Thursday, December 19, 2013

Prepare Your Campus Building for Holiday Break

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 reduce our environmental impact and costs over the holidays. Read more »


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

University of Mississippi – Foodways Assistant Professor – MS

Washington and Lee University – Director of Sustainability Initiatives – VA

The Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police Departments accept unused or expired medications for safe disposal. Pharmaceuticals should not be flushed down the toilet where they can contaminate the water supply. Read more for Drug Drop Box locations »

Genome Sciences Building Wins Sustainability Award

The U.S. Green Building Council North Carolina Chapter recently awarded UNC’s Genome Sciences Building the 2013 Thomas Edison Award for Sustainability. The new Genome Sciences Building and Bell Tower amphitheater provide a vital link between north campus and the medical school and were built on a former surface parking lot. The LEED Gold building features energy efficient lighting, high-performance glazing, special concrete for thermal performance, integrated shading devices, non-potable water supplies, chilled beams in the laboratories, and a green roof. Read more »

UNC Sophomores Launch Electric Car Shuttle Service

Launched by two sophomore business students, Joey Skavroneck and Parker Draughon, Buzz Rides provides free, late-night transportation to UNC students using a fleet of four, small electric cars. Parties of four or more students can use the taxi-like service for rides to destinations that are within two miles of campus. The founders obtained advice from the 1789 student business incubator and investors funded the vehicles. Buzz Rides also provides mobile, interactive advertising. Read more »

UNC Charlotte Opens Football Stadium as “Zero Waste Facility”

Three games into its inaugural season, the new stadium has achieved an estimated 85-90% waste diversion rate. Guests are allowed to bring in clear, empty water bottles that can be filled at water bottle filling stations and concessions sold at the stadium are either recyclable or compostable. The only available trash cans are located in the stadium restrooms. Read more »

Duke Energy Proposes Clean Energy Purchasing Program

Tech companies with energy intensive data centers in North Carolina, such as Apple, Facebook, and Google, asked Duke Energy to help them meet their climate commitments by selling more renewably sourced electricity. Duke Energy submitted its Green Source Rider to the North Carolina Utilities Commission in November. Large customers will be able to purchase up to 1 million megawatt hours of green energy by paying a premium for the power. Duke Energy Carolinas owns primarily nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas, and hydroelectric plants. The Green Source Rider is expected to accelerate the demand for solar energy projects, which are falling in price. Read more »

Department Of Energy Dedicates Clean Energy Research Center

A new Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) will help manufacturers, utilities, and researchers overcome the challenges of integrating clean energy technology into the current energy infrastructure. Located on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory campus in Golden, Colorado, the ESIF is the nation’s first major research facility to focus on clean energy grid integration and wide-scale deployment. Read more »

UNC Publishes 2013 Campus Sustainability Report

The 2013 Campus Sustainability Report was presented to Chancellor Folt and the UNC community on November 15th, at the Campus Sustainability and America Recycles Day event. This comprehensive assessment of sustainable policies, practices, curricula, and behaviors highlights Carolina’s adoption of sustainability as a core value and strategic planning tool. Key findings include: 

  • Energy saving measures resulted in a 33% reduction in energy use per square foot since 2003. 
  • Investments in reclaimed water, harvested rainwater, and water efficiency have reduced Carolina’s potable water use by 60% per square foot since 2000. 
  • Two new laboratory buildings- the Koury Oral Health Sciences Building and the Genome Sciences Building- are certified LEED Gold.
  • Over 330 undergraduate and graduate courses offer sustainability-related content.
  • Expanded recycling and composting programs and a growing number of “Carolina Green Certified” events are reducing the campus waste stream.
  • The first pan-campus theme, a three-year focus on “Water In Our World,” encourages collaboration and engagement to address the many dimensions of water in our lives.
  • $778 million in research funding provides more opportunities for students and faculty to address the greatest challenges of our times.
  • 25% of food purchased by Carolina Dining Services (CDS) is obtained within 250 miles of campus or is third party certified. 

The full 2013 Campus Sustainability Report is available online through the Sustainability Office website. Please email the Sustainability Office if you would like to receive a hard copy of the report.

Clinton Global Initiative University

The Clinton Global Initiative University engages the next generation of leaders to develop innovative solutions to global challenges. The 2014 conference will take place at Arizona State University in Phoenix, AZ, from March 21-23, 2014. The final application deadline is January 17, 2014. Read more »

C2C Fellows Climate Action Leadership Workshop

C2C Fellows is a national network for students and recent graduates aspiring to sustainability leadership in politics and business. Interactive weekend training workshops cover communication, entrepreneurship, environmental and climate science, media, and other topics. Apply now for the Southeast Regional Workshop, March 21-23, 2014, at the University of Florida - Gainesville. Read more »

Agricultural Innovation Prize

Launched by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the 2014 Agricultural Innovation Prize encourages students to develop innovative solutions to food systems challenges. The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students across all academic disciplines. Apply by February 28, 2014. Read more »

Carolina in the News

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

Report: Polluted farm runoff linked to toxic green algae slime in U.S. waters 
The Washington Post 
Toxic algae is the byproduct of the same types of pollution that causes dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico and the Chesapeake Bay — phosphorous and nitrogen from livestock manure and chemicals sprayed on crops that spills from farms into waterways during moderate to heavy rains. The effects of polluted runoff are made worse by the changing climate, said Hans Paerl, professor of marine and environmental sciences at the University of North Carolina. “Global warming and intensification of major storms and droughts play major roles in the spread of toxic blue-green algal blooms worldwide.” Read more »

Green energy pays for itself in lives saved from smog 
New Scientist
Switching to clean energy might seem like the expensive option, but it would pay for itself almost immediately, according to a new analysis. By 2050, 1.3 million early deaths could be avoided every year by switching to clean energy. From estimates of how much society values a human life, researchers deduce that new energy supplies should be worth the cost. "The work strengthens the case for these new regulations by pointing out the air quality and health benefits," says Jason West at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who led the analysis. 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.

University of Arizona – Director of Sustainability Office (Req. #53771) – AZ

Arizona State University – Faculty in Energy Systems and Sustainability – AZ

Arizona State University – Faculty in Environmental Science and Sustainability – AZ

Sightline – Senior Researcher – WA

University of Saskatchewan – Assistant Professor of Sustainable Environmental Management – Canada

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

University of South Carolina – Assistant Professor of Sustainable Resort Development and Management – SC

Savannah College of Art and Design – Professor of Design for Sustainability – GA

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center – REU Summer Environmental Internships – MD

Oberlin College – Assistant Project Manager for Environmental Dashboard – OH

Miami University – Geo/Thermal Operation Manager (Req. #992828) – OH

Knox College – Sustainability Director – IL

Dickinson College – Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies – PA

Bard College – Graduate Admissions Assistant – MS Environmental Policy/MBA in Sustainability – NY

New York University – Sustainability Manager – NY

GreenerU – Sustainability Program Coordinator – MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Director of Sustainability – MA

University of Vermont – Dean-The Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources – VT

University of Vermont – Faculty Position in Power Systems (Req. # 0040985) – VT

University of Vermont – Faculty Position in Complex Systems (Req. # 004087) – VT

Unity College – Sustainability Director – ME

Milwaukee Area Technical College – Associate Dean of Renewable Energy, HVAC, Quality Engineering– WI

University of North Texas – Sustainability Marketing Specialist (Req. #140183) – TX

University of Minnesota – Center for Sustainable Building Research Director (Req. #183907) – MN

Friday, August 16, 2013

Sustainability Social Thursday, August 22, 5 - 7 PM, at the FPG Student Union Art Gallery

Are you Carolina Green? Get involved, find your niche, and help make UNC a more sustainable campus! This is your opportunity to mingle with students and employees from across the University. Learn about Carolina’s many student organizations, departments, academic offerings, and internship opportunities. 

WHO: All new and returning students and employees interested in environmental, social, and economic sustainability. 

WHAT: Representatives from sustainability-related student groups and campus departments will briefly describe their activities and priorities to help you decide where you want to focus your efforts. Sustainable refreshments will be served while you mingle. 

WHEN: 5 – 7 PM on Thursday, August 22, 2013 

WHERE: FPG Student Union Art Gallery (catch the bus

SPONSORS: The UNC Sustainability Office and the Environmental Affairs Committee of Student Government.

You don’t need to wait until the Sustainability Social to be Carolina Green. View the full schedule of Carolina Green events during Week of Welcome.

EcoReps Recruitment Fair Tuesday, August 20, from 4 - 7 PM at Rams Head Plaza

EcoReps are Carolina’s trained peer-to-peer sustainability outreach team. Come learn about campus sustainability initiatives through games and trivia. Be part of a campus-wide student movement to promote environmental quality, economic prosperity, and societal well-being. EcoReps training, scheduled for September 14, counts as a Public Service Scholars Skills Training. Talk with an EcoRep and learn more, Tuesday, August 20, from 4 – 7PM at Rams Head Plaza. Read more »

Sustainability Features Tour Wednesday, August 21, from 4 - 5:30 PM starting at the FedEx Global Education Center on Pittsboro and McCauley

See Carolina’s green roofs, solar panels, and LEED Gold Lab building on a tour narrated by Sustainability Director Cindy Shea. There’s nothing like taking a tour to learn your way around a new city and with 40,000 people on campus, Carolina is a city unto itself. Don’t wait four years to find the coolest places on campus. Meet on the 4th floor of the FedEx Global Education Center at 4 PM Wednesday to get a scoop on some of the most innovative infrastructure and best study and meeting locations on campus.
Moving in? Whether moving to campus for the first time or the last, check out the green dorm room interactive website to learn how to live green on campus. For example, consider renting textbooks or buying used ones- you’ll save trees and money. Also consider repurposing used school supplies or swapping with friends instead of buying them new. And check out the Move-In Guide from the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling to learn how to reduce waste when you arrive.

Learn to Lead Staff Sustainability Efforts

Sustainability is a core value and top-level priority at Carolina. Be the leader in your workplace by learning practical steps to become more economically, environmentally, and socially responsible. “Making the Workplace More Sustainable,” an interactive staff sustainability workshop, will help participants identify, measure, and promote sustainable change opportunities in their areas. Participants will learn about sustainability goals and initiatives at UNC, become “green events” certified, and have time to plan a Workplace Sustainability Assessment in their work unit. Based on participant feedback, training is scheduled for two, four-hour sessions, Tuesday, September 24, and Thursday, September 26, from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, at the Administrative Office Building. Register soon, space is limited. Read more »

Have a Sustainability Idea that Needs Additional Support?

Do you have an idea for a sustainability-related campus initiative, program, or project? Need some help identifying the next steps or overcoming existing barriers? The Sustainability Advisory Committee invites students, faculty, and staff to share innovative ideas that will advance campus sustainability. The Committee will review project proposals and provide direct guidance and feedback to promising, feasible initiatives. Submittals received by September 16 will be considered at the September Committee meeting. Send a short description (no more than 500 words) of the initiative you want to make happen to sustainability@unc.edu. Read more »

It's Easy Being Carolina Green

Start the fall semester with a quick refresher on how you can help Carolina have the greenest year yet. Get an A in Sustainability by: 

1. Recycling aluminum and steel cans, plastic and glass bottles, #2 and #5 plastic tubs, phone books, card stock, junk mail, magazines, newspaper, cereal boxes, frozen food boxes, and softcover books. Carolina separates recycling so bottles, cans, and plastics go in one container, mixed paper in another. Read more »

2. Saving energy. Turn off lights and appliances when leaving the room, close the sash on fume hoods in the lab, and dress appropriately for the season. Set the thermostat to 76 degrees in air-conditioned spaces and 68 degrees in the winter. Read more »

3. Conserving water. Take five minute showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

 4. Getting on board with alternative transportation. Ride a bike, take the bus, walk or carpool. 

5. Reporting energy and water leaks and inefficiencies. Let Energy Management know when you spot a waste by emailing Save-energy@unc.edu.

Carolina Campus Makes Top 50 List of "Most Beautiful Campuses"

UNC Chapel Hill ranked 27th on The Best Colleges list of most beautiful campuses. The list recognizes UNC Chapel Hill’s McCorkle and Polk Place landscaping, along with iconic landmarks, such as the Old Well. Carolina was one of four North Carolina universities to make the Top 50 list. Read more »

Solar Farm Coming to Orange County

A 5-megawatt solar farm, designed and managed by Chapel Hill-based Strata Solar, will be constructed on an unused tract of land in White Cross, NC. With more than 26,000 solar panels, the White Cross farm will be capable of powering up to 750 homes and displacing 4,224 tons of carbon dioxide annually. The solar farm will generate electricity and sell the power output to Duke Energy. Read more »

Triangle Companies Leading the Way to Sustainability

Green business is booming as local companies are increasingly prioritizing energy efficiency in daily operations while providing cleaner, greener goods and services. Clean tech, including renewable energy and transportation technologies, continues to grow even during this prolonged economic downturn. In 2008, Raleigh received a $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to help fund solar panels, energy-efficient technology, and hybrid vehicle charging stations. Since then, clean tech companies have invested more than $700 billion in capital and created 2,600 new jobs in the Research Triangle region. Read more »

Harvard Hires Sustainable Investment Vice President after Divestment Campaign

Harvard University has hired its first vice president for sustainable investment, Jameela Pedicini, following a student-led campaign to divest the University’s endowment from fossil-fuel companies. Pedicini will be responsible for researching and understanding environmental, social and governance issues at Harvard Management Company, the university’s endowment arm that oversees more than $30 billion of assets. She also will provide staff support to Harvard University’s Corporation Committee on Shared Responsibility. As the investment officer for global governance with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, Pedicini advised institutional investors with collective assets of $1.5 trillion. Read more »

Carolina in the News

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

Even sharks no match for invasive lionfish 
NBC News 
It was once thought that natural predators, such as sharks and groupers, could curb lionfish populations by eating or out-competing them for food. A new study shows that this is not the case. “Lionfish are here to stay and it appears that the only way to control them is by fishing them,” said John Bruno, professor of biology in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences and lead investigator of the study. The research has important implications not just for Caribbean reefs, but for the North Carolina coast, where growing numbers of lionfish now threaten local fish populations. First introduced to the Atlantic Ocean by humans, this invasive species has no real predators in the Atlantic. Authorities from Florida to the Bahamas have started organizing fishing derbies as a way to control the lionfish population. Read more »

Hurricane warning system gets boost from UNC-Chapel Hill computer center 
News and Observer (Raleigh, NC) 
Coastal communities will be better informed during hurricane seasons, thanks to a storm-modeling computer program at UNC-Chapel Hill. The Renaissance Computing Institute, known as RENCI, is offering detailed storm-surge data in a format that allows local emergency managers to create their own customized analysis of incoming hurricanes, nor’easters and other weather events, said Brian Blanton, senior scientist and oceanographer at UNC. The Surge Guidance System uses real-time weather conditions, ocean circulation patterns, and wave height to evaluate storm-surge impacts along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. “The typical way you assess storm surge is to look at a big region, but the true nature of the coastline and tidal inlets can have a big impact on how storm surge is going to develop in a specific location,” says Brian Blanton, senior scientist and oceanographer at UNC. Read more »

Worldwide air pollution deaths per year number over 2 million, new study claims 
The Huffington Post 
A new study estimates that 2.1 million deaths each year are linked with fine particulate matter, tiny particles that can get deep into the lungs and cause health problems. Exposure to particle pollution has been linked to early death from heart and lung disease, including lung cancer. "Air pollution is an important problem. It's probably one of the most important environmental risk factors for health," said Jason West, an assistant professor of environmental science at the University of North Carolina and lead study coauthor. The study also found that 470,000 deaths yearly are linked with human sources of ozone, which forms when pollutants from sources such as cars or factories come together and react. Read more »

UNC documentary nominated for Emmy 
The Herald Sun (Durham, NC) 
UNC’s Powering a Nation journalism project, “100 Gallons: How Water Powers Life,” a multimedia documentary about water conservation, has been nominated for an Emmy Award. Available online, the documentary includes videos of everyday experiences with water. “We wanted to create a universal appeal, where you see people of all ages and all backgrounds interacting with water. That was our hook to get people to think about how critical water is to life,” says Josh Davis, the managing editor and video producer on the project, who graduated from UNC in 2012. Read more »

N.C.’s Southern Cricket Frog populations declining 
Phys.org 
Jonathan Micancin, a researcher and visiting lecturer with UNC’s Biology Department, has found that the Southern Cricket Frog has been disappearing from the upper coastal plains of North Carolina. “We don’t know yet why this is happening, but we can expect that it does not bode well for amphibians and other animals that share their habitats, including humans,” Micancin said. Some theories for the decline include development impacts on fragile habitats or the inability to survive drought or winter temperature weather conditions. The decline of the Southern Cricket Frog mirrors a disturbing national trend of amphibians disappearing at alarming rates. 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.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Water Institute – Undergraduate Research Position – NC


Carolina Recycling Association – Executive Director – NC

North Carolina Conservation Network – Toxic Free NC – Executive Director – NC

North Carolina Sea Grant and the Water Resources Research Institute of the University of North Carolina – Deputy Director – NC

TableNC – Part-time IT Consultant – NC

Wake Forest University – Program Director of the Master Arts degree program in Sustainability – NC

City of Charlotte – Storm Water Quality Project Coordinator – NC

University of South Carolina – Office of Sustainability – Student Services Program Coordinator, Req.# 005786 – SC

Virginia Tech University – Campus Energy Manager – VA

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water – Climate Read Water Utilities – Postgraduate Internship – Washington DC

Florida State University – Director of Campus Utilities – FL

Oberlin College – Assistant Professor of Environmental Politics and Policy – OH

Yale University – Office of Sustainability – Sustainability Fellow – CT

Tufts University – Global Development and Environment Institute – Senior Researcher – MA

Sustainable Endowments Institute – Research Fellowship – MA

Rochester Institute of Technology – Golisano Institute for Sustainability – Pollution Prevention Institute – Marketing and Communications Program Coordinator – NY

State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry – President – NY

University of Louisiana at Lafayette – Director of Sustainability – LA

Portland Community College – Office of Equity and Inclusion – Director – OR

University of Washington Tacoma – Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies – WA

Climate Corps – Bay Area Fellow – CA

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Carolina in the News

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

Tax incentives for GE expansion a win-win 
Star News (Wilmington, NC) 
GE Aviation is investing $195 million to expand four facilities in North Carolina and add 240 jobs by 2017. GE Aviation’s investment will help secure North Carolina’s future as an aerospace manufacturing hub. John Kasarda, director of the Center for Air Commerce at UNC–Chapel Hill, commented that these advanced materials manufacturing sites “are the leading sectors, the fastest-growing parts of the industry.” “They are cutting edge, and I think it bodes well for the future of the aerospace business in North Carolina.” 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.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Planning a barbecue or summer soirĂ©e? Consider an eco-friendly grill to decrease your barbecue’s carbon footprint. Traditional charcoal grills release the most carbon monoxide and ground-level ozone. Cleaner propane and electric grills are less harmful, while solar-powered grills are truly green. Read more »

Green Residence Hall Room Virtual Tour

Preparing for Move-In? Take a tour of this Green Residence Hall Room to help plan your packing and shopping lists. Learn about sustainable items to bring to campus and how to live green once you’re here. Whether you're an incoming first-year, transfer student, or graduating senior, you play an integral role in advancing sustainability on campus. Read more »

UNC Tapped to Transform STEM Education

Carolina has been named one of eight project sites to improve the quality of undergraduate education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Association of American Universities (AAU) awarded $500,000 to bolster an ongoing initiative in the College of Arts and Sciences to enhance introductory science education in biology, chemistry, and physics. Innovative instructional techniques and technologies will flip the format of large classes so that lectures are viewed before coming to class and scheduled meeting times involve interactive activities. The grant will enable UNC to hire additional science education lecturers and provide training for both junior and senior faculty through the Center for Faculty Excellence. The AAU plans to create a national STEM network to share best practices. Read more »

McCrory Cheers on UNC Energy Savings

Governor McCrory is praising energy-saving efforts that will avoid $25 million in costs at 13 UNC campuses. The collaboration, coordinated by the UNC General Administration and the State Energy Office, will result in the installation of more than 100,000 lighting fixtures in classrooms, residence halls, and other University facilities. Cree, a local manufacturer of LED lighting, will be a primary subcontractor. The cost of upgrading the light fixtures is guaranteed to pay for itself in seven years. Read more »

Pittsboro Students Build Sustainable Cottage

Sustainable technology students at Central Carolina Community College recently completed construction of the 450-square-foot “Chatham Cottage.” Built to Energy Star standards and equipped with low-flow plumbing fixtures and green building materials, the cottage encourages sustainable living. The cottage was funded by a $30,000 grant from the Progress Energy Foundation. The proceeds raised from auctioning off the house will fund next year’s building project. Read more »

Ag Officials Tour Locally Grown Food Hub in Durham

U.S. Department of Agriculture officials recently visited Durham’s Eastern Carolina Organics (ECO) to learn about an emerging business model for distributing regionally grown, mostly organic food to the larger wholesale market. ECO markets and distributes food from farms around the Carolinas and Virginia to restaurants, institutions – including Carolina Dining Services, and retailers. Firsthand Foods, a company which uses a similar wholesale model for the distribution of ethically raised livestock, shares the warehouse space. “There are very few [small] scale producers who are able to access wholesale markets,” said Sandi Kronick, ECO’s chief financial officer. “We give local farmers the strength to help them keep growing.” Read more »

Solar Lending Heats up for N.C. Banks

In the last couple years, North Carolina-based banks have put tens of millions of dollars into solar and other alternative energy projects. After installing a 1.7- megawatt solar array atop its corporate data center, Raleigh-based First Citizens Bank has financed $12 million for nine solar projects since 2011. State and federal tax credits for alternative energy have also attracted investors looking to offset tax liability. Solar developers say financial institutions are a leading source of equity financing. Read more »

Yadkinville Plant Makes Polyester Yarn from Recycled Plastic Bottles

High-tech yarns and fabrics are currently the heart of North Carolina textile manufacturing. Unifi Manufacturing Inc. spins yarn from ground-up plastic bottles and other polyester waste at its Yadkinville plant. Plastic pellets, formed when the bottles are melted down, are extruded through the tiny holes, and joined into threads of various shapes and thicknesses to achieve different textures and lusters. Last year, the Yadkinville plant recycled more than 410 million plastic bottles for yarn. Read more »

Colorado Energy Saving Mortgage Program Provides Incentive for Zero Net Energy Homes

Colorado is set to create more construction jobs, increase state and local government tax revenue, and move its housing market to Zero Net Energy (ZNE) homes, which produce as much on-site energy as they consume. The Energy Saving Mortgage Program offers an $8,000 incentive to ZNE homebuyers. Homebuyers will also benefit from lower energy bills. Read more »

Oregon Legislature Unanimously Passes Tuition Free Higher Education

Hoping to alleviate the burden of student loan debt, Oregon has passed a plan to provide tuition-free education at state universities. Advocates of the plan describe it as a “pay it forward” model. Students will attend state universities free of charge then pay three percent of their paycheck for 24 years to fund the program for future students. The bill passed the Oregon legislature unanimously the same day that the interest rate on federally subsidized Stafford Loans doubled from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Read more » 

Innovative Carbon Use Challenge

The Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation invites proposals for technologies that convert greenhouse gases into valuable carbon-based products. Selected proposals will receive CAD $500,000 funding in seed grants. Apply by July 31. Read more »

Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group – Executive Director – NC

University of Virginia – Associate Director of Sustainability – VA

Stormwater Utility Administrator – VA

Consortium for Ocean Leadership – Senior Policy Manager – DC

Brown University – Energy and Environment Programs Outreach Coordinator – RI

Florida Gulf Coast University – Postdoc/Research Associate Position Wetland Biogeochemistry – FL

Rochester Institute of Technology – Golisano Institute for Sustainability – Pollution Prevention Institute – Marketing and Communications Program Coordinator – NY

State University of New York – Office of Sustainability – Project Assistant – NY

Worcester Polytechnic Institute – Director of Sustainability – MA

Emerson College – Associate Director-Coordinator of Wellness Education – MA

Curry College – Diversity Coordinator – MA

Yale University – Yale Sustainable Food Project – Communications Coordinator – CT

Macalester College – Facilities Services – Director – MN

Verdis Group – Senior Associate – NE

University of Texas at Austin – Zero Waste Coordinator – TX

Strategic Energy Innovations – Assistant Project Coordinator – CA

Farmer Foodshare – Volunteer – NC

Read more » Contact Katy Phillips

HOPE Gardens – Volunteer – NC

Read more » Contact Amanda Wilkins

Monday, June 24, 2013

June is Solar Energy Month in North Carolina

Governor Pat McCrory recently issued a proclamation establishing June 2013 as Solar Energy Month. He emphasized the solar industry’s role in creating jobs and in helping North Carolina become less dependent on fossil fuels. The solar energy sector is expanding throughout the state, with both equipment manufacturing and installations. North Carolina has more than 500 companies working in the solar industry, employing about 2,000 workers. More than 229 megawatts of solar energy are installed throughout the state, making North Carolina a national leader. Read more »

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Enhanced Lighting, Energy Efficiency on Display at Ackland Art Museum

The Ackland Art Museum recently transitioned to 100 percent light-emitting diode (LED) lighting—a money-saving, energy-conscious move that also enhances spectators’ views of the exhibits. The Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee (RESPC), a student organization that funds renewable and energy efficiency projects on campus, financed the installation of more than 400 LED bulbs to reduce energy consumption. The new LED lights will use 117,000 fewer kilowatt hours per year—an energy savings of 87 percent. Energy costs will decline by $13,000 annually and carbon dioxide emissions will fall by 73 tons. Visitors can view the new lighting at an Open House celebration on June 20, from 6-8pm. Read more »

Monday, June 17, 2013

Start saving for a summer vacation by reducing the cost and fuel consumption of your daily commute. Consider biking, carpooling, or taking public transportation to campus. Check out Zimride to find other UNC commuters going your way. Celebrate the effort to go gas-free on June 20, national “Dump the Pump” Day. Read more »

City and Regional Planning Professor Receives Mentoring Award

Dr. Philip Berke, a professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning, received the Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentoring last month at the 2013 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. Dr. Berke was recognized for encouraging students to establish scholarly activity while providing a supportive environment. Dr. Berke’s research projects address environmental impacts of urbanization, natural hazard mitigation, environmental justice, and sustainable development. Dr. Berke is the Deputy Director of the Institute for the Environment and co-chair of the Sustainability Advisory Committee. Read more »

June is Solar Energy Month in North Carolina

Governor Pat McCrory recently issued a proclamation establishing June 2013 as Solar Energy Month. He emphasized the solar industry’s role in creating jobs and in helping North Carolina become less dependent on fossil fuels. The solar energy sector is expanding throughout the state, with both equipment manufacturing and installations. North Carolina has more than 500 companies working in the solar industry, employing about 2,000 workers. More than 229 megawatts of solar energy are installed throughout the state, making North Carolina a national leader. Read more »

CCCC Offers Fall Sustainability Courses

Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) is offering fall courses in sustainability-related topics, including an introduction to green building concepts, learning to grow organic vegetables, a field study on edible and medicinal plants, and more. The college will also host ecotourism seminars and guided field trips throughout the fall. Read more »

UCSF Medical Center Says "No" to Meat Raised with Antibiotics

The University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center recently approved a resolution to phase out the procurement of meat raised with non-therapeutic antibiotics. Independent health and science experts agree that the routine use of antibiotics in animal agriculture cultivates antibiotic-resistant bacteria. UCSF is one of over 440 hospitals across the country that have signed Health Care Without Harm’s Healthy Food in Health Care Pledge, which states that healthy food must come from a food system that is ecologically-sustainable, economically-viable, and socially-just. Read more »

NWF Graduate Fellowships Available

National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Fellows educate and engage the campus community on climate action solutions. Monetary fellowship grants are awarded to graduate students working with members of the faculty, staff, or administration on projects designed to help address climate change impacts and to protect wildlife and habitat. Applications are due by July 14. Read more »

Carolina in the News

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

Breathing easier: how Houston is working to clean up its air  
National Public Radio
The Houston area produces about a quarter of the nation's gasoline, and about a third of the plastics that are in our cars, cupboards and just about everywhere else. So it is no surprise that this heavily industrial area has a problem with air pollution. But in the past decade, Houston's air has improved dramatically. Harvey Jeffries, Professor Emeritus with the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina, explains that Houston air pollution regulators were going all-in against one of the pollutants that create smog, while downplaying the role of other emissions from the petrochemical plants. …Beginning in 2005, when new standards went into effect, peak ozone concentrations started dropping sharply. And in 2009, Houston — for the first time in 35 years — met the federal air quality smog standard, Jeffries says. Read more »

1789 incubator fosters young entrepreneurs
WCHL-FM (Chapel Hill)
1789 is the newest business incubator to open in Chapel Hill. It’s geared towards Carolina students and recent graduates, with the goal of supporting the area’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Following in the footsteps of Launch Chapel Hill, 1789 aims to develop young entrepreneurs and assist them in the early stages of their business ventures. 1789 currently hosts 15 start-ups. Successful entrepreneurs may then proceed to Launch, which nurtures more advanced businesses ready to seek funding. 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.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Associate Vice Chancellor for Energy, Environment, Health, and Safety – NC

Piedmont Health Services – Bilingual (Spanish/English) Farmworker Health Outreach Worker – NC

Emory University – Farm Manager and Educator – GA

West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition – Executive Director – WV

University of Illinois at Chicago – Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services – IL

CUNY Bronx Community College – Student Wellness Manager – NY

Harvard University – Office for Sustainability – Assistant Director – MA

Harvard University – Office for Sustainability – Senior Sustainability Coordinator – MA

Harvard University – Office for Sustainability – Law School Interim Sustainability Manager – MA

EcoMotion – Campus Sustainability Associate – MA

Marylhurst University – Assistant or Associate Professor for Food Systems and Society – OR

DeVry University – Sustainability Project Management – IL

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

How does your garden grow? It’s not too late to plant seed for the summer. Visit this regional gardening guide to learn when to plant and harvest a variety of vegetables. Or, consider volunteering at one of the local community gardens, such as the Carolina Campus Community Garden, HOPE Gardens, or the Carrboro Community Garden to learn new skills and make new friends.

Carolina North Generator Produces Electricity from Landfill Methane Gas

A new 1,000 kilowatt generator at Carolina North converts methane gas from the Orange County landfill into electricity for the grid. The University and Orange County started the Landfill Gas Recovery Agreement in 2009 as a way to reduce carbon emissions, provide a revenue stream to Orange County, and advance UNC’s carbon-neutrality goals. The University currently sells the electricity generated to the Duke Energy power grid, but plans to eventually use it to power buildings at Carolina North. Methane is a greenhouse gas with 25 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. By keeping methane out of the atmosphere, the University will receive carbon credits and move towards its goal of being carbon-neutral by 2050. The total emissions reduction as a result of the project is equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 8,000 passenger vehicles. Read more »

Community Solid Waste Forum

Chapel Hill’s Sustainability Committee and Orange County’s Commission for the Environment will host a Community Solid Waste Forum on Thursday, May 30, from 6-8:30 pm at the Chapel Hill Public Library. Orange County residents interested in waste management practices are invited to attend and learn more about long-term regional goals. Please RSVP. Read more »

New Interactive Map of Raleigh Charging Stations

The City of Raleigh presents Periscope, a web-based dashboard system that allows the community to monitor and view electric vehicle charging stations in real time. The dashboard displays charging station availability and station usage figures. The dashboard will help inform future planning and placement of charging stations. Read more »

CO2 Concentrations Surpass 400 PPM Milestone

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) recently surpassed a notable milestone, reaching above 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time in human history. The new measurement came from analyzers atop Mauna Loa, the volcano on the big island of Hawaii that has long been ground zero for monitoring the worldwide trend on CO2. Carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere by fossil fuel burning and other human activities is the most significant greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Its concentration has increased every year since scientists started making measurements on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano more than five decades ago. The rate of increase has accelerated since the measurements started, from about 0.7 ppm per year in the late 1950s to 2.1 ppm per year during the last 10 years. Read more »

NC Bike Summit Call for Proposals

The North Carolina Bike Summit fosters collaboration between state bicycle initiatives, efforts, and endeavors; educates local government, bicycle advocates, and policy leaders; promotes cycling as a form of transportation; and highlights North Carolina’s dedication toward becoming a bicycle friendly state. The call for workshop and presentation ideas is now open for the Second Annual NC Bike Summit, to be held in Carrboro, North Carolina, October 18-20. Submit proposals by June 21. Read more »

NC State – Center for Environmental Farming Systems and Firsthand Foods – Farmer Project Associate – NC

NC State – Center for Environmental Farming Systems – Sustainable Agriculture Internship Program Assistant – NC

UNC Charlotte – Sustainability Officer – NC

Position # 010087 Read more »

University of Maryland – Assistant Director, Center for Social Value Creation – MD

George Washington University – Executive Director for Sustainability – DC

Oberlin College – Executive Director of the Oberlin Project – OH

Rural Action AmeriCorps Watersheds Program – Zero Waste Initiative Organizer – OH

National Center for Science Education – Environmental Science Education Resource Development Internship – CA

Contact berbeco@berkeley.edu if interested.

Carolina in the News

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

N.C. coast ideal for wind farms, but logistics complicated 
The Star News (Wilmington) 
For years, chatter about the possibility of offshore wind power in North Carolina has hummed among state environmental groups. In the past year, that conversation intensified as concrete plans to develop the state's offshore resource moved forward through federal channels. ... The turbines could provide habitat for several threatened species, boosting their fledgling population numbers and allowing charter companies to ferry higher numbers of tourists on offshore excursions…."The base of the wind turbine that goes into the sea floor has, placed around it, something that engineers call a scour apron," said Pete Peterson, professor of marine sciences, biology and ecology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. "It's a huge pile of very large rocks that stands up to 6 feet tall off the bottom, and extends out a substantial distance around the entire pile. That is exactly what you would build if you wanted to do a restoration of the rocky habitat for fish, including the snapper-grouper complex." Read more » 

Launch ready to give businesses a leg up 
The News and Observer (Raleigh) 
The Launch business incubator is one piece of an economic plan, but it shows what the town, county and university can do together, officials said at an open house Wednesday. ...Chancellor Holden Thorp said the venture has been a hugely successful partnership and reflects a lot of the town’s pent-up enthusiasm. He was especially proud to see a former student, Betty Cogdell, making a go of her dream to sell gluten- and dairy-free baked goods. Thorp’s advice to potential entrepreneurs: “It’s a lot harder to do than you think it’s going to be, and a lot of people who quit don’t realize how close they might be to the goal line. If you can find a way to keep going, it’s always worth it.” 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.

REU - Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) - eight internships for undergraduate student research, fall 2013 - Bermuda

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Get in gear for the rest of the year! May is National Bike Month. Regional events include workshops, route mapping, inspections, and organized rides throughout the month of May. Go Chapel Hill-Carrboro presents the Annual Spring Roll Cruiser Ride on May 17. Check out the Bike Month calendar for a full list of events. Read more »

Carolina Places in Top 10 Percent in National Building Competition

The results are in for three Carolina buildings competing in the EPA’s 2012 ENERGY STAR “Battle of the Buildings,” a national building competition to improve energy efficiency, lower utility costs, and protect health and the environment. The NC Area Health Education Center reduced its energy use by more than 20 percent, placing 11th overall among 3,000 competitors. Tarrson Hall and Neurosciences Building were formally recognized for placing in the top 10 percent in energy reductions. Together, competitors have prevented nearly 290,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and saved more than $50 million on utility bills. Read more »

UNC Leads in Food Waste Composting

Carolina’s food waste composting program stands out as a regional and national leader among North American colleges and universities competing in the annual RecycleMania competition. UNC’s composting program ranked 1st in the ACC conference, 2nd in North Carolina (behind UNC-Asheville), 8th by campus population, and 37th overall in the 2013 RecycleMania Food Waste category. Carolina Dining Services collects food scraps for composting in Rams Head and Lenoir Dining Halls, the Beach CafĂ©, Alpine Bagel CafĂ©, Wendy’s, and the Friday Center. The Carolina Green Events program also collects compostables from special events and three event locations on campus. Read more »

Morrison Residence Hall Places in Top Five for Reducing Electricity

Morrison Residence Hall recently represented Carolina in LUCID’s Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN), the largest nationwide electricity and water reduction competition on college and university campuses. Morrison Residence Hall reduced electricity consumption by 18.6 percent, or 5,772 kWh, and placed in the top five schools with the greatest average percent reduction in electricity. Savings ranged from 16-19 percent reductions across all participating buildings. The Sustainability Living-Learning Community also participated in the competition and submitted a video to increase conservation awareness, encourage student behavior change, and document students taking positive actions on campus. Over 300,000 students competed in CCN, saving over 2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 1.6 million gallons of water. Read more »

Donate During Move-Out

As you pack for moving out of a residence hall or apartment, you may discover items you don’t want or need to take with you. Consider donating used, but still useful, items to local non-profits. Items deposited in residence hall donation stations will be used by TROSA in its substance abuse recovery programs. Sell your books to Student Stores for cash so that others can reuse them. Old or broken electronics and batteries will be recycled by American Greenz. Check out the Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling’s “zero-waste” move-out guide for more information. Off-campus students can drop off many of these items and more at the Orange County Solid Waste Recycling Center on Eubanks Road, or take them to the Off-Campus Student Move-out ReUse Rodeo until May 10 at the Hargrave’s Center Mitchell Lane parking lot in Chapel Hill. Donate to support local non-profits, reduce your carbon footprint, strengthen the reuse economy, and preserve resources.

Tar Heel Bikes Reports Successful First Year

The Bike Share Task Force launched the University’s first bicycle share program, Tar Heel Bikes, last August. Tar Heel Bikes provides Kona AfricaBikes for short-term loan to Hinton James, Ehringhaus, and Craige residence hall communities. From August 27 through January 31, Tar Heel Bikes recorded 3400 check-outs, which demonstrates an enthusiastic response to the bike share program. The program encourages bicycle transportation as a cleaner, healthier, and more cost-effective alternative to motor vehicles. Read more »

CCCC Offers Summer Sustainability Courses

Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) is offering summer courses in sustainability-related topics, including LEED Green Associate Accreditation exam preparation, occupational safety and health, tree food and medicine, and more. The college will also host ecotourism seminars and guided field trips throughout the summer. Read more »

Environmental Leadership Program Launches New National Fellowship Program

The new National Fellowship Program offers intensive leadership and skills training, national networking opportunities, and guidance for personal and professional reflection. The Environmental Leadership program supports visionary, action-oriented, and diverse leadership for a just and sustainable future. Applications are due by July 1. Read more »

UNC – Office of Waste Reduction and Recycling (OWRR) – Program Assistant Position – NC

UNC – Environmental Finance Center (EFC) – Marketing and Outreach Coordinator Position – NC

UNC – Environmental Finance Center (EFC) – Student Data Analyst Position – NC

Biohabitats – Water Resources Engineer Position – NC

North Carolina State University – Biology – Research Technician Position – NC

Wake Forest University – Office of Sustainability – Program Coordinator Position – NC

University of Maryland – University Recycling and Solid Waste – Coordinator Position – MD

University of Maryland – Community Garden Coordinator Position – MD

Butler University – Center for Urban Ecology – Sustainability Coordinator Position – IN

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Professor of Design for Sustainability Position – GA

Seacamp – Summer and Year-Round Science Instructor Positions – FL

University of Arkansas – Renewable Systems Education – Graduate Assistantship Position – AR

State University of New York (SUNY) – College of Environmental Science and Forestry – President Position – NY

Sustainable Endowments Institute – Ruby on Rails Developer Position – MA

Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) – Public Information Internship – NC

Contact kgreen@renci.org if interested.

United States Green Building Council (USGBC) – Multiple Internships – DC

NC State University – Summer Field Technician Internship – Puerto Rico

Texas A&M University – Department of Oceanography – Research Experience for Undergraduates – TX

Contact lisacampbell@tamu.edu if interested.

Student Health Action Coalition – Public Health Program – Public Health Counselor Volunteer – NC

Carolina in the News

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


Energy efficiency means lower utility bills, less mortgage risk 
The Christian Science Monitor 
Here’s some new impetus for those sitting on the fence over household energy efficiency: the risk of mortgage default is one-third lower for people with energy efficient homes, according to a recent study. The study, released in March by the University of North Carolina’s Center for Community Capital, claims that energy efficiency can be the difference between mortgage repayment and foreclosure. Read more »



New federal map rates wind turbine risks to birds 
The Outer Banks Voice (Nags Head) 
A new map developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would seem to put a damper on future development of land-based wind energy projects in eastern North Carolina. But Kathy Matthews, a service biologist who worked on the map, and Charles “Pete” Peterson said that shouldn’t be the case. Peterson is a professor and researcher at the University of North Carolina’s Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City. He helped lead a state-funded team several years ago that developed a similar tool for offshore wind. The maps are intended to minimize wind turbines’ effects on birds and other wildlife. 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.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Moving out? Cleaning up? Donate unwanted items instead of ditching them. When moving out of your residence hall or apartment, drop your gently used items off at the donation collection station in your residential community. Donation stations accept still-usable items such as clothes, books, appliances, household items, unopened food, school supplies, electronics, computer equipment, and furniture. Donation stations will open on Friday, April 26. Read more »

Carolina Recognized as "Green College" by Princeton Review

"The Princeton Review’s Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013 Edition" recognizes Carolina as a national leader in campus sustainability. This free downloadable guide, published in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), highlights colleges that scored at least 83 on its 99 point scale. Carolina’s Green Rating of 95 recognizes investments in high performance infrastructure, advancement towards climate neutrality, and student engagement in green initiatives. Twenty-one schools made the Green Rating Honor Roll by attaining perfect scores.

NC Botanical Garden Conservation Director Honored For Work With Imperiled Plants

Dr. Johnny Randall, assistant director for conservation at the North Carolina Botanical Garden at the University of North Carolina, recently won the 2013 Star Award from the Center for Plant Conservation. The award honored Randall’s work with rare and imperiled plants and his expertise in restoring plants in degraded habitats. His dedication to a science-based, considered, and pragmatic approach is clear in his guidance for local, regional and national plant conservation issues. Read more »

Piedmont Farm Tour

Learn about the Triangle’s local and organic farm and food scene from 1-5pm this Saturday and Sunday, April 27-28. Load up a car with friends and family and visit your favorite sustainable farms. Don’t forget to take a cooler so that you can take home some of the farm fresh products for sale! Read more »

Carbon Bubble May Cause Economic Crisis

The world could be heading for a major economic crisis as stock markets inflate an investment bubble in fossil fuels to the tune of trillions of dollars, according to leading economists. The so-called "carbon bubble" is the result of an over-valuation of oil, coal, and gas reserves held by fossil fuel companies. According to a recent report published by the London School of Economics and the think tank Carbon Tracker Initiative, at least two-thirds of these reserves will have to remain underground if the world is to meet existing internationally agreed targets to avoid the threshold for "dangerous" climate change. If the agreements hold, these reserves will be in effect unburnable and so worthless – leading to massive market losses. The stock markets are currently betting on countries' inaction on climate change. Read more »

Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture Offers Summer Training in Peru

The Certificate in Global Agroecology and Local Food Systems program equips a new generation of agrarians and food justice activists to rebuild the global food system through sustainable innovation and ancestral knowledge. Training is held in Peru, from June 24 to August 18. Applications are due May 17. Limited need-based scholarships are available. Read more »

Cherokee-McDonough Challenge Supports High Impact Environmental StartUps

The Cherokee-McDonough Challenge identifies, funds, and develops high-impact environmental business ventures. Ventures will receive $20,000 in seed funding and an invitation to participate in an intensive three month accelerator. Apply by April 30. Read more »

Scholarships for Marine Sciences Students

The Marine Aquarium Societies of North America seek marine sciences students for their 2013-2014 scholarship program. Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply by June 21. Read more »

Carolina in the News

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


New Orleans levee risk studies by Corps already outdated; new studies could guide future improvements, engineer says 

The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, La.) 

Complex risk studies developed by the Army Corps of Engineers to govern the rebuilding of the New Orleans area levee system in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina already are outdated, a civil engineer told the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East on Thursday. ...“It’s time to redo it,” said Rick Luettich, an authority member and a University of North Carolina marine sciences professor who helped design one of the surge models used by the corps. Read more » 

Crabs, supersized by carbon pollution, may upset Chesapeake’s balance 
The Washington Post 
It is the dawn of the super crab. Crabs are bulking up on carbon pollution that pours out of power plants, factories and vehicles and settles in the oceans, turning the tough crustaceans into even more fearsome predators. ...“Higher levels of carbon in the ocean are causing oysters to grow slower, and their predators — such as blue crabs — to grow faster,” Justin Baker Ries, a marine geologist at the University of North Carolina’s Aquarium Research Center, said in an recent interview. Read more »

Greenbridge: A look back as the town looks ahead 
The Chapel Hill News 
Approved by the Chapel Hill Town Council in 2007, Greenbridge came to emblemize long-simmering tensions about race, growth and affordability in the community. ...“Timing was a disaster,” said Emil Malizia, a UNC professor of city and regional planning. “They built the project at the peak of the market and tried to sell it at the bottom of the market.” High-density, urban-style development is environmentally sound,… It is as “green” a concept as features like solar panels and locally sourced building materials. It prevents suburban sprawl and automotive commutes for things like groceries, Malizia 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.

UNC Sustainability Office – Summer Internships – NC

City of Burlington – Water Resources Department – Environmental Specialist – NC

Billings Forge Community Works – Director of Community Building, Director of Development, and Director of Youth Development Positions – CT

Bard College – Program Associate – MBA in Sustainability – NY

Colorado College – Sustainability Manager – CO

Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) – Field Staff Position and Summer Internships – NC

Carolina Campus Community Garden – Summer Internship – NC

Contact clorch@email.unc.edu if interested.

Bonner Leaders Program – Senior Internship – NC

Contact lwlewis@email.unc.edu if interested.

Inter-Faith Food Shuttle – Field Gleaning Internship – NC

Contact Lindsay@foodshuttle.org if interested.

University of North Carolina – Duke Forest Research Internship – NC

Contact paynec@live.unc.edu if interested.

RTI International – Information and Communications Technologies – Summer Internships – NC

Tar River Land Conservancy – Land Stewardship Internship – NC

Contact aedge@tarriver.org if interested.

Food Recovery Network (FRN) – Summer Internships – DC

Syracuse University – Ecology Fieldwork Internship – NY

Contact lnegoita@syr.edu if interested.

The Nature Conservancy – Grassland Bird Technician Internship (Job ID #40655) – MN

The Abundant Table Farm Project (ATFP) – Farming and Food Justice Internships – CA

Rice University – Tropical Forest Ecology Internship – Guam, Saipan, and Rota

Contact haldre@rice.edu if interested.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Earth Week Events at Carolina

Celebrate Earth Day with more than a week of activities! Earth “Week” events kick off Saturday, April 13, at the NC Science Expo on the UNC campus and continue through to a “Celebrating Earth Day” lecture on April 21 at the NC Botanical Garden. Activities include a HOPE Gardens Art Walk, a Quad Swap Shop, a Hard-to-Recycle Drive, a farmers’ market, multiple exhibits on the quad, and more. Carolina celebrates Earth Day, Friday, April 19, from 11am-3pm on Polk Place with live music, games, and snacks. Stop by to learn about the University’s many programs, student groups, and departments that advance sustainability. While you’re there, stop by the Sustainability Office table to take the Carolina Green pledge and pick-up one of the coveted Carolina Green water bottles, while supplies last. Take the pledge in advance to skip the line. Check out the full list of activities now to start planning! Read more »
It’s spring cleaning season! Consider keeping soil and water clean by choosing eco-friendly products when scrubbing down your home. Avoid cleaners with phosphates, bleaches, and other harmful chemicals and use concentrates whenever possible. You can also make your own green cleaners and polishes using do-it-yourself recipes. Happy cleaning!

Campus Sustainability Scavenger Hunt

You won’t need to look far for sustainability features at Carolina - they’re all around you! Learn about sustainability programs and operations in an interactive scavenger hunt hosted by the Sustainability Office, Tuesday, April 16, 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. Registration requested. Read more »

UNC Genome Sciences Building Awarded LEED® Gold Certification

Established by the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of high performance, green buildings. The Genome Sciences Building achieved LEED Gold certification for incorporating a variety of sustainable strategies to reduce energy use, conserve and reuse water, and source sustainable materials. The Genome Sciences Building is the first on campus to receive Gold certification. LEED certified buildings save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier environment. View the Genome Sciences LEED Scorecard to learn about the high performance building features.

Sludge-Based Fertilizer May be Causing Human Illnesses

Treated municipal sewage sludge—the solids from sewage treatment—may be causing illness in people up to a mile from where it is spread on land, according to findings from researchers at the Department of Epidemiology at UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health. The study involved residents from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina who live near fields where sludge is applied as a soil amendment. More than half of the people interviewed reported acute symptoms such as burning eyes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after sludge had been sprayed or spread. Read more »

Watershed-Based Environmental Education Mini-Grants Available

Projects that engage students in outdoor watershed environmental education in the Southeast US region are eligible for mini-grants funded by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Education. Proposals are due April 30 at 2:30 pm ET. Read more » 

Apply Now for the Natural Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Program

The National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Program is currently accepting applications for Campus Ecology Fellows. Fellows engage and educate their campus community on climate action solutions. Monetary fellowship grants are awarded to students working with faculty, staff, or administration on projects that help address climate change impacts and protect wildlife and habitat. Applications are due April 14. Read more »

Sustainability and Energy Workshop and Lecture Series

The Summer Institute on Sustainability and Energy (SISE) is a two-week intensive workshop and lecture series on sustainability and energy. Participants will engage these issues through lectures, panel discussions, collaborative research projects, networking opportunities, and tours of sustainability and energy related sites in the Chicago area. The program runs from August 5-16. Applications are due by 5pm on July 1. Read more » 

ReCharge Retreat Now Accepting Applications

Each summer, Focus the Nation selects and funds 20 clean energy leaders from across the country to spend one week, from August 11-17, on Mt. Hood, OR. Retreat participants collaborate and develop skills that enable commitment to clean energy through the entirety of their careers. Students with a passion for clean energy may apply by April 15. Read more »

Scholarships Available for Unique Summer Study Abroad Opportunity

The 2013 Sullivan Foundation Summer Overseas Programs in Prague and Panama foster social entrepreneurship initiatives and teach change agent and leadership skills. Students who submit scholarship applications by April 15 will be given priority. Read more »

Apply Now for Student Training for Environmental Protection (STEP)

Students learn essential skills in environmental advocacy and organization at the STEP program. Two training sessions will be held this summer, in Prince William Forest, Virginia, from June 2-7, and in central Wisconsin, from June 20-29. Participants will learn how to coordinate effective environmental campaigns. Applications will be accepted until program is full. Read more »

Carolina in the News

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

Can a divestment campaign move the fossil fuel industry? 
The Guardian (United Kingdom) 
US climate activists have launched a movement to persuade universities, cities, and other groups to sell off their investments in fossil fuel companies. But while the financial impact of such divestment may be limited, the campaign could harm the companies in a critical sphere — public opinion. ...But enthusiasm for divestment, already high on college campuses — student referenda at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, for example, showed 72 and 77 percent support for divestment, respectively — is leaking into the outside world. Read more »

Creatures in Alabama coastal marshes mostly unaffected by BP spill, according to study (Blog)
Al.com (Alabama) 
A three-year study of an Alabama marsh suggests the 2010 BP spill had little effect on the number of juvenile fish, shrimp and crabs living there before and after the disaster. ...The marsh work bolsters research conducted in the grass beds of the Mississippi Sound by Ken Heck, who is one of the coauthors of this study, and Joel Fodrie, a University of North Carolina researcher. They conduct trawl surveys of seagrass meadows along the Gulf Coast. Recruitment of snapper, speckled trout, cobia and other offshore species appeared to be about normal during the year of the BP spill, according to that work. Read more » 

Fracking health study results likely years off 
The Associated Press 
The Geisinger health study cited by leading environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as pivotal in helping persuade Gov. Andrew Cuomo to hold off on plans for limited gas drilling is likely years away from conclusions about whether the technology involved is safe, according to the project's leaders.... Cuomo's health commissioner, Dr. Nirav Shah, mentioned the Geisinger study among three health reviews that could influence Cuomo's decision. The others are an Environmental Protection Agency study, due for completion in 2014, of potential effects of fracking on drinking water, and a study recently announced by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in collaboration with scientists from Columbia, Johns Hopkins and the University of North Carolina. Read more » 

“Animal Factory” forum to examine river water quality issues 
The Sun Journal 
The continued negative impacts of industrial meat-producing facilities such as hog and chicken farms on the quality of the Neuse River are among the topics for an environmental forum in New Bern. ...UNC-Chapel Hill Epidemiology professor Steve Wing will talk about the public health effects of air and water emissions outside the communities where animal production facilities are located. 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.

Warren Wilson College – Facilities Management – Director Position – NC

Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute – Odyssey Internship Program Manager Position – NC

University of South Carolina – Sustainability Education and Outreach Coordinator Position – SC

University of Maryland University College – Environmental Sustainability – Adjunct Faculty Position – MD

Georgia Institute of Technology – Sustainable Business – Professor Position – GA

Western Kentucky University – Diversity and Community Studies – Assistant/Associate Professor Position – KY

University of Minnesota, Morris – Environmental Studies – Temporary Position – MN

Syracuse University – S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications – Sustainability Science Communications Position – NY

Paul Smith’s College – Environmental Studies – Assistant Professor Position – NY

Merrimack College – Philosophy, Environmental Studies, and Sustainability – Visiting Professor Position – MA

Bowdoin College – Environmental Chemistry – Visiting Professor Position – ME

College of Menominee Nation – Sustainability Coordinator Position – WI

College of Lake County – Instructional Designer – IL

Oberlin College – Director of Energy Management and Sustainability – OH

Oberlin College – Sustainable Technology Research Fellow – OH

Kansas State University – Campus Planning and Facilities Management – Assistant Vice President Position – KS

Creighton University – Sustainability Engineer and Assistant Program Director Position – NE

Arizona State University – Sustainability Officer Position – AZ

University of Puget Sound – Spirituality, Service and Social Justice – Assistant Director Position – WA

Kwantlen Polytechnic University – Sustainable Agriculture Faculty Position – Canada

Self-Help Credit Union – Commercial Lending Team – Education Policy Internship – NC

Environmental Protection Agency – Office of Sustainable Communities – Sustainable Communities and Communications Internships – DC

Contact kackar.adhir@epa.gov if interested.

Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit – Summer Field Technician Internships – PA

Contact mmcdill@psu.edu if interested.

Citi – Corporate Sustainability Unit – Sustainability Internships – NY

Yale University – Office of Sustainability – Summer Research Assistant Internships – CT

Purdue University – Department of Forestry and Natural Resources – Summer Field Technician Internships – IN

Contact jenkinma@purdue.edu if interested.

University of Minnesota Duluth – Project Baseline Seed Collection – Summer Field Technician Internships – MN

Contact sope0007@d.umn.edu if interested.

Boston University – Flight Behaviors of Bats – Summer Field Technician Internships – TX

Contact nwfuller@bu.edu if interested.

Sierra Club – Best Internship on Earth – CA

Sierra Nevada Research Institute – Yosemite Environmental Science Research Training – Research Experience for Undergraduates – CA

Michigan State University –Tropical Ecology Field Assistant Internship – Puerto Rico

Contact umanamar@msu.edu if interested.

Stony Brook University – Tropical Botany Field Assistant Internship – Ecuador

Contact bweinste@life.bio.sunysb.edu if interested.