Reducing Greenhouse GasesYour Logo Here

Wisconsin's Educational InitiativesWisconsin's Educational Initiatives

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Presented by

Lloyd EaganDirector, Bureau of Air Management

Wisconsin Dept.of Natural Resources

National Governor's AssociationFebruary 28, 2002

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Wisconsin Educates

By developing informational materials that emphasize voluntary action based on informed choices; and trains employers, teachers, and the

general public using many channels of communication

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Wisconsin’s Educational Focus

Builds capacity of citizens and the regulated community

beyond the realm of regulation for inventive and practical choices that reduce greenhouse gases and other air

pollutants

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Wisconsin’s air education models

Model legislation: green tier; contractual performance agreements

Environmental management systems International partnerships (Germany) Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air K-12 education Mass media

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Adult education audiences

business, other employers and fleet owners participating in Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air

the state legislature and other elected officials

the general public the auto repair community

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Youth education audiences

high school students statewide elementary school students statewide museum visitors in metropolitan Milwaukee radio listeners in the non-attainment region of

SE Wisconsin

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Features & benefits of adult education

Benefits of Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air– Voluntary initiatives – Employers customize transportation programs to

employee needs– Members also address operational improvements

to reduce emissions Mass media campaign supports employer

efforts with community-wide awareness

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Some stellar WPCA initiatives

The City of West Allis took a proactive approach to improving the environment. In 2000, they planted over 311 trees, built a new energy efficient library and police station and purchased a natural gas vehicle for their police department.

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The US Postal Service“WPCA…” cont’d

USPS Milwaukee Vehicle Maintenance Facility reduced VOC emissions using – material substitution, employee

commuting options, vehicle maintenance, and use of pre-painted panels.

– “Careers on Wheels” promotes awareness of vehicle maintenance.

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Wisconsin Electric/Gas “WPCA…” cont’d

220 natural gas vehicles operates the largest compressed natural gas vehicle fleet in the state.

promotes sustainable building practices and energy use through builder associations, highlighting coal combustion products as construction materials.

offer commuting alternatives to driving alone for the 330 participating employees.

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Wisconsin Electric/Gas “WPCA…”cont’d

Energy for tomorrow tm - customers purchase 25%, 50% or 100% of their energy from renewable resources.

Since 1996, reduced greenhouse gases and other emissions = planting 6,300 trees.

Environmental Cooperative Agreement with WDNR to improve the environmental performance of its Pleasant Prairie Power Plant.

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Wisconsin Paperboard Corp “WPCA…” cont’d

voluntary installation of a new low-NOx boiler.

NOx emissions were reduced 2001 by 77 tons compared to 2000 and 120 tons compared to 1997.

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Features and Benefits of K-12 Education

“Where’s the Air?– Offers many activities for 5th grade classrooms

to explore air science and the impact of transportation and other community and personal choices on the air

Biomonitoring Education– Trains 5th grade teachers, selected classrooms

contribute milkweed evidence to DNR bio-monitoring program

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K-12, cont’d

Easy Breathers– Aims at teen age youth, early drivers– Offers interactive website for home and

classroom activities: www.easybreathers.org– Video introduces peer to peer youth leadership

about alternative transportation technologies and personal choices

– Provides related “Auto Log” to track car maintenance

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Easy Breathers, cont’d

Created a partnership with Milwaukee Public Museum to install a permanent transportation exhibit attracting youthful drivers.

Created a national “destination” website about mobile sources, transportation technologies, and personal choices for high school students, their teachers and families.

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Features and outcomes of mass media information

USEPA campaign “It all adds up to cleaner air” plus CMAQ funding for media buy, with WPCA identity

Radio ads (only) at peak drive times Reached commuters and youth - results:

– 85% market penetration - SE Wisconsin– 80% consumer awareness of clean air choices– 1-800 AQI calls increased from 180/mo in 5/01 to

1,234/mo in 6/01 (radio campaign start)

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Channels of distribution for education and information

WPCA programs– Specialized employer meetings, staff training,

email communications; kits– Employer recognition programs

Cooperative programs– Legislation developed with advisory committees– Specialized business orientation meetings– Contractual arrangements for specific projects– International “industry tour” programs

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Channels, cont’d

K-12 Education– Teacher in-service training in cooperation with

Wisconsin Science Teachers Association; Wisconsin Environmental Education Association; WEAC.

– Direct mail distribution of K-12 kits to every school, public library in the state.

– Websites - as promotional as well as science education tools

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Channels, cont’d

Mass media tracking via public opinion survey research

Drives selection of most effective media Buy media time, leverage PSA time and

additional placement, to target audience Radio is number one media for general public

information; linked to website for more info + toll-free phone number.

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For More Information

Cooperative Environmental Assistance– http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cea/

Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air– http://www.cleanairwisconsin.org/

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For more information, cont’d

Adult Education– http://www.wnrmag.com/supps/2000/apr00/

global.htm– http://www.wnrmag.com/supps/2001/apr01/

intro.htm– http://www.wnrmag.com/supps/2000/jun00/

log.htm

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For more information, cont’d.

K-12 Education– http://www.easybreathers.org/index3.asp– http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/

Thank you!

Reducing greenhouse gases through education and voluntary actions

presented by

Lloyd Eagan-end-