the environment on blast
October 31st, 2009

Upcycle your week, 10/30

Happy Halloween-eve! If you’re looking for things to do after Saturday, look no further! UYW’s gotcha covered:

Tuesday, November 3rd

Indigenous Organizing for Climate Justice: Jihan Gearon, Native Energy Organizer, Indigenous Environmental Network & Global Justice Ecology Project, asks some hard questions: How is climate change impacting communities in the U.S.?  What would real solutions look like? How are some impacted communities organizing for climate justice leading up to, during, and after the Copenhagen Climate Negotiations in December? Come find out, Tuesday, Nov 3rd, 12-1pm, UEL.

Wednesday, November 4th

A Sense of Wonder: A one-woman show about Rachel Carson, “the patron saint of the environmental movement,” A Sense of Wonder has been touring the United States for over ten years. The play has been the centerpiece of regional and national conferences on conservation, education, journalism, and the environment. Kaiulani Lee has performed it at over one hundred universities as well as at the Smithsonian Institute, the United Nations, the Sierra Club’s Centennial in San Francisco, and the Department of the Interior’s 150th anniversary celebration.  In addition, she opened the 2005 World Expo in Japan and performed the play on Capitol Hill, bringing Miss Carson’s voice once again to the halls of Congress. Free, Wed November 4th, 8pm in Salomon 101.

Operation Wallacea: Scientific Conservation Expeditions in South Africa and Mozambique, Honduras, Madagascar, Peru, Egypt and Indonesia with opportunities to complete Forest, Marine, and Cultural Research in Summer 2010! Gain Field Experience as a Research Assistant working with our diverse pool of on-site scientists studying climatology, biodiversity, marine studies, desert studies, conservation and wildlife management, forest ecology, sociological and cultural studies and more! Wednesday, Nov 4 12-1pm in UEL. More info.

Thursday, November 5th

COST lecture: Climate Change: Elijah Huge, Art and Art History Dept., Wesleyan University, Timmons Roberts, Sociology and Environmental Studies, Brown University, and Hugh Ducklow, The Ecosystems Center, MBL, Woods Hole, will give three presentations on their individual discipline’s view of climate change.

A panel discussion and Q&A will follow individual presentations.  Part of the “Nature and Legacy” series for 2009-10, sponsored by the Cogut Center for the Humanities, Committee for Science and Technology Studies, Environmental Studies and the Environmental Change Initiative. Thursday, November 5th, Pembroke Hall 305, 4-6pm. More info.


by Devin | Posted in Education and Outreach, emPower | No Comments » | Tags:
October 28th, 2009

Celebrate Halloween at the Weatherization Barn Raising!

The Old-Fashioned Barnraising. Now available with caulk guns.

The Old-Fashioned Barnraising. Now available with caulk guns.

In the Amish tradition, when one family needs help building their barn, the community gets together to lend a hand and then celebrates after the work is done. Energy efficiency barn-raisings will bring neighbors in Providence together to help individual families weatherize their house, and then we’ll have a big party.

At the barn-raising, volunteers will break off into teams to learn and work on different tasks, such as sealing air leaks, installing insulation, and changing light bulbs to energy-efficient CFL bulbs. Through hands-on work, all participants will learn new skills to take back to their own homes in order to save energy and money.

Do I need to know anything about weatherization to participate?

No, people of all skill levels are welcome. Professional weatherization contractors will lead basic trainings for volunteers.

How can I get my house weatherized?

Let us know! We’ll be keeping a list of people who want their houses weatherized. Everyone whose house is chosen will be expected to participate on the day of their barn-raising and help weatherize at least two other people’s houses. They will be responsible for purchasing the weatherization materials needed for the barn-raising, if they can afford to do so. We are collecting donations to create a fund for those who need assistance to purchase materials.

Where do I sign up?

Email me (libby_kimzey @ brown.edu) if you need a ride over to 92 Holden St, Providence this Saturday morning. Stay for all or part of the 9 am to 2 pm festivities.

Contact Amelia at 383-7441 or amelia.rose@ejlri.org if you want to volunteer, put your house on the list to get weatherized, and/or  make a donation to help keep these barn-raisings going

Event Organized and Sponsored by Environmental Justice League, the Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living, English For Action, and Community Carbon Use Reduction @ Brown

October 28th, 2009

Newly Sitting Pretty in the Top 10

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy just released the 2009 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, and along with New England neighbors Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine, we in Rhode Island are enjoying the view from the Top 10.

Project HeatSave takes advantage of National Grid rebates for programmable thermostats

Brown's Project HeatSave takes advantage of National Grid rebates for programmable thermostats

The ProJo newsblog reports:

According to a press release, the scorecard examines these six state energy efficiency policy areas: (1) utility-sector and public benefits programs and policies; (2) transportation polices; (3) building energy codes; (4) combined heat and power; (5) state government initiatives; and (6) appliance efficiency standards. States can earn up to 50 possible points in these six policy areas combined.

The Ocean State earned 27.5 points, and moved up two spots from last year. We held fairly well in the categories of Utility and Public Benefits Efficiency Programs and Policies (9th), Transportation, Building and Energy Codes, and Appliance Efficiency Standards. On the other hand, came up short in State Government Initiatives and Combined Heat and Power.

Within Utility and Public Benefits Efficiency Programs and Policies we did poorly in the Targets subcategory. The report notes that: “Rhode Island has a legislative requirement enacted for electric and gas utilities to acquire all cost-effective energy efficiency that costs less than new energy supply as the first priority resource, placing it first in a utility’s resource “loading order” and greatly increasing the role of energy efficiency in utility long-term planning.” This was implemented in ‘06, but with no approximate annual savings target in place.

As far as decoupling, we’re the only ones in the top 10 who do not have a like mechanism in place for either Electricity or Natural Gas (our neighbors all have both).  Luckily we do have performance incentives in place for both.

In Transit, we are lacking in State Transit Funding (surprise!) and in High-Efficiency Vehicle Consumer Incentives (is that a cue for PGR?). Happily we’re one of the 14 states who joined California in adopting some dope GHG Vehicle Emission Standards.

State Government Initiatives, one of my favs. The subcategories: Financial and Information Incentives (out of 3), Lead by Example: Building Requirements (out of 1), Lead by Example: Efficient Fleets (out of 1), RD&D (out of 2).
And RI? The score: 0 … 1 …. 1…. 0. Disappointing. But still a nice time to highlight Rep Dennigan/Senator DiPalma’s Green Buildings Act this year (House Bill 5355/ Senate Bill 232). requiring that all new state buildings and renovations meet LEED Silver, including schools.

Doesn't help much to blow it up, either.

Doesn't help much to blow it up, either. At least we have a clear view of how we stand against archrival states, Texas and Vermont.

For your viewing pleasure, a nearly illegible graphic. Are you more surprised that Texas beat us or that we’re 26 spots ahead of Vermont?

The report in its entirety is well organized and definitely worth a skim for those who’ve been talking about the rejuventation of RISCC and developing some ambitious climate change state legislation, in the vein of this years Global Warming Climate Solutions Act.

2009 House 5355 Dennigan
by Libby Kimzey | Posted in Energy, Lobbying | 2 Comments » | Tags: , , ,
October 27th, 2009

BtB Meeting Minutes, 10/25

BTB in action: So awesome, it distorts light.

BTB in action: So awesome, it distorts light.

Beyond The Bottles? Awww, yea. You know you want that BUDS meeting report, that national coke week of action, that BUCC prep, and that movie action. You do. Don’t lie. Bottle it and sling straight gold!

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by Devin | Posted in emPower | No Comments » | Tags: ,
October 26th, 2009

emPower Minutes, 10/25

It's a pot of GOLD!

It's a pot of GOLD!

What’ve we got for you this time? Check it:

  • 350 day of action
  • RISCC revival
  • Energy Efficiency Barn Raisings
  • Dasani/Coke Lobbying
  • BTB at Brown University Community Council meetings and hosting Movie days
  • More seminars and talks than you can shake a stick at
  • A pot of gold at the end! (maybe)

Word.

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by Devin | Posted in emPower | No Comments » | Tags:
October 23rd, 2009

Upcycle your week, 10/23

Wonder no more what to do this week: UYW has your back. We got lectures, action days, and seminar series coming atcha. Check it.

Friday, Oct. 23

“What are Cities Doing to Adapt to Climate Change?”: Guest Speaker: JoAnn Carmin, Associate Professor of Environmental Policy and Planning, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, MA Institute of Technology. Friday, Oct 23, 12-1pm, UEL. More info.

Saturday, Oct. 24

350.org International Day of Climate Action: This Saturday will be BIG. Come be a part of it, and bring your friends! Seriously, if you take action just once this semester for the environment, come to the International Day of Climate Action! Saturday October 24th Rhode Island residents from all walks of life will unite as part of the 350.org International Day of Climate Action. It will be the biggest collective call that citizens of the world have ever made upon their governments to demand climate justice.

At 11 AM Brown students will converge on the Main Green to snap a bird’s-eye-view photograph spelling 350 with our bodies. We will then proceed down the hill chanting, singing, dancing and banner-waving to Waterplace Park. We will join the Providence community at Waterplace Park for a 12 pm rally to tell our President and our senators that we must take action now. We’ll also enjoy speakers, performances, and activities for all ages.

Tuesday, Oct. 27

ICE-Talk: Energy Science with Prof. Eric Suuberg and Aaron Socha: The second Brown Energy Sciences Seminar will be held next week! This is your chance to find out about the exciting energy-related research happening at Brown, and meet others who share your interest.  This is also an opportunity to focus our efforts as we build our energy initiative into a competitive research center.  Tuesday, October 13th, 12-1pm, MacMillan 317. Our two speakers this week:

1) Prof. Eric Suuberg (Brown Engineering) – “Current Issues in Fuels Chemistry”
2) Dr. Aaron Socha (Brown Chemistry) – “Microbially-mediated coal solubilization”

At 11 AM Brown students will converge on the Main Green to snap a bird’s-eye-view photograph spelling 350 with our bodies. We will then proceed down the hill chanting, singing, dancing and banner-waving to Waterplace Park. We will join the Providence community at Waterplace Park for a 12 pm rally to tell our President and our senators that we must take action now.  We’ll also enjoy speakers, performances, and activities for all ages.
by Devin | Posted in Education and Outreach, emPower | No Comments » | Tags:
October 23rd, 2009

Obama speaks about clean energy at MIT!

The Pres-O-dent gave a speech today at MIT about “American leadership in clean energy”. Obama expressed a lot of interest in supporting clean energy through funding and policy, and consistently hammered down the point that he wants renewables and energy to be the fundamental driver of the American economy. Absurdly exciting stuff for a renewables geek like me. Anyway, check out the MIT press release below.

There’s a video rebroadcast of the whole thing in case you missed it.

Anticipating the Friday arrival of President Barack Obama at MIT, members of the MIT community noted both the significance of the visit and the gravity of its purpose.

Hundreds of visitors including Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick were expected to be present at noon in Kresge Auditorium for President Obama’s remarks on “American leadership in clean energy.” The talk comes as Congress gears up for hearings on clean energy legislation and as negotiators from around the world prepare for December’s U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen.

Prior to speaking in Kresge, the president was due to tour a research lab on campus.

Among those planning to watch the president in Kresge was Forgan McIntosh, co-president of the MIT Energy Club and an MIT Sloan School of Management MBA student. McIntosh said he was frustrated that the battle over health care reform had crowded out the public debate over energy policy, and said he was looking to Obama’s speech to jump-start progress on redefining the government’s role in the energy sector and Washington’s leadership position in the global race for clean energy competitiveness.

“I hope Obama’s speech signals a recommitment by the White House to address energy issues on a first-priority basis,” he said.

Via MITnews

by Devin | Posted in Energy, Lobbying | No Comments » | Tags:
October 23rd, 2009

Environmental Council of Rhode Island’s Lobby Days, Oct 28-29

Oct. 28, 2009 3:00pm and Oct. 29, 2009 2:00pm

The General Assembly made a good start on key environmental bills this year, but now they need to finish the job when they reconvene. The four bills below have already earned majority votes in both the House and Senate, but need final votes before being sent to the Governor. Join us at the State House to urge the General Assembly to get the job done.

The legislature plans to reconvene for two days.Environment Council leaders will be at the State House for those two days to help you connect with legislators to let them know these environmental bills are important to you.

RSVP to (401) 331-6972 or sdormody@cleanwater.org

Spread the word!

The attached half page announcement can be printed to share with friends, too.

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by Devin | Posted in Lobbying | No Comments » | Tags:
October 22nd, 2009

Environmental Graduate School Info Sesh in NY, Nov 5th.

Dear Students,

On Thursday, _*November 5th from 6:00pm-9:00pm*_ at The Arsenal in Central Park  (5th Avenue & 64th Street) , New York, the University of California at Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment & Earth Sciences, the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and Environment and Yale University’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies will be hosting a Joint Information Session.

This event will be the perfect opportunity for students to _*learn about graduate opportunities in the environmental field *_from the Nation’s top

environmental schools. All four schools will make a brief presentation and will be available to answer questions throughout the gathering. All

disciplines are welcome to attend.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP at the following link:

**
https://apply.environment.yale.edu/events/?id=562fa72a50044f0ca0ef05e97cce038a

If you have any questions regarding this event, please feel free to contact me at corlei@bren.ucsb.edu

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Corlei Prieto

**********************************************************************
Corlei Prieto
Student Affairs Manager
Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5131
Office: (805) 893-7611 Fax: (805) 893-7612
Email: corlei@bren.ucsb.edu
Web: http://www.bren.ucsb.edu/

by Devin | Posted in Education and Outreach | No Comments » |
October 21st, 2009

emPower Meeting Minutes, 10/18

Another week, another set of general emPower updates. BUCC, BTB, ICE, BTB2, CC, and ED all make their acronym filled updates.

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by Devin | Posted in emPower | No Comments » | Tags:
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