How can we apply an approach based on usability to help people reduce their energy use in the buildings where they live and work

Design thinking promises creative, empathetic, analytical thinking, but does not promise to deliver solutions neatly or quickly. While design thinking can be applied neatly, welcoming complexity and nurturing it in the problem-solving process will provide better long-term solutions.

i.e. sat down with LHB's Rick Carter to learn more about data collection strategies and underlying assumptions of the Regional Indicators Initiative and how other regions could track metrics for sustainability.

CEE has sponsored Girls Excel in Math (GEM) from 2005 thru 2013. GEM is a program run by the University of Minnesota for fourth through seventh grade girls who are interested in math. GEM works to further develop girls’ math skills and encourage enthusiasm for the subject.

The recent strengthening of some EPA standards raise the the question: how far can restrictions on point-source polluters be taken? One solution is to find ways to control pollution away from the source. Enter: energy efficiency.  

“Sustainability is the long-term goal and green buildings are one of the ways to get there... the briefest definition of green buildings is that they are common sense buildings.” 

A guest post from NYSERDA’s Craig Kneeland

Q & A to describe the various perceptions of energy efficiency's wider economic benefits and the assumptions behind our animation's financing and job creation calculations.

For those of us trying to influence public energy consumption, we need to answer the question: “what makes public health campaigns successful in changing behaviors?”

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources awarded CEE five CARD grants for projects to investigate new technologies with the potential to further energy efficiency, reducing environmental impact and keeping energy rates low for all Minnesotans.