Sustainable Communities
Capacity Center

Energy & Climate Change

What is Energy & Climate Change?  Climate change is the long-term, significant change in the temperature, weather patterns, glaciation, and related aspects of the global climate system.  It is sometimes misnamed “global warming.”  Global climate has changed several times in earth history, but the current change differs from previous ones primarily because it is now generally agreed that human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels, is a primary cause of this change.  Energy is linked to climate change via the fossil fuels being burned because they produce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which acts like a blanket in the atmosphere to keep heat in, thus raising the average global temperature.

    Sustainable Energy

• Bioenergy Training Modular Course Series
  The Bioenergy Training Modular Course Series provides educational resources for Extension Educators on sustainable bioenergy. Four curriculum modules are available via an on-line platform.  The four modules are: Introduction to Bioenergy, Bioenergy Crop Production & Harvesting; Water Resources: Issues and Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation; and Community Economic Development & Bioenergy Generation.
  
  The Bioenergy and Renewable Energy Community Assessment Toolkit is available at:
  http://fyi.uwex.edu/biotrainingcenter/community-matrix-tools/
  
  A Community Preparedness Index is available at:
  http://fyi.uwex.edu/biotrainingcenter/community-checklists/
   

• Municipal Clean Energy Toolkit
  Municipal Clean Energy Toolkit: Included within the Toolkit is guidance on how municipalities can finance, purchase, install, and promote clean energy.  The Toolkit contains material for any knowledge level – from municipal clean energy aficionado to beginner.  For those more familiar with clean energy, the search function, the drop down menu, and the clean energy quick links help you access specific information quickly. For users less familiar with clean energy, a navigational outline is provided.
   

• Energy Industries - Bioenergy
  By Andrew Dane
  Derived from natural resources, bioenergy is a prominent renewable energy source throughout the world. Most simplistically, it is wood used for cooking and heating; more complex examples include thermochemical conversions that produce biofuels. Although relevant technologies exist (and continue to be developed), many are not yet cost-effective, and questions remain about the industry’s long-term environmental impact.
  Used with permission, originally published in the Encyclopedia of Sustainability (c) Berkshire Publishing Group 2010, and provided here for individual use only and not for redistribution in any form.
   

• Guide to Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Financing Districts for Local Governments
  The City of Berkeley and the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, have released a guide for local governments on energy efficiency and renewable energy financing districts. The guide describes the process of setting up an Energy Financing District (EFD) program, including administrative, legal, and financial issues.
   

• President Obama signs an Executive Order
  An Executive Order signed by President Obama that requires Federal agencies to measure, manage, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions toward agency-defined targets.
   

• Zero Net Energy: Policies and Projects
  This web site by UW-Extension inventories the policies, projects and research in the US and beyond that are moving zero net energy into goals and the marketplace.
   

• Municipal Energy Planning: An Energy Efficiency Workbook (pdf)
  This workbook provides a step-by-step guide for developing an energy efficiency (or energy conservation) plan for municipal governments. It was prepared by University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension faculty serving on the statewide Energy Conservation and Sustainability Teams to address an educational need of elected officials and municipal staff to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities and operations. The workbook provides includes instruction on the following topics:

  • Getting started
  • Assessing current energy use and identifying energy issues
  • Evaluating the potential for municipal energy efficiency and conservation
  • Developing energy goals and evaluating options
  • Developing action plan

  By using this workbook as a guide and following the steps outlined in each of its sections, any municipality should be able to develop a usable energy efficiency plan.
   

• Wisconsin Land Use Megatrends:  Energy
  This publication is intended for local government officials and others interested in investigating the connections between energy and land use. We present a map scenario illustrating how Wisconsin might achieve its goal of producing 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025, including potential effects on agricultural and forested lands. Statewide trends related to renewable and nonrenewable energy are explored together with building, transportation and community design approaches to reduce energy use. 12 pages.  PowerPoint available from Center for Land Use Education.
   

• US Mayors Climate Protection Center
  Information on climate protection policies.
   

• US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement
  Agreement signed by 600 mayors in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
   

• Renewable Energy World
  Renewable energy news and information.
   

• Ecomunicipality.com
  A forum for creating a sustainable world.
   

• Building a Green Capital City: The Natural Step to Madison’s Sustainable Design and Energy Future,
  Gruder, Sherrie, ACEEE Proceedings ,2008 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings
  This paper details how the City of Madison uses The Natural Step process in a comprehensive approach toward sustainable energy in its buildings, operations, infrastructure and fleet, development and transportation planning.
   

• On-site Renewable Energy in LEED Buildings: Case Study Compendium, Focus On Energy Fact Sheet
  This case study compendium provides an array of examples of LEED and non-LEED buildings in Wisconsin and the Midwest that have successfully integrated on-site renewable energy systems.
   

• Wisconsin Focus on Energy
  Fact sheets, incentive applications and information for new construction, government, business, industrial, and residential sectors on energy efficiency and renewable energy.
   

• Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence, Energy Independent Communities Partnership
  Information  and applications for the Wisconsin Energy Independent Communities Program with the goal to generate 25% of electricity and transportation fuels from renewable energy locally by 2025 
   

• The Midwest Renewable Energy Association
  MREA ia a nonprofit network for sharing ideas, resources and information to promote a sustainable future through renewable energy and energy efficiency.
   

• Energy Center of Wisconsin
  The Energy Center of Wisconsin is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving energy sustainability including support of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental protection.
   

• Energy Star
  US EPA and US DOE programs promoting energy efficient products and practices for businesses, governments and homes.
   

• UW-Extension Bio-Energy and Bio-Economy Team
  The purpose of the Bio-Energy and Bio-Economy Team is to build the capacity of Extension Agents and Educators to work with communities, residents and farmers to assess opportunities for developing a sustainable bioeconomy.  The Bio-Energy and Bio-Economy Team provides training, resources, public education, and networking opportunities for Extension Specialists on the technical, environmental, social, and economic aspects of the emerging bioeconomy.

    Climate Change

• A Framework for Considering Climate Change in Transportation and Land-Use Scenario Planning: Lessons Learned from an Interagency Pilot Project on Cape Cod: Final Report
  Based on lessons learned from an interagency pilot project on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, this guidebook integrates climate change into transportation and land-use scenario planning, with a focus on reducing future greenhouse gas emissions and considering the potential impacts of sea-level rise on the region. It is a resource for organizations that may be interested in, or stand to benefit from, incorporating climate change considerations into transportation and land-use planning.
   

• Climate Ready Water Utilities Toolbox
  The Climate Ready Water Utilities Toolbox provides access to more than 500 resources that support climate adaptation planning at water utilities, including reports and publications, information about funding programs, upcoming workshops and training sessions, models and tools, and climate response materials that focus on mitigation and adaptive strategies.
   

• Rapid Climate Change Strategy for Business
  Rapid Climate Change Strategy is the overall approach a business can follow to adapt to climate change. Since the current climate change is scientifically linked to the use of fossil fuels, it also entails planning and implementing a strategy for reducing energy costs.
   

• American Innovation: Manufacturing Low Carbon Technologies in the Midwest
  Midwest jobs numbers from climate and energy policy study.
   

• RealClimate; Climate Science from climate scientists
  A blog site operated by climate scientists has posted and is maintaining a page of links to raw and processed climate change data.
   

• Rapid Climate Change Strategy for Local Government
  Rapid Climate Change Strategy is the overall approach a government or organization can follow to adapt to the rapid onset of climate change locally and globally. Since the current climate change is scientifically linked to the use of fossil fuels, climate change strategy encompasses planning and implementing a strategy for reducing energy use and costs and shifting to renewable energy sources.
   

• President Obama signs an Executive Order
  An Executive Order signed by President Obama that requires Federal agencies to measure, manage, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions toward agency-defined targets.
   

• The Adaptation Factory
  Sustainability Team member Jay Moynihan, uses this blog to post information and links regarding climate change and related matters. The material is mostly related to adaptation and science, with material also on mitigation topics.
   

• Wisconsin Land Use Megatrends: Climate Change
  The publication draws on state and national trends to form a picture of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, resulting land use and ecological changes, and impacts on infrastructure and the economy.  The publication wraps up by looking at adaptation and mitigation strategies that are suitable for local government officials and policy makers.
   

• Smithsonian Education Online Conference: Climate Change
  The Smithsonian presents a series of webcasts that explores the evidence, impact, and response to climate change through their research and collections.
   

• Maps of Climate Trends and Projections
  Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts has made available a series of interactive maps and descriptions of recent findings about climate change in Wisconsin.
   

• President Obama signs an Executive Order
  An Executive Order signed by President Obama that requires Federal agencies to measure, manage, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions toward agency-defined targets.
   

• Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI)
  The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) assesses and anticipates climate change impacts on specific Wisconsin natural resources, ecosystems and regions; evaluates potential effects on industry, agriculture, tourism and other human activities; and develops and recommends adaptation strategies that can be implemented by businesses, farmers, public health officials, municipalities, resource managers and other stakeholders.
   

• NOAA Climate Literacy
  Fifty years after the International Geophysical Year, as part of a community effort to promote climate literacy, current climate scientists, formal and informal educators, and representatives of a range of U.S. agencies participated in developing and vetting a list of the most important concepts in climate science. The document they produced - Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science - reflects a broad and current effort to de fine climate literacy.
   

  • Current Climate Literacy brochure
    High Resolution: http://climate.noaa.gov/education/pdfs/ClimateLiteracy-8.5x11-March09FinalHR.pdf

  • Low Resolution: http://climate.noaa.gov/education/pdfs/ClimateLiteracyPoster-8.5x11-March09FinalLR.pdf

  •  Word Version: http://climate.noaa.gov/education/docs/Climate_Literacy_GCRP_final_030609.doc
     

• Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI)
  The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) assesses and anticipates climate change impacts on specific Wisconsin natural resources, ecosystems and regions; evaluates potential effects on industry, agriculture, tourism and other human activities; and develops and recommends adaptation strategies that can be implemented by businesses, farmers, public health officials, municipalities, resource managers and other stakeholders.
   

• "Global Climate Change Impacts In The United States" by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009)
  Largely based on results of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), this report summarizes the science of climate change and the impacts of climate change on the United States, now and in the future. It integrates those results with related research from around the world. This report discusses climate-related impacts for various societal and environmental sectors and regions across the nation.
   

• "Global Climate Change Impacts In The United States" by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009) Regional Climate Impacts: Midwest
  Largely based on results of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), this section of the report summarizes the science of climate change and the impacts of climate change on the Midwest region of the United States, now and in the future. This report discusses climate-related impacts for various societal and environmental sectors and regions across the nation.
   

• Release of the Interagency Climate Change Report - "Global Climate Change Impacts In The United States" by the U.S. Global Change Research Program (2009)
  The White House release of the Interagency Climate Change Report largely based on results of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). This report summarizes the science of climate change and the impacts of climate change on the United States, now and in the future. It integrates those results with related research from around the world. This report discusses climate-related impacts for various societal and environmental sectors and regions across the nation.
   

• Climate Protection Toolkit for Small Communities
  International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) - Local Governments for Sustainability has released a free resource to help communities with 25,000 people or fewer launch and maintain climate, energy, and sustainability initiatives. ICLEI's Small Communities Toolkit provides detailed resources, case studies, and insight to help small communities succeed despite limitations of staff and funding. The toolkit helps smaller communities understand how to take advantage of their significant opportunities.
   

• Solid and Hazardous Waste Education Center
  Promotes the sustainable use of natural resources by providing quality education, information and technical assistance.
   

• Focus on Energy
  The Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University are publishing some papers related to Climate Change. You can find them here.
   

• NACo Climate Protection and Quality
  NACo Green Government climate change resources for counties
   

• A Landowner’s Guide to Carbon Sequestration Credits
  A guide for landowners on the basics of credit income for sequestering CO2. Written by the Center for Integrated Natural Resources & Agricultural Management (CINRAM), at the University of Minnesota.
   

• Sustainability Tools for Extension (database)
  A collection of sustainability teaching tools available online on the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.
   

• Communicating on Climate Change: An Essential Resource for Journalists, Scientists, and Educators
  Written by Bud Ward Published by the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, This on-line full text book was developed from series of Metcalf Institute workshops funded by the National Science Foundation, addresses  effective communication about climate change for editors, reporters, scientists, and academics.
   

• Nova (PBS) broadcast "The Big Energy Gamble"
  California's Climate Change Law has the most ambitious timetable of any government in the world. In light of that, if you are working on climate change/energy planning, etc., you might want to take a look at what is being done in California.
   

• California Climate Change Portal
  The government of California's "portal", for all things Climate Change & sustainable energy. 
   

• California Climate Change & Energy
  This link brings you to a resource catalog for educators on climate change and energy.
   

• EPA Climate Change Site
  The EPA site is a gateway to a wide range of information and tools regarding climate change science, adaptation, mitigation, local government and business energy planning.
   

• Investor's Network on Climate Risk
  The Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR) is a network of institutional investors and financial institutions that promotes better understanding of the financial risks and investment opportunities posed by climate change.  INCR is coordinated by Ceres, a coalition of investors and environmental groups working to advance sustainable prosperity.

    Green Building

• Government Green Building Programs Inventory
  GIS database of local government green building policies
   

• Building Green Guide: Sustainable Product Choices
  Database of green building materials and supplies from landscaping to roofing to floors and where to get them in Wisconsin.
   

• US Green Building Council
  LEED Green Building Rating System for: New Construction, Neighborhood Development, Existing Buildings, Homes and Schools and related research, economic analyses, case studies and links
   

• Wisconsin Green Building Alliance
  The Wisconsin Green Building Alliance (WGBA), an affiliate of the US Green Building Council, facilitates and promotes the development and use of ecologically sustainable materials and practices within Wisconsin's Built environment.
   

• Wisconsin Green Built Home Program
  A green building rating program that reviews and certifies homes according to green building and energy standards.
   

• Smart Communities Network: Green Buildings: Affordable Housing
  This web site provides information and links about green affordable housing techniques and approaches, financing and case studies
   

• Enterprise
  This web site provides solutions and financing for affordable housing and thriving communities.
   

• Enterprise Green Communities
  This web site provides green criteria for developers and grant funding to make affordable projects healthy and energy efficient.
   

    Additional informative sites:

• A Short Guide to Setting Up a City-Scale Retrofit Program
  This guide, which was developed by Green for All and the Center on Wisconsin Strategies (COWS) and released in July 2009, provides a model for cities to design and implement large-scale weatherization and retrofitting programs that address climate change, put people to work, and reduce working families' energy bills.
   

• City of Madison Sustainability
  Madison city sustainability initiatives on energy efficiency and renewables, green building, climate change, transportation, recycling and The Natural Step including resources and programs for the businesses and residents.