[Archived] Newsletter
March 12, 2009
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Officer Election Results
- President: Leslie Labruto
- Executive Vice President: Peter Reisz
- Treasurer: Jinsu Sohn
- Secretary: Emma Steigerwald
- Webmaster: Liwei Jiang
- VP of Publicity: Lina Aboulmouna
- VP of Education: Rebecca Maddox
- VP of Energy: Ben Kahn
- VP of Composting: Katy Clark
- VP of Recycling: Lora Aboulmouna
Congratulations to our new officers! They will lead SPEAR for the 2009-2010 year.
Coming up in SPEAR
Next general body meeting
Monday, March 16 at 7 PM in Buttrick 201
News
NYT: Obama's Backing Raises Hopes for Climate Pact
The perception that the U.S. is now serious about tackling climate change has set off a flurry of diplomacy around the globe.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/science/earth/01treaty.html
Ars Technica: Report: green marketing to grow even in downturn
A new study finds that even in an economic downturn, manufacturers who make efforts to be more socially and environmentally conscious can look forward to charging consumers a slight premium. The report concludes that technology early-adopters and many businesses that serve them are leading the march when it comes to going green.
NYT: Five Beginners' Steps to a Greener Home
The author of "Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies" distilled a vast amount of green advice into five must-do steps.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/12/garden/12greenhome.html
Lectures and Conferences
Careers with Impact Symposium
Hear from Industry Leaders about the New Sustainable Economy
Join Net Impact at the Owen Graduate School of Management on Saturday, March 21 for "Careers with Impact" - a full day of panel discussions on profitable environmentally and socially conscious careers. The symposium will take place at Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management from 9:00am - 3:30pm. Registration is $20 before March 5 and $25 thereafter. This includes breakfast, lunch, and a gift bag!
Details at http://owennetimpact.org/symposium.
Mountain Mourning: Spring 2009 Science Documentary Film Series
Take a break from your studies and see a film. Light refreshments served.
April 1 - Mountain Mourning
Filmmaker's Description: In the Southern Appalachian Mountains, a coal-mining process known as Mountaintop Removal is devastating God's creation. Demand for electricity overshadows weak environmental laws. Coal industry profits outweigh quality of life. As our oldest mountaintops vanish, the people are left behind. Having paid the highest price - they are abandoned in what is called "the sacrifice zone." Bonus short films: "Look What They've Done", "Keeper of the Mountains", "A Call to Action" and "Bringing Down the Mountains." (78 minutes total) 2006, BJ Gunmundsson. http://www.patchworkfilms.com/index.htm
http://www.library.vanderbilt.edu/science/filmseries.html
[Lectures and Conferences page]
Internships
NCEP Summer Internship
The National Commission on Energy Policy seeks an undergraduate or graduate summer intern to conduct research on pertinent energy policy topics. One student will be selected in a competition seeking innovative research proposals that address designated topics pertaining to current U.S. energy strategies. The student whose proposal is accepted will be invited to serve as an intern at NCEP in Washington, D.C. for a 10-week period during the summer. Interns will split their time between bringing their research proposal to fruition and engaging in NCEP's normal business activities, which includes energy policy and technology research, advocacy, and other related endeavors. Applications are due March 23, 2009.
http://www.energycommission.org/ht/d/sp/i/4183/pid/4183
Santa Cruz Summer Sustainability Institute
The University of California, Santa Cruz Summer Session is pleased to announce the first Santa Cruz Summer Sustainability Institute (SSI), a program of courses, discussions and possible internships designed to introduce students to the concepts and practices of social and ecological sustainability, and to allow them to pursue selected subjects in greater depth. The Institute reflects growing sustainability-related interest and activity at UC-Santa Cruz and offers students the opportunity to participate in special discussion sections and seminars, explore a variety of projects on campus and around the Monterey Bay Region.
http://summer.ucsc.edu/sustainability