Author Archives: Michelle Gibbs

Living Sustainably: Germany offers ideas for sustainable redevelopment

By Eric Schumann ’21, Hope College Office of SustainabilityEvery global recession results in an economic restart. Governments flood stimulus packages to citizens to ensure some economic activity, but typically without regard for environmental consequences.Our post-coronavirus economic recovery offers an opportunity to address environmental sustainability, especially with regard to the challenges posed by our changing climate.But …

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Living Sustainably: Smart clothes shopping has big impact

By Elizabeth Merrit ’20, Hope College Green TeamWhat you spend your money on says a lot about what you value. Yet, many people do not think of their purchases in this way, especially when it comes to apparel. Although there are some very conscientious companies, many supply chains trace back to unethical practices, human trafficking, …

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Living Sustainably: This year’s Ice Cream Bike Ride is do-it-yourself

By Jenny White, Velo KidsI scream, you scream we all scream for … a bike ride! Ok, ok, we can’t forget about the ice cream, too – evveryone’s favorite part.For the last six years Velo City Cycles, Velo Kids, Hudsonville Creamery, and the Holland Police Department have partnered in hosting a community Ice Cream Bike …

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Living Sustainably: Energy efficiency and healthy environments create better living

By Ken Freestone, Holland Residential Energy AdvisorDo you know if your home is healthy, safe and energy efficient? During times of isolation in our homes – like the COVID-19 pandemic – we may encounter negative environmental conditions that we didn’t realize prior to being in our homes for extended periods. With health safety precautions well …

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Living Sustainably: You can join in to help the Macatawa River

By Dan Callam, ODC NetworkIt’s time to join in the community cleanup of the Macatawa River.Register online to join in the fun and necessary cleanup this coming Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to noon at Dunton Park, 290 Howard Ave., Holland.The annual event is a collaboration of the ODC Network and the Macatawa Area …

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Living Sustainably: Macatawa Water Festival goes virtual with creative approach

By Ashley Van Zee, ODC NetworkWe all live in a watershed, and this year, we can all celebrate it safely.If you live in the Holland/Zeeland area, you live in the Macatawa watershed. A watershed is an area of land that drains into a certain stream, river, or lake. It’s like a bathtub where all the …

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Living Sustainably: Kids on bikes get creative this summer

By Jenny White, Velo City Cycles Normally, this is the time of year that hundreds of West Michigan kids, ages 2 to 16, and their coaches meet up at local parks for bi-weekly Velo Kids bike rides. At these rides, Velo Kids learn and practice bike skills, bike safety, and bike trail stewardship. Now, due …

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Living Sustainably: Holland’s Long Recycling History Evolves Again

By Aaron Thelenwood, City of Holland The City of Holland has a history of established best practices in recycling as evidenced by a long-standing city ordinance requiring recycling service for all residential users as well a designated single hauler to service the city’s residents – two factors which promote active recycling participation and success. City …

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Living Sustainably: Improving our community one rain garden at a time

By Kelly Goward, Macatawa Area Coordinating Council The Macatawa Area Coordinating Council is working with the City of Holland and homeowners to plan and install rain gardens. Rain gardens are depressed areas that collect rain water and allow it to soak into the ground. Rain gardens not only reduce the volume of water in storm …

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Hope Again Receives Stars Silver Rating for Sustainability Achievements

Hope College has again earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.  Hope has held a silver rating since 2017, after previously …

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