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September 2014
Sustainability Bulletin
Energy Campaign
September 3rd–November 9th
Keynote Speaker: Bill
McKibben
Tuesday, September 16th
People’s Climate March
Sunday, September 21
Paul C. Lemon Endowed
Lecture: Dr. Tyrone Hayes
Monday, September 22
National Kale Day
Wednesday, October 1
Campus Crunch
Friday, October 24
Speakers on Campus
Energy Campaign
Student Spotlight
Around Town
Opportunities
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Photo by Frank Kovalcheck
Cover photo by Paul Miller
Author and environmentalist Bill McKibben will give a keynote lecture at the PAC Main Theater on Tuesday, September 16th at 2:30 about our current reliance on fossil fuels, the looming climate crisis and, most importantly, our ability to advocate for positive change. He is the founder of 350.org, the first planet-wide grassroots climate change movement. Foreign Policy recently named him to their inaugural list of the world’s 100 most important global thinkers, and the Boston Globe said he was “probably the world’s most important environmentalist.” The event is sponsored by SA, GSA, the Office of Environmental Sustainability, UAS, and UUP.
“On to New York: Why the Climate
Movement is on the March”
McKibben’s talk leads up to The People’s Climate March in NYC on Sunday, September 21, which will be the largest climate rally in history, urging U.N. world leaders to take action this September dramatically reduce global warming pollution. For roundtrip bus tickets from Collins Circle to Manhattan, click here.
Dr. Tyrone Hayes will speak in
the PAC Main Theater on
Monday, September 22nd at
4pm about the chemical
industry. Agriculture in the
United States uses millions of
pounds of pesticides and
herbicides per year. At the
same time, many amphibians
are ‘feminizing’ – meaning
male frogs and toads, among
other animals, are producing
eggs instead of sperm. Are
agricultural chemicals to
blame? What are the
implications for human
fertility and health? Join us as
one of the nation’s leading
experts on the effects of
agricultural chemicals on
hormones, Dr. Tyrone Hayes,
answers these questions and
more. Brought to you by the
Paul C. Lemon Lecture Series,
sponsored by the Department
of Biological Sciences and the
College of Arts and Sciences.
“From Silent Spring to Silent night: A Tale
of Toads and Men”
Live video of the lecture will be available at:
http://new.livestream.com/hvccstreaming/Hayes
Reception follows in
the PAC Futterer
Lounge
Since 2008, the residents of
Empire Commons apartments
receive mock electric bills during
the Energy Campaign and then
again over a two-month period in
spring. The educational initiative
aims at teaching students about
their general usage in comparison
to their neighbors. The bills show
each apartment’s usage as well as
the highest, lowest and average
use for all apartments. Not only
do the bills teach an essential life
skill, the program works to lower
the UAlbany’s total electricity
usage. Just listen to Alex Laskey’s
TED talk on why.
The campus buildings have once again begun vying for the title of top energy reducer. The Energy Campaign, a 10-week challenge to reduce electricity consumption, was officially kicked off on September 3rd. In 2013, we saved over a million kilowatt hours and achieved a 10.02% campus-wide reduction. This equates into taking 102 cars off the road or supplying the energy for 24.5 homes or the sequestration of 402 acres of forests. You can view more equivalents at the EPA website by clicking here.
Dedicated students, led by sophomore Emely Rodriguez
and junior Sarah Helgeson, volunteer their time a few
nights a week to go through academic building classrooms
to power down any electronic left on. These energy checks
ensure that our lights and computers are not buzzing while
we sleep soundly. The students leave friendly reminders to
practice environmentally-friendly behaviors when it comes
to our gadgets.
Follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook to
compete each week during the Energy Campaign for
a gift card to the Campus Bookstore!
Standby power is the energy used by some products
when they are turned off but still plugged into a power
outlet. While this standby power sometimes provides
useful functions such as remote control, clock displays,
and timers, in other cases it is simply wasted power as
a result of leaving an electronic device or power adapter
plugged in. The devices causing this waste are referred
to as energy vampires because these products are
slowing sucking energy from your home while not
providing any useful function! In addition to your home
office and home electronics equipment, chargers for cell
phones, ipods, power tools, etc also suck energy from
your home when they are plugged into an outlet, even if
they aren't charging.
The amount of energy used by products when they are
in standby mode is significant. The average U.S.
household spends $100 per year to power devices while
they are off (or in standby mode). On a national basis,
standby power accounts for more than 100 billion
kilowatt hours of annual U.S. electricity consumption
and more than $10 billion in annual energy costs.
Taken from Energy Star.gov
Tips for Conserving Electricity
Use a power strip as a central “turn off” point Plug your computer, printer, tv, chargers, and other electronics into a power strip and then turn off the strip when not in use.
Avoid energy vampires
A typical American home has about 40 products continuously drawing power. This combined phantom energy can account for about 10% of your power bill.
Replace standard bulbs with CFLS
A CFL uses about 75% less energy than a standard incandescent.
Wash full loads of clothes A laundry machine uses the same amount of energy whether you’re washing a full load or a pair of socks. Decrease the amount of energy you use by waiting until you have a full load of laundry.
ALBANY, N.Y. (September 3, 2014) -- This fall, a new H2O Zone located in the Campus Center is providing free filtered and seltzer water to all University at Albany students, faculty and staff. The complimentary hydration station is a result of the efforts of Karan Verma, a B.A./M.P.A., who has made curbing the number disposable water bottles consumed at UAlbany a priority
Last year, approximately 500 bottles of water per day were consumed in the Campus Center. This statistic propelled Verma and a group of students to start working alongside UAlbany's Office of Environmental Sustainability and University Auxiliary Services (UAS) to review the issue, conduct preliminary research and submit recommendations to the campus community by Fall 2015.
A native of Chicago, Verma first became interested in UAlbany's carbon footprint when he became part of the Living/Learning Community for Environmental Sustainability.
"I was exposed to the issue of water usage by some great faculty, one of which was Professor of Biology Gary Kleppel, who explained how the University of Vermont had instituted a bottle ban," said Verma. With guidance from UAlbany's Director of Sustainability Mary Ellen Mallia, Verma was provided the necessary tools and connections to create a proposal and offer it to UAS.
Agreeing with the benefits of the proposal, UAS opened the H2O Zone and has begun distributing 6,000 free water bottles to students, with the goal of curbing disposable plastic water bottles from entering the landfill, ultimately reducing the University's carbon footprint.
The hydration station is a brightly designed 150 square foot retail space that now houses three Crysalli countertop water units with usage meters attached. Each unit has two spouts, for a total of five regular filtered water spouts and one seltzer spout. Customers can fill their reusable bottles for free anytime during the Campus Center’s hours of operation.
Over the course of the semester, Verma will study the impact of the new station as part of his degree program, examining accessibility, convenience, and preferences from the student population.
“Setting up the H2O Zone at this time made sense. As the students begin their research, we are able to help them assess usage, gather customer feedback and help drive the community towards a more sustainable behavior pattern from the project’s onset," states UAS Executive Director Stephen Pearse.
In addition to the H2O Zone, the University is currently working on installing more water fountains with bottle filling attachments and dining services uses hydration stations as the standard for catered events and in the all-you-care-to-eat dining rooms.
"The reason I chose UAlbany was the ample opportunity to get involved and forge your own path," said Verma. "In my own experience, it was Toastmasters, The Great Danes Debate Team, and my Living Learning Community, along with the great relationships I fostered with my classmates and professors."
Verma also notes the flexibility his degree program offers, as it allows him to earn both a bachelors and master’s in public policy, with the option to select concentrations in environmental policy and sociology.
After graduation, Verma hopes to put his degrees to good use by finding a career in leadership
facilitation where he can work to make positive social change.
”
“
Verma hopes to find a career in leadership facilitation where he can
utilize his interest in sustainability. (Photo Mark Schmidt)
It's that time of year when birds
are on the move. Come along on
an early morning adventure to
observe some of the amazing
birds here and see our science
team in action as they capture
and band birds! They are working
together to learn more about birds
migrating through the Pine Bush.
After a short outside observation
period, an indoor hands-on
presentation will take place.
Indoor portion will occur rain or
shine.discuss a basic overview of
climate change and weather at
the Albany Pine Bush Discovery
Center on September 20th at
7am.
Birds Take Flight DIY Hot Sauce
Learn how to ferment hot
peppers of your liking and
create hot sauce using
process that will allow you
to improvise with a variety
of heats and flavors.
Preserve your peppers
and keep warm all winter
while impressing your
spice-loving friends. Bring
a quart jar and $3 if you
plan to get started, or just
observe and ask questions
at no cost at Honest
Weight Food Coop’s
Teaching Kitchen on
September 18th at 6pm.
“Celebration” isn’t quite the right word for this
centennial exhibit; let’s go with “memorial.”
One-hundred years ago, the last passenger
pigeon died in captivity. A species that once
numbered in the billions in North America was
wiped out through zealous over-hunting and
habitat destruction. The New York State
Museum takes a look at this long-gone bird—
and the lessons we can learn from what
happened to them—in The Passenger Pigeon:
From Billions to Zero. Dr. Jeremy Kirchman, the
Museum’s curator of birds, will give a lecture
on “The Passenger Pigeon: Icon of Extinction”
at 1 PM on Sept. 28 in the Huxley Theater. The
exhibit is now on view at the New York State
Museum through March 30, 2015.
Local Harvest Fest
Come down to the Lakehouse at Washington Park on Sunday, October 5th from 12-4 for the Local Harvest Fest.
Now in its sixth year, the festival has grown to feature over 50 local farms, vendors, businesses and a slew of great local bands.
The Passenger Pigeon: From
Billions to Zero
Key Responsibilities The Project Coordinator is an important member of our team and has the opportunity to work with communities across the state to develop opportunities for outdoor recreation and active transportation, manage a variety of projects and develop new program directions. Duties include:
-use trails, engage in public outreach, foster trail-related tourism, and promote local trail use;
and promote the Canalway Trail Adopt-a-Trail, Ambassador and End-to-End programs; and organize and promote the annual Canal Clean Sweep;
bicycle-pedestrian issues at all levels of government;
related to planning, organizing and outreach. Qualifications
public administration, recreation, or related field and preferably at least three years of related experience
communities and constituents to action
delivering public presentations
-starter able to work with minimum supervision on multiple assignments and projects and thrive in a collaborative and fast-paced office environment
-state travel with overnight and evening commitments
Additional Skills/Experience Desired
the state
Compensation Competitive salary and excellent benefits package. How to Apply Submit a resume and cover letter that addresses why you are excited by this position and why we should be excited about you. Please provide your salary requirements. The position will remain open until filled. Send materials to: Project Coordinator Search, Parks & Trails New York, 29 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207, [email protected]
Parks and Trails New York
On Saturday November 1, 2014, Cornell University in association with the New York State
Sustainability Education Working Group are hosting the 2nd annual Campus Life Sustainability
Education Roundtable. In 2013 the Roundtable brought together 100 staff, students, and faculty
from across New York to share ideas and discuss programs that engaged students in campus-
based experiential sustainability learning opportunities. Participants wanted more! The 2014
Roundtable will again provide a forum for an exchange of ideas, information, and best
practices, but will be so much more.
NEW THIS YEAR: The 2014 Roundtable will have special sessions by and for students along with
sessions led by campus life and sustainability staff from around the state. In addition, there will
be a poster session and an evening networking reception.
Campus Life Peer Sustainability Education Roundtable
Greenovate NYS
Present your ideas to environmental experts, established professionals, and potential employers. The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute Research & Development Student Competition is now accepting applications!
NYSP2I is pleased to invite applications from undergraduate or graduate students for our 4th Annual R & D Student Competition. The competition fosters creative thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and collaboration across disciplines and provides an opportunity for students to present their projects to environmental experts, gain insight from established professionals, and receive recognition by potential future employers. The program provides funding to offset project costs as well as awarding prize money at the culminating competition exhibition on Earth Day, April, 22 2015 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
All required forms, the Request for Applications and additional details can be found on our website at: http://www.rit.edu/affiliate/nysp2i/rd-student-competition. Applications are due Friday, November 7, 2014 by 5pm EDT.
Office of Environmental Sustainability
The Office of Environmental Sustainability is seeking three motivated and energetic interns to
assist with the publication of monthly sustainability bulletin, developing flier templates for a
variety of sustainability engagement initiatives, assisting with social media management and
completing other assignments as requested. The interns are expected work a minimum of 10-
12 hours weekly. Internships are unpaid though students may obtain academic credit through
the Communications Department.
Deadline: Applications for the fall internship will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
If interested, send a resume and letter of intent to Mary Alexis Leciejewski
at [email protected]. Questions about the internship can be addressed to Mary Alexis
at 518-442-2592
In a continued commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, UAlbany welcomes
Zipcar, the world's leading car-sharing service, to its campus community. With
Zipcar, members can reserve self-service, on-demand cars by the hour or day,
24/7. All 18 and older UAlbany students can become members for $25, with an
opportunity to earn $45 in free driving privileges, if enrolled by September 30,
2014. Former Hertz 24/7 Members, UAlbany’s previous car-sharing service,
can currently enroll in Zipcar for free.
UAlbany's partnership with Zipcar provides a number of environmental benefits
to its campus and beyond, including reducing personal CO2 emissions, driving
40 percent fewer miles, and providing options for students without cars on
campus. In addition, a Transportation Research Board/National Academy of
Sciences study finds each shared car takes about 15 private cars off the road.