Utility Tracking and Benchmarking Blog | WegoBlog

Whether you're looking to become a more informed citizen, or just trying to kill some time before 5 on a Friday, WegoWise has got you covered!  Superbowl weekend is upon us and depending on the level of your fandom, that might entail anything from a weekend of hype, shouting, and nachos to overhearing Jon Stewart talk about the winner on Monday.  Either way, you should be happy to hear that the organizers of Superbowl XLVII are aiming for this to be the most sustainable Superbowl yet.  What with this being the most-watched and highest-profile few hours of television of the year, we're excited to see green features integrated into the planning of this massive event.  So peruse our best links, leave us some feedback, and be sure to share any interesting new info you learn with other interested parties at the parties you're hopefully attending this weekend.  Brought to you by Catherine, Casey, Joanna, Sam and Adam.

Whether you drive, bike or ride the subway or bus each day, public transportation almost certainly affects both your daily commute to work and personal travel. For some of us, it can be a headache -- causing traffic congestion and wasting tax payer dollars -- but for others, public transit can serve as the most cost effective and convenient way to reach a desired destination.

Tidal Power has been in the news this month, but for at least 1500 years we have been harnessing the power of the ocean’s tides to improve our lives. Since the Middle Ages, tide mills have been used to grind grain, and beginning in 1966, we have been using tidal generators to generate renewable electricity.

Active old-style tide mill, Portugal

Whether you want to be a more informed citizen, or just want to kill some time on a Friday before 5, WegoWise has got you covered!  You've got apps for making faux-polaroids, apps for flinging birds, and apps for finding restaurants, but do you have any apps that are saving you energy?  Here are a few apps for your smartphone that will help you green up your pocket-warmer.  So peruse our best links, give us some feedback, and be sure to share some of the information you've learned with other interested parties at the parties you're hopefully attending this weekend. Brought to you by Catherine, Casey, Joanna, Sam and Adam.

Actually following up with that New Year's resolution to clear out your creepy basement or getting the urge to do some (not yet) spring cleaning? Make sure to remember to recycle! Here's a look at a couple of the best infographics on the web to convince you that sorting your trash is worth the effort.

You’re hungry. You want to visit your local favorite restaurant, but you’ve heard rumors that it’s awful for your carbon footprint to eat anyplace other than home.  Which is true depending on where you dine.  According to a USA Today article, the average restaurant annually uses 500,000 kWh of electricity, 20,000 therms of natural gas, and 800,000 gallons of water.  That's a lot of energy and water!

However, fear not! Restaurant owners worldwide are improving the sustainability of their cuisine and the establishments where their cuisine is served, so that we can enjoy some good, and green, eats.  But how can you know? Many restaurants boast of their local ingredients, but there are multiple factors that contribute to a restaurant’s being “green.” In addition to ingredients and how dishes are prepared, there’s water efficiency, waste management, cleaning methods, interior design and heating, just to name a few.  Thankfully, several organizations have undertaken the task of helping consumers identify eco friendly restaurants with green restaurant certifications or guidelines to helping consumers eat green, no matter where they are. Championing the cause in the US is the Green Restaurant Association.

Whether you want to be a more informed citizen or just want to kill some time before 5 on a Friday afternoon, WegoWise has got you covered. The holidays are over, spring is months away, and now is the time to start enjoying the winter instead of moping about in the doldrums.  Whether you ski, snowshoe, snowboard or blade, winter can be a fun and active time of the year.  Sure it's fun to play in the snow, but many winter sports have complicated environmental footprints.   Here are some links to help you navigate the dicey world of green snowsports. Check out these links, give us some feedback and be sure to share some of the info you just gleaned with other interested parties at the parties you're hopefully attending this weekend. Brought to you by Dan, Nate, Lily, Catherine, Casey, Joanna, Sam and Adam.

With the severity of last year’s drought, as covered in our most recent blog post, water conservation is important to think about whether or not you live in an area with limited water resources. Greywater - the water used in your home for activities such as dishwashing, laundry, and bathing – can be up to 50-80% of a typical home’s waste stream. The potential savings from recycling greywater are great from both a water and energy conservation standpoint.

Winter is coming. Or maybe it's here already. Either way, this winter season will play a critical role in defining crop production, food prices, and livestock health in the U.S and worldwide. 2012 marked the most severe drought in 25 years, and without a wet winter, the impact on our ecological systems and our wallets is set to grow.