A new study by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, “Levelized Cost of Solar Photovoltaics in North Carolina,” shows a drop in the cost of solar power. While conventional electricity costs for NC customers have increased over the last decade, costs of PV panels and components have declined, making solar power more accessible. Read more »
Thursday, March 15, 2012
New Raleigh Convention Center Solar Array
FLS Energy and Powerworks are installing 2000 solar panels on the roof of the Raleigh Convention Center. The panels will provide enough electricity for about 125 homes. Read more »
Durham Plugging in with Electric Vehicle and Charging Station
Join the Durham City-County Sustainability Office to celebrate the installation of electric vehicle charging stations throughout Durham and the purchase of electric vehicles for the city fleet on March 21, from 10am – noon, at the Durham Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro Street. Test out an electric vehicle in downtown Durham, and view the map of new charging stations. Read more »
NC Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Taskforce
The NC Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Taskforce is focused on establishing North Carolina as the leader in electric transportation and promoting PEV readiness throughout the state. Join the NC PEV Taskforce via live-broadcast to learn about ongoing initiatives related to PEVs in NC, Tuesday, March 20, from 1-5pm. Read more »
Dow Donates $10M to Start Multidisciplinary Sustainability Fellowship at UMichigan
The Dow Chemical Company is giving $10 million to establish a sustainability fellowship program at the University of Michigan to promote multidisciplinary collaboration and training. The program is intended to help cultivate real sustainability solutions for global challenges. Read more »
Southern Energy Management Earns EPA Award and B Lab Recognition
Southern Energy Management recently received the EPA’s 2012 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award. This award recognizes organizations that are leaders in energy efficiency. Read more » Southern Energy Management was also named a Best for the World Business by B Lab, the organization that certifies B Corporations. Read more »
Energy Efficiency in Buildings Scholarship
Undergraduate or graduate students focusing on energy, climate change, environmental science, or a related field are eligible to apply for the Linda Latham Scholarship, offered through the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Deadline for applications is March 20. Read more »
Scholarship for Students in Environmental Programs
The North Carolina Association of Environmental Professionals welcomes applications for its scholarship program. These scholarships help support juniors, seniors, and graduate students who are studying in environmental programs. Deadline for applications is March 31. Read more »
Green Plus Scholarships for Small Businesses in Chapel Hill and Carrboro
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce members can apply for scholarships for Green Plus, a national sustainability education, networking, and certification program with local roots. Scholarship recipients will receive guidelines and coaching to improve operations. Deadline for applications is March 31. Read more »
NC Mobile Clean Air Renewable Energy (Mobile CARE) Awards
The MobileCARE awards recognize leadership efforts to improve North Carolina's air quality through alternative fuel, advanced transportation technologies, and fuel economy practices. Nominations are due by 5pm on March 23. Winners will be announced at the Ninth Annual Sustainable Energy Conference on April 20, 2012, in Raleigh. Read more »
Rain Barrel Workshop at Earth Action Day
Rain barrel workshops will be held at the Earth Action Day festival, Saturday, April 14, at 1pm and 3pm at Southern Community Park. Three different types of rain barrels will be available for purchase at a discounted rate. Earth Action Day festivities begin at noon. Read more »
New Mixed-Use Development Planned for Downtown Chapel Hill
The Chapel Hill Town Council recently approved Shortbread Lofts, a seven-story building planned for West Rosemary Street. The building will feature 85 apartment units, with retail space on the ground floor. Increasing residential density downtown may reduce car travel and help draw students away from the nearby Northside neighborhood. Read more »
Who “Owns” the Arctic?
The Arctic lies at the nexus of critical global issues, including climate change, energy, peace and security, global competitiveness, and twenty-first century strategic partnerships. Join policymakers, academics, students, and environmentalists March 28, 10am-7pm, at the Carolina Inn and the FedEx Global Education Center. The international and interdisciplinary conference is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Read more »
New CSA on Campus
Nourish International-UNC recently announced Sprout, a new Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative. Sign up for the pilot program and receive a bundle of fresh produce from a local farm every week for six weeks. Read more »
“Revenge of the Electric Car” Film Screening
Interest in electric vehicles is speeding up. Accelerate your knowledge about this increasingly popular technology as the Roosevelt Institute, the Sustainability Office, and the Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee host a screening of the film “Revenge of the Electric Car,” Wednesday, April 18, at 6:30pm, in Bingham 103. Anne Tazewell, transportation program manager at the NC Solar Center, will lead a conversation about electric vehicles immediately prior to the film. The event is free and open to the public.
Campus Sustainability Scavenger Hunt
You won’t need to look far for Carolina sustainability initiatives - they’re all around you! Learn about sustainability programs and operations in an interactive scavenger hunt hosted by the Sustainability Office, Thursday, April 12, at 5:30pm. Navigate campus locations and visit as many checkpoints as you can in one hour. Then return to Polk Place for food and prizes! The event is free and open to the public. RSVP by April 4. Read more »
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Recycling Bins Installed Along Franklin Street
The Town of Chapel Hill is installing 13 new recycling bins along Franklin Street to collect cans and bottles. Purchased through a grant from the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the bins will be placed at crosswalks, bus stops, and parking lots, increasing opportunities for pedestrians to recycle. Read more »
New Morgan Creek Trail in Chapel Hill
The Town of Chapel Hill announces completion of the new Morgan Creek Trail. The trail provides access to open space to the south and west of Fordham Boulevard, a woodland corridor that James Taylor called “Copperline.” The trail is included in the new Bicycle and Greenways Map of Chapel Hill. Read more »
Piedmont Biofuels Announces Breakthrough in Production Processes
Piedmont Biofuels announces the first zero-waste production of biodiesel in the United States using its proprietary approach of enzyme catalysis. Biodiesel is a diesel fuel alternative made from fats and oils, which can be used in diesel engines without modification. Piedmont Biofuels has been investigating enzyme catalysis for over four years in efforts to find a successful zero-waste output. Read more »
Chapel Hill High School Club Fosters Green Energy
Chapel Hill High School recently placed in the top five schools in the DoSomething.org Green Your School Challenge. The Green Tiger Campaign, an environmental student group, installed motion-detection lighting and started a campus recycling center for batteries and other items. The group also maintains a community garden. Read more »
North Carolina Businesses Get Certified in Sustainability and Save Money
The Green Plus program, administered by the Institute for Sustainable Development, offers a roadmap for businesses to operate more sustainably. Approximately 250 businesses, many in North Carolina, have been certified. Over half of them report that it helped generate new business. Read more »
5k at Earth Action Day
East Chapel Hill Rotary Club and Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation present the first annual 5k and 1 mile Family Fun Run at Earth Action Day, from 10am - noon on Saturday, April 14, at Southern Community Park. Runners are encouraged to dress up in sustainability-themed costumes. Participants can register online; fees apply. Immediately following the 5k and Fun Run, the Town of Chapel Hill’s Annual Earth Action Day Festival will take place at Southern Community Park from Noon until 5pm. Read more »
Chapel Hill Solar Farm Proposed
Strata Solar recently proposed a large solar farm in Chapel Hill. If the North Carolina Utilities Commission approves the project, the new 5-megawatt solar farm would be the largest in the Triangle. Read more »
University of Vermont Will Stop Bottled-Water Sales
The University of Vermont will stop sales of bottled water on campus within a year, joining a small but growing number of institutions that have already done so. Vermont administrators said the drive to stop bottled-water sales was led by students. The university has set up bottle-filling stations around campus and will choose which beverages to sell “through their own national contracts and local connections, allowing for greater flexibility in addressing environmental and social values in relation to the beverages supplied.” Read more »
John Thompson Presents "The Epic Merger: Ecology and Entrepreneurship"
The Kenan-Flagler Center for Sustainable Enterprise will host John Thompson, eco-writer, Knight Journalism Fellow and author of The Environmental Entrepreneur, Wednesday, February 29, at 12:45 pm. He will discuss ecology and entrepreneurship and the need to convert consumer preferences to environmentally-intelligent products and services. Email CSE@unc.edu to RSVP. Read more »
"Work Well, Live Well" Expo Just Around the Corner
The annual Wellness Expo will be held this year on March 9 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union. Organized by the University Wellness Committee, the event will feature interactive exhibits on nutrition, fitness, recreation, and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Stop by the Sustainability Office table to learn about choices you can make to sustain health and wellness! Read more »
Global Conference Seeks Proposals
The 3rd Global Interaction in Design Conference (GLIDE) is accepting paper proposals. The virtual conference will be held on November 7, and will focus on international issues related to food, nutrition, and health. The deadline for abstract submissions is March 15. Read more »
Still planning what to do over Spring Break? Consider planning a camping trip with friends. Camping has less environmental impact than most other vacations and is great fun! Camping options in the Triangle include Eno River State Park and Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Remember: pack-in, pack-out; take only photos; and safety first!
Carolina in the News
Check out the recent media mentions of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC:
NC Has Largest Offshore Wind Resource on East Coast
WECT-TV (NBC/Wilmington)
There may be some jobs headed to the coastal region in the near future. According to a report released February 9 by Gov. Bev Perdue's Scientific Advisory Panel, North Carolina has the largest offshore wind resource on the east coast. The report confirms findings in studies done by UNC-Chapel Hill and the Energy Policy Council. Read more »
School Meals Still Carry Old Concerns
The News and Observer (Raleigh)
By Suzanne Havala Hobbs, a registered dietitian and a clinical associate professor in the department of health policy and administration in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill.
It may come as a surprise, but those meals they serve at school were never meant to be solely about helping kids to be healthy. Understanding that fact makes it easier to make sense of the unrelenting squabbles between health advocates, food companies, school administrators, parents and a long line of others with interests in what gets served in school cafeterias. Read more »
Refugees in Carrboro Discuss their Needs
The News and Observer (Raleigh)
The U.S. State Department grants Burmese refugees legal status and gives them $900 per person to get on their feet, said Flicka Bateman, a former Chapel Hill Town Council member who has worked closely with the refugees. Many work as housekeepers at UNC-Chapel Hill, one of the reasons resettlement programs chose the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area. They ride the towns' free buses and send their children to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, which began seeing a large influx in 2007, Bateman said. Read more »
Thanks to UNC News Services for finding these great stories AND compiling the summaries! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu
Job - NC
The Curriculum for the Environment and Ecology at UNC is seeking an Assistant Professor in Environmental Economics or Environmental Economic Policy.
Job - NC
Lenoir-Rhyne University is seeking an Assistant Professor to teach and coordinate the Master of Science program in Sustainability Studies. Read more »
Job - NC
Advanced Energy is looking for a Program Manager to coordinate energy efficiency projects. Read more »
Job - NC
Strata Solar is hiring a Solar Superintendent, Lead Solar Installer, and Construction Manager. Read more »
Job - NC
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is looking for an Executive Director of Facilities and Operations. Read more »
Job - VA
The Wetland Ecosystem Ecology & Biogeochemistry Lab of the US Geological Survey is seeking a research technician. Read more »
Job - TN
The Institute for Sustainable Practice at Lipscomb University is hiring an Assistant/Associate Professor. Read more »
Job - DC
Partners for the Common Good is seeking a Public Policy and Communications Associate and a summer Social Enterprise Intern.
Job - WI
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking an Assistant Professor of Urban and Regional Food Production Systems. Read more »
Job - WA
Western Washington University is hiring a Dean for the Huxley College of the Environment. Read more »
Job - Flexible Location
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is looking for a Web Application Developer. Read more »
Job - US
ESRI currently has over 100 full-time positions open and over 50 internship opportunities. Read more »
Internship - DC
The Environmental Law Institute is seeking summer undergraduate interns. Read more »
Internship - NY
The Mianus River Gorge Preserve is seeking undergraduate interns for its Suburban Ecology program. Read more »
Internship - AK
Duke graduate student Amanda Koltz is looking for a field assistant for summer research in the Arctic.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Climate Action Plan Update
Since committing to climate neutrality by 2050, the university has made significant progress in stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy, alternative transportation, and energy efficiency programs. The 2010 Climate Action Plan Update reports that the university’s greenhouse gas emissions have remained constant, maintaining emissions near 2004 levels despite adding over 4 million square feet of space. Far from resting on our heels, the university continues to actively pursue climate neutrality. Read more »
The Future of Smart Grid: Speaker Panel at Kenan-Flagler Business School
The Energy Club at Kenan-Flagler Business School is hosting a speaker panel on the future of electric power, Thursday, February 16, at 4:15 pm. The panelists have backgrounds in the energy field, including power generation, distribution, communications, data management, and public utilities. The event is free and open to the public, registration required. Read more »
Clean Energy Connections: Fueling Business through Social Media
The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association presents a public talk on clean energy and social media, Tuesday, February 21, at 7pm. This event is part of the Clean Energy Connections series. Read more »
Recyclemania Tournament 2012
UNC goes head-to-head with more than 580 other schools for Recyclemania 2012, a 10-week-long competition among university recycling programs. Schools report recycling data each week and are ranked accordingly. As always, remember to recycle and follow UNC’s progress at Recyclemaniacs.
Exhibit on Invasive Plants Opens at the NC Botanical Garden
"Plant This, Not That—Alternatives to Invasives,” an exhibit featuring original paintings by graduates of the Botanical Illustration Program, opens Saturday, February 25, at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. The display explains the impacts, prevention, and management of invasive species and identifies alternatives for a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem. Read more »
Earth Action Day in Chapel Hill
The Town of Chapel Hill will sponsor the Fifth Annual Earth Action Day, Saturday, April 14th, at Southern Community Park. The event features the Swap-O-Rama clothing swap, interactive workshops, live entertainment, and the local food pavilion. The UNC Sustainability Office will host an exhibit. Stop by our table to learn about campus sustainability initiatives! Organizations and artists who practice and encourage sustainability are encouraged to apply for exhibitor space by March 10. Read more »
Raleigh Offers New Sustainability Walking Tour
The Office of Sustainability in Raleigh unveiled a self-guided walking tour of the city last week. The tour features 24 sites of environmental interest, including a solar-powered trash compactor and solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations. The walking tour can be viewed on Google Maps. Read more »
The State of Green Business Report 2012 from GreenBiz.com
The fifth annual edition of the “State of Green Business” report from GreenBiz.com measures the environmental impacts of the emerging green economy. The report documents the progress companies are making to improve their environmental performance and tracks larger trends that will affect corporate America in 2012. Complete a short form to download the free report.
ACC Clean Energy Challenge
The ACC Clean Energy Challenge, supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, encourages southeastern university students to develop business plans for new clean energy companies. The winner of the competition will receive a $100,000 prize and compete in the DOE National Clean Energy Business Plan Finals in Washington, DC. Initial entries are due February 20. Read more »
Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) Conference
The WRRI annual conference focuses on North Carolina's water resource issues, solutions, and opportunities. The conference will be held at the Jane S. McKimmon Center at NC State, March 27-28. See the website to submit an abstract or register for the conference. Read more »
Carolina in the News
Check out the recent media mention of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC:
Study Lauds Role of Early Ed
The News and Observer (Raleigh)
Poor children who get high-quality day care as early as infancy reap long-lasting benefits, including a better chance at a college degree and steady employment, according to a UNC-Chapel Hill study that followed participants from birth to age 30. The latest findings, published this week in the online journal Developmental Psychology, are from one of the longest-running child care studies in the United States. Read more »
Planning is more than a Process
The Chapel Hill News
In the first of two presentations Jan. 5, Dave Godschalk, of UNC's City and Regional Planning Department, delivered a lecture on sustainable comprehensive planning. Godschalk began his talk by stressing that planning is not just about a process, which has been much of the focus of Chapel Hill 2020 thus far, but also about a final end product. Read more »
N.C. Tour Turns Poverty's 'Bloodless Statistics' into Reality
The Los Angeles Times
Gene Nichol, director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina, listened to dozens of people pour out their life stories. Poverty is far more than cold statistics, he told one gathering, "it lives in wounds to the human heart," he said. Read more »
UNC Proposes Changes to Carolina North
The Chapel Hill News
The town of Chapel Hill has received a request from UNC for modification to its plans for Carolina North. The university wants to realign the conservation areas of the proposed campus to "improve the ecological value and connectivity of the 311 acres of the Carolina North property." The modification does not change the size of the areas, which are popular with local trail runners and hikers. Read more »
UNC to Host Free Nutrition Lecture Series at NCRC
The Salisbury Post
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will host a free nutrition seminar series at the NC Research Campus. The Appetite for Life Academy, hosted by the UNC Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis, brings the latest scientific research down to earth in educational, interactive community programs. Read more »
Thanks to UNC News Services for finding these great stories AND compiling the summary! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu/
Job- NC
Duke University is seeking a Sustainability Education Project Coordinator (job code 400580237). Read more »
Job- NC
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is hiring a Web Application Developer. Read more »
Job- NC
The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association is hiring a Database Developer. Read more »
Job- NC
Advanced Energy is seeking a Project Manager for their Transportation Initiatives Team. Read more »
Job– TN
The Institute for Sustainable Practice at Lipscomb University is hiring an Assistant/Associate Professor. Read more »
Job– DC
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is seeking an Affiliate Advocacy Coordinator. Read more »
Job– OH
The University of Akron is looking for a Sustainability Manager to lead the university’s sustainability initiatives. Read more »
Job– MA
Bristol Community College is seeking a Renewable Energy and Green Jobs Director. Read more »
Job– CO
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is seeking two Environmental Educators for the next school year. Read more »
Internship– NC
Self-Help is seeking a paid summer intern to promote green initiatives at a school in Durham. Read more »
Internship– NC
Democracy North Carolina is hiring paid summer interns to work as student organizers promoting fairer elections. Read more »
Internship – NC
The Conservation Trust for North Carolina is hiring ten paid summer interns for placements across North Carolina. Read more »
Internship– NC
The Highlands Nature Center is hiring two Assistant Naturalists for the summer. Read more »
Internship– NC
The Highlands Botanical Garden is looking for a summer intern to maintain the garden and educate the public about the plant species. Read more »
Internship– NC
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is hiring summer interns to do biological surveys, gather data, interact with the public, and assist with trail maintenance. Read more »
Internship– NY
The Huyck Preserve is seeking four undergraduate students for a summer internship conducting field research in the preserve. Read more »
Internship– MN
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is looking for students to help conduct aquatic biomonitoring surveys on rivers and streams this summer. Read more »
Internship– IL
The Chicago Park District is seeking a Lab Sampler to collect water samples and conduct field tests. Read more »
Internship– IL
The Chicago Park District is hiring summer “Beach Ambassadors” who will provide visitors with information about water quality, wildlife, and beach health. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research– MA
The Marine Biological Laboratory is looking for an undergraduate student to assist with a study in the salt marshes of the Plum Island Estuary.
Summer Undergraduate Research– VA
Radford University and Virginia Tech are hiring an undergraduate student to help study disease ecology in aquatic freshwater communities.
Summer Undergraduate Research– OR
Oregon State University is seeking a student researcher for a Research Experience for Undergraduates focused on plant and animal phenology in the Oregon Cascades.
Summer Undergraduate Research– WI
The Lindroth Research Group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is looking for an undergraduate student to help study the genetic and chemical determinants of ecological interactions between plants and herbivores.
Struck by cupid’s arrow? Consider these Valentine’s Day green gift ideas: Make your own message-in-a-bottle by reusing a glass bottle and including a romantic letter. Give live flowering plants instead of cut flowers. Consider organic fair trade chocolate. For a romantic outing, skip the traditional dinner out and take a walk together in a park or garden. Battle Park, Carolina North, Coker Arboretum, and the North Carolina Botanical Garden are all fantastic local options.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Carolina in the News
Check out the recent media mention of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC:
Students Offer Microloans to Help Campus Neighbors Start Small Businesses
The Chronicle of Higher Education
In the last four years, about a dozen student groups have begun offering loans to local residents who want to start businesses but are unlikely to qualify for traditional bank loans… Few volunteers who run microloan programs are studying business. A chance to develop teaching and documentary-filmmaking skills drew Alexis Seccombe, a graduate student in comparative literature at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to the campus's Community Empowerment Fund. Read more »
Poverty Tour of NC Begins in Beaufort County
The Associated Press
A two-day tour of poverty-stricken areas in northeastern North Carolina is getting underway with its first stop in Beaufort County. ...The UNC Center on Poverty, Work, and Opportunity, North Carolina NAACP, and the N.C. Justice Center are sponsoring the tour. The tour will go to other parts of the state later this year, examining both rural counties and inner city neighborhoods. Read more »
Thanks to UNC News Services for finding these great stories AND compiling the summary! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu/
Job- NC
Triangle J Council of Governments is hiring for a full-time permanent Senior Planner and a full-time temporary Planner II. Read more »
Job- FL
Florida Atlantic University is seeking a Director for the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center. Read more »
Internship- UNC
The North Carolina Botanical Garden is accepting applications from UNC undergraduates for summer internships in conservation, habitat restoration, sustainability and native plant studies. Read more »
Internship- NC
The North Carolina Sustainability Center is seeking an undergraduate student to help with website research projects.
Internship- NC
The Center for Environmental Farming Systems seeks undergraduate students interested in sustainable agriculture to participate in an 8-week summer internship. Read more »
Internship- NC
The Outer Banks Office of the Nature Conservatory seeks an intern to monitor a Climate Adaptation Project on conservation lands in the Albemarle-Pamlico region.
Internship- NC
The Tar River Land Conservancy is seeking a Land Stewardship Intern for the summer of 2012.
Internship- DC
EPA's Climate Ready Water Utilities (CRWU) initiative team is looking for a postgraduate intern to assist on CRWU related efforts. Read more »
Internship- DC
The U.S. Green Building Council is accepting applications for multiple internship positions. Read more »
Internship- MD
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) seeks undergraduate and beginning graduate student interns in environmental research and education. Read more »
Internship- MA
Cricket Creek Farm is seeking interns to learn and help in cheese making and general farm work for their small grass-based dairy farm. Read more »
Internship- OR
The Conservation Research Program at the Institute for Applied Ecology is hiring for summer field work in conservation biology or restoration ecology.
Two Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Unveiled in Raleigh
The City of Raleigh and Progress Energy Carolinas recently unveiled two solar-powered electric vehicle charging stations at 616 South Salisbury Street in Raleigh. The Level 2, or 240-volt, charging stations are connected to a solar photovoltaic (PV) array and battery system. When the sun shines, the PV array produces electricity and charges either a plugged-in vehicle or the on-site battery. The battery stores this solar energy to charge plug-in vehicles when the sun is not shining.
The City of Raleigh and Progress Energy Carolinas will use the two stations to charge their respective fleets of plug-in electric vehicles. Raleigh has installed 18 charging stations, nine for public use, and intends to install 15 additional public charging stations soon. Progress Energy plans to install 200 public and private charging stations through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. Read more »
NC Certified-Organic Cotton Is First for the State
The first ever certified-organic cotton harvest in North Carolina concluded in December. Though told it could not be done, two farms in eastern North Carolina grew the cotton without using pesticides. One sustainably-minded, local T-shirt manufacturer aims to go from “dirt to (sustainable) shirt” entirely within North Carolina. Read more »
“It's Time to Shine the Spotlight on Energy Education,” Op-Ed Piece by Michael E. Webber and Sheril R. Kirshenbaum, The Chronicle of Higher Education
“Today, for the most part, higher education for students interested in energy lacks the cross-disciplinary curriculum that they critically need, and so we propose the adoption of energy departments on college campuses, departments that would tie seemingly disconnected fields of the sector together…. Graduates entering the work force with such interdisciplinary skills would be ideally suited for leadership positions with strategic responsibilities, armed with a firm grasp of the challenges ahead and the experience to act as truly global citizens.” Read more »
EPA Releases Searchable Map of Green House Gas Emitters
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled a searchable computerized map tool that allows users to identify the nation’s major stationary sources of carbon dioxide and other climate-changing gases, including power plants, refineries, chemical factories, and paper mills. The data was drawn from 6,157 sources, is current through 2010, and covers nearly 80% of the country’s greenhouse gases emitted from large industrial sources. Officials hope that making such information available, in searchable online form, will eventually lead to pressure for decreasing emissions. Read more »
Call for Abstracts for the 2012 Water and Health Conference: Science, Policy and Innovation
Abstracts for academic presentations may now be submitted for the third annual “Water and Health Conference: Science, Policy and Innovation.” The submission deadline is April 30, 2012. This year's conference will take place October 29 - November 2, 2012. Read more »
The Vimy Global Team Award
The Vimy Global Team Award supports UNC students in completing self-directed international projects. The award provides funding for travel as well as supplies needed to implement the project. The first application deadline is February 15. Read more »
2012 City of Raleigh Environmental Awards Program and PSA Competition
The City of Raleigh announces its fifth annual Environmental Awards Program to recognize outstanding environmental stewardship. Award nominations will be accepted through January 31. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, April 24, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. in the soon-to-open Nature Resource Center at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh.
Local students can participate in the awards program by submitting a 30-second original Public Service Announcement (PSA). The theme of the PSA should include the “Our Water, Our Future” Raleigh Public Utilities’ slogan and focus on water conservation and efficiency or promote “fat-free” sewers. See the competition website for prizes, deadlines and application process.
“To Frac or Not to Frac? Risks and Rewards of Natural Gas Production from Shale,” Presented by Dr. Larry Murdoch
The Institute for the Environment will host Dr. Larry Murdoch, Professor of Engineering and Earth Sciences, Clemson University, to give a public talk on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas production in North Carolina. Dr. Murdoch will talk about the environmental and economic issues of “fracking” on Tuesday, January 31st, at 5:00 pm in the Tate-Turner-Kuralt Auditorium.
Keep NC Beautiful
Keep NC Beautiful, in partnership with the NC Coca-Cola Bottlers Council, is accepting Community Improvement grant applications to address litter prevention and clean-up, waste reduction and recycling, and beautification. Read more »
Recycling on Campus Easier, More Streamlined
In addition to bottles and cans, the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling (OWRR) now collects #2 and #5 plastic tubs. Plastic tubs differ from plastic bottles as the opening is larger than the base. Look at the bottom of your plastic tubs for a #2 or #5, then rinse and place the tub in the bottles and cans recycling bin. You can also toss lab plastics (such as pipette tip boxes) in with the bottles and cans. They no longer require a separate bin. And, instead of separate bins for office and mixed paper, all recyclable paper may now be placed in the mixed paper bin. All bins on campus have been relabeled to reflect these changes. For more information, visit OWRR.
America’s Next Eco-Star
Smart Power is looking for America’s Next Eco-Star, someone who improves the environment and energy use either on campus, through an organization, or in their personal life. Nominate someone you know who has the capacity to lead the next energy-efficient generation. The winning Eco-Star will attend the 2012 Sustainable Futures Academy at the Salzburg Global Seminar in Austria and a fellowship in the Washington, DC, office of SmartPower. Nominations are due by January 31 and other contest details can be found on the Eco-Star facebook page.
Internship - CO
The University of California - Berkeley and Merced are accepting applications for field ecology summer research assistant positions in the Rockies.
Internship - PR
The Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking a summer intern interested in coral reef conservation.
University Gazette Includes Stories on Campus Energy Initiatives
The January 11 issue of the University Gazette is full of energy. Stories include a profile of the new campus energy dashboards that show how much energy your building is using in real time, the $10 million in energy savings accomplished since the campus energy policy was implemented in summer 2009, and how to apply for funding from the new green revolving fund that creates a stable financing stream for energy efficiency. Read more »
The Environmental Finance Center Receives Funding to Assist Water Utilities
The Environmental Finance Center has been awarded $250,000 by the Water Research Foundation to study new approaches to and models of financial challenges at water utilities. The center supports local governments and focuses on water resources, energy and solid waste management, air quality, and land conservation. The Water Research Foundation sponsors research to provide safe and affordable drinking water. Read more »
Student Research Poster Session for Shared Tables Conference
The 2012 Shared Tables symposium at UNC and Duke will feature experts in local and global food issues, including activist and urban farmer Will Allen and author Tom Philpott. Symposium activities at UNC will also feature a student research poster session. Students in all disciplines are encouraged to submit poster proposals that address food’s varied meanings, including its roles in the pursuit of political, economic, environmental, and human sustainability. Poster proposals are due Friday, February 3rd. All symposium events, February 28-29, are free and open to the public, however, space is limited. Please register in advance.
Summer Undergraduate Research - NC
The Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology is offering NSF-funded summer Research Experience for Undergraduates positions at Duke University. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research - LA
The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) invites undergraduates to apply for NSF-funded summer Research Experience for Undergraduates in changing coastal environments. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research - IL
The Chicago Botanic Garden is offering 10 NSF-funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates to conduct research in plant biology and conservation. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research - KS
Kansas State University invites undergraduates to apply for NSF-funded summer Research Experience for Undergraduates in ecological and evolutionary responses to short- and long-term responses to changing environments. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research - AZ
The Archer/Breshears Labs in the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona seeks an undergraduate student to participate in the Research Experience for Undergraduates program for the summer of 2011. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research - AZ
The University of Arizona is offering a Research Experiences for Undergraduates program this summer in environmental and Earth system sciences at Biosphere 2. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research - HI
The Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES) is currently accepting applications for summer research in environmental issues. Read more »
Fellowship - VA
The Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) offers an experiential education program for college students and recent graduates interested in environmental topics. The PEC Fellowship program is conducted from June 11-July 27, 2012, in the Shenandoah Valley region of Warrenton, VA. Fellows receive a $200 weekly stipend, local housing, and all program-related costs are included. Read more »
Scholarship
C2C Fellows is a new national network for undergraduates and recent graduates aspiring to sustainability leadership. C2C Fellows will be holding training workshops at the University of Georgia in February and Oberlin College in April. The workshops focus on effective leadership skills for a sustainable future. Additionally, C2C Fellows are eligible to apply for $1,000 Sustainability Leaders scholarships to fund follow-up, multi-day leadership trainings. Read more »
Thursday, January 12, 2012
“Can We Heal Our Local Waterways?” A Symposium and Community Exchange
Friends of Bolin Creek and the Institute for the Environment will host “Can We Heal Our Local Waterways?” an event to address current water quality problems and actions needed to restore urban streams. The community exchange will connect individuals interested in making a difference for water quality and the environment with many local organizations. A concurrent track will edutain the kids. The event will take place from 9:00am – 1:30pm, February 11th, at the UNC Botanical Garden. Read more »
Go Green in the City- a Case Challenge
Go Green in the City is an international case challenge for university students around the world to create innovative energy management solutions. The 100 best teams will be asked to create a synopsis of their idea with the help of a mentor from Schneider Electric. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2012. For more information on the competition, visit www.GoGreenintheCity.com or follow @GoGreenCity on Twitter.
NC DOT Unveils Electric Vehicle Charging Station
The NC Department of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting Wednesday, January 11th, to celebrate one of the state’s first electric vehicle charging stations. The charging station is located at a rest area in Alamance County. Read more »
Local Farmers’ Markets Are Now Accepting Applications for the 2012 Market Season
The Chapel Hill and Hillsborough Farmers’ Markets are currently accepting applications for the 2012 Market Season. The Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market, entering its fourth year at University Mall is accepting applications until January 31, 2012. The Hillsborough Farmer’s Market, entering its 26th year, is accepting applications until February 15, 2012.
Backyard Composting and Vermi-Composting Train the Trainer Workshops
The NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Assistance and Outreach program and Carolina Recycling Association are sponsoring workshops on backyard composting. The workshops will train communities on how to implement composting programs. Participants will receive training on the science and practice of backyard composting and vermi-composting and tips on how to publicize their programs. Cost is $25.00. For more information and to register, visit the website.
It’s not too late to add a new year’s resolution, why not make it a green one? Resolve to make one of your habits more environmentally-friendly: walk or bicycle instead of taking the car to do at least one errand per week; write or call decision makers to let them know how you feel about environmental, social, and economic issues; use biodegradable laundry soap; or compost. Stay sustainable throughout the year!
Carolina in the News
Check out the recent media mention of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC:
Time for UNC to divest from a dirty business (Opinion-Editorial Column by Professor Emeritus Robert Cox)
The Chapel Hill News (Chapel Hill)
A year and a half ago, Chancellor Holden Thorp stood atop the green roof of Rams Head Plaza and announced that UNC would end its use of coal by 2020. It was an inspiring moment. "Universities must lead the transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy," Thorp said. Read more »
UNC Recycles Methane from Landfill
WUNC-FM (Chapel Hill)
Orange County and UNC Chapel Hill are working together to make productive use of landfill gas. Methane originates from the decomposition of organic materials such as food. The collaboration will collect methane from the county's landfill and use it to produce electricity using a generator at UNC. Read more »
Thanks to UNC News Services for finding these great stories AND compiling the summary! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu/
Job- UNC
The Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a tenured full professor, also holding a sustainability chair, or a tenured associate professor, also holding an appointment as a sustainability fellow. Read more »
Job- NC
The University of North Carolina - Wilmington seeks an assistant professor in environmental sustainability. Read more »
Job- VA
The School of Sciences at Lynchburg College invites applicants for a tenure-track assistant/associate professor in environmental science to begin in fall 2012. Read more »
Job- GA
National Wildlife Federation is seeking a Southeast Campus Field Coordinator to support climate leadership and sustainability among colleges and universities in the Southeast. Read more »
Job- PA
Chatham University's School of Sustainability and the Environment seeks a faculty member in food studies with an emphasis on food systems. Read more »
Job- FL
Leon County is seeking a Sustainability Coordinator to manage the implementation of all aspects of the Sustainability program. Read more »
Job- MA
Bunker Hill Community College (MA) seeks full-time faculty responsible for teaching and developing sustainability-related curriculum and coordinating new degree and certificate sustainability programs. Read more »
Job- CO
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) seeks a Membership Coordinator to coordinate and execute memberships and report membership data. Read more »
Internship- NC
The Tar River Land Conservancy is seeking a Land Stewardship Intern for the summer of 2012.
Internship- RI
The Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting applications for summer field work in coastal invasive plant species.
Internship- OR
The Conservation Research Program at the Institute for Applied Ecology is hiring for summer field work in conservation biology or restoration ecology.
Internship- CO
The University of California Berkeley and Merced are accepting applications for field ecology summer research assistant positions in the Rockies.
Summer Undergraduate Research- NC
The Center for the Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology is offering NSF-funded summer Research Experience for Undergraduates positions at Duke University. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research- HI
The Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES) is currently accepting applications for summer research in environmental issues. Read more »
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Conservation Tips for a Sustainable Holiday Season
As we look forward to time away from campus, please remember that our building systems continue to operate during the break. With your efforts, we can keep UNC sustainable over the holidays.
Before leaving for any extended period, please:
- Shut down desktop and laptop computers unless instructed otherwise by IT or administrative staff. If your computer, speakers, phone charger, etc., are all on one power strip, turn off the power strip after shutting down your computer.
- Unplug nonessential equipment such as copiers, fax machines, printers, scanners, and chargers. Most equipment draws electricity even when turned off.
- Unplug all appliances, including coffee makers, microwaves, televisions, and radios. Like office equipment, many appliances use electricity even when turned off.
- Turn off office lights and as much public lighting as possible in hallways, bathrooms, break rooms, and conference rooms.
- Check windows to make sure they are tightly closed and locked.
- Check faucets in bathrooms and break rooms to make sure they are completely turned off and not dripping.
- If you work in a lab with variable air volume fume hoods, shut the sash completely (just as you should any time the hood is not in use).
- Call in any leaks or maintenance issues to your Facilities Services team (962-3456 or www.fac.unc.edu)
These tips will help keep your building safe and energy-efficient over the holidays. They also apply at home.
Wishing you a very happy holiday season!
Job- NC
The Triangle J Council of Governments seeks an experienced contract specialist to assist in administering the Carolina Blue Skies and Green Jobs Initiative Recovery Act Grant. Read more »
Job- NC
The University of North Carolina - Wilmington seeks an assistant professor in environmental sustainability. Read more »
Internship- NC
The City of Durham seeks a graduate student to support the Rain Catchers project. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research- MA
The Harvard Forest is accepting applications for summer internships in ecological research. Read more »
Internship- WY
The Yellowstone Raptor Initiative seeks interns to assist raptor biologists in Yellowstone National Park.
Summer Undergraduate Research- IL
The Chicago Botanic Garden is accepting applications from undergraduates to conduct research in plant biology and conservation. Read more »
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District Earns Green Plus Certification
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School district is the first school system in the country to earn Green Plus Certification. Awarded by the Institute for Sustainable Development, Green Plus helps small businesses and non-profits assess and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. The CHCCS district has retrofitted buildings to reduce energy consumption; manages pests without chemicals; and replaced Styrofoam trays in school cafeterias with biodegradable trays. Students, staff, and parents work together to develop triple bottom line solutions. Read more »
Monday, December 19, 2011
2011 Strategic Energy and Water Plan Now Available
As the University continues to focus on energy and water conservation, 2011 marked a year of significant accomplishments. Kenan Residence Hall reduced energy use by 4% from the previous year, finishing first in the Residence Hall category for the EPA’s 2011 Energy Star National “Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings.” A maintenance program to tune-up HVAC systems was adopted campus-wide and has resulted in a cost savings of over $5 million dollars. Since 2002, conservation measures have resulted in over $63 million of energy cost savings and $7.5 million in water savings. The 2011 Strategic Energy and Water Plan report is available online through the Energy Management website.
Construction for Innovate@Carolina 505 Incubator to Begin Next Month
The Innovate@Carolina Campaign motivates and funds innovative initiatives across campus, including the 505 Incubator which will break ground in January 2012 at 505 West Franklin Street. The 505 Incubator will offer space and support to recent graduates and local entrepreneurs with early-stage company ideas. The 505 Incubator will foster collaboration between companies, and provide internships, to help keep entrepreneurial growth local. The new Campus Y Social Innovation Incubator will support student-led projects.
Gov. Perdue Encourages Applications for Mobility Fund Projects
The N.C. Department of Transportation is soliciting proposals for projects across all modes of transportation to relieve congestion and enhance mobility across the state. Priority will be given to projects that provide the greatest benefits in travel time savings and increase the overall efficiency of the transportation system. Candidate projects will be accepted through Feb. 29, 2012. The amount of money available is estimated at $45 million in the 2012-2013 fiscal year and $58 million in succeeding years. Visit the N.C. Department of Transportation for more information.
Rain Bird Providing More Than $50,000 in Grants to Water-Efficient Projects
Rain Bird’s “Intelligent Use of Water Awards” program will provide more than $50,000 in grants to water-efficient projects in need of funding. Applicants submit a water conservation project to an interactive website and add descriptions, photos and videos about the project. The projects with the most votes in their funding category ($1,500, $5,000, or $10,000) will receive funding. Winners will be announced on World Water Day, March 22, 2012. Read more »
$5,000 Scholarship for Sophomores & Juniors Interested in the Environment or Native American Issues
The Morris K. Udall scholarships provide up to $5,000, or the cost of tuition, fees, books, room and board, whichever is less, to sophomores and juniors who have demonstrated a strong academic record and outstanding potential for leadership. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit to two groups of students; those who study the environment or related fields, and those with Native American or Native Alaskan backgrounds who study health care or tribal public policy.
The UNC application deadline for the Udall Scholarship is January 24. Please see the website for more information.
Indiana University at Oxford Program Offers Opportunity for Summer Study in Comparative Environmental Policy
The Indiana University at Oxford program, sponsored by the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, allows undergraduate and graduate students from Indiana University and other universities to spend six weeks during the summer studying comparative environmental policy and global governance of climate change at Oxford University and other world-ranked European colleges in Brussels, London, and Cambridge. Applications are due by February 14, 2012. Read more »
The Chapel Hill Farmers' Market is Now Accepting Applications for the 2012 Market Season
The Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market is entering its fourth year at University Mall and is now accepting applications for the 2012 market season. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2012. Read more»
Carolina in the News
Check out the recent media mention of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC:
Does global warming alter tourist behavior?
The News and Observer, Raleigh
A new study from UNC-Chapel Hill seems to indicate that some human weather-related behavior also is being influenced by global warming. Researchers found peak attendance in U.S. national parks that have experienced climate change is happening earlier, compared to 30 years ago. According to the study, of the nine parks that experienced significant increases in mean spring temperatures since 1979, seven also saw shifts in the timing of peak attendance. Read more »
Homemade for the holidays
The News and Observer, Raleigh
Each holiday season, food lovers look forward to homemade treats from friends and relatives: a plate of sugar cookies, a rum-soaked fruit cake, a batch of granola. ...It's the effort that makes the recipients of gifts from the kitchen feel loved. "It's just really special to have a food gift," says Marcie Cohen Ferris, an assistant professor of American studies at UNC-Chapel Hill and a recipient of one of our cooks' gifts. Read more »
Thanks to UNC News Services for finding this great story AND compiling the summary! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu/.
Job- UNC
The Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks a tenured full professor, also holding a sustainability chair, or a tenured associate professor, also holding an appointment as a sustainability fellow. Read more »
Job- NC
Elizabeth City State University seeks an energy/sustainability coordinator to implement its sustainability mission.
Job- NC
Central Piedmont Community College's Engineering Technology Division seeks an instructor to teach topics related to energy including conservation and efficiency.
Job- NC
The Inter-Faith Food Shuttle is hiring a Farm Manager for planning, designing, and managing healthy, thriving field crop and livestock operations.
Job- VA
The School of Sciences at Lynchburg College (VA) invites applicants for a tenure-track assistant/associate professor in environmental science to begin in fall 2012. Read more »
Job- PA
Chatham University's School of Sustainability and the Environment seeks a faculty member in food studies with an emphasis on food systems.
Job- NJ
Princeton University seeks to appoint one or more distinguished humanists whose work is related to the environment for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Job- FL
Leon County is seeking a Sustainability Coordinator to manage the implementation of all aspects of the Sustainability program.
Job- MA
Harvard University seeks a commuter choice program coordinator to develop, implement and administer a system to monitor and increase campus enrollment in various programs including carpools, Zimride and Zipcar.
Job- MA
Bunker Hill Community College seeks full-time faculty responsible for teaching and developing sustainability-related curriculum and coordinating new degree and certificate sustainability programs.
Job- AZ
The School of Sustainability at Arizona State University invites applications for up to three faculty positions either at the tenure-track assistant professor level or tenured associate professor level.
Job- CO
The University of Colorado Boulder seeks a scholar or practitioner with demonstrated excellence in interdisciplinary research, teaching and/or professional activity to serve as the first Colorado chair in environmental studies.
Job- ON
Fanshawe College is seeking a full-time sustainability coordinator to advocate for and lead sustainability practices on campus.
Internship- USA
The Conservation and Land Management Internship Program is now accepting applications for 2012.
Internship- NY
Clarkson University is offering a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program during the summer of 2012, sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Read more »
Research Fellowship- USA
The Ariel Appleton Research Fellowship is now accepting applications from undergraduate and graduate students to help support non-destructive research in the natural sciences, with emphasis on conservation ecology. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research- GA
The Aquatic Chemical Ecology (ACE) Program at Georgia Tech is now accepting applications from undergraduates interested in a summer research experience. Read more »
Summer Undergraduate Research- ME
The University of Maine and University of Concepion, Chile, are now accepting applications from undergraduates interested in sustainable forest bioproducts.
Read more »
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