Sustainability

Upcoming food hub to reuse hospital building, support local economy

Joe Baur Tuesday, March 12, 2013

A food hub for Traverse City's Village at Grand Traverse Commons is in the works that aims to boost the local economy and complement the "eat local" movement.

Co-working welcomed with open arms in NW Michigan

Kelle Barr Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Looking for a place to work but can't afford or don't permenantly need the traditional office? Then you probably should consider finding a local co-working space. Kelle Barr details the up-and-coming trend.

Hannah & Lay building a home to history

Jeff Barr Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Ground was broken in Traverse City for the Mercantile Building at 109 East Front Street in 1882. Now, it is home to thriving businesses and it will be recognized by a state historical plaque this spring.

Three Michigan companies help keep state pushing forward in alternative energies

Joe Baur Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Investments in alternative energy have made Michigan a leader nationwide, but more incentives are needed to continue encouraging growth. Second Wave spoke with state leaders in renewable energy to better understand the field.

Williamson's Lens: Baby, you can drive my car

Andrew Williamson Tuesday, December 04, 2012

We've seen our share of old cars--both shiny and restored and rusty and beat up--driving the highways and side streets across Northwest Michigan. But photographer Andrew Williamson saw one that wasn't hauling around town for everyone to see.

Northwest Michigan is behind energy efficiency for businesses, governments and homes

Kim Eggleston Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Too often, it's a conflict between what's right for the environment we live in, and what's profitable for a company in its business practices. But there's a local awareness gaining ground that both are possible at the same time, and it couldn't be clearer than in the case of energy efficiency. A report from the Michigan Land Use Institute is sparking green ideas in northwest Michigan--in both senses of the word.

TC Saves program gives homeowners, contractors a foundation for energy efficiency

Neil Moran Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Government interest in energy efficiency has helped contractors in Traverse City and other parts of Michigan expand into this growing market. TC Saves is a program that provides incentives to homeowners to have energy efficiency upgrades done to their homes.

Recycle Chicken provides a new meaning to the word "trash"

Julia Woehrer Tuesday, March 13, 2012

When founded in 2008, Recycle Chicken connected the average person with local businesses, nonprofits and websites throughout Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Kalkaska, and Antrim counties to encourage recycling and thinking outside of the box.

Ancient trees hold hope for climate change

Kim Eggleston Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Archangel Ancient Tree Archive collects the oldest tree DNA on Earth, and clones new seedlings from it. If it sounds like Jurassic Park, but with trees, you're halfway right, except it's real, and urgent for the future of our planet. It all happens right down the road in Copemish.

Alliance helps bring back locally-produced beer hops--something everyone can drink to

Howard Lovy Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Something is growing in Northern Michigan that hasn't been seen in the fields since about the time the Civil War was taking place--hops. No, not the kind that bunnies do, but rather the kind that brewers do. Hops are an integral part of the beer-making process, and now they are being grown, processed and purchased right here in Northwest Michigan.