Consider these green tips before jetting off for spring break. Unplug all appliances and power strips before you go to avoid phantom electricity usage. If you’re traveling by air, consider purchasing carbon credits to offset emissions. Enjoy a ‘staycation’ by visiting local parks such as Eno River State Park and Jordan Lake. Read more »
Friday, March 11, 2016
Earth Day Festival Student Speaker Competition
The Environmental Affairs Committee of Student Government will hold auditions to select engaging and energetic student speakers for the annual Earth Day Festival. Students are invited to share stories, spoken word pieces, or monologues that express a personal tie to a current environmental issue. Content can range from climate change to environmental injustice and pieces should be limited to 10 minutes. Apply by midnight on March 24. Selected speakers will be featured at the annual Earth Day Fest, on April 22, 5-7pm, at the Bell Tower Amphitheater. Mark your calendar to join together and celebrate our dedication to environmental issues on campus.
Carolina Environmental Film Festival
Students and filmmakers are encouraged to submit short documentaries on environmental issues and sustainability for the Carolina Environmental Film Festival. The festival, sponsored by the UNC Institute for the Environment and UNC Sustainability Office, will be held at the Varsity Theater from 7-9pm on April 22. Documentaries should be less than 10 minutes in length and recently produced. A panel of judges will award prizes to the top submissions. Read more »
Join A Drink For Tomorrow's Leadership Team
A Drink For Tomorrow (ADFT) encourages students who are interested in water issues, public health, social justice, advocacy, and international development to join their team. The student organization, dedicated to raising funds and awareness to combat the global water crisis, has open positions related to publicity, major events, finance, outreach, and more on their Executive Board. Apply by application and send your resume to adftunc@gmail.com by March 11 at 5PM. Apply here »
Green Corps Internship Network
Sign up to receive bi-weekly internship announcements from Green Corps and alumni representing over 350 groups, including Greenpeace, Food & Water Watch, the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, and more. Email Jasmine Ruddy with questions and subscribe to the listserv. Sign up here »
Estes Drive Bike and Pedestrian Improvements
The Town of Chapel Hill recently held an open house and information session to review three design options for improvements for bicyclists and pedestrians along Estes Drive. The project will consist of bike lanes and sidewalks on the north and south sides of Estes Drive from MLK to Caswell Road. The Town plans to choose a design and start construction by the end of summer. The Estes Drive Connectivity Project is part of the Chapel Hill Bike Plan. Read more »
Free Solar Assessment for Your Home
Solarize the Triangle will provide free solar assessments for homes until April 30 to scope the viability of solar panels for your roof. Solarize aims to simplify the process and lower the price of installing solar photovoltaic systems and two information sessions will be held on March 20, in Raleigh, and April 14, in Chapel Hill. Read more »
The US Food System Symposium
Davidson College will host the US Food System Symposium over the weekend of April 9. The symposium will focus on four main themes: environmental sustainability, economic development, labor, politics and poverty, public health and nutrition, and science and technology. Students interested in food production and consumption issues are invited to submit an abstract to the Knowledge Fair. Register here »
Carolinas Climate Resilience Conference
Presentation and session ideas for the 2016 Carolinas Climate Resilience Conference will be accepted until April 8. The conference is scheduled from September 14-16 in Charlotte, NC, and will focus on climate science, planning for resilience, communications and outreach, among other topics. Read more »
From Inspiration to Impact Conference
The North American Association for Environmental Education will host a conference on best practices October 19-22 in Madison, Wisconsin. The call for presentations is open until March 31.
Read more »
Clean Water and Sanitation Provision
Gary White, UNC graduate and CEO and Co-founder of Water.org, leads efforts in developing drinking water and sanitation provision. The organization’s ‘Water Credit Initiative’ allows Water.org to take a market-based approach and fund microloans that allow beneficiaries to use money on improved water and sanitation quality and access. Read more »
Institute for the Environment Receives Energy and Water Research Award
The Duke Energy Foundation awarded UNC’s Institute for the Environment $100,000 to research water and energy use. The Institute is examining drought vulnerability, energy diversification, and alternative energy sources. This grant will fund faculty and student research as well as a speaker series and new environmental courses.
Read more »
Duke University – Sustainability and Quality Control Manager – NC
Requisition number 401070562
Read more »
Read more »
Friday, February 26, 2016
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
The next time you take a tea or coffee break, consider bringing your own mug. Most cafes, including the Daily Grind, provide discounts or incentives for using reusable mugs. Buying organic is another way to mitigate environmental impacts, as the coffee or tea is grown without pesticides and herbicides which can run off into water and create dead zones.
UNC Athletics #TurnItGreen
UNC Athletics recently released a comprehensive report outlining sustainability initiatives throughout the department and across campus. The report highlights UNC Athletics’ sustainability efforts, including:
• More recycling bins at athletic events
• Using reclaimed water for athletic fields, with a projected savings of 10 million gallons of potable water annually
• Installing low-flow toilets that reduce water consumption by up to 30 percent per flush
The Smith Center took on a different look during the January 30 men’s basketball game as students, the pep band, dance team, cheerleaders and Rameses all donned “#TurnItGreen” REPREVE® t-shirts, which are each made from 15 recycled plastic bottles. UNC and North Carolina-based Unifi, Inc., makers of REPREVE, have been collaborating since 2014 to raise awareness among students, faculty, fans and alumni about recycling and how Unifi transforms plastic bottles into REPREVE-based products. Read more »
• More recycling bins at athletic events
• Using reclaimed water for athletic fields, with a projected savings of 10 million gallons of potable water annually
• Installing low-flow toilets that reduce water consumption by up to 30 percent per flush
The Smith Center took on a different look during the January 30 men’s basketball game as students, the pep band, dance team, cheerleaders and Rameses all donned “#TurnItGreen” REPREVE® t-shirts, which are each made from 15 recycled plastic bottles. UNC and North Carolina-based Unifi, Inc., makers of REPREVE, have been collaborating since 2014 to raise awareness among students, faculty, fans and alumni about recycling and how Unifi transforms plastic bottles into REPREVE-based products. Read more »
UNC Hosts Clean Tech Summit
The 3rd Annual NC Clean Tech Summit will be held on February 18-19 at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education in Chapel Hill. This year’s event will highlight the latest innovations and recent trends of the clean tech industry and challenges ahead. Students will have the opportunity to engage with clean-tech industry leaders through one-on-one mentoring, networking sessions, and a panel discussion. Conference registration is $250, with special rates for one-day participants, students, and others. Read more »
Learn to Lead Staff Sustainability Efforts
“Making the Workplace More Sustainable,” an interactive staff sustainability workshop, helps participants identify, measure and promote sustainable practices in their work areas. Participants learn about UNC sustainability goals and initiatives, become “green events” certified, and learn how to conduct a Workplace Sustainability Assessment. The upcoming, two-day training will be held Tuesday, February 23, and Thursday, February 25, from 8:30am - 12:30pm, at the Administrative Office Building on Airport Drive. Register soon through ConnectCarolina for “Workplace Sustainability 1,” space is limited. Read more »
Carolina Environmental Film Festival
Students and filmmakers are encouraged to submit short documentaries on environmental issues and sustainability for the Carolina Environmental Film Festival. The festival, organized by the UNC Institute for the Environment and UNC Sustainability Office, will be held at the Varsity Theater from 7-9pm on April 22. Documentaries should be less than 10 minutes in length and recently produced. A panel of judges will award prizes to the top submissions. Read more »
New Resource for Energy Efficient Laboratory Equipment
The Energy-Efficient Laboratory Equipment Wiki, a tool created by the Laboratories for the 21st Century program and now available on I2SL, includes energy data and best practice information on dozens of types of laboratory equipment. The wiki provides:
• Purchasing information so the most efficient equipment can be selected
• Tips for researchers on how to use existing equipment most efficiently
• Realistic estimates of power consumption for different types of equipment
Laboratory equipment users are invited to peruse the wiki to determine the energy efficiency of existing equipment or consider equipment efficiency before purchasing new equipment. Read more »
• Purchasing information so the most efficient equipment can be selected
• Tips for researchers on how to use existing equipment most efficiently
• Realistic estimates of power consumption for different types of equipment
Laboratory equipment users are invited to peruse the wiki to determine the energy efficiency of existing equipment or consider equipment efficiency before purchasing new equipment. Read more »
Sustainable Business & Social Impact Conference
Join the Duke Net Impact Club and Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship on Wednesday, February 24 for the 11th annual Sustainable Business & Social Impact Conference. This year's conference will highlight the future of sustainable and social impact around the world. Confirmed keynote speakers include Rose Marcario, President and CEO of Patagonia, and Barbara Pierce Bush, CEO and co-founder of Global Health Corps Register here »
Next South Career Conference
Next South 2016, the Southeast’s largest conference and career fair for future leaders seeking careers in sustainability and corporate responsibility, will be held on February 26 in Atlanta. The event features a full day of speakers and panels, plus a career fair with top companies seeking talent for internship and career opportunities. Registration is $45. Read more »
Call for Films: Real Food Films 2016
Real Food Media is looking for powerful films about sustainable food, farming, and innovative strategies. Share your 4-minutes-or-less original film by March 1 to be eligible to win prizes and distribution opportunities. Read more »
Climate Change Adaptation Conference
Abundance NC’s Climate Change Adaptation Conference grew out of a need for education and support for local farmers experiencing extreme weather challenges. The 2016 conference will explore practical and social solutions and adaptations to climate change on March 4, from 8am-5pm at Central Carolina Community College. The pre-conference “Amuse Bouche” on March 3, the evening before the conference, is open to the public and followed by a discussion about food sovereignty and social issues. Register here »
Communicating Science Workshop for Graduate Students
The second annual ComSciCon-Triangle will be held May 14and May 21 at the Frontier at Research Triangle Park. Graduate students in STEM fields at triangle universities will have the opportunity to develop their science communication skills, network with other students, and learn from professional science communicators and experts. Read more »
Summer Institue on Sustainability and Energy
This August, the Energy Initiative at the University of Illinois at Chicago will host its sixth annual Summer Institute on Sustainability and Energy, a two-week intensive workshop and lecture series for students and professionals. The “Nexus” program will explore the intersection of energy and water and impact on the environment. All participants will receive lodging support for the duration of the program, and many will receive partial support for travel costs. Apply by July 1.Read more »
Paid Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates
IDEA seeks motivated and talented undergraduate students to participate in ten-week full-time summer research programs. Students will work with UNC faculty, participate in graduate school prep seminars, and share experiences. Research opportunities are available in Marine Sciences, Geology, Geography, and Environmental Sciences. Previous research experience is not required. Apply by February 29. Read more »
Researchers Map the Sea Floor for Offshore Wind Farms
The outer continental shelf of North Carolina supports some of the best conditions for potential offshore wind energy in the southeast United States. However, the construction of offshore energy facilities could impact sensitive marine ecosystems. Researchers from the UNC Institute of Marine Sciences are studying the hardbottom rocky reefs that serve as essential habitats for valuable fish species to better understand these unique offshore ecosystems. The researchers use hydrographic sonar survey methods to map the seafloor. These maps can be used to minimize impacts to sensitive seafloor habitats. Read more »
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Learn to Lead Staff Sustainability Efforts
“Making the Workplace More Sustainable,” an interactive staff sustainability workshop, helps participants identify, measure and promote sustainable practices in their work areas. Participants learn about UNC sustainability goals and initiatives, become “green events” certified, and learn how to conduct a Workplace Sustainability Assessment. The upcoming, two-day training will be held Tuesday, February 23, and Thursday, February 25, from 8:30am - 12:30pm, at the Administrative Office Building on Airport Drive. Register soon through ConnectCarolina for “Workplace Sustainability 1,” space is limited. Read more »
Sign up for EcoReps Spring Training
EcoReps are Carolina’s trained peer-to-peer sustainability outreach team. Learn about campus sustainability initiatives that advance ecological integrity, economic prosperity, and societal well-being. Then, learn the skills needed to effectively engage other students. Spring semester training will be held on Sunday, January 31, from 11am-4pm in the Student Union, room 3209, and counts as a Public Service Scholars Skills Training. Register now »
New Dual Degree Program in Environment and Science Communication
Students now have the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and a master's in mass communication over the course of five years at Carolina. The program is a unique partnership between the School of Media and Journalism and the Curriculum for Environment and Ecology, with support from Honors Carolina. An information session about the program will be held on Thursday, January 21, from 5-7pm in the Freedom Forum Conference Center (room 305) of Carroll Hall. Faculty from the Curriculum for the Environment and Ecology and the School of Media and Journalism will provide information and a current program student will share her experience. Register here »
Register for the Clean Tech Summit
The 3rd Annual NC Clean Tech Summit will be held on February 18-19 at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education in Chapel Hill. This year’s event will feature a number of experts, stakeholders, and industry leaders offering their perspectives on success stories from the clean tech industry and the challenges ahead. Register by January 15 for the early bird rate.
Read more »
Get Involved in the State Energy Conference
The 2016 State Energy Conference, April 20-21 at NC State University, brings together decision-makers, engineers, planners, and thought leaders to examine the impacts of energy technologies, policy, and finance of the energy marketplace. Students have several opportunities to get involved: showcase energy-focused research and projects as poster presentations; volunteer for complimentary registration; and attend the Cleantech Connect Career Fair for internship and job opportunities.
Read more »
Apply for the Udall Scholarship
Are you a second- or third-year undergraduate student with leadership and public service experience? Are you interested in American Indian nations or environmental issues? If so, you may be eligible to receive The Udall Scholarship. The award includes access to professionals, skill training, internship opportunities, and up to $7,000 for eligible academic expenses. Endorsement application submissions, including letters of recommendation, are due by Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 5pm. Email ODS (ods@unc.edu) for more information.
Read more »
Register for the CEE Student Research Symposium
The UNC Curriculum for the Environment and Ecology invites all students with research interests in ecology and the environment to present their work at the annual CEE Student Research Symposium, to be held on Friday, February 26 from 11am- 5pm on UNC's main campus. Registration is free and open until Friday, January 29. Contact Dennis Tarasi (tarasi@live.unc.edu) with questions or concerns.
Apply now »
Apply to the Odyssey Fellowship Program
The Odyssey Fellowship Program is a 10-week residential immersion program for young adults ages 18-28. Fellows spend their days learning important practical life skills in regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and ecological sustainability. The program is currently accepting applications for the spring and fall sessions of 2016.
Read more »
Public Service Award Open for Nominations
The Robert E. Bryan Public Service Award recognizes outstanding engagement and service to North Carolina communities. All students, faculty, staff, and official student organizations are eligible. Submit a nomination by February 3.
Read more»
Apply for a Community Engagement Fellowship
The Carolina Center for Public Service is currently accepting applications for the Community Engagement Fellowship program, which awards a maximum of five fellowships of up to $2,000 each year for projects that employ innovative, sustainable approaches to complex social needs. Returning, full-time graduate students at UNC-Chapel Hill are eligible to apply. Apply online through the CCPS Application and Nomination Portal by February 8.
Apply for the Mingma Norbu Sherpa Fellowship
The Mingma Norbu Sherpa Fellowship provides $1,250 to support undergraduate or graduate field study and engaged research in environmental areas. Preference will be given to students in the Buckley Public Service Scholars program who are majoring in business, environmental or economics disciplines. Apply online by February 8.
Read more»
U.S. Farmers Work to Improve Water Quality
More than four decades after the Clean Water Act, agriculture has become the biggest threat to water quality in many parts of the United States. Phosphorus and nitrogen from manure and synthetic fertilizers are causing problems not only in the Midwest, but also in places like the Gulf of Mexico, where a “dead zone” the size of the state of Connecticut has formed. Farmers are becoming more aware of agricultural nutrient pollution and many are adopting practices known to curb, if not eliminate, nutrient pollution.
Read more »
Policymakers and Corporate Leaders Could be Held Responsible for Climate Inaction
Recent climate negotiations in Paris show that world leaders are capable of fast political movement, but a growing chorus of academics and city-level planners are saying that major cities on the U.S. coast—where nearly 39% of Americans live—are not preparing for the inevitable rise in sea levels. Legal experts are looking at cases that could set a precedent to hold policymakers accountable for inaction. “You are enforcing by not enforcing,” said Victor Flatt, the director of the Center for Law, Environment, Adaptation, and Resources at the UNC School of Law. “If you know that the whole system is going under and that there is high likelihood that deaths or property damage can result from failing to alter your building codes or your zoning, once the knowledge is out there it becomes difficult.” While direct legal pressure is not being applied to city officials as yet, environmental activists are pressuring Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate corporate leaders for hiding the risks of climate change from the public.
Read more »
UNC Researchers Investigate Strategies for Mitigating and Controlling Algal Blooms
Researchers have long suspected that climate change leads to stronger and more frequent algal blooms, and a new fusion of climate and watershed models have proven those suspicions right. For Lake Erie, the number of severe blooms will likely double over the next 100 years. The findings hold implications for hundreds of coastal regions around the world where nutrient runoff and climate change intersect, causing a toxic algae problem. Hans Paerl, of the Institute of Marine Sciences at UNC, is evaluating a variety of algae mitigation and control strategies. "It should be noted," he said, "that no matter what types of physical or chemical treatments we use to mitigate blooms, they should be accompanied by nutrient input reductions.”
Read more »
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)