Tag Sustainability
UW–Madison recognized for its water- and energy-saving initiatives
The heating and cooling plant improvements stem from an upgraded cleaning system for heat exchangers covering over 50,000 tons of the campus’s central plant chillers.
New solvent-based recycling process could cut down on millions of tons of plastic waste
Multilayer plastic materials are ubiquitous in food and medical supply packaging, but are impossible to recycle using conventional methods. Researchers are making progress in changing that.
Research highlights need for grassland conservation, agriculture support
In a new study, researchers show that newly added croplands converted from grasslands important to wildlife generated less yield than existing cropland.
‘Grassland 2.0’ seeks to transform Upper Midwest agriculture through perennial grasslands
With chronically low and erratic milk prices, some dairy farmers have controlled their production costs with managed grazing.
UW–Madison supports largest solar development in Dane County
The university will purchase half of the energy produced by a 20-megawatt solar array that Madison Gas and Electric plans to build south of Madison.
UW Arboretum enhances sustainability with solar panel upgrade
The new system will include an array of 66 photovoltaic modules that are projected to produce 32,300 kilowatt-hours in the first year of operation.
F.H. King group provides students, local community with fresh produce despite pandemic
The student organization's goal is to connect students with the land they live on and the food they eat, including combating food insecurity and fighting against social injustice in the food system.
Old-school cool: A look back on Earth Day
Wondering what Earth Day looked like for UW in 1970? Here are some old-school cool photos that flashback to the historic event.
UW–Madison signs Second Nature Resilience Commitment
The Resilience Commitment will not only help UW–Madison address current and ongoing effects of climate change on campus, it will also amplify the benefits of collaboration and partnership with local, state and global communities.
UW–Madison merits silver rating in first sustainability assessment
Actions included a University Housing initiative that in one year eliminated the need for more than 386,000 disposable food containers, and the diversion of more than 450 tons of organic waste from landfills to composting and an energy-producing anaerobic digester.
Bio-based chemicals could help reduce fossil fuel use
Petrochemicals, the oil- and gas-derived compounds that serve as the molecular backbones for much of modern commerce, commanded a $539.3 billion market value in 2018.
Scientists angle for more attention to fishing for fun
New research brings attention to the need to better manage recreational fisheries to protect the health of inland and near-shore fish populations and to preserve the recreational fishing experience.
UW–Madison engineering students design sustainable system for rural school
As part of UW–Madison’s UniverCity Year partnership with Green County, engineering students are proposing a renewable energy system to help offset Juda School’s energy expenses by 25 percent.
Study calls for curbing congestion by building fewer roads
By funding public transportation, limiting parking and preserving the walkability of neighborhoods, a UW-based think tank argues, cities and states can reduce congestion generated by new development better than if they only plan for cars.
Researchers find value in unusual type of plant material
UW-Madison scientists have shown that a recently-discovered variety of lignin, catechyl lignin (C-lignin), has attributes that could make it well-suited as the starting point for a range of bioproducts.
Eating crickets can be good for your gut, according to new clinical trial
The study shows consuming crickets can help support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and that eating crickets is not only safe in large amounts but may also reduce inflammation in the body.
Nergard appointed 1st full-time director of sustainability
The new position reflects a renewed emphasis on sustainability and resource stewardship as well as an increased focus on sustainable operations in the university’s environmental stewardship efforts.
In a warming world, could air conditioning make things worse?
A team of UW–Madison researchers forecasts as many as a thousand additional deaths annually in the Eastern United States alone due to elevated levels of air pollution driven by the increased use of fossil fuels to cool the buildings where humans live and work.
Heavier rains and manure mean more algae blooms
A recent UW–Madison study shows that the increased frequency of high-intensity rain events is worsening phosphorus runoff from manure-covered agricultural fields more than scientists expected. A new effort aims to address this problem in Dane County.
Through ‘radical’ project, students are turning unwanted jewelry into pieces to be cherished anew
“Radical Jewelry Makeover: Wisconsin" draws attention to talented student designers while raising awareness about ethical metal sourcing.