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Center
For Sustainability at Aquinas College
This newly opened website
functions as a clearinghouse for a wide variety of information
and resources pertaining to sustainability. This is a great
source for local, regional, national and even international
opportunities, ideas, and happenings in the field of sustainability.
Take a few minutes and look around at all the site's features.
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The
Union of Concerned Scientists: "The Great Green Web Game" |
| Developed by the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Great Green Web Game is one of the best sustainability games out there. Test your knowledge on how consumer choices affect the environment! |
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| Biomimicry |
| The case studies listing the applications of
various natural processes and materials are very interesting
and useful. |
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| EPA |
| A glossary of many environmental terms is available
on this Web site. |
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| The
Green Biz |
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| This is a great website to plug in to the latest
nationwide sustainable business news. So if you are like most
other students and do not have time to read the newspaper, at
least find time to check this site out weekly! |
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| GreenBlue |
This nonprofit organization is an off-shoot of a McDonough website and offers an examination of concepts such as the power of design, technical/biological material flows, and cradle-to-cradle prototypes. The GreenBlue website also offers case studies of many interesting projects. |
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| LEED |
| LEED certification information and a list of
certified LEED projects organized by state or rating is available.
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| Local First |
Local First is a start-up nonprofit organization located in West Michigan whose mission is to support locally-owned businesses, farms, and community groups through a variety of initiatives focused on the Triple Bottom Line. Check out the member directory to find local businesses dedicated to local sustainability! |
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| McDonough
Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) |
This website includes news on select MBDC projects and notable sustainability issues around the world. There is also information on the company’s products and services and contact information. Students enrolled in Aquinas' intro Sustainable Business classes will definitely find the glossary of key concepts used by McDonough very helpful. |
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| Oberlin
College: Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies |
This site offers all kinds of information about the Environmental Studies building at Oberlin College. This building, designed by William McDonough + Partners, was awarded a platinum LEED certification (with 69 points) in 2001. Lots of interesting information on the green building components are available, such as the interactive displays in the energy section showing real-time net-gain or loss of energy. |
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| Rocky
Mountain Institute (RMI) |
| The RMI organization has been an advocate of the environment for a long time. Their website offers information on numerous issues in their "Area of Impact" section, such as transportation and communities. |
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| Second
Nature |
| This website offers information on organizations
involved in sustainability education, as well as selected profiles
of companies working towards sustainability. |
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| Sustainable
Business.com |
| The best thing on this site is a database of "Green Dream Jobs". However, there is also daily news related to SB, conference announcements, and information on socially responsible stocks. |
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| U.S.
Green Building Council |
| This
Web site offers a bundle of green building information and
news. |
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| Union
of Concerned Scientists |
| This is a very intriguing website that offers
a lot of very interesting information, in particular the news briefs.
The green-tips section is particularly noteworthy and I would
recommend signing up to receive their free e-newsletter. There
is also a green web game that is kind of fun! |
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| West
Michigan Sustainable Business Forum (WMSBF) |
| The WMSBF is a non-profit organization made
up of over 90 West Michigan companies that are working towards
sustainability in their products and operations. Visit this
Web site to learn who and what is happening right here in West
Michigan! |
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| William
McDonough |
| This site offers biographical information on
William McDonough, as well as links to many of the articles
written either by or for him. |
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| The
World Business Council for Sustainable Development |
| This site offers interesting case studies on
various programs implemented by business and tons of information
on different SB topics. |
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| Worldwatch
Institute
Online live discussions are just one
neat feature of this site. Some others include info on population
growth, food, renewable energy, and Worldwatch trivia! |
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| Here are some interesting sites on sustainable communities: |
| Smart Communities Network |
| This program is a part of the U.S. Department of Energy and the site examines the basic principles underlying a sustainable community, in addition to case studies. The Smart Communities Network site also has information on various sustainability issues, like green buildings and transportation. |
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| Sustainable Communities |
| This is a good resource for learning the basics of smart growth, as well as a look into the various factors important to a sustainable community. |
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| Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) |
| The NRDC uses law, science and the support of more than 1 million activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places, and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all living things. The site has a wide variety of information for both the beginner and the expert. Of particular interest are two in-depth case studies on smart growth neighborhoods in Sacramento and Nashville. |
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| Walkable Communities, Inc |
Walkable Communities was established in the state of Florida in 1996 for the express purposes of helping whole communities become more walkable and pedestrian friendly. The site has a photo gallery of livable communities, a resources section, and links for more information. |
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| Local Government Commission (LGC) |
The LGC is a non-profit organization working to build livable communities. The site takes a detailed look into the issues faced by communities working towards sustainability and offers resources to help overcome these barriers. |
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| Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU) |
| CNU is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that teaches architects, developers, planners, and others involved in the creation of cities and towns how to implement the principles of the New Urbanism. This is a great site to learn the basics of New Urbanism and sustainable community design. |
