April 2017 Sustainability News

April 30, 2017 – Living Sustainably: Task force shows businesses how energy efficiency wins April 29, 2017 – Can a tiny house play a role in helping the homeless? April 29, 2017 – Controversial Saugatuck Dunes development gets nod from planning commission April 28, 2017 – 100% Clean Energy Bill Launched by US Senators Merkley, Sanders, Markey, and Advocates …

Living Sustainably: Task Force Shows Businesses How Energy Efficiency Wins

LIVING SUSTAINABLY:  Task Force Shows Businesses How Energy Efficiency Wins By Brian Pageau (Hope College Alumni ’03), Commercial Institutional Task Force for Energy Efficiency In my six-plus years of helping organizations pursue energy efficiency in buildings, I have met with more than 1,000 business owners and decision makers. I can confidently say 99 percent of the people I …

2017 Sustainability Research Projects

The Holland-Hope College Sustainability Institute (HHCSI) would like to formally recognize the following projects.  In Holland, we believe that in order to become a vibrant, world-class community we must look at all aspects of our community.  This includes the economic, social, and environmental impacts we all have. Our City of Holland Sustainability Committee has created …

LIVING SUSTAINABLY:Join the Macatawa Cleanup for a Healthier Waterway

LIVING SUSTAINABLY:  Join the Macatawa Cleanup for a Healthier Waterway By Carolyn Ulstad, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council Trash, litter, debris – whatever you want to call it – has sadly become more and more common in our waterways. It’s sad because it’s not only unpleasant for us to look at, but it can also have a negative impact …

Living Sustainably: A Week’s Worth of Things to Do for Earth Day

Living Sustainabily:  A Week’s Worth of Things to Do for Earth Day By Abagail Jeavons and Michelle Gibbs Since the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, Earth Day has become an international movement with events worldwide demonstrating support for environmental protection. “The wealth of the nation is its air, water, soil, forests, minerals, rivers, …

Living Sustainably: You Can Help Fight the Invasives Invasion

LIVING SUSTAINABLY:  You Can Help Fight the Invasives Invasion By Laura Grant, Herrick District Library Spring is here, and nature is coming back to life all around the area. The returning plants and animals remind us of rebirth and renewal. It’s a perfect time to think not only about greening our own yards and also improving the parks and …

Living Sustainably: Six things to know about the coziest garden in Holland

LIVING SUSTAINABLY:  Six things to know about the coziest garden in Holland By Savannah Weaver, Community Garden Director Hollanders know that Windmill Island Gardens is home to extensive spring tulip displays and America’s only working antique Dutch windmill. However, fewer may be aware that since 2016, we’ve been putting our own unique spin on the community garden – a …

March 2017 Sustainability News

In the News: March 31, 2017 – Kids send global warming postcards to Trump March 31, 2017 – What the cluck? Author discusses the basics to raising backyard chickens March 31, 2017 – Backyard chickens: Program allows residents to produce local food March 31, 2017 – Consumers Energy to provide LED lightbulbs through food banks  www.consumersenergy.com/lighting March 30, 2017 …

Living Sustainably: Five Good Reasons to Borrow a Home Energy Monitoring Kit

LIVING SUSTAINABLY:  Five Good Reasons to Borrow a Home Energy Monitoring Kit By Ashley Kimble, Holland Board of Public Works Do you know how much the electricity is costing you for that second refrigerator in the basement that you use once a year for the Thanksgiving turkey? Or the hidden cost of the incandescent lightbulb you can’t seem to part with just because it …

Living Sustainably: Earth Hour-Little Things CAN Change the World

LIVING SUSTAINABLY:   Earth Hour-Little Things CAN Change the World By Carolyn Ulstad, Holland Sustainability Committee When I first heard about Earth Hour happening in cities like Paris, Singapore, Dubai and New York, I couldn’t help but start dreaming up what it could be like to bring it here to Holland. For some background, Earth Hour started in 2007 …