Thursday, January 24, 2013

Each year, 19 billion catalogs are mailed to American consumers. These catalogs require 53 million trees and 56 billion gallons of water to produce. Clean out your mailbox with catalogchoice.org, a free service to opt out of unwanted catalogs, coupons, and credit card offers. On campus, receive standard rate mail electronically through the IntraMail Network. Less mail means less waste and pollution.

UNC Ranked 8th in the World for Campus Sustainability

The Universitas Indonesia’s annual GreenMetric report rates campuses worldwide on their sustainability programs. Carolina ranked 8th in the world and 4th in the United States in 2012. Campuses were evaluated in six categories: setting and infrastructure; energy and climate change; waste management; water usage; transportation; and education. The Carolina Green pledge, the Commuter Alternative Program (CAP), community gardens, and programs to make student housing more eco-friendly were noted among the accomplishments. The University of Connecticut ranked first, and three other U.S. universities ̶ Northeastern, UCLA, and the University of California Merced ̶ made the top ten list. To see complete rankings, read more » 

Recycled Paper Now Available at Considerable Discount

University departments can be “greener” while saving thousands of dollars a year, thanks to a new agreement between Procurement Services and a national paper supplier. Staples is offering 100% post-consumer recycled paper for the same price as 30% post-consumer recycled paper to University departments for the next few months. Once the temporary offer ends, Procurement Services will continue negotiations to close the cost gap between the 100% and 30% recycled products. Read more »

EcoReps Student Training, Saturday, January 26

EcoReps is a student-led, peer-to-peer sustainability outreach team that works to increase awareness of Carolina’s sustainable practices and programs. Learn about campus sustainability initiatives and effective communication skills to promote ecological integrity, economic prosperity, and social equity. Training is scheduled for Saturday, January 26, from 10 am - 3:30 pm at the FPG Student Union, room Room 3409, and counts as a Public Service Scholars Skills Training. Email ecoreps.uncch@gmail.com to sign up for the training.

Staff Sustainability Training, Tuesday, February 19, and Thursday, February 21

Sustainability is a core value and top-level priority at Carolina. Success depends on each of us taking an active role. Be the leader in your workplace by learning practical steps to become more economically, environmentally, and socially responsible. This 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 learn how to conduct a Workplace Sustainability Assessment. Training is scheduled for two four-hour sessions, Tuesday, February 19, and Thursday, February 21, from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, at the Administrative Office Building. Register soon, space is limited. Read more »

2011 Greenhouse Gas Inventory Now Available

Results from UNC’s 2011 Greenhouse Gas Inventory show a decrease in emissions of approximately 3.3% from the 2007 baseline. Campus square footage increased 9% during this period. Building-related energy consumption (from stationary, on-campus combustion and purchased electricity) amounted to 78% of greenhouse gas emissions. Transportation emissions comprised 20% -- primarily from air travel -- and waste, fugitive, and other emissions together comprised 2% of total emissions. Read more »

Carolina Green Event Certification Trainings

Host your next campus event in a more sustainable way. Learn the basics of recycling, composting, and other ways to reduce energy and water consumption when hosting an event. The next Green Events training will be January 24 at 5:30 pm (location TBD). See the spring semester training schedule.

Community Organizing Workshop

Learn to strategically plan and carry out social change efforts. Sponsored by Green Corps, the non-profit Field School for Environmental Organizing, and Duke University, “Organizing for Social and Environmental Justice Leadership Training” will be held Thursday, January 24, from 6:30-8:00pm, in Friedl 225, at Duke University. Register here.

New Bike Racks on Campus

Thirty-two new bike racks have been installed across campus, including: 2 new racks at Davis Library; 4 at Rams Head Plaza; 2 at Hinton James; 2 at Memorial Hall; and 4 at the Health Sciences Library, among other locations. View the UNC Central Campus Bike Rack Map for all bike rack locations.

Chemistry Professor Recognized as Innovator in Energy

Alexander Miller, an assistant professor in the chemistry department, was recognized in Forbes’ “30 under 30” innovators for his work on sustainable energy. Miller is researching novel catalysts for use in the manufacture of next-generation fuels. In addition to converting natural gas and biomass to more convenient liquid fuels, his group is developing catalysts that utilize solar energy to convert water and carbon dioxide directly to liquid fuels and oxygen. Read more » 

2012 Hottest Year on Record for the Contiguous U.S.

It’s official: 2012 was the warmest year on record in the lower 48 states. The country experienced blistering spring and summer heat, widespread drought, and one of the worst storms to strike the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The year consisted of a record warm spring, second warmest summer, fourth warmest winter and a warmer-than-average autumn. The average temperature in 2012 was 55.3°F, 3.2°F above the 20th century average, and 1.0°F above 1998, the previous warmest year. Read more » 

Jay Golden Leads Efforts at Duke University to Make Sustainable Development a Reality

Jay Golden, faculty member in the Nicholas School of the Environment with a secondary appointment in the Pratt School of Engineering, will broaden his role at Duke University, becoming associate vice provost for research with a special focus on sustainability and economic development. Golden has promoted new institutional approaches to sustainability since he came to Duke in 2010. "Sustainability is a great ambition and goal, but we need to actually implement it," he says. "I want the Triangle ̶ not just Duke ̶ to be seen as a leader in sustainability solutions." Read more » 

Appalachian State Green Energy Fee to Fund Research

The self-assessed $10 annual student fee to support renewable energy projects at Appalachian State University will now also support faculty research on renewable energy. The student-run Renewable Energy Initiative will partner with the University Research Council to make awards. Students are interested in leveraging faculty expertise to help Appalachian reduce its carbon footprint 51% by 2025 and completely by 2050. Read more » 

N.C. State Holding Listening Sessions on Sustainable Agriculture

N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is developing a new strategic plan. Listening sessions across the state provide an opportunity to share opinions about the future of sustainable agriculture. The next listening session is Thursday, January 24, in Kenansville, NC. Read more » 

Sketching Chapel Hill

The Town of Chapel Hill will hold free information sessions about community-wide topics on Saturday, January 26. Topics include public spaces, zoning rules, transportation systems, landscape design, and more. Sessions will be held throughout the day in the Council Chamber of Town Hall, 405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill. Sign-in begins at 8:30 am. Participants may attend all sessions or drop in for topics of interest. Read more »

LAUNCH Chapel Hill: Calling All Entrepreneurs

Early stage entrepreneurs are invited to apply for a range of customized assistance in downtown Chapel Hill. Lab and work space as well as marketing, accounting, and legal services will be provided at preferential rates. Interested students and town residents will also build contacts with the local economy. Apply by January 28. Read more » 

Area Farmers’ Markets Accepting Applications

The Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market and the South Durham Farmers' Market are accepting applications through January 31.  The Hillsborough Farmers’ Market is accepting applications through February 15. All three markets welcome applications from farmers, artisans, and crafters for the 2013 market season.

California Pioneers Emissions Trading Market

Last November, California held the first permit auction under its new cap-and-trade program for carbon. The market price for atmospheric carbon emissions was set at $10.09 per metric ton. All 23.1 million tons of carbon allowances available for 2013 were purchased, raising $233 million for the state. Currently, the California Carbon Allowances are trading at about $15.00 per metric ton on the secondary market. The program is part of a broader effort to reduce California’s emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 ̶ about a 15% reduction. Read more » 

Mountain Justice Spring Break

Join a grassroots, community led initiative to build a sustainable energy future in Appalachia. Participants will learn about mountaintop removal and hydraulic fracturing and the community struggle to maintain land and culture. Attend strategy sessions and cultivate skills through community service, speakers, hiking, and music. Mountain Justice Spring Break will be held in West Union, WV, March 10-17. Read more »

City of Raleigh Environmental Awards Program and PSA Competition

Raleigh’s sixth annual Environmental Awards Program will recognize outstanding environmental stewardship. There are 12 award categories and a Public Service Announcement competition. Award nominations will be accepted through February 15. Read more »

NOAA Scholarship Opportunities

Two scholarships offered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are available to college sophomores with a 3.0 GPA or higher who are majoring in STEM disciplines. Both scholarships provide up to $8,000 of annual support for a two year period and a paid internship opportunity at a NOAA facility. Apply by January 31 for the Hollings Scholarship and February 15 for the Educational Partnership Program.

The CleanTech Challenge

This business plan competition helps students develop their clean technology business ideas. Participants receive guidance and mentorship from industry professionals throughout the competition. Finalist teams will compete in London this spring. Idea submissions are due by January 27. Read more »

The Global Social Venture Competition

The Global Social Venture Competition provides mentoring and exposure to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to make a positive impact on the world. Previous years’ finalists include Husk Power, Revolution Foods, and d.light design. Executive summaries are due by January 30. Read more » 

Submit Abstracts for the 2013 Bioenergy Symposium

The UNC Charlotte Infrastructure, Design, Environment, and Sustainability (IDEAS) Center welcomes abstracts related to anaerobic technologies. The presentations should translate the latest scientific findings into practical applications, technology innovations, and case studies. Abstracts are due by January 30. Read more » 

UNC – Environmental Finance Center – Summer Outreach and Research Internship – Apply through the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation – NC

Duke University – Central Administrative Management Center – Transit Planner/TDM Program Manager Position – NC

North Carolina Arboretum – Environmental Education Specialist – NC

Western Carolina University – Energy Management Specialist – NC

Town of Hope Mills – Stormwater Educator Position – NC

George Washington University – Zero Waste and Logistics – Assistant Director Position – DC

SUNY New Paltz – Facilities Operations – Coordinator for Energy and Sustainability Position – NY

Florida International University – Southeast Environmental Research Center – Director Position – FL

Yale University – Office of Sustainability – Sustainability Fellow Position – CT

Creighton University – Facilities Management – Assistant Vice President Position – NE

Montana State University – Assistant Professor in Sustainable Food Systems – MT

Center for Environmental Farming Systems – Summer Internship – NC

Food and Water Watch – Grassroots Organizing & Advocacy Internship – NC

Transplanting Traditions Community Farm – Communications Internship and Marketing Internship – NC

Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources – Long Term Ecological Research Summer Field Assistant – AL

University of Virginia – Mountain Lake Biological Station Research Experience for Undergraduates – VA

University of South Carolina – Marine Biogeochemistry Research Experience for Undergraduates – SC

University of Tennessee Knoxville – Ecological Modeling Research Experience for Undergraduates – TN

Missouri Botanical Garden –Plant Systematics, Conservation Biology, and Ethnobotany Research Experience for Undergraduates – MO

Chicago Botanic Garden – Plant Biology and Conservation Research Experience for Undergraduates – IL

Michigan State University – Kellogg Biological Station Research Experience for Undergraduates – MI

University of New Mexico – Sevilleta Long-Term Ecological Research Experience for Undergraduates – NM

Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies – El Verde Field Station Research Experience for Undergraduates – PR

National Center for Earth-Surface Dynamics –Sustainable Land and Water Resources Research Experience for Undergraduates – Multiple Locations

Carolina in the News

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

Carrboro Nonprofit Wants to Nourish World
The Chapel Hill News
...Kelly Peuquet, a senior at UNC double-majoring in global studies and anthropology, is co-chairwoman of Nourish-UNC and volunteered at an orphanage for children with HIV in Ecuador in 2011. The students used the money they raised to buy livestock for the orphanage, helping them build a sustainable business as well as helping out with housekeeping and caring for the children. Read more »

Be Nice! Good Deeds Are Good For You, Too
U.S. News and World Report
 ..."When you're doing good deeds, you're enticing a common feeling across two people, and that's part of what knits a community together," says Barbara Fredrickson, a psychology professor at the University of North Carolina and author of the upcoming book Love 2.0. And make sure it's coming from a selfless place: Don't expect applause from the wait staff for leaving your server a generous tip, and don't assume your neighbor will return the favor if you shovel her driveway. Read more »

Chapel Hill to Launch Entrepreneurial Program
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
... In addition to subsidized rent, those who set up shop in the venture lab will get the benefit of experienced mentors from UNC’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, the Kenan-Flagler Business School and other departments at UNC. While the “venture lab” will naturally attract UNC students and Chapel Hill residents, it will be open to anyone interested in starting a business and keeping it in Chapel Hill. Read more » 

Food Movement Can be Viable (Column 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)
The News and Observer (Raleigh)
Is there a viable and effective food movement in America? There’s no doubt that Americans are eating more organically grown foods and doing more of their shopping at natural foods stores. Those segments of the food market began seeing double-digit growth in the mid-1990s and today are mainstream choices. 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.