Oct 4: Discussion on Katherine Wilkinson's "Between God and Green: How Evangelicals are Cultivating a Middle Ground on Climate Change"

Interested in the role religion has played in the environmental movement?  Come join Ecosense for a discussion about author Katherine Wilkinson's book whose research on faith based efforts to address climate change breaks ground on new partnerships and action in the environmental movement.

When: Thursday, October 4 at 8:00 pm
Where: Mary Graydon Center, Room 200

Click here for the event poster. Contact au_ecosense@yahoo.com or dss@american.edu if you have any questions!

DC Green Festival Sept 29 and 30

DC Green Festival 
Saturday (9/29) 10 AM - 7 PM & Sunday (9/30) 11 AM - 6 PM 
Walter E. Washington Convention Center | Mt. Vernon/Convention Center Metro (Yellow/Green Lines) 
Admission $15 ($10 for students with ID) 

Don't miss out on one of the biggest environmental events to come to DC each year. Tons of green speakers, DIY workshops, demonstrations, live music, exhibitors, and much more will be happening throughout the weekend. The full event schedule can be found online here: http://read.uberflip.com/i/79071 

AU will be at Booth 1544 so stop by and say hi to our resident sustainablists! 
  
Click here for more information.

Discussion Question 3

We here in the United States tend to see technology as a generally positive (or at worst a benign) force in our lives. And for a variety of reasons, there seems to be a widely-held belief that technology holds the key to a resolution of the world's environmental challenges. I wonder what you make of this. For this week I’d like you to consider the following:

Where does technology ultimately fit in to our conversations about how best to respond to a deteriorating environmental condition? More generally, should we consider technology a positive or a negative force in our lives? 

Green Corps Information Session: OCT 18

Interested in joining Green Corps? There will be a Green Corps information session on October 18 from 11:15-12:30 in the Butler Pavilion Conference Room.

Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day.

In Green Corps¹ year-long paid program, you¹ll get intensive training in the skills you¹ll need to make a difference in the world. You¹ll get hands-on experience fighting to solve urgent environmental problems ‹ global warming, deforestation, water pollution, factory farming and many others ‹ with groups such as Sierra Club and Food and Water Watch. And, when you graduate from Green Corps, we¹ll help you find a career with one of the nation¹s leading environmental and social change groups.

For more information, read below or visit our web site: www.greencorps.org.

In your year with Green Corps:

You¹ll get great training with some of the most experienced organizers in the field: Green Corps organizers take part in trainings with leading figures in the environmental and social change movements: people such as Adam Ruben, political director of MoveOn.org, and Bill McKibben, author and founder of "350.org".

You¹ll get amazing experience working on environmental issues across the country: Green Corps sends organizers to jumpstart campaigns for groups such as Rainforest Action Network and Environment America in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and dozens of other places in between.

You¹ll have a real impact on some of the biggest environmental problems we¹re facing today: Green Corps organizers have built the campaigns that helped keep the Arctic safe from drilling, that led to new laws that support clean, renewable energy, that convinced major corporations to stop dumping in our oceans and much, much more.

You¹ll even get paid: Green Corps Organizers earn a salary of $23,750. Organizers also have a chance to opt into our health care program with a pre-tax monthly salary deferral. We offer paid sick days and holidays, two weeks paid vacation and a student loan repayment program for those who qualify.

And when you graduate from the program, you¹ll be ready for what comes next: Green Corps will help connect you to environmental and progressive groups that are looking for full-time staff to build their organizations and help them create social change and protect our environment.

In the next few months, we will invite 35 college graduates to join Green Corps in 2013 -2014. We¹re looking for people who are serious about saving the planet, people who have taken initiative on their campus or community, and people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work for change over the long haul.

If you think you¹re one of those people, visit www.greencorps.org to apply to join the 2013-2014 class of Green Corps¹ Field School for Environmental Organizing.

Green Corps¹ year-long program begins in August 2013 with Introductory Classroom Training in Boston, and continues with field placements in multiple locations across the U.S. Candidates must be willing to relocate. 

Green Corps Early Application Deadline September 30th, 2012

For more information, visit http://www.greencorps.org or contact Aaron Myran, Recruitment Director, at jo...@greencorps.org.

Event: Re-engineering Cultures to Save Human Civilization

Student internship at the DOE - Energy Efficiency in Buildings

The Buildings Technology Program in the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is seeking a part-time student intern from now through March.  The intern's primary responsibility will be to help plan and manage the Better Buildings Case Competition.  The BBCC is an annual competition in which interdisciplinary teams of university students solve real world energy problems.  More information on the competition can be found here: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/betterbuildings/casecompetition.html.  The intern will help with logistical details, assist with developing and writing the case materials, and communicate with the judges and university teams.  This internship will be a great opportunity to work on some of the most intractable challenges related to energy and the built environment, and to interact with the case partners and judges, including leaders from the DOE, state and local governments, and the real estate community.  

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Elena Alschuler: Elena.Alschuler@ee.doe.gov.  Preference will be given to current students. 

More information on the Student Volunteer Intern Program http://www1.eere.energy.gov/office_eere/oe_internships.html#volunteer

Oct 4: Visit from Norwegian polar explorer Thorleif Thorleifsson

Event Description:
Changes to the environment and climate of the Arctic are offering new opportunities for both competition and collaboration among the states on its periphery. As water levels rise, gas and oil reserves are explored, and territorial claims are challenged, how do we successfully navigate the Arctic challenges of tomorrow?

Join AU and the Norwegian Embassy as we welcome Thorleif Thorleifsson, Norwegian sailor and explorer.  Thorleifsson is an engaging speaker who will discuss the changes he has witnessed firsthand taking place in the Arctic physical environment, as well as why it is imperative that the global community act immediately in response to Climate Change.

When and Where:

Thursday, October 4 from 12:30-2:00PM in the SIS Abramson Family Founders Room

Event: Pesticides, politics, and progress?

Internship with David Gardiner & Associates, LLC

Immediate internship opportunity with David Gardiner and Associates, LLC.  DGA is looking for an intern to assist with projects on diverse energy policy issues including:

• Electricity markets

• Electricity regulation

• Renewable energy financing and policy

• Commercial building retrofit financing

• Industrial energy efficiency

• Clean Air Act rules

For more information, go to: http://dgardiner.com/doc/Fall%202012%20intern%20description.pdf

Paid Internship with Arlington County, Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management

The Arlington Green Games through the Arlington County AIRE program, announces a temporary position in the County’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management.  The successful candidate must be a current student and will provide a combination of professional and administrative assistance to the research and implementation of activities related to: energy and water conservation, transportation alternatives, local food systems, waste diversion and recycling, and education and outreach.  Specific duties for the temporary position are detailed below.

Find more information on the Arlington Green Games here: http://www.arlingtongreengames.com/

Duties:
Primary duties and responsibilities under the direction of the Energy Program Specialist
and Energy Outreach Coordinator:

• Assume primary responsibility in assisting companies and buildings participating in the Games with benchmarking energy use data and other sustainability actions utilizing a combination of online ENERGY STAR tools and the AGG website.  
• Assist in the continued maintenance of the AIRE social media campaign by posting content and updating data to the blog, Facebook, and Twitter.
• Assist in the expansion of the program to other sectors including retail, restaurants, and multifamily.  This will include…
• Research actions and resources to develop sustainability scorecards for each of these sectors.
• Identify potential participants and recruit them to the program.
• Prepare for and attend recruitment meetings and presentations along with the Energy Program Specialist and/or Energy Outreach Coordinator.
• Assist in the maintenance of the new website for these sectors.o 
• Assist in the development of marketing materials.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of technical assistance and workshop training programs for participants to include at least two training events per month.
• Research and provide information to competitors on practices and policies such as green purchasing, renewable energy credits, office composting, green teams, recycling, etc.
• Assist in the development of best practice case studies from participating companies and buildings to be published online.
• Assume primary responsibility for development of an online newsletter to provide resources, facts, and news updates from the program and competitors.
• As time permits, assist with an employee energy outreach campaign.
• Provide general organizational and administrative support as necessary. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Must be a current student.  Completion of at least 2 years of undergraduate work with a
major in fields concentrated in environmental science, communications, or public
administration. Graduate student preferred.  This position requires a high level of
independent work and interaction with key stakeholders.
The successful candidate must possess the following:
...strong verbal and written communication skills
...strong organizational skills
...ability to work well in a political environment
...ability to meet deadlines and work well under pressure
...experience in a Windows software environment and preferred experience with websites

Supervisor: Kelly Zonderwyk, Energy Program Specialist
Position:  Temporary Student Assistant II
Salary Range:    $10.44 to $12.64 an hour
Hours:  Flexible. 20 to 30 hours per week is preferred.  Scheduling is
flexible between the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday through
Friday.  The expected duration of this assignment is up to 6 months
with a possible extension to be determined at that time.


Persons interested in this position should submit a cover letter, resume, brief writing
sample and three references by Monday, September 24 to  climate@arlingtonva.us.

Intern for Interfaith Youth for Climate Justice

Student Intern – Carbon Footprint Analysis 

Our mission at IYCJ is to contribute to a more just and sustainable society by empowering a new generation of leaders for climate justice: youth inspired by their faith and diverse in many ways.  Our year-long program combines interfaith dialogue, environmental education, community service, and action for greater sustainability. 

Throughout the year, the staff has implemented a variety of sustainable practices as an organization, and the students have discussed and pledged to take particular actions on their own and with their families. Now the students are planning and implementing action projects in their congregations.  We want to measure the impact of these different actions on our emissions of carbon dioxide and other green house gases. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Intern will assist with:

• Identifying most significant sustainable practices by IYCJ, youth, and families
• Measuring impact on green house gas emissions of key practices
• Assisting youth in assessing the impact of their sustainable action projects
• Creating carbon footprint survey relevant to teenagers

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.  Applicants MUST have the following: 

1. Experience researching and calculating carbon footprints, green house gas emissions
2. Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to environmental issues, particularly climate change
3. Availability to work flexible hours, attend some meetings in Takoma Park

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience studying or working on climate change and climate justice.
• Demonstrated commitment to social change, experience with action or advocacy campaigns ideal.
• Experience working or volunteering in a multicultural community or organization
• Excellent research and writing skills
• College coursework
• Technologically savvy: basic office software, social networking media
• Independent, responsible worker

Send resume and cover letter to: youth4climatejustice.dc@gmail.com

Event: The 8th Annual Fall 2012 Film Series

AU’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking

and Filmmakers for Conservation

Present

The 8th Annual Fall 2012 Film Series

Hosted by Chris Palmer and Justine Schmidt

Free and Open to the Public

No Reservations Required

___________________________________________________________

Wechsler Theater, 3^rd Floor, Mary Graydon Center

American University

4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016-8017

Directions: http://www.american.edu/maps/

Metro: Tenleytown/AU, shuttle bus service bus service to AU

For more information, please contact:

Chris Palmer (202)885-3408 or palmer@american.edu

Or visit environmentalfilm.org or filmmakersforconservation.org

___________________________________________________________

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 at 7 PM
Death at SeaWorld
Do killer whales belong in captivity? Investigative journalist David Kirby’s gripping new book, Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity, will form the basis of this presentation. David Kirby, Dr. Naomi Rose (Senior Scientist  at Humane Society International), and Courtney Vail (Campaign Director for the Whales and Dolphin Conservation Society) will discuss the consequences of keeping large, intelligent, free-ranging orcas confined to tanks for the delight of tourists.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2 at 7 PM
Lessons from the Deep: What the Oceans are Telling Us and Why it Matters
From a tiny sub 2,000 feet below the Bering Sea, to a living time machine teeming with sharks in the underwater wilds of Cuba, to the world's most remote inhabited island, Dr. David E. Guggenheim, the "Ocean Doctor" - recently featured on 60 MINUTES - takes us on a multimedia underwater journey, up close to breathtaking marine life we are just beginning to understand in a realm that has barely been explored, and shares the latest insights on the work to protect and restore our oceans.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 at 7 PM
Alexandra Cousteau’s Expedition Blue Planet
A National Geographic “Emerging Explorer,” filmmaker, and globally recognized advocate on water issues, Alexandra Cousteau continues the work of her renowned grandfather Jacques-Yves Cousteau and her father Phillipe Cousteau, Sr. Tonight, Alexandra talks about her stories and films from expeditions across North America and throughout the world.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30 at 7 PM
Stories from the Wilderness
SOC grad film students Sarah Gulick and Sylvia Johnson were on a mission last year: to go into National Park Service Wilderness areas and bring back stories from the wild. Working with the National Park Service's Wilderness Stewardship division and the Harpers Ferry Design Center through a special arrangement with SOC's Center for Environmental Filmmaking, Sylvia and Sarah braved the elements and brought back six stories from the wilderness. Join Sarah and Sylvia along with the National Park Service's Chief of Wilderness Stewardship, Garry Oye, and Producer Chuck Dunkerly for a screening of these short films and discussion about the role of film in protecting wild lands.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 at 7 PM
Classroom in the Wild: Film Screening Followed by Q&A
Come and hear first-hand about the extraordinary experiences of Classroom in the Wild in the Chesapeake Bay and Alaska. This past year, students ventured into the outdoors to produce original short films. In a presentation of photos, videos, and student accounts, you will learn more about these unique courses as well as future opportunities to practice environmental filmmaking with Classroom in the Wild in 2013.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13 at 7 PM
National Geographic’s Television Film War Elephants
One of National Geographic’s top writer/producers, David Hamlin, shows clips from War Elephants and discusses the stories behind the film. In Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park, elephants are in crisis. Years of civil war and ivory poaching have left them frightened and hostile toward humans. The world’s foremost elephant researcher Dr. Joyce Poole works to build trust and retrain the animals away from their violent behavior.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 at 7 PM
Sneak preview of two documentaries produced by AU students for MPT and PBS
The documentaries - conceived, written, produced, shot, directed and edited - by students in Environmental & Wildlife Production (COMM 568), will air during MPT's Chesapeake Bay Week next April.  The films focus on net-zero housing and the health of the Potomac River. Professor Sandy Cannon-Brown and her students will introduce the films and answer questions.

International Vacancy Announcements for the UN

Interested in working for an international organization like the United Nations? Check out the vacant jobs available at the UN and other International Organizations: 

http://intlorganizationjobs.state.gov/iva/Reports/International_Vacancies.pdf

Intern with Environment America!

Internship opportunity available with Environment America. For more information and to apply, visit: 
http://jobs.environmentamerica.org/page/amr/internships-make-difference

Environment America is the federation of 29 state-based, citizen funded environmental advocacy organizations working for a cleaner, greener, healthier future. Our mission is to research and advocate the policies and build and mobilize the public support necessary to win real results for the environment.  Right now we’re working on critical campaigns like renewing key clean energy tax credits for wind power, and pushing for the first-ever carbon pollution standards for power plants.

As an intern, you will learn how to  analyze environmental problems, advocate for smart solutions, and build public support. You will work one-on-one with one of Environment America's advocates or organizers, providing a unique, mentored experience. For example, a past intern got to organize and run a clean car tour, holding his own press conferences in multiple cities in Maryland while driving across the state in a Chevy Volt.

Plus, an internship with Environment America gives students the training and the experience they need to land a job in the environmental movement after graduation. In fact, each year, Environment America hires passionate, talented and committed college graduates to join the two-year Fellowship Program in offices in DC and around the country.

Internships are unpaid, with a possibility to achieve academic credit.

Sept 18, David Hunter: An Introduction to International Environmental Law