Monday, July 28, 2014

Carolina in the News

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

Oyster Reefs Grow Faster than Sea-Level Rise
Phys Org (Research and Technology News)
Rising sea levels due to climate change and ice melt are threatening coastal ecosystems. Oyster reefs are particularly sensitive to additional habitat loss. Ninety-five percent of oyster reefs on the East Coast have already been lost due to habitat degradation and overfishing. Biologists Tony Rodriguez and Joel Fodrie at The University of North Carolina Marine Science Institute are studying how oyster reefs respond to sea-level rise and how shoreline restoration improves their chance of survival. They discovered that oyster reefs can grow up to ten times faster than previous estimates, fast enough to outpace even the most extreme predictions of sea-level rise. Their work provides guidance to produce the biggest and healthiest reef. Read more » 

Water Conservation and Financial Stability
National Geographic
Pricing is a powerful tool for shaping behavior, including water use. More water utilities are adopting water rates designed to encourage customers to conserve. This is great news from a conservation standpoint, but the unintended result can be unexpected reductions in revenue for water utilities. The Environmental Finance Center at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill developed a tool to help water systems anticipate revenue risks. The Water Utility Revenue Risk Assessment Tool allows users to compare two different rate structures and to assess which one offers greater revenue resiliency. Read more » 

Air Pollution Controls Lower NC Death Rates
Newsobserver.com; Nature
Researchers at Stanford University found that climate change is leading to global air stagnation, which worsens air quality by trapping pollution in the lower atmosphere. “This study shows how widespread the effects of air stagnation will be,” says Jason West, an environmental scientist at UNC Chapel Hill. Poor air quality results in more cases of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases. Over the past few decades, policies in response to legislation such as the Clean Air Act and North Carolina’s 2002 Clean Smokestacks Act have improved NC’s air quality. Sulfur dioxide emissions in NC have dropped 92 percent since 2005, and half of NC’s aging coal plants have shut down. In order to determine whether stricter pollution controls have affected public health in North Carolina, researchers at Duke University combined environmental and health-related data from 1993 to 2010. The study found a correlation between air pollution control and a substantial decline in deaths from respiratory illnesses such as asthma and emphysema. Read more » 

Scientists Map Sea Floor for Wind Energy
Newsobserver.com; UNC-TV
North Carolina’s coastline boasts some of the strongest and steadiest winds in the nation. To determine appropriate locations for offshore wind turbines, marine science researchers at UNC are working to map and explore North Carolina’s sea floor. Avery Paxton, a graduate student in Biology at the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences, studies the rocky reefs off of North Carolina’s coast. Paxton identifies important reefs that must be protected from wind turbine construction. To identify ideal wind turbine locations, researchers at UNC Chapel Hill’s Institute of Marine Sciences deployed two buoys between Cape Lookout and Cape Hatteras to collect information on water and atmospheric conditions in the Atlantic. Researchers at UNC are part of a joint research effort to map the sea floor for wind energy, led by The National Ocean Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, UNC and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Only 7 percent of the Southeast’s sea floor has been mapped with modern sonars and hydrographical surveys. Read more » 

UNC Creates a Renewable Energy Future
Rocky Mountain Institute
The oldest public university in the nation is embracing modern technologies to fulfill its commitment to the state’s environmental health and the efficient use of energy. The University of North Carolina recently sent a team to Rocky Mountain Institute’s eLab Accelerator to learn how it can employ more renewable energy on its 17 campuses. The team focused on solar photovoltaics as a potentially valuable source of energy for the UNC system. The team learned that the North Carolina utility and regulatory environment presents challenges to emerging renewable energy business models, and that solar energy as a grid resource is largely undervalued. Also, given the current tax‐credit business models and the UNC system’s capital availability, building and financing large‐scale renewable energy resources will require external sources of funding. During Accelerator, the UNC team developed a list of funding options, identified primary team members, met and built relationships with utility representatives, further developed their project vision, and came up with a plan for next steps. The team is developing techniques that will benefit North Carolina in the future. UNC currently spends about $1,000 per student per year on energy. Its financial goal is to save the state $1 billion over 20 years. Read more » 

 
Discovering New N.C. Plants in the 21st Century
Charlotteobserver.com
In North Carolina, two or three new plant species are described and given scientific names each year. For 25 years, Alan Weakley, director of the UNC Herbarium, has been writing “The Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States,” an ever-growing book that now describes 7,000 plant species. The most recent draft is available online at the UNC Herbarium website, and Weakley’s work will soon be available as an app called FloraQuest. 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.

Green Tip

Fresh produce is easy to come by this time of year. Try pickling fresh cucumbers and other vegetables while they are in season. Pickles stay eco-friendly year-round. Read more »

UNC Earns Gold in National Sustainability Assessment

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) is a comprehensive, objective, and transparent reporting tool that measures sustainability performance of colleges and universities nationwide. STARS participants pursue credits and earn points to achieve a STARS Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum rating.

The Sustainability Office is proud to announce that UNC Chapel Hill has earned a gold rating in STARS 2.0. This achievement recognizes the University's progress and opportunities for improvement in all areas of education, research, operations, planning, administration, engagement, and innovation.

STARS is a valuable tool to help Carolina measure its progress in achieving environmental quality, economic prosperity, and societal well‐being in the campus community and beyond. Comparing Carolina’s first AASHE STARS report, which received a silver rating in 2011, to this recent report, highlights improvement:

  • Energy use is down 33% per square foot since 2003 and potable water use is down 60% per square foot since 2000. 
  • More than 400 researchers, or 15% of the faculty, are engaged in sustainability research.
  • More than 11% of classes incorporate sustainability themes or address sustainability challenges. 

The STARS process is a collaborative, campus-wide effort in assessing and reporting the integration of sustainability into Carolina’s policies, practices, curriculum, research and behaviors. "We are proud to be a charter STARS participant and to attain a STARS Gold rating. Sustainability is a core value at Carolina and we are committed to advancing sustainability in all our endeavors," stated UNC Chancellor Carol Folt in submitting the University's STARS report. The University's complete AASHE STARS report is now publicly available online at https://stars.aashe.org/institutions/university-of-north-carolina-chapel-hill-nc/report/2014-07-18/

Federal Funding to Expand Solar Energy Research at UNC

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Basic Energy Sciences has granted $10.8 million in research funding to the Energy Frontier Research Center for Solar Fuels (EFRC) at UNC Chapel Hill. This award, part of a $100 million per year initiative from the Department of Energy, will be used for research to develop devices with earth-abundant materials that generate and store solar fuels for long durations at low cost. “We are delighted with the news of continued support by the Department of Energy for our leading edge research on a new approach to solar energy conversion and storage,” said Thomas J. Meyer, Arey Professor of Chemistry. The EFRC for Solar Fuels collaborates with researchers from the University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Research Triangle Institute and receives strong institutional support from UNC. Read more »

Staff Sustainability Training, Tuesday, October 14, and Thursday, October 16

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. The upcoming two-day training will be held Tuesday, October 14, and Thursday, October 16, from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, at the Administrative Office Building on Airport Drive. Register soon, space is limited. Read more »

Carolina-Led Global Health Consortium Awarded $180 Million

The Carolina Population Center has received a five-year, $180 million award from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for its Monitoring and Evaluation to Assess and Use Results (MEASURE) Evaluation project. MEASURE evaluates public health programs around the world to ensure that government funds are used effectively and support improvements in health and nutrition. This is the second-largest award ever received by UNC Chapel Hill. Read more »

Researchers Ponder Power from Pig Methane


Eastern North Carolina is home to the densest industrial swine farming activity in the world. High concentrations of swine waste affect environmental quality, public health and property values in neighboring communities. The Kenan Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill, in close partnership with the Department of City and Regional Planning and Duke University’s Carbon Offsets Initiative, is investigating the potential to utilize swine waste for electricity production and other uses. Swine waste-to-energy development can mitigate community impacts while creating new forms of revenue from on-farm electricity production. Read more »

EPA Awards $2 Million to Environmental Finance Center at UNC

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $2 million to the Environmental Finance Center (EFC) to improve the nation’s smallest water systems. Housed in UNC’s School of Government, the EFC will team up with the Environmental Finance Center Network and the American Water Works Association to improve water system management. “Small water systems comprise more than 94 percent of the nation’s 157,000 public water systems and struggle much more to meet clean drinking water standards than their larger counterparts,” said Glenn Barnes, senior project director of the UNC EFC. Twenty-five percent of the nation’s smallest water systems violated health-based standards in 2011. Read more »

Environmental Finance Applied Abroad

A three-week Applied International Environmental Finance program in Quito, Ecuador, brings students, researchers and environmental professionals together to discuss environmental projects and services financing. The Environmental Finance Center at UNC, in collaboration with TripleSalto, sponsors this course in response to growing interest in applied international environmental finance among public administration, public health, and environmental engineering masters students at Carolina. Students enrolled in the course plan to share findings with governmental officials and local non-profits to establish a sustainable funding mechanism for environmental programs. Read more »

May and June Were Hottest on Record

The world experienced record heat throughout the last two months. May and June 2014 were the warmest globally since records began in 1880, with temperature averages 1.3°F higher than the averages for both months. The average global temperature in May was 59.9°F, and the average global temperature in June was 61.2°F. Research suggests that the timing and intensity of the next El NiƱo will determine whether or not 2014 becomes the hottest year on record. Read more »

UNC Asheville Announces New Sustainability Institute

The McCullough Institute for Conservation, Land Use and Environmental Resiliency at the University of North Carolina at Asheville will be a national model for blending environmental study with business and sustainable economic growth. Students will study data analytics and mapping, environmental and administrative law, new technology applications, and critical ecosystem preservation. “There has never been a greater demand for graduates with expertise in managing the urban, environmental and agricultural challenges that are changing the way businesses plan for the future,” said Chancellor Anne Ponder. Read more »

N.C. Solar Center Changes its Name to N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center

The N.C. Solar Center at N.C. State University has changed its name to the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center to reflect the progress of the clean energy industry. The Center serves as a resource for innovative, clean energy technologies through demonstration, technical assistance, outreach and training. Over the past 25 years, The Center has been at the forefront of North Carolina’s growth and authority in clean energy technologies. Today, North Carolina supports more than 15,000 direct jobs at more than 1,000 companies in the clean energy sector. Read more »

New Initiatives Support National Climate Agenda

The New York Times
The White House announces a new series of climate change initiatives to guard the electricity supply, improve local planning for floods, storms and erosion, and enhance landslide risk predictions. Federal actions include a $236.3 million award to advance electricity infrastructure in the rural areas of eight states and a $10 million program to train Native American tribes on climate change adaptations. Read more »

EPA Proposes HFC Ban

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), chemicals used for refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, contribute to global temperature increases. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a ban on HFCs where climate-friendly alternatives are available. The EPA estimates that carbon dioxide pollution in the Earth’s atmosphere would be reduced by 42 million metric tons within five years if legislation passes. Read more »

Water Institute Hosts Worldwide Competition

The Future Technologies for Water competition aims to identify breakthrough technologies for safe water with a sustainable business plan. A first-place prize of $15,000 and a second-place prize of $5,000, sponsored by the Takata Corporation, will be awarded to the two top finalists. Applications are due by July 31, 2014. Read more »

Global Food Security Student Fellowship

The Kirchner Food Fellowship Program fosters the development of practical skills and knowledge to make effective investments in emerging agricultural technologies and sustainable global food security. Fellows receive mentoring from investors and engage in face-to-face and on-line education experiences throughout the 16 week program. Applications are due by July 28. Read more »

Mountains to the Sea AmeriCorps Program – Full-Time Service Positions – NC

N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center – Clean Power and Industrial Efficiency Project Coordinator – NC

N.C. Zoo – Children’s Play Leader – NC

Chimney Rock State Park – Seasonal Naturalist/Trail Guide – NC

Johnston County Public Utilities Department – Stormwater Engineer – NC

Johnston County Public Utilities Department – Water Distribution Technician – NC

Sturgeon City – Seasonal Part-time Educator – NC

North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association – Campaign Coordinator – NC

North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association – Executive Assistant to the Executive Director – NC

North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association – Government Affairs Associate – NC

Florida State University – Sustainable Campus Program Associate – FL

University of South Florida – Assistant Professor in Infrastructure Planning for Urban Resource Management – FL

University of South Florida – Assistant Professor in Integrated Systems Analysis and Sustainability – FL

University of South Florida – Research Assistant Professor – FL

Florida State University – Solid Waste & Recycling Program Associate – FL

Tufts University Office of Sustainability – Communications Specialist – MA

Second Nature, Inc. – President – MA

Second Nature, Inc. – Administrative Assistant – MA

Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives at Williams College – Director – MA

Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College – Facilities Manager and Community Outreach Coordinator – OH

Falk School of Sustainability at Chatham University – Dean – PA

Wesleyan University – Grounds Manager – CT

University of Texas at Austin – Building Energy and Resource Steward – TX

Central College – Director of Sustainability Education – IA

Western State Colorado University – Executive Director and Lecturer in Environment and Sustainability – CO

University of Calgary Office of Sustainability – Sustainability Engagement Manager – Canada