Friday, March 16, 2012

Job- NC

Appalachian State University is looking for an Assistant Professor in sustainable development. Read more »

Job- NC

The Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University is hiring a Sustainability Education Program Coordinator. Read more »

Job- NC

Booz Allen is seeking an Environmental Manager. Read more »

Job- NC

URS Corporation is hiring an Environmental Engineer. Read more »

Job- NC

Johnson Service Group is looking for a Director of Environment and Energy with a background in engineering. Read more »

Job- NC

VF Corporation is hiring a Manager of Global Sustainability to help reduce energy and water consumption and waste generation. Read more »

Job- NC

Advanced Energy is seeking a Project Manager to join the Transportation Initiatives team. Read more »

Job- NC

The Environmental Defense Fund is seeking an Agriculture Policy Analyst. Read more »

Job- NC

Southern Research Institute is looking for a Director of the Environmental and Energy Department. Read more »

Job- NC

The Morehead Summer Science Camp is hiring camp counselors. Read more »

Job- SC

The South Carolina Coastal Conservation League is seeking a Utility Regulation Specialist with knowledge of utility regulation, utility-scale energy efficiency programs, and renewable energy. Read more »

Job- OH

The Environmental Studies Program at Oberlin College invites applications for the position of Sustainable Technology Research Fellow. Read more »

Job- MT

Montana State University is hiring a tenure-track faculty member to teach in the Sustainable Energy Technician program. Read more »

Internship- NC

Nourish International is looking for nine summer interns to fill a variety of positions that support its work to address global poverty. Read more »

Internship- NC

The National Center for Environmental Assessment at the Environmental Protection Agency is seeking an intern. Read more »

Internship- NC

Aramark is partnering with the Student Conservation Association to hire interns to work on environmental sustainability initiatives. Read more »

Internship- DC

The American Enterprise Institute is looking for a summer Energy and Environmental Policy Intern. Read more »

Internship- WY

The University of Missouri at St. Louis is seeking two field assistants for summer work in the Grand Teton National Park.

Summer Undergraduate Research- GA

Georgia State University is seeking students to participate in a Research Experience for Undergraduates focused on social and environmental disparities. Read more »

Summer Undergraduate Research- DC

The Wimp Lab at Georgetown University is seeking students to participate in a Research Experience for Undergraduates to examine the effects of nutrient runoff on plant productivity and decomposition in an intertidal salt marsh.

Summer Undergraduate Research- HI

The D'Antonio Lab at the University of California is seeking students to participate in a Research Experience for Undergraduates project on invasive grasses.

Volunteer- NC

The Town of Chapel Hill is looking for volunteers for Earth Action Day and their Egg Hunt Celebration.

Carolina in the News

Check out the recent media mentions of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC:

State Must Get the Facts before Allowing Fracking
The Winston-Salem Journal (Editorial)
With each passing day, there are new questions and concerns regarding the natural-gas drilling process known as fracking. Given concerns that the process may be responsible for earthquakes elsewhere in the country, it is good to hear that geologists at UNC Chapel Hill plan an independent study. Read more » 

Not All Migrating Birds Adjusting to Climate Change, Report Says
Bloomberg/Businessweek
Some birds are adjusting their migration patterns and adapting to climate change better than others, researchers found. […] Birds that aren’t adapting, like the Barn Swallow, could be threatened if the crop of insects they feed on aren’t available at the same time, for example, said Allen Hurlbert […] “This is a new threat,” said Hurlbert, an assistant professor of biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “It’s an additional risk factor for the health of their population.” Read more »

Roses and Raspberries
The Chapel Hill News (Editorial)
Roses to the Friends of Bolin Creek, the UNC Institute for the Environment and the N.C. Botanical Garden for reminding us our waterways need our protection. The Friends and its partners held a daylong symposium to call attention to the two major waterways—Bolin Creek and Morgan Creek—that flow through Carrboro and Chapel Hill. The effort, which included activities for children, reminded us of the importance of building protection into planning. Read more »

As Seniors Climb from Poverty, Young Fall in
USA Today
It's not surprising that child poverty rose in Randolph County because the community has been buffeted by factory closings and job cuts, says Gene Nichol, who heads the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina. Those jobs once provided stable salaries and benefits for parents and their children, he says. The rural county of 138,000 people is known for textile, hosiery and furniture manufacturing. Since 1999, 64 plants have closed or downsized, resulting in more than 6,300 jobs lost. Read more »

Beach Renourishment May Have its Dark Side for Coastal Marine Life
The Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Fla.)
Pumping sand onto the coastline helps maintain wide beaches for tourism and property protection, but some scientists say it also damages a fragile and often overlooked ecosystem for fish and birds. ...Few people study nourishment's ecological effects because it not a "popular topic" and it is seen as necessary to protect coastal property, said Lisa Manning, a federal biologist who did research at the University of North Carolina with biology professor Charles Peterson, the author of some of the latest studies. Read more » 

Governor Perdue Finds Money to Add 2,000 Pre-K Slots
The North Carolina News Network
North Carolina's Pre-K program will create 2,000 additional slots this year for at-risk 4-year-olds. The move comes after Gov. Bev Perdue said she has identified $9.3 million from child care subsidy funds. ...The Governor's administration sites data from the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill that show children who attended the Pre-K program have significantly higher end-of-grade test scores in third grade than similar children who did not have the benefit of the program. 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
Ready for spring? Remember to switch off the heat before opening the windows to bring in fresh air! If you need more light weight clothes, consider visiting one of the many local thrift shops instead of buying new clothes.

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 »

“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.

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 »

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 »

Walmart Director to Speak on the Future of Sustainability

Carolina, NC State University, and Duke University will host Miranda Ballentine, Walmart’s Director of Sustainability, to present “The Future of Sustainability: A Perspective from Walmart,” Wednesday, March 28, at 6pm at NC State. Ms. Ballentine will provide Walmart’s global perspective on how sustainability will unfold in the next five years. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Optional campus tours of NC State’s Centennial Campus will start at 4:30pm. The Center for Sustainable Enterprise and Net Impact will host a student brown bag event with Ms. Ballentine the previous day, as she discusses building a career in sustainability at the Kenan-Flagler Business School, in McColl 2250, at 12:30pm, March 27. RSVP to cse@unc.edu.RSVP to cse@unc.edu.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

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 »

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 »

Wind Power Research Center Opens at NC State

China-based Ming Yang Wind Power recently opened a research and development center at NC State University, signaling a step toward the potential construction of wind farms in North Carolina. The move is expected to build on existing efforts, including a 2009 study led by Harvey Seim, a marine sciences professor at Carolina, to bring wind power to the state. Several initiatives have demonstrated the feasibility of building turbines, but private energy firms have yet to pursue development. Read more »

Study Finds Decline in Solar Costs

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 »

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 »

New Graphs and Figures on Gasoline Consumption and Cost

Looking for a way to illustrate gasoline consumption and costs? Graphs and figures recently released from the White House show increases in gasoline demand, oil production, and price in the United States and around the world. 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 »