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