SUSTAINABILITY DIGEST
The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability provides this list to announce seminars, meetings, colloquiums, lectures, brown bags, announcements of interest, and job opportunities to the Institute community. If you have items you’d like to add please submit them to Cindy.Zisner@asu.edu before 5 PM Wednesday. This Digest is sent out on Friday morning. You may subscribe, unsubscribe, or change subscriber settings at http://lists.asu.edu/archives/giosasu.html under the Options where it says Join or Leave GIOSASU. You can see archives of list messages at the same address.
NEW ITEMS
(Current items remain in the Digest until they happen so don’t forget to peruse the web listing in case you missed something in the previous week.)
Institute Events
2. Sustainability Series: Planetary Intelligence: Societal Responses to the Anthropocene
4. Free Film Screening: REUSE! Because You Can't Recycle the Planet.
5. Sustainability @ ASU: "A" Mountain Restoration
Other Events - On Campus
6. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Seminar: Flexoelectricity
9. Research Computing Seminar: The Interface of Prediction, Computational Science and Policy Decisions
10. Sixth Annual Human Rights Film Festival
12. Institute for Humanities 2015-16 Fellows Program Symposium: "Making Monsters"
13. Emerge 2016: The Future of Sport 2040
Other Events - Off Campus
14. Citizens' Climate Lobby Event at the Tempe Public Library
15. GreenBiz Webcast: Setting Our Sights on a Sustainable World: How to Create Science-Based Goals
16. Green Sanctuary Talk: Oak Flat and Resolution Copper Mine
17. Town Hall Discussion on Carbon Pricing
18. Cienega Creek Watershed Campout
News and Announcements
19. Starvation as babies makes bees stronger as adults
20. Making sense of a dark chapter in America's past
21. UGEC Viewpoints: Rapid urban growth in mountainous regions: The case of Nainital, India
22. USDA Launches "Plant a Window Box for Pollinators" Using New People's Garden Initiative Website
23. Opening the universe to everyone
25. 5 truths about our relationship with energy
26. UGEC Viewpoints: Transforming desert playgrounds into urban oases
27. SOS 494/598 Advancing Renewable Energy in Arizona and Hawaii
28. US Bureau of Reclamation launching two nationwide "crowd-sourcing" competitions
29. SWANA's Young Professionals' The National Solid Waste Design Competition at WASTECON 2016
Institute Jobs
30. Career Development Associate, School of Sustainability
31. Fiscal Specialist, Business Office
Other Jobs
32. Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, AbTech Industries
33. Scholar-In-Residence, Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering Design, McGill University
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EVENTS
Sustainability Series: Buildings of the Future
(Friday, April 1, 2016) Patrick Phelan, US Department of Energy, Building Technologies Office, Emerging Technologies and Arizona State University and Nora Wang, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will present Buildings of the Future from 12:00-1:15 p.m. in room 481, Wrigley Hall, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
Sustainability Series: Food for Cities in the Anthropocene
(Tuesday, April 5, 2016) Graeme Lang, City University of Hong Kong (retired), will present Food for Cities in the Anthropocene from 12:00-1:15 p.m. in room 481, Wrigley Hall, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
Free Film Screening: Racing Extinction
(Wednesday, April 6, 2016) In Racing Extinction, a team of artists and activists exposes the hidden world of extinction with never-before-seen images that will change the way we see the planet. Doors open 6:30 p.m.; showtime 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Valley Art Theater, 509 S. Mill Ave, Tempe. More information and RSVP.
MA Defense: Molly Cashion
(Thursday, April 7, 2016) Molly Cashion will defend her scientific paper Integral Connections: Bridging Religion-Science Boundaries in Environmental Education Camps in Alabama. Faculty, students and the general public are invited. At 10:30 a.m. in room 481, Wrigley Hall, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information.
Sustainability Series: Planetary Intelligence: Societal Responses to the Anthropocene
(Thursday, April 7, 2016) Sir Crispin Tickell will present Planetary Intelligence: Societal Responses to the Anthropocene from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in the Carson Ballroom, Old Main, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
Sustainability @ ASU: Roundtable Discussion: What Does the Paris Climate Agreement Mean for the U.S.?
(Friday, April 8, 2016) Senator Sheldon Whitehouse with others will discuss What Does the Paris Climate Agreement Mean for the U.S.? From 12:30-1:30 p.m. in room 114 (Armstrong Hall), Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
PhD Defense: Jared Thomas Yoder Stoltzfus
(Monday, April 11, 2016) Jared Thomas Yoder Stoltzfus will defend his PhD dissertation Facilitating Phosphorus Recover Through Improved Waste Management. Faculty, students and the general public are invited. At 9:00 a.m. in room 481, Wrigley Hall, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information.
Wrigley Lecture Series: Your Next Meal: Where Nature and Culture Intersect
(Thursday, April 14, 2016) Michael Pollen, Author and Sustainable Food Advocate, will present Your Next Meal: Where Nature and Culture Intersect. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.; lecture at 10:00 a.m. at the Evelyn Wood Music Theater, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
Rescued Food Feast
(Thursday, April 14, 2016) Approximately 30-40% of the food supply is wasted in the US; that’s about 20 pounds of food per person per month! At ASU, we are doing our part to fight food waste by feeding over 500 students, faculty and staff with a nutritious meal made from good food that would otherwise be discarded for cosmetic reasons. Join us as we gather around a community table for a meal prepared by the talented staff of Engrained Café and featuring food donated by our event sponsor, Sprouts Farmers Market. From 12:00-1:30 p.m. on the Hayden Lawn, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information.
Celebration of Sustainability @ ASU Festival
(Thursday, April 14, 2016) Enjoy local food at the farmers market and partake in the Celebration of Sustainability @ ASU Festival, where departments and organizations from across campus will feature their sustainability commitment, projects, and more! From 1:00-3:30 p.m. on Old Main lawn, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information.
10th Anniversary Kick-off Celebration
(Thursday, April 14, 2016) Join us in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the School of Sustainability! Come enjoy the ASU Marching Band as they kick off our 10-year celebration at 1:15 p.m. More information and RSVP.
Free Film Screening: REUSE! Because You Can’t Recycle the Planet.
(Wednesday, April 20, 2016) This film is not about our waste problem, but about solutions. And they are everywhere! This documentary film follows "Reuse Pro" Alex Eaves' cross-country adventure. Doors open 6:30 p.m.; showtime 7:00 p.m. at Harkins Valley Art Theater, 509 S. Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ. More information and RSVP.
Sustainability @ ASU: “A” Mountain Restoration
(Friday, April 22, 2016) Celebrate Earth Day 2016 by volunteering to help restore walking and hiking trails on "A" Mountain, Tempe's only preserve! Meet at 8:30 a. m. at the south side of the old Hayden Flour Mill (SE Corner of Rio Salado and Mill Ave; just north of Tempe Mission Palms). Breakfast will be served before we begin and we will offer a Food Truck meal at 11:00 a.m.! More information and RSVP.
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On Campus
Solar Financing Panel Discussion: Beyond the Industry Tax Credit (ITC)
(Friday, April 1, 2016) The Professional Science Master's in Solar Energy Engineering & Commercialization presents the 3rd Annual Solar Panel Discussion, focusing on current issues facing the solar industry and that influence industry employment opportunities. Kris Mayes, Director of the Energy Policy Innovation Council at the Utility of the Future Center, will discuss EPIC's review of how Arizona can meet the EPA's new Clean Power Plan. Lee Feliciano, Board member of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association, will discuss standardizing financing of solar projects. Coffee and networking from 8:30-9:00 a.m., with the panel discussion beginning at 9:00 a.m. in room 481, Wrigley Hall, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. Please RSVP to PSM SEEC Program Manger Karen Dada, kdada@asu.edu.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Seminar: Flexoelectricity
(Friday, April 1, 2016) Pradeep Sharma, University of Houston will present Flexoelectricity at 1:30 p.m. in room 228, Schwada Classroom Office Building, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. For more information contact Durella.ODonnell@asu.edu.
Chemical Engineering Seminar: Tailoring Mesoporous Carbons and Related Materials for Energy Applications
(Monday, April 4, 2016) Sheng Dai, Oakridge National Laboratory will present Tailoring Mesoporous Carbons and Related Materials for Energy Applications at 10:30 a.m. in room B105 (Auditorium), Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. For more information contact Durella.ODonnell@asu.edu.
Health Sector Supply Chain Research Consortium Symposium on Transparency and Performance
(Wednesday, April 6, 2016) The 2016 Symposium has a focus on Transparency across the health care value chain. Focusing on transparency in clinical practice, the program will be commenced with an address by Dr. Marty Makary from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and their Global Health Initiative. From 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the Turquoise Room, Memorial Union, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
School of Earth and Space Exploration Colloquium: The 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence: From Paleoseismology to Policy
(Wednesday, April 6, 2016) Mark Quigley, University of Melbourne will present The 2010-2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence: From Paleoseismology to Policy at 3:30 p.m. in the Marston Exploration Theater, ISTB4, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information.
Health Sector Supply Chain Research Consortium McKenna Lecture and Reception
(Wednesday, April 6, 2016) Mark McClellan, Brookings Institution will present Improving Health Care Performance from 6:00-7:00 p.m. (Registration 5:00-6:00 p.m.; reception 7:30-9:30 p.m.) In the Great Hall, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
Distinguished Alumnus Lecture: Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City
(Thursday, April 7, 2016) Matthew Desmond, Harvard University will present Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City from 5:00-6:30 p.m. (4:00-5:00 p.m. reception) in room 174, Coor Hall, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and registration.
Microbiology Special Seminar: Identifying Bacteria in the Human Gut Microbiome That Can Attenuate Inflammation
(Friday, April 8, 2016) Catherine Lozupone, University of Colorado will present Identifying Bacteria in the Human Gut Microbiome That Can Attenuate Inflammation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in room E106, Life Sciences Center, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information.
Research Computing Seminar: The Interface of Prediction, Computational Science and Policy Decisions
(Thursday, April 14, 2016) Dmitri Kusnezov, National Nuclear Security Administration will present The Interface of Prediction, Computational Science and Policy Decisions from 10:00-11:00 a.m. in room B105 (Auditorium), Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
Sixth Annual Human Rights Film Festival
(Friday-Saturday, April 15-16, 2016) Please join us for the Sixth Annual Human Rights Film Festival presented by Justice and Social Inquiry at the School of Social Transformation. The event serves as a venue to address a broad range of human rights issues through the medium of film. The film festival will be in room 114, Armstrong Hall, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. Justice and Social Inquiry thanks the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law for hosting the film festival. More information and summary of the films.
Institute for Humanities 2015-16 Fellows Program Symposium Keynote: Scary Monsters: The Hopeful Undecidability of David Bowie (1947-2016)
(Thursday, April 21, 2016) Alex Sharpe, Keele University will present Scary Monsters: The Hopeful Undecidability of David Bowie (1947-2016) at 4:00 p.m. in room 109, Social Sciences Building, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
Institute for Humanities 2015-16 Fellows Program Symposium: “Making Monsters”
(Friday, April 22, 2016) In coordination with the multi-year celebration of the bicentennial of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, the 2015-16 IHR Fellows investigated what the eruption or suppression of the monstrous shows us about ourselves and our possibilities as humans, as well as what the warnings, disruptions, and abjections of the monstrous show us about our restless cultural imaginary. They now invite you to their symposium, "Making Monsters," where the Fellows will present their research and new insights gained through their participation in this program. Sessions include "Embodying Monsters," "Governing Monsters," and "Redeeming Monsters." From 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in room 109, Social Sciences, Arizona State University at the Tempe campus. More information and RSVP.
Emerge 2016: The Future of Sport 2040
(Friday, April 29, 2016) A festival of athletic, artistic and scientific visitations from the future featuring theatre, improvisation, interactive experiences, design prototypes, and multimedia performances! Explore and take part in an interactive and hands-on event that dares to challenge preconceptions of what sport is and should be — Emerge 2016: The Future of Sport 2040. Join the School for the Future of Innovation in Society and its partners from 5:00-10:00 p.m. in Arizona State University’s premier sport venue, Wells Fargo Arena, 600 East Veterans Way, Tempe , AZ 85281. More information and registration.
Fourth Annual Conference on Governance of Emerging Technologies: Law, Policy and Ethics
(Tuesday-Thursday, May 24-26, 2016) The conference will consist of plenary and session presentations with discussions on regulatory, governance, legal, policy, social and ethical aspects of emerging technologies, including (but not limited to) nanotechnology, synthetic biology, biotechnology, genomics, personalized medicine, stem cell and regenerative medicine, human enhancement technologies, telecommunications, information technologies, surveillance technologies, geoengineering, neuroscience and robotics. The conference is premised on the belief that there is much to be learned and shared from and across the governance experience and proposals for these various emerging technologies. To be held at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Center, Tempe, Arizona. Abstracts due January 31, 2016. More information.
Phenomenology and Sustainability: Interdisciplinary Inquiries in the Lived-World of Persons, Communities, and the Natural Work
(Thursday-Monday, May 26-30, 2016) Our theme, “Phenomenology and Sustainability,” announces a broad area of concern related to the well-being of persons, communities, the natural world and their interrelationship. “Phenomenology and Sustainability” seeks to question the suppositions underlying scientific and humanistic projects and unreflective practices that might thwart sustainable relationships or impede their full realization. In addition, it welcomes the articulation across a broad range of contexts of guiding principles and practices or illustrative concrete applications that might enhance the development of such relationships. To be held at Arizona State University at the Downtown Phoenix campus. More information.
Off Campus
i.d.e.a. Museum Exhibit: Underwater FantaSea
(Friday, February 12-Sunday, May 29, 2016) The i.d.e.a. Museum, Mesa, AZ collaborated with researchers from Arizona State University's Center for Biodiversity Outcomes to develop the Underwater FantaSea exhibit. Celebrate the oceans by diving into our exhibit that features artwork by artists who bring together a mix of fascinating sea life and imaginative beauty to take you on a fanciful journey under the sea. You'll meet amazing creatures, explore the depths of the underwater world and discover your own connection to the ocean. Underwater FantaSea will provide an opportunity to learn about the importance of oceans, how they impact you impact you, as an individual, and how you can do your part to keep them healthy--even if you live hundreds of miles from them. More information.
Play Me, I’m Yours
(Tuesday, March 1-Saturday, April 9, 2016) Touring internationally since 2008, Play Me, I’m Yours is an artwork by British artist Luke Jerram. More than 1,400 pianos have now been installed in 50 cities across the globe, from London to Lima, bearing the simple invitation Play Me, I’m Yours, and the project has already reached more than eight million people worldwide. Mesa Arts Center is presenting Play Me, I’m Yours as part of the celebrations of a major milestone: 10 years at their beautiful location in Downtown Mesa, AZ. 24 playable and artistically enhanced pianos will be featured, primarily in Downtown Mesa along Main Street, near Mesa museums and libraries, on Mesa Arts Center’s campus and at numerous other accessible and open-to-the-public locations, including several satellite locations throughout the city. More information.
Cyclomesa
(Friday-Sunday, April 1-3, 2016) This amazing Bicycle Festival includes the El Tour Criterium (where hundreds of riders race through the streets), a Bicycle Rodeo, the El Tour de Mesa, family fun and more. It's free! Bring your bike! More information.
Free Compost Giveaway
(Saturday, April 2, 2016) The gift that keeps on giving! Get FREE compost from the City of Tempe to keep your garden growing strong. From 8:00-11 a.m. at the City of Tempe compost yard, near the corner of W. Rio Salado Pkwy. and Hardy Dr. in Tempe – just follow the signs! BYOB/T – Bring your own bags, buckets, small trailer or small truck, and City of Tempe Solid Waste and Recycling Services staff will give you high-quality, laboratory-tested compost complements of the City’s very own composting program. Open to all residents in the Valley!
Citizens' Climate Lobby Event at the Tempe Public Library
(Saturday, April 2, 2016) CCL volunteers will be tabling for cards to be delivered directly to Kyrsten Sinema and Matt Salmon as well as to an aide to John McCain during three meetings scheduled for next Tuesday and Thursday. We exist to create the political will for climate solutions by enabling individual breakthroughs in the exercise of personal and political power. James Hansen said this in 2013: "Most impressive is the work of the Citizens Climate Lobby, a relatively new, fast-growing, nonpartisan, nonprofit group with [73] chapters across the United States and Canada. If you want to join the fight to save the planet, to save creation for your grandchildren, there is no more effective step you could take than becoming an active member of this group." Now CCL has 324 chapters across the U.S. and Canada, including several in Europe and Australia. Please check us out at the Tempe Public Library, 3500 S. Rural Road in Tempe from 12:00-5:00 p.m.
GreenBiz Webcast: Setting Our Sights on a Sustainable World: How to Create Science-Based Goals
(Tuesday, April 5, 2016) Join us for a free hour-long webcast where Quantis International’s CEO Emmanuelle Aoustin and U.S. Managing Director Jon Dettling will be joined by Kevin Rabinovitch, Global Sustainability Director at Mars; Todd Brady, Global Sustainability Director at Intel; and Anders Bjorn of the Technical University of Denmark to learn more about science-based goal setting and how to align with corporate strategy. At 1:00 p.m. ET. More information and registration.
Zócalo/Arizona State University Event: Should Health Care Systems Be National?
(Wednesday, April 6, 2016) Sir Malcom Grant and Dr. Denis Cortese will present Should Health Care Systems Be National? At 7:30 p.m. in the Binns Wildflower Pavilion, Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Parkway, Phoenix. More information and RSVP.
City of Scottsdale Green Building Lecture Series: Beyond Reflectivity: The Future of Energy-Efficient Roofing
(Thursday, April 7, 2016) We will look at the history of energy-efficient roofing products and the use of reflectivity as the measure of a roofing product's energy efficiency including the pros and cons of this approach. From 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Scottsdale Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N Granite Reef Road, Scottsdale. Free admission. More information.
Green Sanctuary Talk: Oak Flat and Resolution Copper Mine
(Thursday, April 7, 2016) Join Green Sanctuary for a talk by Roger Featherstone of the AZ Mining Reform Coalition about the Resolution Copper Mine being planned for Oak Flat near Superior AZ. He will present a 3-D model of the area showing the size of the land affected by the mine. At 7:00 p.m. at Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 6400 W. Del Rio, Chandler AZ (just S of Ray Rd and W of McKemy).
Town Hall Discussion on Carbon Pricing
(Monday, April 11, 2016) Local First Arizona is partnering with the American Sustainable Business Council to bring the discussion on carbon pricing to Arizona. The two organizations will host a Town Hall Discussion on Carbon Pricing from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Copperpoint Mutual Insurance, 3030 N. Third St., Phoenix, AZ 85012. The panelists will discuss the positive potential impacts of a carbon tax on Arizona businesses and the local economy. More information and registration.
Cienega Creek Watershed Campout
(Saturday-Sunday, April 16-17, 2016) The Cienega Creek Watershed has some of the most ecologically intact wetland communities in southern Arizona, as well as a resident jaguar! The Arizona Riparian Council will tour a variety of riparian areas with local experts. More information and registration.
10th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation
(Thursday-Thursday, April 21-28, 2016) The International Institute for Environment and Development is pleased to invite registrations for the 10th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA10). CBA10 will celebrate its 10th anniversary in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The theme of the conference, which is in association with the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, and the Independent University, Bangladesh, will be 'Enhancing urban community resilience'. More information and registration.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Seminar: Moving on from Paris: Implementation Lessons from Social Science
(Thursday, April 28, 2016) Join this free seminar to discuss the consequences of the 2015 UNFCC Paris climate summit, in which 196 countries pledged individual Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) to meet global mean temperature targets by 2100. The seminar will explore the benefits and risks of this voluntary bottom-up approach, as well as how behavioral and societal responses have or have not been included in the modeling of temperature targets, with an emphasize on potential insights from the behavioral and social sciences, including how multiple levels of organization-institutions, communities, and individual households-might differentially contribute to the successful implementation of INDC's. From 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. EDT, at 500 5th St, Washington, DC. More information and to register for webcast or in person.
Singapore Sustainability Symposium (S3) Unlocking Urban Opportunities
(Wednesday-Friday, April 27-29, 2016) The symposium has become an international platform with a Singaporean flavor to support sustainability and urban solutions with a special interest in the challenges faced by cities and city decision makers. It will be held at the Grand Hyatt Singapore. More information and registration.
Fourth Annual Conference on Governance of Emerging Technologies: Law, Policy, and Ethics
(Tuesday-Thursday, May 24-26, 2016) The conference will consist of plenary and session presentations with discussions on regulatory, governance, legal, policy, social and ethical aspects of emerging technologies, including (but not limited to) nanotechnology, synthetic biology, biotechnology, genomics, personalized medicine, stem cell and regenerative medicine, human enhancement technologies, telecommunications, information technologies, surveillance technologies, geoengineering, neuroscience and robotics. The conference is premised on the belief that there is much to be learned and shared from and across the governance experience and proposals for these various emerging technologies. To be held at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel and Conference Center, Tempe. More information.
VERGE Hawaii: Asian Pacific Clean Energy Summit
(Tuesday-Thursday, June 21-23, 2016) The Hawaii State Energy Office has partnered with the GreenBiz Group to launch VERGE Hawaii — Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit. VERGE Hawaii will explore innovative clean energy policies, models, technologies and infrastructure and sets the stage for immediate actions and plans needed to deliver on Hawaii’s ambitious goal of 100% renewably powered energy by 2045. Further, this VERGE event will serve as a platform for Hawaii’s energy leaders and stakeholders to engage, learn and contribute. More information.
2nd Annual International Conference on Computational Social Science
(Thursday-Saturday, June 23-25, 2016) This 2nd Annual International Conference on Computational Social Science is an interdisciplinary event designed to engage a broad community of researchers - academics, industry experts, open data activists, government agency workers, and think tank analysts – dedicated to advancing social science knowledge through computational methods. This event affords the opportunity to meet and discuss works in which social systems and dynamics are investigated in a quantitative way through large datasets that are either mined from various sources (e.g. social media, communication systems) or created via controlled experiments or computational modeling. Hosted by the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. More information.
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Starvation as babies makes bees stronger as adults
Keeping honeybees healthy is critical to the world’s food supply. A lack of adequate nutrition for bees is blamed as one of many possible causes for colony collapse disorder — a mysterious syndrome that causes a honeybee colony to die. Parasites, pesticides, pathogens and environmental changes are also stressors believed responsible for the decline of honeybees. Read more.
Making sense of a dark chapter in America's past
At a large, state-run medical facility, a young woman’s reproductive fate has been determined. The medical director presiding over her case carefully types out a letter requesting authorization to have her sterilized, citing “recent thefts” and her admission of having “sexual relations” with a young man as the rationale. This isn’t the beginning of a dystopian novel; this really happened. Read more.
UGEC Viewpoints: Rapid urban growth in mountainous regions: The case of Nainital, India
Mountain ecosystems, particularly in developing and underdeveloped regions, are experiencing rapid, unplanned, and unregulated urban growth. Recently, less accessible areas of the Himalaya region in India have begun to urbanize due to the extension of the road network, growth in tourism, and economic globalization. Read more.
USDA Launches “Plant a Window Box for Pollinators” Using New People’s Garden Initiative Website
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) urged Americans of all ages to "Plant a Window Box for Pollinators" by using a new, free online tool available at the redesigned People's Garden Initiative website. Read more.
Opening the universe to everyone
Arizona State University’s School of Earth and Space Exploration is about to take the whole nation on a school tour. Rock stars in their fields will guide virtual field tours of bodies in the solar system. Mars experts Phil Christensen and Jim Bell will help students explore the Red Planet. Enceladus researcher Ariel Anbar will show them Saturn’s tiny icy moon. Erik Asphaug will lead the way to asteroids. Read more.
Working to feed the world
An Arizona State University researcher has figured out a way to modify crops that causes them to use less water and fertilizer but grow more food, an exciting development as food security becomes a critical concern as the world’s population expands. Read more.
5 truths about our relationship with energy (from GreenBiz.com)
Energy efficiency programs continue to set increasingly ambitious savings targets. But the tactics taken to hit those targets are slow to evolve, and more often than not, programs are falling short. We’ve been working with clients for years to solve this problem, and we see a core underlying issue: typical efforts to promote energy efficiency focus narrowly on specific concerns — namely, saving money or receiving incentives. Read more.
UGEC Viewpoints: Transforming desert playgrounds into urban oases
When parents send their children off to school they expect them to spend their days in a safe and healthy environment. There’s plenty of evidence of how outdoor play promotes personal health and well-being, and access to a playground in an effectively designed space is a large component of being physically active. But not all playgrounds are as safe as they might appear. Read more.
SOS 494/598 Advancing Renewable Energy in Arizona and Hawaii
In this sustainability course advanced undergraduates and graduate students will study and compare the electric power systems of Arizona and Hawaii, and collaboratively develop an ambitious renewable energy plan for the Big Island of Hawaii. Through readings, research, and guest presentations, students will learn about the complex interplay of environment, social values, policy, economics, and technology in electric system development. Students will meet with utility company representatives, policy makers, energy entrepreneurs, and community stakeholders in Hawaii to understand the human dimensions of the Hawaiian energy system, and then do independent research to become more deeply informed about at least one aspect of the energy system. Finally, students will collaboratively produce a final report assessing the present context of renewable energy in Hawaii and outlining feasible steps that can be taken to achieve a 100% clean and renewable electric grid on the Big Island by 2045. Course will be from May 23-June 17 at the University of Hawaii-Hilo. For more information contact Paul.Hirt@asu.edu.
April is Water Awareness Month
April is Water Awareness Month, and there are lots of exciting events, tips and resources to help you start saving water! Each day is about a special topic–from finding leaks to landscaping to harvesting rainwater. Check out their website for tons of more information and tips!
Sources of Water Education Classes Throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan Area
There are many classes available across the valley, taught by professionals, that are free to all residents having to do with landscape and water efficiency/conservation workshops during the spring and fall seasons. Below are links to the cities’ programs.
US Bureau of Reclamation launching two nationwide “crowd-sourcing” competitions
The US Bureau of Reclamation in collaboration with other Federal and State agencies, will launch two nationwide prize "crowd-sourcing" competitions each with a $20,000 prize purse that seek better solutions to: 1. Detect Internal Erosion in Earthen Dams, Canals, and Levees and 2. Pass Juvenile Fish Migrating Downstream Over or Around Tall Dams. Competition time frames are March 31, 2016-May 10, 2016. For more information.
Environmental Research & Education Foundation Scholarship Program
The Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) is one of the largest sources of solid waste research funding in the U.S., allocating approximately $1 million annually in research grants and graduate level scholarships. Thus far, over 50 students have been EREF scholars, many of whom are now in key academic and professional positions across the U.S. The application deadline is May 4, 2016 at 5:00 pm (eastern). Click here to view a list of information/materials required for the application.
Summer Institute on Sustainability and Energy, University of Illinois-Chicago
Water and energy have long been thought of, and addressed as, two separate issues. With the advent of systems thinking, life cycle assessment, and other interdisciplinary analysis strategies, this deep connection between water and energy has been widely acknowledged only recently. The 6th annual Summer Institute on Sustainability and Energy: Nexus program will: explore the relationship between energy and water through systems approach, with an eye towards environmental and agricultural impacts; explore the use of water, especially in energy extraction (fracking) and generation; and highlight the role of the grid in energy issues, emphasizing three specific areas: smart grid, storage for the grid, and the distribution of energy. Across all topics, participants will examine where the United States is to date, potential paths moving forward, and obstacles and opportunities for each path. Situated on one of the largest bodies of freshwater on Earth and playing host to a large and complex grid system, Chicago will be the focal point of discussions of the nexus. The program will occur from August 4-17, 2016 in Chicago. Application deadline is July 1, 2016. More information.
SWANA’s Young Professionals’ The National Solid Waste Design Competition at WASTECON 2016
SWANA's National Solid Waste Design Competition (August 22-25, 2016) is a student team competition to solve a "real world" problem faced by solid waste professionals. The competition aims at providing design experience for students interested in pursuing an education and/or career in solid waste management. Awards presented to the top two teams with maximum overall scores. PLUS! Each participating student receives free conference registration for 2016 WASTECON, free SWANA student membership for one year, and a SWANA YP webinar voucher. Application deadline is April 15, 2016. More information.
Arizona Department of Water Resource Drought Program
February 2016 drought summary is online.
March Southwest Climate Outlook
The March 2016 Southwest Climate Outlook is online.
CLIMAS Podcast: February 2016 – Delusions of Hydroclimate Grandeur
Tune into the Southwest climate podcasts on iTunes or Southwest Climate Change Network.
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OPPORTUNITIES
Career Development Associate, School of Sustainability
Instructions to Apply: To review and apply go to ASU Human Resources, click on Internal or External Applicants, and in the “Requisition ID” section, type 21382BR.
Fiscal Specialist, Business Office
Instructions to Apply: To review and apply go to ASU Human Resources, click on Internal or External Applicants, and in the “Requisition ID” section, type 21330BR.
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Student Volunteer Program, Summer 2016 Session, NOAA/NWS, Phoenix
Application deadline April 15, 2016. More information.
Instructor/Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, US Military Academy, Department of the Army
Application deadline April 21, 2016. More information.
Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, AbTech Industries
Application deadline is April 29, 2016. More information.
Scholar-In-Residence, Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering Design, McGill University
Application deadline June 15, 2016. More information.
Science and Policy Internships, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Various locations, USA
Application deadline July 15, 2016. More information.
Assistant Director, Environmental Science and Policy, University of Maryland
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Stream Microbial Ecology, Loyola University
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