Tuesday, July 12, 2005

[Grants] National Science Teacher's Association Awards Programs The mission of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA and its sponsors reward the professional efforts of teachers and the innovative talents of their students with awards and grants that are offered each year. The program guidelines, eligibility and deadlines vary. 2:52:08 PM Google It!    [Green government] Pennsylvania Green Building Maintenance Manual Designed as a tool for facility managers in Pennsylvania, this manual should prove helpful for anyone seeking guidance on the environmentally preferable operation and maintenance of government buildings and associated grounds. Chapters include: Green Landscaping Snow Removal and De-Icing Roofing Maintenance Parking Garage Maintenance HVAC Maintenance Lighting Maintenance Cleaning Procedures Cleaning Product Selection The guide was developed in partnership with Green Seal, a third-party certifier of environmentally preferable products. 2:46:31 PM Google It!    [Environmental science] Archived interviews on WILL-AM WILL-AM archives files of its Focus 580 and Afternoon Magazine interview shows. Recent topics included:  PAPER OR PLASTIC: SEARCHING FOR SOLUTIONS TO AN OVERPACKAGED WORLD, Daniel Imhoff, Executive Director of Watershed Media Real Audio: http://rms01.cites.uiuc.edu/ramgen/will/archives/aftmag050711.rm MP3 download: http://www.will.uiuc.edu/willmp3/aftmag050711.mp3 Wind Energy: Research, Development and Application, Robert Thresher, Director, National Wind Technology Center of National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado Real Audio: http://rms01.cites.uiuc.edu/ramgen/WILL/archives/focus050623a.rm MP3 download: http://www.will.uiuc.edu/willmp3/focus050623a.mp3 Water Resources in Illinois, Derek Winstanley, Chief of the Illinois Water Survey and Adjunct Professor of Geography at the University of Illinois Real Audio: http://rms01.cites.uiuc.edu/ramgen/WILL/archives/focus050628a.rm MP3 download: http://www.will.uiuc.edu/willmp3/focus060628a.mp3 On Thursday, they're featuring: A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE CHICAGO REGION, Joel Greenberg, lawyer, naturalist and writer (links aren't active yet -- you can listen live at 1:06 pm at http://www.will.uiuc.edu/main/listen.htm) Real Audio: http://rms01.cites.uiuc.edu/ramgen/will/archives/aftmag050714.rm MP3 download: http://www.will.uiuc.edu/willmp3/aftmag050714.mp3 2:39:52 PM Google It!    [Fuel cells] Fuel Cell News Via sustainablog: A couple of interesting fuel cell developments: WorldChanging takes note of research right here at St. Louis' Washington University that's led to the development and patenting of "...a new [microbial fuel cell] design that has improved overall energy density and a structure better suited for real-world use. The "Upflow MFC" has stacked chambers, and the test model they built is described as the size of a "thermos bottle" (and 90% of you now have an immediate mental image -- see? Telegenic)." Reader Paco Nathan directed me to a press release from earlier this year that describes research at Princeton University on turning cow manure into electricity via a hydrogen fuel cell. Very interesting, but, as always, my first question is "Where's the hydrogen coming from...?" Finally, an item I've been meaning to get up for several weeks: Curt at Alternative Energy~Renewable Energy has found information describing how a hydrogen fuel cell works. Great news for us science dummies! 2:09:00 PM Google It!    [Sustainable agriculture] Calls Grow to Subsidize Green Farming The federal government is expected to pay $24 billion in farm subsidies this year. Critics, including quite a few farmers, say taxpayers shouldn't pay for corn or cotton surpluses. Instead, they say the funds should go toward things that benefit the public, such as cleaner water and a healthier environment. [NPR Topics: Environment] 2:06:23 PM Google It!    [Energy efficiency] Federal Agencies Partner to Reduce Home Energy Bills and Protect Environment The Bush administration announced a new partnership aimed at reducing household energy costs by 10 percent over the next decade while improving our nation's air. The Partnership for Home Energy Efficiency will provide energy saving solutions for households across the country and support research and implementation of a new generation of energy efficiency technologies. The Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide Americans, including homebuilders, with the latest home energy savings information on a Web portal, http://www.energysavers.gov. [U.S. EPA Air News] 1:07:53 PM Google It!    [Environmental health] Conference Dealing With Climate Change, Cellphone Risk Scientists and public health officials from around the world are gathering in Canada to discuss potential global health risks. Climate change is on the agenda. And so is something not talked about nearly as much -- possible cellphone dangers. The Toronto Star's Tyler Hamilton and Robert Cribb explain, 7/11/05. [SEJ: Environmental Journalism Today] 1:06:22 PM Google It!    [Climate change] Stop And Smell The Global Warming? Global warming is coming to your living room, your dining room, your kitchen, anywhere you decorate with cut flowers. Washington Post correspondent Cheryl Lyn Dybas explains what sounds like a movie plot, but may be all too real, 7/11/05. [SEJ: Environmental Journalism Today] 1:05:36 PM Google It!    [Schools] Colleges Getting A Lesson In 'Green' The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Jennifer Gonzalez reports more colleges and universities are jumping on the "green" bandwagon. She explains why many institutions think that kind of green will generate another type -- money -- by cutting costs, 7/11/05. [SEJ: Environmental Journalism Today] 1:04:54 PM Google It!    [Great Lakes] Great Lakes Regional Collaboration strategy released Great Lakes--Environment Source: EPA, The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Great Lakes Regional Collaboration strategy released "The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration today released a draft strategy to restore and protect the Great Lakes ecosystem." Direct to full text draft. [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker] 12:48:44 PM Google It!    [Fuel cells] USC Partners with Fraunhofer on Fuel Cells The University of South Carolina and Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems are establishing a research partnership that will encompass fuel cells, hydrogen storage, hydrogen production, chemical-energy conversion and other electrochemical storage devices. [Green Car Congress] 12:38:32 PM Google It!    [Smart growth] New Assistance for States on Growth Issues Announced-Former Governors Join EPA and NEA to Initiate New Institute on Community Design Responding to a growing number of requests from states for assistance in managing growth, three former governors with a long history of promoting smart growth -- Christie Whitman (New Jersey--also former EPA Administrator), Parris Glendening (Maryland) and Angus King (Maine) -- today joined EPA and the National Endowment for the Arts in announcing a new Governors' Institute on Community Design. The Institute is intended to support governors' leadership in good community design and sound planning. For more information about the Governors Institute, visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/gov_institute.htm For more information about EPA's Smart Growth program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth [U.S. EPA Partnerships and Voluntary Programs News] 12:37:45 PM Google It!    [Hybrid cars] With Sierra Club's Help, Ford Pushes a New Hybrid The Sierra Club, long a a nemesis of Detroit automakers, is teaming up with Ford to promote the company's second hybrid vehicle. By DANNY HAKIM. [NYT > Business] 12:34:17 PM Google It!    [Solar energy] They Paved Paradise... Via sustainablog: But this parking lot is solar-powered. Mike at Green Car Congress gives us the details on Kyocera's "Solar Grove": "an array of 25 'solar trees' that converts a 186-vehicle parking lot into a 235-kW solar electric generating system." Based on test conditions and adjusted for inverter efficiency estimated at 94%, the 235 kW system is capable of generating 421,000 kilowatt hours per year. The system's 25 solar trees form a carport in a Kyocera employee parking lot, utilizing a total of 1,400 Kyocera KC-187G solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and 200 custom-manufactured, light-filtering PV modules.... The standard Kyocera solar modules used in the Solar Grove are covered by a 25-year manufacturer's warranty, and Kyocera anticipates that the Solar Grove will pay for itself within 12 years. Adding vehicle-charging stanchions to such a design to support plug-in hybrids as well as full EVs seems a small additional step. As long as we're going to have parking lots (and I don't see them going anywhere soon), this is a great step forward. Now if we can just get folks into those plug-in hybrid cars... 12:33:14 PM Google It!    [Green lifestyle] Incentives for Ride-Sharing Via sustainablog: From ENN via EcoPortal, a story about NuRide, Inc., a Virginia-based company that not only helps commuters find other people to carpool with, but also gives them points (like frequent flyer miles) every time they share a ride. "The credit for NuRide's success belongs to commuters, reward partner companies and regional governments who make it all possible," stated NuRide Chief Executive Officer Rick Steele, "and we are excited to be adding more commuters, more reward partners and more markets in 2005 as NuRide begins to expand nationwide." NuRide currently operates in Washington DC and the New York Tri-State Area. I don't know how successful some of the other car-sharing/ride-sharing programs have been, but this seems like an excellent way to create more carpoolers. Clearly, we're all getting an environmental benefit from carpooling, but most of us are more likely to do it if we can also save money at Brookstone and XM Satellite Radio... I noticed on NuRide's website that they also promote their service as a way for employers to reward employees -- anyone aware of companies promoting carpooling like this? 12:31:17 PM Google It!    [Green building] Building Green Communities in Massachusetts. Via sustainablog: Massachusetts is already a very green state, but, according to this RenewableEnergyAccess.com post, Gov. Mitt Romney plans to go another step by engaging the state in building more "environmentally-friendly, affordable housing that adheres to smart growth principles." The Governor joined MassHousing, The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), and The Enterprise Foundation at the announcement. Collectively these organizations will make available $209 million worth of incentives to build 1,000 new environmentally-friendly, "green," homes in Massachusetts. "Combining affordable housing and environmentally-friendly smart growth isn't just about dollars and cents. It's about promoting common sense," said Romney. "By simultaneously investing in affordable housing and smart growth, Green Communities will help support our economy while maintaining the kind of diversity and healthy environment that makes Massachusetts such a great place to work, live and raise a family." This project is not expected to require any new taxpayer dollars. MassHousing will provide approximately $125 million in mortgage financing. Republican governors, particularly in the Northeast (although let's give Ahh-nold his due), are really running with the ball on sustainable development and climate change initiatives. What the hell happens to them when they go to Washington? 12:05:55 PM Google It!    [Green building] BRC 50: Green Building: Not Just for "House Geeks" Anymore Via sustainablog: From North Carolina's News & Observer via The Future is Green, an article on builders' desires to move green building off of the fringe and into the mainstream. Ultimately, they're looking to attract "production builders" to the movement. OK, I'm having trouble reading now, so you'll have to look at the rest youself... 12:03:49 PM Google It!    [Wind energy] Wind Power in the UK Wind Energy--United Kingdom Source: Sustainable Development Commission Wind Power in the UK ""Wind Power in the UK" is set against the Government target to increase the contribution of renewables to UK electricity to 10 per cent by 2010 -- with an aspiration of 20 per cent by 2020 -- as part of efforts to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing energy security. The report aims to help policy-makers and planners balance genuine local concerns with wider environmental and social needs, so the benefits of renewable energy are realised through careful design and consultation." Full report (PDF; 1.78 MB) [ResourceShelf's DocuTicker] 12:02:25 PM Google It!

© Copyright 2005 Laura L. Barnes. Last update: 10/25/2005; 12:11:15 PM.