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ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM NEWSLETTER
March 18, 2008
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In this issue:
** UPCOMING ES PROGRAM EVENTS: ES Hollis Lecture: tonight -- Jon
Isham, Public Forum on Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products
** IN THE NEWS: The number of tigers in captivity is growing as
wild tiger populations decline. Can private owners help save a species?,
Professor Nyhus weighs in, Kiira Heymann and Eric Hansen, two students from
ES266 have recently had letters to the editor published in the Morning
Sentinel.
** ES PROGRAM NEWS: ES Program hiring for the summer, Six students
contribute to posters at Maine Water Conference
** JOBS & INTERNSHIPS: Many, many Student Conservation
Association internships. Horticulture Program UVM, Shoals Marine Laboratory,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's, Office of Air and
Radiation, Stratus Consulting
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** UPCOMING ES PROGRAM EVENTS:
ES Hollis Lecture: tonight -- Jon Isham
Jon Isham, Luce Professor of International Environmental Economics
in the Department of Economics and Program in Environmental Studies at
Middlebury College and editor of Ignition: What You Can Do to Fight Global
Warming and Spark a Movement
Tuesday, March 18, at 7:00 in Olin 1,
Fanning the Flames: Some Next Steps for the WorldÕs Climate
Movement
Professor Isham has collaborated with Middlebury students and
others has building the climate movement, as summarized at the What Works project. He currently serve on advisory boards for Focus the Nation,
Climate Counts, and the Vermont Governor's Commission on Climate Change. He has co-edited Social Capital,
Development, and the Environment with Tom Kelly and Sunder Ramaswamy; published
articles in Applied Financial Economic Letters, Economic Development and
Cultural Change, Journal of African Economies, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector
Quarterly, Quarterly Journal of Economics, Rural Sociology, Society and Natural
Resources, Southern Economic Journal, Social Sciences Quarterly, Vermont Law
Review, World Bank Economic Review; and World Development; and published book
chapters in volumes from Cambridge University Press, The New England University
Press, and Oxford University Press.
PUBLIC FORUM ON TOXIC CHEMICALS IN CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS
Wednesday, March 19 at 7:00 p.m.
George J. Mitchell School
58 Drummond Ave, Waterville
Millions of toys and other children's products sold in the U.S.
contain unsafe levels of lead and toxic chemicals from plastics, which harm
human health. Policy changes are
needed to keep toxic chemicals out of products intended for our children. A bill currently before the Maine
legislature, LD2048: "An Act to Protect Children's Health and the
Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children's Products,"
addresses this safety issue.
Students enrolled in ES266: The Environment and Human Health are
doing a civic engagement project focused on this issue, and have organized a
PUBLIC FORUM, which will give you the opportunity to learn more about hazardous
chemicals in children's products and how LD2048 would improve safety. The forum
will also give you the opportunity to talk directly with your state legislators
about LD2048.
Speakers include:
* Michael Belliveau, Director of the Environmental Health Strategy
Center in Maine
* State Legislators from the greater Waterville area
* ES266 Students
Please come and learn more!
Childcare will be provided.
This event is sponsored by the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs
and Civic Engagement at Colby. For
more information, contact Gail Carlson at 859-5353 or gcarlson@colby.edu.
** IN THE NEWS:
The number of tigers in captivity is growing as wild tiger
populations decline. Can private owners help save a species?
Professor Nyhus weighs in
Natural History magazine has just added a blog to its
website. Featured in its debut
(Feb/March 2008, edited by Annie Gottlieb) is Assistant Professor of
Environmental Studies, Philip Nyhus. Visit their website <
http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/Gottlieb/0208_blog_index.html>
to learn from Colby's internationally recognized tiger expert!
Kiira Heymann and Eric Hansen, two students from ES266 have
recently had letters to the editor published in the Morning Sentinel.
Support bill protecting kids from toxic chemicals
03/14/2008
As the Maine State Legislature considers enacting a law to protect
our children from harmful chemicals found in kids' toys and other products, we
find it extremely important that the public voice be heard in support of this
bill.
Too few people are aware of the toxic effects of chemicals
leaching from rubber duckies, baby bottles and other common products that
surround us in everyday life.
Science has shown that dangerous chemicals in many children's
products are linked to reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities,
hormone problems and cancer.
Children are particularly vulnerable. Products containing these
chemicals are in the hands of our children and these chemicals are in our
environment and our bodies.
LD 2048, "An Act to Protect Children's Health and the
Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products" would change
this.
This bill would take these steps in eliminating these toxic
chemicals: require the state to prioritize the "worst of the worst"
chemicals, require manufacturers to disclose the use of these chemicals in
children's products, authorize Maine to require safer alternatives, and direct
Maine to work with other states to fill the gaps in a broken federal safety
system for toxic chemicals.
I urge you to support LD 2048 and protect Maine families from the
detrimental effects of toxic products. Call and write your representatives
today and tell them to protect our kids from toxic toys.
Kiira Heymann
Waterville
Support bill to limit toxic chemicals in toys
03/18/2008
The Natural Resources Committee on the Maine State Legislature
just finished debating the issue of toxic chemicals in toys and other
children's products, and a bill to make these products safer. This bill,
LD2048, is critical to protecting our children from toxic chemicals that cause
long-term, irreversible health problems. The Natural Resources Committee chose
to support this bill and I urge everyone else to as well.
Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of toxic
chemicals, because they are still growing and developing. One example of these
chemicals is bisphenol-A, a toxic chemical that mimics estrogen and is found in
many baby bottles. These toxic chemicals, found in children's rubber duckies
and even medical products, cause both immediate developmental effects and
long-term problems like cancer.
LD2048 is not a new idea; legislation in California and Europe has
already limited the use of toxic chemicals. Some businesses have made the
switch. For example, baby bottles made with bisphenol-A are no longer sold at
Whole Foods Markets.
This past Christmas, millions of toys were recalled because of
high lead levels in their paint. We have a right to know what is in our
children's products and to demand safer alternatives. I urge everyone to contact
their legislators in support of this bill. I also encourage anyone who has more
questions to attend the Public Forum on the bill at the Mitchell School in
Waterville on March 19 at 7 p.m.
Eric Hansen, Waterville
elhansen@colby.edu
** ES PROGRAM NEWS:
ES PROGRAM HIRING FOR THE SUMMER
The ES Program will be hiring an ES major or minor to work 35
hours/week from May 28 - August 15 Duties include working on the website, ES
alumni relations, planning fall "sustainable agriculture" conference,
advancing campus greening efforts, and updating and organizing job and
internship material. If you are interested, submit a paragraph stating your
interest and availability to <beth.kopp>
COLBY STUDENTS HAVE POSTERS AT STATEWIDE MEETING
Six ES and Biology students will have their hard work recognized
at the 2008 Maine Water Conference, Wednesday, March 19, at the
Augusta Civic Center
These posters will be on display this spring at the undergraduate
research symposium:
THE IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGING LAND-USE PATTERNS ON THE
WATER QUALITY OF LONG POND SOUTH BASIN Kerry Whittaker, Eva Gougian, Jessica
Harold, David Firmage, Russell Cole, and Tracey Greenwood. Department of
Biology
PHOSPHORUS LOADING IN THE SOUTH BASIN OF LONG POND, KENNEBEC
COUNTY, MAINE. Jamie O'Connell, Claire Thompson, Kristyn Loving, David Firmage,
Russell Cole, Tracey Greenwood. Department of Biology
** JOBS & INTERNSHIPS:
Student Conservation Association
http://www.thesca.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=183&Itemid=813&mode=list&PositionArray=9,34,34,34,56&TimeFrameArray=&LocationArray=&groupPreference
=
For more than 40 years, Shoals Marine Laboratory (SML) has
specialized in undergraduate education in marine science, ecology and
sustainability. Over the last three years we have expanded SML's curriculum to
better serve students from all over the country. This summer, we will offer 28
college-credit courses at our facility on Appledore Island, Maine. We feature
small class sizes and an experiential learning environment where everyone
learns by first-hand observation. The close-knit community we create each
summer on Appledore Island gives SML the feeling of a residential college,
where even a casual conversation with a faculty member or teaching assistant
can turn into a life-changing one. Being on an offshore island also means that
every class includes adventure and learning opportunities far beyond any normal
classroom. Please take a minute to review some of our exciting offerings and
call them to the attention of students - and make plans to join us on Appledore
Island this summer!
Sustainability in the 21st Century
Study environmental engineering, alternative power systems, and
fisheries conservation:
http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_sustain.html
Introduction to Marine Conservation Biology
How can we integrate management of marine resources with marine
ecology? Find out:
http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_introconserv.html
Field Marine Science
Study the widest possible array of approaches to marine science
and oceanography in this month-long course:
http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_fms.html
Field Marine Biology and Ecology
A broad approach to marine science and ecology:
http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_fmbe.html
The Sea Around Us
Explore the geological, ecological and evolutionary history of the
oceans and marine organisms:
http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_seaaround.html
A Marine Approach to Introductory Biology
Need to complete a course in introductory biology to fulfill major
requirements? If so, then check out:
http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_introbio.html
Field Microbial Ecology
Come learn how marine microbes affect your life and our planet
every day:
http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_cc_mme.html
To view SML's complete list of college credit courses for Summer
2008, please go to: http://www.sml.cornell.edu/sml_students_creditcourses.html
William E. Bemis
Kingsbury Director of Shoals Marine Laboratory
Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Corson Hall, Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
web24@cornell.edu
The website for Shoals Marine Lab is: http://www.sml.cornell.edu/
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's, Office of Air and
Radiation,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's, Office of Air and
Radiation, is seeking two interns to participate in the Oak Ridge Institute for
Science and Education (ORISE) Internship/Research Participation Program.
(Please visit our Web site at http://see.orau.org/.) The interns will have the opportunity to participate in a
variety of challenging and rewarding projects. The interns receive a stipend, however, they do not become
employees of either EPA or ORISE.
Sharon Kern
Project Manager, ORISE
Tel. 865-576-9361
Fax 865-241-5219
e-mail:
Sharon.Kern@orau.org
Stratus Consulting
Stratus Consulting has an opening for an Economics and Policy
Research Associate in our Washington, DC office. Responsibilities will include
conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, conducting literature
searches and reviews, and writing reports. Project areas include climate
change, stratospheric ozone protection, environmental information, and natural
resource economics,.
Qualifications
Qualified applicants will hold the following minimum
qualifications:
Bachelors degree in economics, environmental studies, environmental
engineering, political science, or other related field
Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills
Working knowledge of Excel, Word, database programs, and
statistical programs
Demonstrated personal initiative, a flexible attitude, and the ability
to multi-task and work with shifting deadlines
Excellent attention to detail, with proven commitment to
excellence and quality control
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Knowledge of environmental regulations, experience in government
or consulting are a plus.
Beth Scherer
Associate
Stratus Consulting
1920 L St. NW Suite 420
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 466-3731 ext. 20
Fax: (202) 466-3732
www.stratusconsulting.com
................................................................................................................................................................
Beth Kopp
Coordinator, Environmental Studies Program
Colby College
5356 Mayflower Hill Drive
Waterville, Maine 04901
Office: 208 Diamond Building
207.859.5356