adoption of emerging technologies.”
Beyond the Game: Lisa Rides Her Bike To Work
We are proud that Cool Choices alumi take their commitment to maintaining sustainable actions seriously. We appreciate people like Lisa, who share their post-game sustainable actions with us to help inspire others. Lisa took part in the Cool Choices program in 2014 with Unitarian Universalist Church West. Here is her sustainability story.
Miron Construction: Earth Day 2017 Sustainability Program
In early 2011, Cool Choices collaborated with a team of Miron Construction Co., Inc. employees to develop and field our very first employee engagement program—a sustainability program that promoted environmentally conscious practices in building design. This first program showcased Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) categories such as energy and water efficiency, and it helped shape future Cool Choices partnerships. Since kicking off our program with Miron Construction in 2011, Cool Choices has partnered with dozens of entities, and engaged individuals and businesses across the country, including businesses right in Miron’s own backyard.
Picking Up Litter: A Spring Tradition
It’s springtime in Wisconsin, and for us Midwesterners, spring means there’s litter, uncovered from the melting snow, in our yards.
I walk a couple of blocks to the gym most mornings, and when I see trash lying on the ground, I pick it up. This tradition always reminds me of Jack Imholte, the chancellor of my undergraduate alma mater, the University of Minnesota at Morris. I don’t think Jack ever walked past a piece of litter without picking it up. In fact, I have clear memories of him walking across campus, with crumpled paper cup or plastic bag in hand.
Beyond the Game: Ann’s Sustainability Story
To highlight the cool things our alums do after taking part in the Cool Choices online sustainability game, we love to share stories from past participants. Our alumni always impress us by taking sustainable practices to the next level.
This month we were inspired by Ann’s story about her innovative sustainable ideas at home.
What green activities have you been up to since taking part in the Cool Choices program?
I save and reuse the inside bags from cereal boxes when empty. I then use them as wax paper or to double bag items in the freezer.
Ann took part in the Cool Choices online sustainability game in 2013 with UW Extension. Inspired by Ann’s sustainability story? Remember, you can make a difference too!
Simple, Daily Sustainable Actions Make a Difference
Cool choices employees take simple daily actions in there lives to ‘walk the walk’ in sustainability. Check out these ideas to learn sustainable actions simple enough for you to do too!
If Americans switched from disposable water bottles to reusable ones we could save over 17 million barrels of oil each year (not including the oil used for transportation!). That’s the equivalent of taking 1.3 million cars off the road for a year! Kellen’s idea to keep reusable water bottles on hand at home, at work and in the car will keep you from finding yourself in a situation where you need to buy a disposable water bottle.
Beyond the Game: Scott’s Sustainability Story
Past players of the Cool Choices game-based sustainability program continue to make green choices in their everyday lives even after the program ends. We are always impressed to learn how participating in Cool Choices impacts individuals and their decisions to take further sustainable actions. This month we were inspired by Scott’s story!
What green activities have you been up to since taking part in the Cool Choices program?
I requested and received a Nest thermostat as a Christmas gift. Setup was fairly easy (they have a guide to help you determine which wires go where). I think the biggest benefit to the Nest is its ability to sense when you are away and throttle back the HVAC accordingly. While I had a programmable thermostat before with set temperatures for various times of day, I never would remember to manually change it if we were going to be out of the house for an extended period of time. The Nest now knows to do this automatically. Another benefit is being able to run the fan for ventilation without having to add heat or turning on the A/C.
What tips do you have for others trying to be sustainable?
The Nest thermostat is easy to buy and install. The main drawback is the price — but it helped to have a rebate a Black Friday deal to bring down the final price.
Scott took part in the 2015 City Wide Cool Choices game in Madison, WI.
