Green Living Quantified is dedicated to providing information about the latest science in climate change and environmental issues, quantifying positive green choices, and helping to show how you can make a difference in your life.
A lifelong learner passionate about the environment, facts and stats, Susan Lincke Ph.D. created this website to inspire and educate others to minimize their climate change impact. An Emeritus Professor, Susan has 27 years teaching experience, earned her university’s annual research award, and published environmental articles including: Dietary modeling of greenhouse gases using OECD meat consumption/retail availability estimates in the International Journal of Food Engineering (2023).
Even with a busy job, I would take on one environmental project per year. The projects I chose fit into my life and included:
- Energy Audits: We lowered our monthly utility costs by performing energy audits at my home (near where I worked), my husband’s home (where he worked) and a not-for-profit I was dedicated to. I felt a breeze over my face as I slept in my house, and energy efficiency projects helped ensure both houses felt comfortable and rated in energy consumption much lower than our neighbors’.
- Efficient Personal Transportation: While electric vehicles are optimal, they did not fit (yet) in our city environment. So instead, I have driven two high miles-per-gallon hybrid cars (over about 20 years) getting 40-65 MPG between them, saving transportation costs.
- Energy-Efficient Electricity: To zero our greenhouse gases related to electricity, we installed solar panels on one home, and purchase 100% clean energy for the other. We have also purchased energy efficient appliances: electric ranges and furnace, which really reduced monthly costs (although there are more efficient options now). The electric range reduced my allergies.
- Healthy, Low-Impact Eating: I have evolved to eat a vegan, substantially organic diet. As a senior citizen, I am on zero daily prescriptions, and have outlived many younger relatives. We have also belonged to an organic CSA many years.
- Public Transportation: Amtrak trains are pleasant when they go where you are going. I keep an eye on reducing long-distance travel emissions. I purchased a zoom account which helps me to keep up weekly with a parent, brother and cousin, who live far away.
- Green-Awareness Teaching: Including environmental issues in my university teaching addressing energy efficiency and computer waste within my computer classes. I plan for this website worksheets to help educators train students on environmental impact. Please start with the link: Calculate Your Footprint
- Productive Gardening: By planting peach and apple trees, berry bushes, perennial vegetables, and native plants on my property, I have weekly harvests during the summer, and know I am supporting butterflies, bees, and helping with carbon sequestration.
- Planted Trees: I recruited neighbors and subsidized trees for the parkway on my husband’s block, ensuring a more beautiful, shady, cooler block with less basement flooding and slightly higher home values.
- Published Research: As a Ph.D., I have published research (conference and journal papers) including on the impact of diet on greenhouse gases, when I noticed errors in current research.
- Environmental Education: I completed a graduate Certificate in Environmental Sustainability, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Spring 2025 and completed other college environmental courses to ensure you get accurate information.
- Public Speaking: I would be happy to speak with your community group (e.g., school, church) too, about ideas and projects related to this website.
My life is not perfect from an environmental perspective, but I have selected the best options for my life, and I would like to provide options for you. I hope you find useful information here, and we are available for zoom or Chicago-area talks. If I can do it, so can you! If you have a story to tell, I would love to hear it!