Sustainability Stories

Sustain Dane’s Sustainability Stories platform amplifies the voices of people from different backgrounds, races, ages, genders, and geographies that are working on and want to inspire others to build a more sustainable and inclusive community. Read sustainability stories from Madison, Dane County, and beyond.

Climate Action Story—Transportation

Climate Action Story—Transportation

My commitment was to use public transportation and car pooling more to cut down on automobile use. The commitment was motivated by the experience we had during the pandemic where we were able to use only one car while the other was given to one of our kids so they...

Climate Action Story—Food

Climate Action Story—Food

I am continuously making changes to reduce my impact on the climate and be a better steward of the earth, but food changes are one I have put off. I garden, can, dehydrate, and freeze food. I compost and vermicompost to deal with food waste. I've also gotten a lot...

Climate Action Story—Energy

Climate Action Story—Energy

I was so inspired after the Sustain Dane Summit. Since the Summit I’ve invested in a full scale solar system for my home which will be installed this summer, and I’m helping move a national energy audit program forward for the museum field so we can all learn how to...

Climate Action Story—Transportation

Climate Action Story—Transportation

I'm working on lowering my transportation emissions this year by assessing how much I am flying and talking to friends and family about how to reduce the number of flights I'm taking. This is hard for me because I grew up across the country and have friends and family...

Climate Action Story—Food

Climate Action Story—Food

I wanted to significantly reduce and eventually eliminate all of my food waste. Its not as easy to accomplish as a single mother raising two children, grad school, and commuting 1 1/2 hours a day for work. I'm often exhausted, and some of the groceries I buy aren't...

Climate Action Story—Energy

Climate Action Story—Energy

Looking into ways to reduce our carbon footprint. My husband and I have been driving electric cars for the past year and a half and we love it. I don’t miss the smell of gasoline and we halved our transportation carbon emissions. I would have loved to install solar...

Climate Action Story—Energy

Climate Action Story—Energy

I am phasing out all of my gasoline powered equipment and replacing them with 40V rechargable battery equipment from GreenWorks (lawn mower, snow blower, chain saw). I purchase renewable electricity from my provider, Alliant Energy, so it is clean energy for these...

Climate Action Story—Food

Climate Action Story—Food

I chose the most challenging for me out of the choices - food. I grew up working on a dairy and beef farm and have a strong love for agriculture and the memories that I have. I never worked on a factory farm and all of our animals were treated well up until the point...

Climate Action Story—Food

Climate Action Story—Food

I've been buying local produce and subscribing to a CSA (community supported agriculture) for many years, along with building my gardening skills. The next steps for me are: 1) to be more intentional about teaching my teenage children to cook so they bring that...

Climate Action Story—Energy

Climate Action Story—Energy

I take my commitment to this planet pretty seriously. I mostly drive an electric vehicle (powered mostly by the sun!). I’m working on a tiny house which will be solar-powered & off-grid. I recently opened a checking account with Greenpenny, bought bonds through...

Climate Action Story—Transportation

Climate Action Story—Transportation

I'm working on lowering my transportation emissions this year by assessing how much I am flying and talking to friends and family about how to reduce the number of flights I'm taking. This is hard for me because I grew up across the country and have friends and family...

Climate Action Story—Energy

Climate Action Story—Energy

I am looking for a new home, and I commit to completing an energy/efficiency audit, including location efficiency (commute, schools, etc.), as an integral part of my home decision. Looking for an opportunity that balances the opportunities to implement current best...