Professor John Quigley Discovers Green Building Pays Greenbacks
Summary:
Everyone's talking about "going green," but in the building industry, the cost of investment has been difficult to justify - until now. Haas Professor John Quigley has undertaken the first systematic analysis of environmentally sustainable construction and its economic impact on the real estate market.
In the working paper, "Doing Well by Doing Good? Green Office Buildings," Quigley and co-authors Piet Eichholtz and Nils Kok of Maastricht University, Netherlands, determined investments in proven green building practices lead to sizable increases in a property's market value and effective rent, the average per-square-foot rent paid.
Shell is opening a new hydrogen pump in Los Angeles this week. I'm looking for experts who can talk about hydrogen as fuel, its viability, whether its truly safe ecologically, and whether there will be enough hydrogen cars on the roads to justify building more. Contact: Celeste Headlee, cheadlee@gmail.com
This is the second in a series of four conferences sponsored by Farm Foundation and USDA to inventory current knowledge, highlight lessons learned to date, identify future possibilities and determine what we need to know for the future. These conferences and the products produced from them will provide government, industry, academic and community leaders with objective information and analysis they can use to make more informed decisions related to the bioeconomy in the next decade.
The Center for Biological Diversity Arctic Species Conservation Program Staff Scientist
Description:
The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time Staff Scientist to
work on biodiversity protection issues in and affecting Alaska and the
Arctic. The Center is a national non-profit organization dedicated to
protecting endangered species and wild places through science, policy,
education, and environmental law.
Particular emphasis of the Staff Scientist position will be advocating for
the protection of vulnerable Arctic and sub-Arctic species such as seabirds,
polar bears and other ice-dependent marine mammals in the face of global
warming, offshore oil and gas development, industrial fishing, shipping and
other emerging threats. The Staff Scientist will work closely with the
Center's climate and oceans programs in developing and implementing actions
and strategies focused on both reducing the Arctic melt and on adapting
wildlife management to the changing conditions of a warming Arctic.
Requirements for the position include an advanced degree in a relevant
scientific field, excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, a
demonstrated commitment to environmental protection, an ability to work with
lawyers and other staff members as part of an effective team, and a strong
work ethic. Familiarity with natural resource management and wildlife law
desired.
The Staff Scientist will be responsible for engaging in policy advocacy,
interacting with local, state, and federal agencies, scientists, other
environmental organizations and the public, drafting reports, comments,
petitions and webtext, and doing media outreach. Frequent travel required.
Salary for the Staff Scientist position is commensurate with other
non-profit organizations and includes an excellent vacation and benefits
package.
Location for the Staff Scientist position is Anchorage, Alaska.
Please send a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample via email
(no paper) to alaska@biologicaldiversity.org "Attn: Staff Scientist".
Position open until filled. No telephone calls please. Only candidates
selected for interviews will be contacted.
Press Release: Students win $180,000 to takcle world's problems through Bears Breaking Boundaries contest
Summary:
BERKELEY – Projects to help new mothers in Nigeria and orphans in Nepal, and to encourage bike sharing and energy efficiency in Berkeley, are among 50 student proposals receiving a total of $179,000 in the third annual "Bears Breaking Boundaries" competition at the University of California, Berkeley.
"Cal students have fantastic ideas for enhancing the curriculum, improving the campus, and addressing major societal challenges such as climate change and global health," said Thomas Kalil, special assistant to the chancellor for science and technology and director of Big Ideas@Berkeley, a campus initiative which co-sponsors the student competition. "The contest is our version of 'American Idol' - it helps shine the spotlight on our most creative, energetic and entrepreneurial students."
Also see Business Week Article:
Source:
Berkeley News, also see Business Week Article at http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/may2008/id20080530_606257.htm?chan=search
Building Sustainability at Cal Program Coordinator
Description:
The Building Sustainability @ Cal (BS@C) Program trains and utilizes students to help reduce the environmental footprint of buildings by educating building inhabitants and identifying structural and operational changes that can be made to the building, in addition to designing and implementing educational projects.
The BS@C Program is looking for a student to serve as one of the four Program Coordinators. The Program Coordinator would:
1) Help oversee a service learning class on sustainability
2) Train students how to perform waste, water, and lighting audits and implement projects/programs
3) Manage student interns working in buildings
4) Work with staff and faculty to help reduce the environmental impacts of campus buildings
Training will be provided for the program coordinator, but some experience with environmental issues is required. This position requires at least a one-year commitment.
Chabot Space & Science Center Environmental Intern
Description:
Applications are currently being accepted for three paid winter/spring college internship positions at Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland. An interview is required. Positions must be filled by June 22nd, 2008, and 200 hours must be completed by August 31st, 2008. If you are interested please fill out and submit the application available on our website .
This internship focuses on waste management and recycling practices and environmental education. Applicants must be majoring in Geography, Environmental Studies/Sciences, Society and Environment, Environmental Economics, Law and/or Policy, or a related major. Highlights include the following:
Educate summer camp students and general public visitors about the environment and waste reduction during camps, classes and public demonstrations
Attend enrichment and training sessions focused on current waste management practices and technology.
Visit recycling centers, reuse businesses, transfer stations, landfills, and other related sites
Learn how to maintain a worm compost system
Meet environmental professionals and learn about careers in the field
PROPOSED PROJECT: The University’s academic curriculum needs to demonstrate a more serious commitment towards addressing climate change. Initiatives taken by the Education for Sustainable Living Program can help jumpstart student-led courses at the grassroots level. Additionally, the University’s Academic Senate, the representative body of the University faculty that can exercise some influence over academic matters, can create a core curriculum focused on climate change (About UC Governance, 2006). At the least, it should create a “flexible course module” on climate change that would be offered to all faculty to be integrated into relevant existing course offerings.
Project to cover the cost of showing environmental films and advance printed posters/ads/fliers to promote participation in the upcoming Earth Week 2008.
Need: $4,000, 25% funded
Project for garden border boxes, supplies and tools, composting bins, and installation of an irrigation system to create an outdoors classroom with border gardens at University Village, which houses over 820 students and their families in Albany.
Need: $2,500, 40% funded
