Director's Corner
 Our carbon conspiracy By Dave Newport I don't go in much for conspiracy theories but I have read enough about "who shot JFK" to still see that as an open question. Numerous other conspiracies like the Clinton Body Count, fluoridation, and aliens stretch credulity. My favorite whacky conspiracy is right across town at Denver International Airport. Turns out, DIA is the home of the global shadow government of Illuminati/Masons/New World Order; [or] DIA is the site of a future FEMA concentration camp; [or] it sits atop an underground city that is in turn connected to a network of other underground cities populated by aliens." Take your pick. But when it comes to releasing CO2 or other Global Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) that contribute to global climate change, we are all part of a grand conspiracy. Of this, there is no debate. It takes, at a minimum, two people to release carbon. All anthropogenic carbon emissions are the result of one of civilization's greatest conspiracies-and we are all part of it whether we know it-or like it-or not. We are the planet's carbon mafia-for life. Step out of line, and you might get whacked. What about those of us that grow our own food, ride a bike everywhere, heat our homes with wood, solar or wind, and make all our own clothes out of animal skins from those animals we hunted and consumed? Don't know anybody like that. And if I did, there's carbon released in the manufacture and distribution of the bike, the wind turbine, the wood, and so forth. The carbon conspiracy happens in three ways and, yes, there is a way out of the mob without getting whacked. The ways out require an understanding of the three forms of carbon. What are the three forms of carbon? Forget your chemistry class; this is an accounting question. Happily, you can learn how to count and abate these three forms easily and without years of study. I teach these skills occasionally in my Climate Action Planning class. The next class is Friday, March 1, 9-5pm here at CU. With that knowledge you will understand the fundamentals of performing a carbon inventory in your own life-or for any type of organization. But I can't tell you who shot JFK. That is something we may never know for sure. -30- |
Upcoming Events  Green The Ghetto With Majora Carter
February 13
7:00 PM
Glenn Miller Ballroom
The Cultural Events Board, Arts and Sciences Student Government, and the CU Environmental Center would like to cordially invite you to "Green the Ghetto," an event with special guest Majora Carter, on Wednesday February 13th at 7pm in the Glenn Miller Ballroom.
Tickets are free for students and community members, and will be available on a first come first serve basis at the event. For more information, click here, or email ecenter@colorado.edu.
"American Meat" Documentary Film Screening and Panel Discussion
February 21
Eaton Humanities Room 1B50
Film Screening at 6:30pm followed by discussion at 8:00pm
Free Chipotle burritos to the first 100 attendees starting at 6:00pm in the Humanities Lobby!
American Meat is a solutions-oriented macroscopic documentary surveying the current state of the U.S. meat industry. It takes an even-handed look at animal husbandry, explaining how America arrived at our current industrial system, and showing the feedlots and confinement houses, not through hidden cameras but through the eyes of the farmers who live and work there. From there, the film introduces the current revolution developing in animal husbandry, led by the charismatic and passionate Joel Salatin. We share the inspiring story of Chipotle, as CEO (and CU-Boulder alum) Steve Ells continues a mission to source his company's meat from different farms, with new groundbreaking protocols.
Following the film will be a panel discussion featuring: Mel Coleman, Vice-President of Niman Ranch; Chef Ann Cooper, Renegade Lunch Lady and Director of Nutrition Services for Boulder Valley School District; and Graham Meriwether, the film's director and CU-Boulder alumnus.Discussion facilitated by MaryBeth Lynch of CU-Boulder.
The event is FREE and open to the public and is hosted by the CU Environmental Center.
Click here for more information.
"Body And Earth: 12 Steps To Ecological Health," a Presentation and Discussion with Jarid Manos
February 28
Eaton Humanities Room 1B50
Presentation at 5:00 PM, followed by discussion at 6:00 PM
As ecosystems and communities around the world also begin to reach ecological collapse, and our very civilization becomes threatened by climate danger, what does it mean to take care of the Earth as part of own bodies and lives?
Building off more than 13 years of work, Jarid Manos asks simple questions to generate change and action! Now is the time to learn the "12 Components of Ecological Health," inspired by Dr. King's "6 Steps for Non-Violent Social Change," and make your own life part of an emerging new story in this time of danger yet possibility.
Jarid Manos is author of the non-fiction book Ghetto Plainsman, and the upcoming novel Her Blue Watered Streets. He is also founder and CEO of Great Plains Restoration Council, a Texas-based non-profit organization that helps protect and restore people, wildlife and nature on thousands of acres of endangered prairies on America's Great Plains. Visit www.gprc.org to learn more about the Great Plains Restoration Council and www.jaridmanos.com to learn more about Jarid Manos.
This event is FREE and open to the public, and is hosted by the CU Environmental Center, CU Wild, United Government of Graduate Students, Center of the American West, and the EBIO Club.
Click here for more information.
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Sustainable Practices Program 50% Off
Sustainable Practices Program courses are 50 percent off for all CU students!
Register today for the latest SPP courses to learn about biomimicry, climate action planning, sustainability coordination and more.
If you are passionate about sustainability, check out the following upcoming courses to start earning your Professional Certificate in sustainability training.
Upcoming SPP Courses
ECSP 880: Biomimicry - Nature Inspired Design
Biomimicry is a scientific design discipline that seeks sustainable solutions by emulating Nature's time tested patterns and strategies. It provides an innovative method to identify solutions to a range of sustainability challenges. This course will provide an interdisciplinary introduction to the design principles and techniques of biomimicry, as well as an understanding of the benefits of bio-inspired design. Students will study industry and governmental case studies to learn how organizations can achieve greater sustainability and solve their environmental challenges by mimicking natural design.This course is designed for sustainability professionals seeking an intensive, experiential introduction to biomimicry principles and practices.
Spring Dates:
Friday, February 15, 2013
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Enrollment deadline: February 13, 2013, 5:00 PM
Tuition: $395 (50% DISCOUNT: $197.50 for CU students!)
ECSP 660: Advanced Sustainability Coordinating
This non-credit course provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to create and staff a sustainability position inside an organization and become sustainability managers themselves. Building on the material covered by the Introductory course, students will work within a real-life scenario in which they will create a green-print for an actual organization.
* Address an organization's sustainable goals and find local resources to promote sustainability
* Simulate the experience of a sustainability coordinator to investigate, integrate, and propose sustainable practices for an existing company.
* Understand obstacles and parameters of implementing sustainable programs.
* Create a culture of sustainability, beginning with an environmental statement.
Pre-requisite: ECSP 610 or consent of instructor
Spring Dates:
Friday, March 1, 2013
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Enrollment deadline: February 27, 2013, 5:00 PM
Tuition: $395 (50% DISCOUNT: $197.50 for CU students!)
Instructor: Kai Abelkis
ECSP 520: Climate Action Planning
This course will cover the concepts of "no net emissions of greenhouse gases or GHGs", climate neutrality, as well as the technical approaches that can be employed, and the analytical frameworks by which to evaluate these options. Students will learn various climate action planning approaches that set out short term goals and aggressive actions for businesses, government, campuses, and communities.
Students will gain a direct knowledge of concepts and methodologies involved in analyzing and planning climate neutrality outcomes, a greater understanding of the opportunities and barriers to achieving climate neutrality and more.
Spring Dates:
Friday, March 1, 2013
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Enrollment deadline: February 27, 2013, 5:00 PM
Tuition: $395 (50% DISCOUNT: $197.50 for CU students!)
Instructor: Dave Newport
Click here to enroll!
About SPP
The Sustainable Practices Program at CU Boulder offers personalized sustainability training from top industry professionals.
SPP features individual non-credit classes and a non-credit Professional Certificate for people who are interested in sustainability training. Whether seeking to test the waters, additional training to supplement your skills, or a professional certificate, the Sustainability Practices Program can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to make a difference in your personal life, your organization or your community...
READY TO BEGIN?
To get started, please enroll in a non-credit course of your choosing through our on-line course enrollment process. It's that easy! To begin the Professional Certificate Program, you must submit a .pdf application and pay the $50 enrollment fee. To enroll, click here.
And if you are interested in seeking a graduate-credit certificate in renewable energy, take a look at CU Boulder's Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute's (RASEI) Professional Certificate in Renewable Energy.
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 Boulder Food Rescue Boulder Food Rescue is a non-profit organization that was started by a team of current CU students and alumni. The goal of the organization is to facilitate the redistribution of perishable food "waste" from businesses to charities and agencies that serve hungry, homeless and at-risk individuals. Boulder Food Rescue, or BFR, coordinates with businesses to identify fresh food that would otherwise be thrown away, which can be diverted from the dumpster or compost bin. Often this is fresh produce that may be damaged or blemished, prepared food such as steamer trays of catered leftovers, or day-old baked goods. Donors-which include Whole Foods, Alfalfa's and Sprouts, among others-load the discarded food into Boulder Food Rescue bins strategically located between the produce department and the trash. Once a day, one of BFR's more than 100 volunteers rides a bike to the store, loads the food into a bike trailer and hauls it directly to an organization that is scheduled to receive it. The only exceptions occur in cases of extreme weather, exceptionally large food rescue events, or illness. Right now more than 80% of the food transportation is accomplished with bicycles with trailers attached, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The food is delivered to one of about 25 organizations- shelters that serve the homeless, hungry and at-risk populations, as well as low-income elderly housing, working-poor families, and school food programs. The organization also provides food to special events for charities, pay-what-you-can meal programs, and low-income housing cooperatives. The food is typically used within 24 to 48 hours. The flexibility of the model, and the "direct just in time" delivery mechanism, allows them to focus on small gaps left behind by larger food rescue organizations and food banks. To date, the group has rescued over 31,000 pounds of food from Boulder businesses. The group has developed partnerships with stores throughout the city and currently rescues over 390 pounds of food every day. Recipients include Boulder Valley Women's Health Center, Meals on Wheels, Food Not Bombs and the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, among many more. Boulder Food Rescue was founded on August 26, 2011 by CU Boulder students Caleb Phillips, Becky Higbee, and Hana Dansky. Dansky is now the Executive Director of the organization. To learn more about Boulder Food Rescue, visit http://www.boulderfoodrescue.org.
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One Million Acts of Green: The EcoStar Challenge
The CU Environmental Center is please to announce the launch of the EcoStar Challenge, a residence hall competition presented by the new One Million Acts of Green Sustainability Platform.
One Million Acts of Green is the platform for the EcoStar Challenge. If you live in the residence halls, choose your green acts by April 12 to compete for hall prizes and individual prizes.
The One Million Acts of Green site will enable CU-Boulder residence hall students to build individual sustainability plans, track and report progress, and see the impact of your commitments and measure carbon footprint reduction. There are over 100 sustainability actions to choose from.
Think about what eco-friendly actions you already do at home or on campus. Click those actions. As you undertake new actions, come back and update your assessment. You can choose to share your actions on Facebook. You can upload photos of your sustainability actions. To set up your account, you just need your colorado.edu email address!
Residence Hall Students
When you create your account, affiliate with your residence hall building for your participation to count toward the spring 2013 EcoStar Challenge competition which runs from February 8th to April 12th.
Halls compete to gain the most participants per capita.
Top-ranking halls will receive prize money!
1st place: $700
2nd place: $500
3rd place: $300
Individual prizes are available as well! RA Sustainability Liaisons will be on the lookout to reward individual participants with gift cards!
Post a photo of you doing an eco-act. Some will be selected for posting on your hall's EcoStar Challenge board.
Due to the transitory nature of the residence hall population and to track participation in the EcoStar Challenge competition, we will unaffiliate all participants associated in a residence hall building each summer. Your profile and account will be saved. You'll receive a message to re-affiliate with another building if you choose to do so.
Coming Soon for ALL Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni
Starting April 1st, the CU-Boulder One Million Acts of Green platform will be available for ALL UCB faculty, staff and students.
For each faculty, staff or student who participates in One Million Acts of Green, the University of Colorado at Boulder will also work to further improve its carbon footprint and sustainability performance.
The Office of Campus Sustainability will match each new participant (500 faculty and staff and up to 500 students) by committing funding of $10/participant toward campus sustainability projects, up to a total of $10,000.
You will receive a follow up questionnaire when you create your One Million Acts of Green profile. On this follow-up survey, you will be able to select what types of projects and issues are of highest interest to you. Your preferences will help us better understand where you want us to focus our efforts and funding.
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EJ Discussion Series
The Assembly for Sustainability and Equity (CU ASE) hosts a monthly discussion series which addresses some of the many facets of Environmental Justice. Each discussion will use a film clip, interview, article or radio series as a platform for the issue, as well as bring in more background information about how the issue relates to current local, regional, national and global events. Discussions will be informal, and no previous knowledge or academic experience in Environmental Justice is necessary.
Rebuilding in Jalapa Nicaragua
February 20
Less than 30 years ago, the Jalapa Valley was a hailstorm of bullets, landmines and carnage. This is when Friendship City Projects (FCP) first landed on the ground and began working.
Today, it is a peaceful place, but as part of the second poorest country in Latin America, Jalapa is still struggling to rebuild its infrastructure. FCP is facilitating access to clean water, helping to empower women with co-op programs, supporting an organic family garden program, re-forestation efforts, a scholarship program, community service, fostering an environment of peace and understanding between the people of Boulder and Jalapa. Join us to learn about FCP efforts and how you can contribute to the solution!
All discussions will be held in the UMC 457, Dennis Small Cultural Center, from 2:00-3:00 PM.
Fracking: A Messy Business
March 6
This EJ Discussion series will address the issues surrounding fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, including the environmental and social impacts, as well as political implications of the process.
Further details coming soon.
About CU ASE The Assembly for Sustainability and Equity (CU ASE) hosts a discussion series throughout the semester to address the fact that communities of color and underprivileged populations are often unjustly burdened by environmental degradation and pollution. The project was established in response to CUSG's desire to help define more comprehensive and effective sustainability implementation plan, plans that can address the social and ecological issues faced by all CU students, faculty, staff, and community members. The mission of ASE is to coordinate EJ-related literature and information, partnerships, education, and outreach on and off campus with all interested individuals and organizations as appropriate, to advance the knowledge of environmental justice issues as well as connect students with community partners working to alleviate environmental justice burdens.
Click here to learn more!
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 Sustainable CU: Large Grant Proposals Deadline Extended
Sustainable CU has extended the deadline for large-scale grant proposals for student-led sustainability projects on the CU Campus.
Large-scale grants fund capital projects in amounts greater than $2500.
For 2012-13, applications for large scale grant proposals will be accepted and reviewed twice. Extended deadline: The February 2013 deadline for large grants will now be close of business Monday, February 25.
For submission guidelines for large grant applications, including eligibility, requirements, submission format, timeline, and evaluation criterea, click here to download the 2012-2013 Request for Proposals.
In addition, Sustainable CU accepts small-project proposals on a monthly basis (up to $2500). Small-project deadlines are the first Monday of each month, beginning October 1st, 2012 and ending March 4th, 2013. Large projects are accepted twice yearly; the deadlines are November 5th, 2012 and February 4th, 2013. Approximately $175,000 is available for disbursement.
Sustainable CU is an Environmental Center grant fund promoting innovative, student-led sustainability projects on the CU campus. For the 2012-2013 school year, Sustainable CU will offer support for small projects (up to $2500) and large-scale capital projects (amounts greater than $2500) through two separate applications.
The program pays for infrastructure, contractor fees, consumables, equipment rentals, and similar expenses, but does not provide stipends to applicants. In previous years, Sustainable CU has supported projects ranging from the expansion of community gardens in Family Housing to the installation of solar panels on a roving biodiesel plant designed and managed by CU students.
Click here to apply!
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Campus Sustainability Awards: Call for Nominations
Campus Sustainability Awards Nominations Deadline: March 1, 2013
The annual CU-Boulder Campus Sustainability Awards is now accepting nominations. The University of Colorado wishes to recognize outstanding individuals and departments who demonstrate a sincere commitment to reducing the burden that CU-Boulder places on the environment. Outstanding efforts make CU's successful and challenging approaches to attaining sustainability possible, and awardees exemplify CU's continuing efforts to become a sustainable institution. They set the example for environmental stewardship and responsibility.
Some of the awardees have made groundbreaking efforts that will change the overall way CU operates, and others make an impact on the community and campus environment with their everyday actions. All in all, the campus community is contributing toward a sustainable future, thanks to the dedication and collaboration of its members.
Candidates can be nominated from seven different categories, either as individuals or as departments and/or partnerships. Nominees must be faculty or staff members, students, alumni or a department at the University of Colorado at Boulder campus. The nomination deadline is Friday, March 1, 2011. The Awards ceremony will take place on Earth Day, April 22nd.
This event is sponsored by the Office of the Provost, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Vice Chancellor for Administration, and CUSG Environmental Center.
For more information or to nominate someone, visit:
http://ecenter.colorado.edu/greening-cu/campus-sustainability-awards
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