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Today, with the help of papers throughout Lee Enterprises, the La Crosse Tribune offers Go Green (click here), a collection of bright ideas to save energy, money and the Earth.
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We hope this special section sheds light on easy ways everyone can help the environment, from lessening your eco-footprint to cleaning possible health hazards out of your home to “greening” your wardrobe.
To get you started, we chose eight people from the Coulee Region who are making a “green” impact in their own way and asked them to share their stories and one piece of advice anyone can do.
The Biker
WHO: Jac Bulk, 60, longtime sociology professor at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
WHY HE’S AHEAD OF THE CURVE: Bulk has been riding everywhere for at least 25 years. He has two bikes an old Basso and a newer Basso and no car, although his wife has a Subaru Outback he’ll accept rides in if it’s raining.
ADVICE FOR RIDING IN SNOW: Use skinny touring tires. “They cut more like ice skates. I’ve found I get a better grip with them than the big hybrid tires.”
TIMES HIS BIKE WAS STOLEN: Twice. His daughter found one in the Lincoln Junior High School bike rack. The other time, the thief “drove it away into the night.”biking advice: Bulk usually crashes once a year. Two years ago, he collided with an inline skater in his alley. Bulk wasn’t wearing a helmet. He spent three weeks in the hospital and lost all memories three days before and after the event. The lesson: Always wear a helmet.
Dan Simmons
The Vegetable Oil Car Driver
WHO: Dave Alderman, 31, of La Crosse
WHY: he’s ahead of the curve: Driving 500 miles a week to and from work at the Tomah Veterans Administration hospital, Alderman knew he had to find transportation that was economical and easy on the environment. He bought a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta on eBay and installed a conversion kit himself that made it possible to burn pre-filtered vegetable oil. At close to 50 miles per gallon, the car does cost less to drive, but Alderman said he also likes that it reduces carbon dioxide emissions.
FUN FACTS: Alderman purchases vegetable oil from Coulee Region Bio-Fuels in Blair, Wis., at $2.33 per gallon. His mileage and performance does not differ when burning vegetable oil or diesel, he said.
ONE PIECE OF GREEN ADVICE ANYONE CAN DO: Find something that will work for you. “It’s one thing to say you have these ideals, but unless you can make it work for you and make it fit into your lifestyle, I don’t think most people are prone to make the leap.”
Dan Springer
The Recycler
WHO: Sue Saint Aubin, 39, manager of Habitat for Humanity La Crosse Area ReStore in La Crosse
Why she’s ahead of the curve: She began recycling before most of us knew what that was. “I have been involved with recycling since I was a kid, collecting bottles and metal and taking them to the dump. On the way to school, we had a code. When you were sitting in the passenger seat, you yelled, Can!’ and the driver would stop.” She still picks up cans whenever she sees them, including when she makes the hour and 45-minute walk from her North Side apartment to ReStore. “I usually get a full shopping bag. I dump it here at the store.”
FUN FACT: Since ReStore opened in October 2006, more than 140 tons of material have been diverted from the landfill. That’s just what the store has sold, not what it has in inventory.
ONE PIECE OF GREEN ADVICE ANYONE CAN USE: Try worm composting, which Saint Aubin does both at home and at work. It doesn’t take much effort and Saint Aubin said she has some very happy houseplants. For tips on the practice, go on the Web to habitatlacrosse.org/restore. On the toolbar, click on “ReStore” on the far right and it will take you to a newsletter with instructions.
Geri Parlin
The Organic Business Owner
WHO: Joe Kay, 46, of La Crosse
WHY HE’S AHEAD OF THE CURVE: Kay owns Simply Living at 410 Main St., which sells natural and organic items for people and their home.
FUN FACT: “You cannot catch a buzz’ from our hemp products,” Kay said.
ONE PIECE OF GREEN ADVICE ANYONE CAN DO: “There is a lot of advice out there now, from the energy we use to what we buy, how we clean and throw away. Each of us needs to find our own way to reduce our demands on the world. Living greener is not about consumer denial, it’s about everyday choices we make to live longer and live well for us and future generations.”
Steve Cahalan
The Organic-vore
WHO: Deborah Hirsch, 50, of La Crosse
WHY SHE’S AHEAD OF THE CURVE: Hirsch buys all organic, all the time. That doesn’t mean everything entering her body is organic. As she pointed out, foods labeled “USDA Certified Organic” and “Made with Organic Ingredients” carry different meanings. It does mean 30 percent to 40 percent of the food she eats is 100 percent organic; local farmers grow much of that food, and the rest is at least partially organic.
WHY ORGANIC? “You’re not going to have any organic farmer spraying it with poison. Just from that one standpoint alone, wouldn’t you rather eat organic?”
FUN FACT: Hirsch switched to organic after studying nutrition during a bout of bronchitis five years ago. While organic can be more expensive, she affords it and keeps healthy by cutting out other expenses: alcohol, Coke, candy bars, coffee, cable television.
One piece of green advice anyone can do: While it’s more difficult to find processed foods that are completely organic, look for produce grown locally and organically. It’s not just about health. As Hirsch said about an organic apple: “It’s sweeter. It’s juicier.”
Joe Orso
The Educator
WHO: Deb Klaeser, 45, fifth-grade teacher at Hintgen Elementary School in La Crosse
WHY SHE’S AHEAD OF THE CURVE: Klaeser incorporates environmental education into all subjects she teaches. “I’d argue (there isn’t) a place where you cannot incorporate environmental education,” she said. “They need to learn this does affect me.”
QUOTABLE: “It’s their Earth, their future. What we do today is going to have an impact.”
ONE PIECE OF GREEN ADVICE ANYONE CAN DO: Turn off the lights when you’re not using them.
Autumn Grooms
The Scooter Rider
WHO: John Medinger, 59, of La Crosse, former mayor of the city and current La Crosse County Board member
WHY HE’S AHEAD OF THE CURVE: Medinger doesn’t claim to be a green pioneer, but during his 16 years in the Wisconsin Assembly he championed environmental causes and consistently made the Legislature’s “Clean 16” list. Now that he’s out of that office, Medinger has found other ways to further the green movement. His scooter was intended to be a gift for his son, who turned out to be more interested in driving a car. Medinger never saw himself riding a scooter, but three years and 9,000 miles later, he rides it as often as he can. The scooter fills up at the gas station for about $3, he said.
QUOTABLE: Medinger said he learned about conservation through the school of hard knocks. “Growing up poor,” he said, “you tend to be more concerned about conserving energy, using everything until it’s worn out.”
ONE PIECE OF GREEN ADVICE ANYONE CAN DO: “Waste not, want not.” And walk more.
Samantha Marcus
The House Builder
WHO: Roald Gundersen, 47, of Stoddard, Wis.
WHY HE’S AHEAD OF THE CURVE: Gundersen constructs houses under the “Whole Tree Architecture” method, using the entire tree and branches instead of just pieces that can be milled, to build the interior and exterior of a house. This construction type uses a wider variety of trees and produces stronger, more sustainable structures, he said. The method also is cost effective, Gundersen said, because trees are a local product, axing out shipping costs. Straw bales are used for insulation and as a wall surface. Gundersen said he invented the method about 14 years ago and builds structures throughout the Midwest.
QUOTABLE: “It’s cheaper, more durable, safer and is a more efficient and beautiful construction than building boxes,” Gundersen said.
ONE PIECE OF GREEN ADVICE ANYONE CAN DO: Make use of local material and resources.
Anne Jungen
To visit the Go Green special section, click here.
