Joe Laur

Joe received his BFA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1975, but his interest in the environment began in 1968 when he produced a film on pollution. Since then Joe has been involved with various green endeavors. He was the Executive Director of the ManKind Project from 1992-1996, and Senior partner from 1996-2008 in SEED Systems, where he helped clients like Nike, Shell Oil and Harley-Davidson learn to meet environmental, social and economic goals.

He is the co-author of The Necessary Revolution: How Individuals and Organizations Are Working Together to Create a Sustainable World, a book that reveals how companies around the world are making the necessary changes to flourish in a sustainable world. Joe was the original director of content for Greenopolis, and that makes him the longest tenured member on staff! He currently writes for Greenopolis, manages our community bloggers, and builds relationships with other green sites.

Joes works at being green in all aspects of his life, including at home. He built his current Massachusetts house, which features 8 inch thick cellulose insulated walls, passive solar, super insulated glass and a solar power system for producing electricity. The home only uses high efficiency appliances and follows the motto, “Turn off the lights to save the polar bears.” At least that’s what he tells his kids! Joe also has an organic garden, cuts his own firewood, makes syrup from his own maple trees and composts all of his food waste. He buys most of his goods online to avoid car trips, and drives a low-emission Honda Pilot, while he waits for an electric 4WD vehicle for his family car.

On working with Greenopolis, Joe says “I love being part of this team because I enjoy working with other committed individuals who want to make a difference in the world. Each of us is just a drop in the bucket, but taken together, all those drops can fill the bucket.”

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