ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
NEWSLETTER
In
this issue:
** Upcoming ES Events: ES Colloquia: “Cleaner Cars, Cleaner Air: How tough
emissions standards will cut air pollution and curb global warming” and
Environment Maine is recruiting on campus
** ES Program news: There is still room in the Jan Plan
course ES113 "Women and the Environment."
** Campus Sustainability: Sustainability Month ~ A
success!
** In the News: Baldacci Kicks Off: OPERATION KEEP WARM
** Jan Plan Funding Opportunities: Mellon and LKC Funds available
** Beyond Colby: Riki Ott '76 offers webcast,
**
**
Jobs and Internships: Americorps, GreenCorps,
community farming
In
this issue:
** Upcoming ES Colloquium:
Cleaner Cars, Cleaner Air: How tough emissions standards will cut air pollution
and curb global warming
Matthew
Davis
Tuesday, November 1
Olin 1, 7:00
Join us in
the Fairchild Room at 5:30 for dinner with Matthew Davis
ES 401 credit
A recent Environment Maine Research & Policy Center report concluded that
conventional gasoline vehicles can cut global warming emissions with a host of
available technology. These specific technologies include: variable valve
timing, cylinder deactivation, turbocharged engines, five- or six-speed
automatic transmissions, continuously variable transmissions, automatic shift
manual transmissions, integrated starter generators, 42 volt electrical
systems, and low-leakage air conditioning units.
To meet the standards of reducing emissions by about 22 percent by 2012, a car
manufacturer might only have to install two or three of the technologies listed
above. According to the California Air Resources Board, the average retail
price increase for passenger cars and light trucks meeting the 2012 standard is
$367 and $1064 for the 2016 standard compared to the 2009 baseline vehicle. For
large trucks and SUVs the average price increase is estimated at $277 in 2012
and $1029 in 2016. This modest increase in cost is expected to be more than
offset by operating cost savings over the life of the vehicle. In addition to
current technologies, there are new technologies being designed and tested to
further decrease emissions and boost engine performance.
Matthew Davis is the Advocate for the Environment Maine and
Interested in working for Environment
Saving Open Spaces
Heidi Overbeck, Environment Maine
Wednesday, November 2
In the private dining room in Foss
Environment
Maine's Heidi Overbeck will discuss their work to
save open spaces in Maine, focusing on their campaigns to Save Moosehead Lake from sprawl and to Save Our Wild Forests, an
effort to reinstate protections to Maine's wild national forest that the Bush
administration repealed this summer. She will also discuss opportunities for
graduating seniors to work for environmental protections, consumer safeguards,
and the public interest with the State Environment Groups and State Public
Interest Research Groups.
** ES Program news: There is still room in the Jan Plan course ES113
"Women and the Environment."
Three credit hours. Gail Carlson
TWRF 9:00 – 10:50 am
This course is relevant for ES and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
students, as well as anyone interested
in domestic and global environmental issues, gender equity, women's health,
environmental justice, women activists and writers, and nature writing.
The diverse and complex ways in which women and the
natural environment intersect, using the works and voices of prominent women
environmentalists and authors, including Rachel Carson and Terry Tempest
Williams. Topics include how women around the globe participate in
environmental issues, how women's participation has influenced Western science
and environmental policy, and how the physical and chemical environment
uniquely impacts women's health. An important theme of the course is that
understanding the experiences, messages, and actions of women is critical to
our approach to environmental issues today.
** This course will count toward the Humans and the Environment
requirements for science majors and Environmental Issues requirements
for policy majors.
and:
ES173 Environmental Law and Indian Tribes: The "Rez" and the "Hood"
Three credit hours. S. Peter Sly
M, T, W, R
Federal
environmental law often affects land use decisions. An examination of
environmental decision-making in the context of the most regulated lands in the
** This course will count toward the Humans and the Environment
requirements for science majors and Environmental Issues requirements
for policy majors.
Also in January:
PL197 Environmental Ethics
MTWR
An
introduction to prominent questions and themes in environmental ethics.
We will begin with a study of theoretical approaches to nature, animals, and
the place of human beings in the environment, including Social Ecology, Deep
Ecology, Ecofeminism, and Ecopsychology.
Then we will consider a number of issues that raise ethical questions in the
context of environmental philosophy, such as ecojustice,
consumption, globalization, economics, poverty, pollution, biodiversity,
education, population, technology, place, activism, and wilderness.
198Bj Ecological Teaching and Learning
In a cooperative learning community, students explore the philosophical
foundations of experiential, holistic, and ecological education. Students
reflect on their own learning styles, levels of emotional engagement in various
contexts, and messages received in school about their place in the web of life.
Class sessions include theoretical discussion, observation of model educators,
and practice using a variety of teaching techniques. Every student gains
experience facilitating group activities, designing hands-on lessons,
evaluating peer teachers, and teaching ecological concepts in the outdoors. A
variety of learning environments are used for the course, including the dynamic
winter ecosystems of riparian zones and forests during a three-day field trip.
Nongraded.
Three credit hours. EDELGLASS
** Campus Sustainability:
Sustainabilty Month: A Success
Thank you to everyone who made Colby's first Sustainability Month
such a success. A number of student pitched in to
organize and run a number of events from a campus cleanup, BBQ at the green
house, food waste survey, panel discussion, tour of the
(from FYI, the Colby Employee newsletter)
Kerill O'Neill, who is an advisor to
the Green House, Colby's first dialogue house, said that, though it almost
always dark, because everyone at the house is working so hard to conserve
electricity, "I've never known a group of students so committed to an
idea."
** In the News:
Governor Baldacci Kicks Off Operation Keep ME Warm
Governor Baldacci today led hundreds of volunteers statewide for the
kick off of Operation Keep ME Warm. This effort is a first of its kind
private-public partnership to weatherize the homes of low income senior
citizens on fuel assistance to prepare for what could be a long, cold winter.
Corporate sponsors, state agencies and volunteer groups joined to donate
resources and time to assist vulnerable seniors.
“I thank all the
Teams of volunteers have begun to install door, window, and pipe insulation,
energy efficient light bulbs and caulking, and talk with homeowners about energy
conservation, winter safety, and public assistance programs available to them.
The $50 weatherization kits, provided to the State at a discount by Home Depot,
will provide electricity and heating fuel cost savings of about $78 per year
for many years to come.
Home Depot has provided weatherization supplies to the program at a substantial
discount. Kits include weather stripping, plastic, caulking, furnace filters,
pipe insulation, wall switch gaskets and compact fluorescent light bulbs. The
Maine Department of Transportation assembled and continue
to deliver the kits locations statewide.
In addition, Pizza Hut and Dunkin Donuts will provide coupons to volunteer
teams for food and drink, the Maine Oil Dealers will be reimbursing drivers for
their automobile mileage, and Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority has
provided lanyards and badges for all volunteers in order to be easily
identified by homeowners. Georgia Pacific has also donated additional funding
for the program.
Other partners include the Office of the Governor, Maine State Housing
Authority, Maine Department of Transportation,
The Governor’s team today weatherized the home of a widow in Farmingdale who
will turn 90 years old this month. His team included: Beth Nagusky,
Director of the Governor’s Office of Energy Independence; Mike Finnegan,
Director of Maine State Housing Authority; Art Cleaves, Director of Maine
Emergency Management Agency; and Randall Curtis of the Maine Commission for
Community Service.
ncies coordinating the
activities in each County include:
Volunteer teams are still needed in all areas of the state. Those interested
in volunteering can log on to www.volunteermaine.org
to find out more about the program and register a
team. Citizens interested in finding out about fuel assistance and
weatherization programs should call their
For more information, please contact:
Kim Goding 207-287-8933
kim.goding@maine.gov
** Jan Plan Funding Opportunities: Mellon and Linda K. Cotter
Mellon Internship Stipend
The Environmental Studies Program has been awarded a grant by the Mellon
Foundation to fund several environmental internship stipends. The amount of
money available for each stipend will depend on the nature of the internship,
the anticipated budget and financial needs of the applicant, and the
availability of other resources including the employer's ability to provide
partial compensation. Total awards will range from $600 to $3,000. Applications
should be submitted to Beth Kopp, 221 Lunder, beth.kopp@colby.edu
Check out this website (or talk to Beth) for application criteria:
http://www.colby.edu/grants/esmellon/stipends.htm
Deadline is November 14
LKC APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 4
The Linda K Cotter Award provides funding to support students doing
internships in January. Its intention is to encourage students to get
career-related experience by assisting with the expenses incurred in doing
unpaid internships. Preference is given to unpaid internships at non-profit,
humanitarian, scientific research (non-profit), or government (state, local,
federal) organizations. Internships at for-profit organizations will be
considered on a case by case basis.
** Beyond Colby: Riki Ott '76 offers webcast
Riki Ott '76 is giving a FREE
webcast lecture on the oil as a health hazard to
people and wildlife on Nov 17 at 9:00 a.m. Alaska Time. The information in
the webcast is based on research compiled in her
book, Sound Truth and Corporate Myth$ (2005). She will talk about
long-term harm from the Exxon Valdez oil spill to cleanup workers and
wildlife--and ramifications for public health and our global energy future.
Further, this information can be used to block oil and gas
development--anywhere. For example, the
For more information about this webcast and to
register, visit www.soundtruth/info/
**
"
<http://www.columbia.edu/cu/climatesociety/>.
The one-year Masters Program in Climate Science and Policy trains
professionals and academics to understand and respond to climate
variability and climate change. The program, now in its second year,
is expanding its financial assistance opportunities. For more
information about the MA Program in Climate and Society, see
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/climatesociety/.
You may also contact the
program by email at climatesociety@ei.columbia.edu or by phone at
212-854-9896.
Policy trains professionals and academics to understand and respond to
the causes and impacts of climate variability and climate change. The
International Research Institute for Climate Prediction,
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Earth Institute and
in the Earth Sciences, Earth Engineering, International Affairs,
Sociology and Economics contribute significantly to the program. At
the end of twelve intensive months of study, graduates are prepared to
obtain positions in government, business, nongovernmental
organizations and teaching or to continue their academic careers in
the social or natural sciences.
** Jobs and Internships:
TEACH FOR AMERICA
Apply now at www.teachforamerica.org.
Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding
recent college graduates
of all backgrounds and academic majors who commit two years to teach in urban
and rural public schools and who become lifelong leaders in the effort to
expand opportunity for children.
Seeking ALL MAJORS. No previous education experience
or coursework necessary.
Full first-year teacher salary and benefits, financial aid, plus a $9,450
AmeriCorps education award (if eligible). Student loan forbearance and interest
payments for two years.
For questions or more information contact us at admissions@teachforamerica.org
or 800-832-1230 ext. 225.\
Department of Energy's Community College
Department
of Energy's Community College Institute of Science and Technology (CCI) Internship
Program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) during the summer of
2006. The CCI Program is being offered at
many of the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) national
laboratories throughout the country. The attached information sheet provides a
brief program description for any interested students you have that are
preparing for careers in science, mathematics or technology.
About the CCI Program
The CommThe Community College Institute of Science
and Technology (CCI) Internships are designed to provide educational
>training and research experiences at Department of Energy laboratories for
a >diverse group of highly motivated undergraduate students who are
interested >in careers in science, mathematics, and technology. >The
program allows students to learn about the real world of science, mathematics,
and technology through working side-by-side with mentor scientists.
CCI Website:
Please direct any interested student(s) to read about the program and apply
online at the DOE website: www.scied.science.doe.gov,
CCI Program. Key dates: applications opened October, 2005 and will close
Green Corps Fellowship Positions Available
Each year, Green Corps offers one-year paid fellowships to recent
college graduates, providing them with the hands-on training and experience
they'll need to launch their social change organizing and advocacy careers.
Fellows in the program spend a year participating in a rigorous classroom
training program and coordinating field campaigns with local, regional, and
national environmental groups.
At the end of the year, Green Corps fellows can go on to start their own
non-profit groups or run the field operations of leading state, local or
national groups.
In the past fourteen years, Green Corps has trained nearly 200 young people who
have held leadership positions in environmental and social change groups like
Sierra Club, Greenpeace, ACORN, Rainforest Action Network, and Natural
Resources Defense Council. When you look at the people who are winning today's
dramatic environmental victories, you'll likely find a Green Corps organizer.
Three Colby Alumni, Katie Swayne, '03, Emily
Arell,'04, and Tyler Edgar, '04, graduated from the program recently and are
now running cutting edge campaigns around the country.
We are currently accepting recommendations and applications for our 2006-2007
fellowship, and are seeking motivated and talented graduating seniors with an
interest in environmental and/or social change organizing and advocacy.
Check out our website, www.greencorps.org.
It has a more details on our training and profiles of our alumni.
Faith in Place Part-time Youth Program Coordinator
Contact: Rev. Clare Butterfield
Email: clare@faithinplace.org
Description: Faith in Place gives religious people the tools to become good
stewards of the earth. We partner with religious congregations to promote clean
energy and sustainable farming. Since 1999, we have worked with more than one
hundred congregations in
Through our after-school program and summer activities, we help youth in
We are looking for a creative, experienced youth leader with an interest in
environmental programming. You will:
Provide programming to 20 youth from area congregations three nights a week and
occasional weekends during the school year, with the help of volunteers;
Choose and/or develop curriculum to teach youth to grow food, compost with
worms, and harvest honey from their beehives—giving them hands-on applications
for reading, writing, and science skills;
Encourage their entrepreneurial skills by helping them produce and market
honey, plants, organic herbs and worm compost at local fairs and Farmers
Markets;
Offer summer enrichment activities for 35 youth with field trips, gardening,
art and science projects, environmental speakers, and more;
Recruit youth and maintain a waiting list; also recruit, screen, train and
support volunteer tutors;
Oversee menu planning, purchase food and supervise cook for dinner each night;
Keep expenses within approved annual budget and assist the development director
with program fundraising.
Location: Chicago, IL
Duration: Permanent school year position plus limited summer hours
Start Date: January 9, 2006
Hours: 1-9 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday + occasional weekends; reduced hours in
summer
Compensation: $18,000 - 20,000 depending on qualifications, plus generous
benefits, including health insurance, 3% retirement match, and ten weeks off
each year.
Application Procedure: We will begin reviewing applications on
To apply, please submit your cover letter, resume, and three references,
preferably via email or fax, to:
Rev. Clare Butterfield, Executive Director
2649 N. Francisco Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
phone 773-235-4640
fax 773-235-4653
clare@faithinplace.org
www.faithinplace.org
Community Farms Outreach and Waltham Fields Community Farm
Assistant Growers for 2006
Description: Assistant growers are considered farm managers-in-training
and are involved in all aspects of food production, distribution, and
record-keeping on our 10-acre farm, including greenhouse work, bed preparation,
seeding and transplanting, weed control, insect and disease control, soil
management, irrigation activities, leading volunteer groups, harvesting and CSA
and produce donation distributions. They are supervised by and work closely
with the farm manager.
Qualifications: Applicants should have a serious interest in sustainable
agriculture (some experience in organic production is preferred) and enthusiasm
for our mission-related work, including education and hunger relief. They must
be able to take on the physically challenging schedule and tasks of the farming
season. They must work well both individually and in community. Experience
with/ interest in working with farm equipment is preferred. A sense of humor
and creative thinking are helpful in this position!
Location: Waltham, MA
Duration: 7 months
Start Date: April 3, 2006
Hours: Sunday through Thursday, full-time
Compensation: $425/week, workers’ compensation, 5 paid days off a season, $100
educational stipend, produce from the farm, participation in the Eastern
Massachusetts Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training.
Application Procedure: Send resume and letter of intent to Amanda Cather by email (preferred) or traditional mail.
Amanda Cather
farmmanager@communityfarms.org