Tag Environment

New process leads to smaller estimate for global urban area

December 16, 2009

Urbanization is one of the most important trends of the 21st century, yet we don't have a good idea of how much land cities occupy.

Gordon Commons boiler uses cooking oil to heat water

December 1, 2009

The University of Wisconsin–Madison's Division of University Housing has cooked up the latest in energy savings. Nearly three months ago, officials installed a boiler in Gordon Commons that uses spent cooking oil as an energy source.

Warmer means windier on world’s biggest lake

November 16, 2009

Rising water temperatures are kicking up more powerful winds on Lake Superior, with consequences for currents, biological cycles, pollution and more on the world's largest lake and its smaller brethren.

Festival leverages power of film for community action

October 21, 2009

The Tales from Planet Earth film festival takes center stage in Madison Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8, with something new: a built-in call to action.

Festival leverages film for community action

October 21, 2009

The Tales from Planet Earth film festival takes center stage in Madison Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8 with something new — a built-in call to action.

Be the We: Oct. 21, 2009

October 21, 2009

At one time or another, chances are that most of us have had to deal with the guilt of throwing away something we know to be recyclable.

Ecologist to speak in Madison

October 6, 2009

Paul Ehrlich, whose book “The Population Bomb” helped fuel the rise of the modern environmental movement four decades ago, will give a free public lecture at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Wisconsin Union Theater.

Environmental journalists migrate to Madison

October 5, 2009

Environmental journalists from around the country will flock to Madison and Wisconsin this week as the 19th annual Conference of the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) gets under way Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Concourse Hotel.

We Conserve director inspires environmental spirit

October 1, 2009

In 2006, when Faramarz Vakili proposed the goal of reducing UW–Madison’s energy consumption by 20 percent by 2010, he was met with doubt

Study reveals dynamic Wisconsin climate, past and future

September 14, 2009

If the future scenarios being churned out by the world's most sophisticated computer climate models are on the mark, big changes are in store for Wisconsin's weather during the next century.

Gasoline-diesel cocktail: a potent recipe for cleaner, more efficient engines

August 3, 2009

Diesel and gasoline fuel sources both bring unique assets and liabilities to powering internal combustion engines.

Irrigation system manages stormwater

July 29, 2009

This summer, Doug Soldat is saving for a not-so-rainy day. The UW–Madison soil scientist is banking rainwater, up to 8,000 gallons of it, enough to keep the lawn at UW–Madison's O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility lush through the driest weeks of summer.

Public invited to learn about Wisconsin’s wetlands

June 17, 2009

Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum, the public is invited to join hundreds of wetland scientists and advocates next week during the joint meeting of the Society of Wetland Scientists, Wisconsin Wetlands Association and Wetland Biogeochemistry Symposium.

Birthplace of ecological restoration celebrates 75 years

June 17, 2009

During the Great Depression, a group of University of Wisconsin–Madison scientists looked over several hundred acres of eroded farmland on the outskirts of Madison and envisioned its rebirth. To Aldo Leopold, the pioneering wildlife ecologist and conservation sage, the beat-up farmland offered an opportunity to restore nature in a way that had never been done before.

Isolated forest patches lose species, diversity

June 9, 2009

Failing to see the forest for the trees may be causing us to overlook the declining health of Wisconsin's forest ecosystems.

Composting project takes a bite out of campus food waste

May 26, 2009

At restaurants and cafeterias, consumers have grown accustomed to seeing a line of waste containers for recycling glass, plastic and paper items. Important as those bins are for reducing the burden on landfills, they overlook a major source of waste: the food left on diners' plates.

Environmentally friendly upgrade planned for Charter Street plant

May 21, 2009

A $251 million overhaul of UW–Madison’s Charter Street Heating Plant would make it one of the largest biomass energy projects in the nation, according to a consultants’ report.

Notable graduates: Kavi Turnbull — MBA entrepreneur, winner of UW Green Venture Award

May 14, 2009

With an unshakeable passion for entrepreneurship, master of business administration student and CEO Kavi Turnbull will graduate this spring.

Songs raise awareness about aquatic invasive species

May 5, 2009

A new initiative at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is using music to raise public awareness about aquatic invasive species in the state.

Course adds to environmental awareness

April 22, 2009

Ph.D. student in literary studies Todd Goddard has found a way to unite his concern for the environment with his teaching. In his section of English 201, he provides 16 students with real-world communications experience while giving 11 local nonprofits some much-needed help. In the process, he helps increase environmental awareness among his students and the audiences they serve.