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Sustainability Minor to launch next semester
Protecting the environment starts with education, and officials hope the debut of the new Sustainability Studies Minor next semester will encourage green-friendly initiatives across the campus. The University Senate approved the Sustainability Minor on Dec. 2 which will provide students with an opportunity to embed sustainability into their studies. Read the full article here. Learn more about the minor here.
Photo above: Dr. Bruce James invites faculty members from the Chesapeake Project to consider the different life cycle costs between beverage and bottle choices. James, Director of Environmental Science and Policy, not only helped to spearhead the integration of sustainability into the curriculum through the Chesapeake Project, but also led the development of the new Sustainability Minor.
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Phi Tau: This Year's Greenest Greeks
Congratulations to Phi Tau for winning the 2011 Green Greek Challenge!! Overall, Phi Tau is the most energy and water efficient chapter on Fraternity Row.
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Professor creates sustainable energy source
Once-futuristic green energy sources may become mainstream sooner than imagined. For 25 years, Eric Wachsman has been designing a fuel cell that can utilize a variety of energy sources — including hydrogen, natural gas and gasoline — to produce pollution-free power. The University of Maryland engineering professor says that these fuel cells can be used for cars, homes and other buildings.
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County plastic bag tax will be introduced
For county consumers, a proposed 5- cent plastic bag tax could make shopping at retail stores a bit more expensive. Prince George's County will look to join both Montgomery County and Washington in promoting sustainable consumer practices, as both state and county officials push for legislation that would encourage the use of reusable shopping bags in the county.
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Internships, Volunteer Opportunities and More!
Paid Recycling Internship
Two Recycling Interns are needed to help set up new recycling and trash bins across the University of Maryland campus. Facilities Management is replacing all the cardboard trash and recycling bins. Interns are needed to assist with the distribution of these bins, install signage above the new bins, and record their placement. The expected outcome of the program is improve the basic recycling and trash collection, which will help meet the University’s goal of increasing the campus recycling rate to 75% by 2013.
TapRoots Agricultural Education Internship
TapRoots is an education program that places a specific emphasis on hands on learning to enhance middle school science curriculum. Since December 2010 TapRoots has invested time and resources to investigate techniques on how to interweave an agricultural educational with Maryland public schools. TapRoots officials have determined the appropriate pedagogy for Maryland schools and will be launching the revised curriculum in January 2012 at Greenbelt Middle School.
Green Dining Sustainable Food Intern(s)
Sustainable Food Interns (2-4 total) are needed to complete the Real Food Calculator in support of the Dining Services Sustainable Food Working Group. Interns will work with the Dining Services Sustainability Coordinator to review Dining Services purchasing records and learn more about where the food served on campus comes from. These data will be compiled and presented to the Sustainable Food Working Group. These internship positions are in collaboration with the Real Food Challenge, a nation-wide effort to increase sustainable dining services at all universities in the country. Interns will be expected to inform the Real Food UMD student group of their progress. The internship will also include education and outreach responsibilities about program activities.
Click here to view all other current openings.
Alternative Breaks: Winter 2012
Andros, Bahamas: Promoting Eco-Tourism and Habitat Preservation through Environmental Conservation
Our work will focus on maintaining and constructing infrastructure conducive to conservation of the ecosystems and landscapes of the island. Environmental conservation and management is crucial in the Bahamas because of the high number of tourists that visit the area each year. By building an infrastructure that protects the natural habitats, this encourages visitors to be mindful of the area and to help preserve it. We will be working outside, getting our hands dirty, and having a great time!
Guatemala: Sustainable Community Development
The Alternative Breaks trip to the Los Andes Nature Reserve in Guatemala will immerse students in the local community of Los Andes and allow them to participate, first-hand, in the sustainability efforts currently being practiced by the people of the reserve. When considering sustainable development as a social issue within the context of Los Andes, participants will be asked to observe keenly and openly how the reserve meets the needs of the local farmers and citizens in a cost-effective manner, with minimal negative environmental repercussions. Los Andes offers a variety of programs and services that are all conducted with environmental preservation as the moral prerogative. Coffee and tea processing stations produce goods that are C.A.F.E. practices certified through Starbucks. Agro-tourism is advocated for thoroughly to provide outsiders with the opportunity to witness the natural splendor and amazing biodiversity the reserve has to offer, while providing financial gains that help support the reserve economically.
Click here for more Alternative Break Trips
Conferences
Clinton Global Initiative University Conference
Each year, the Clinton Global Initiative University hosts a meeting where students from across the world, national youth organizations, topic experts, and celebrities discuss solutions to pressing global issues. This year, CGI U will be held at the George Washington University (GWU).
In order attend the CGI U meeting, you must make a commitment to action. Commitments range from installing energy-efficient light bulbs on campus, to distributing life-saving water filtration kits to nomadic doctors in Africa. Since the inaugural meeting in 2008, nearly 3,000 commitments have been made. When you apply to attend the meeting, hosted by President Clinton, you pledge to attain your commitment’s goal.
We encourage you to apply as a group or individually to attend the CGI U annual meeting at GWU from March 30th to April 1st, 2012. Click here to apply now. The application deadline is January 17th, 2012. If you have any questions, please email us at cgiu@clintonglobalinitiative.org.
Tip of the Week
The True Cost of Products and Services. Price is important when deciding what to buy but does it tell the whole story? Costs not reflected in the price may include environmental (removing raw materials, waste, pollution, emissions) and social (working conditions for staff, equity and equality, health costs). Read labels and find out where and how your products are made. Exercise your buying power to protect the planet!
For more sustainability tips, click here.
Newsletter Submissions
Have a sustainable event, activity, organization or program? Fill out this form to submit a posting that can appear in the Sustainable UMD Newsletter, website, Facebook, and / or Twitter.
Green Office Program
The Green Office Program engages staff, faculty and students in a voluntary, self-guided initiative that promotes best environmental practices at the University of Maryland. The program supports and promotes offices that are taking steps toward reducing their environmental footprint. A series of checklists and tools will guide you through three levels of certification. The program operates through a network of Green Office representatives (GO Reps) in offices across campus.
Click here to participate!
Check out what other campuses are doing
Find out about other universities' sustainability initiatives through the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) news bulletin. Sign up to receive the bulletin here. View the archives here.
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Meet our Green Greek Challenge Intern: Theodore Eftimiades
Theo is a Junior double-majoring in Sociology and Philosophy. He is a core-team member of Terp Changemakers and a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. Theo is one in a family of 8. He enjoys English literature, LARPing, pick-up basketball, and falling asleep on his couch watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
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Meet our Green Greek Challenge Intern: Julia Benjamin
Julia is a sophomore studying Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in Politics and Policy. She is from Ellicott City, Maryland. She is also part of the CIVICUS living and learning program and is also part of the Capital One Leadership International Program. She is a Harry Potter fanatic and loves to travel. She plays on the UMD Club Lacrosse team, and loves sports and the Terps!
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Connecting to Facebook
