Greenleaf bridges expertise in science, policy, and business to advance solutions for a healthy and sustainable world. On August 17th, we presented on climate mitigation and adaptation, a ‘One Water’ approach in northern Illinois, and building resilient agricultural systems for soil health, carbon sequestration, and water quality/quantity benefits. John Andersen led off by reflecting on […]
Continue readingCategory Archives: water
One Water Approach: Transforming Water Management in the 21st Century
Water shortages are occurring across the globe, even in communities close to Lake Michigan that experience frequent flooding. Freshwater represents a fraction of the water on Earth and only 0.3% is surface available. As population increases, so does the demand for freshwater.
Continue readingCities are critical in addressing our most pressing environmental challenges
I recently returned from Abu Dhabi where I attended a United Nations gathering on cities and the environment. I met with dozens of experts from around the world to debate ideas and draft a report on the environmental challenges that cities experience but also create, and to outline a sustainable and inclusive vision for tomorrow’s […]
Continue readingDon’t Take Water for Granted on Imagine a Day Without Water
Millions of Americans take water service for granted every day. Turn on the tap, and clean water flows out. Flush the toilet, and dirty water goes away. With reliable water service, most people don’t have to think twice about the infrastructure that brings water to their homes, and then safely returns water to the environment […]
Continue readingBoard Member News – Brian Richter on “Renewing Our Energies”
Read Brian Richter’s latest blog post on his recent trip in northern California: In September I had the opportunity to visit the mouth of the Mattole River in northern California, which marks the northern boundary of the magnificent King Range National Conservation Area near Petrolia. Within the NCA you’re able to walk the longest, wildest […]
Continue readingCURES Connections Workshop: New Voices and Paths to Urban Sustainability
Greenleaf was honored to work with the Center for Urban Resilience and Environmental Sustainability (CURES) at the University of Illinois team as part of the organizing committee on the CURES Connections Workshop: New Voices and Paths to Urban Sustainability on August 7th and 8th. Participants at the event included municipalities (from rural to large urban), […]
Continue readingSustainable Waters – A Water Plan for the 22nd Century – Austin 100-year water plan
Brian Richter, President of Sustainable Waters and Greenleaf Board Member, writes on his blog on the City of Austin’s 100-year water plan. The Water Forward plan looks to provide clean, safe, reliable, high quality, sustainable, and affordable water services to Austin for the next 100+ years. The objectives in developing this plan were water reliability, […]
Continue readingBrian Richter – The Great Race Between Water Conservation and Climate Change
Brian Richter, President of Sustainable Waters and Greenleaf Board Member, writes on his blog the importance of water conservation in the face of climate change. Increasing temperatures will create greater demands on water for agricultural and landscape irrigation. In a 2017 paper titled “Opportunities for saving and reallocating agricultural water to alleviate water scarcity” Brian […]
Continue readingOpti hosts Stormwater Workshop in Chicago on Using Technology for Smart Watershed Management
This workshop was the third in a series funded by the Great Lakes Protection Fund to advance the adoption of technology for enhanced water quality and flood control benefits to communities in the region. With a focus on optimizing stormwater storage assets, presentations were made by several leaders on regional drivers with insight into how […]
Continue readingAn Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on the Great Lakes released today
An Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on the Great Lakes released today March 21, 2019 Today Greenleaf Board member, Dr. Don Wuebbles, released “An Assessment of the Impacts of Climate Change on the Great Lakes,” which he led with many Scientists and Experts from Universities and Institutions in the Great Lakes Region, sponsored […]
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