Earth Day: Doing Things a Little Differently

Let's Cool It!Organizers of this year’s Concordia Earth Day event hope people will go beyond reduce, reuse and recycle to rethink how the Earth’s resources are used. The group hosted “Let’s Cool It!: Community Wisdom Meets Climate Change,” a series of 15-minute mini-lectures throughout the day that focused on climate change and concrete solutions for conservation.

One idea being undertaken in Wisconsin is a new Eco Village. Presenter Peter Morsch explained how the St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity is creating 18 Habitat homes that are more energy efficient than a standard-built house. Constructed with extra thick concrete walls, Styrofoam insulation, radiant heat flooring and solar panels, these homes won’t rely on outside heating sources.

“All the power they need will be created on site,” Morsch says. “The hope is these families will live comfortably in these homes without a utility bill.”

While the initial building costs will be higher, Morsch and his habitat team think the payoffs are worth it.

A few other presentations included sessions on reducing food waste, the greening of the church and climate change in Africa.

Read through a collection of tweets and Instagram pictures from the event on Storify.

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