Cherry Blossoms and Climate Event

Join the Koshland Science Museum and Miraikan, Japan's National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, for a public program and visual discovery of the science of cherry blossoms.

Track the relationship between climate and natural phenomena, such as the timing of the cherry blossoms. Explore how to use remote-sensing data to track these patterns using data visualized on Miraikan's Geo-Scope. Then, discover how to participate in these hands-on observations in your community.

Sakura Nights
Thursday, April 12, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Koshland Science Museum
525 E Street, N.W.
More information: http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/events/upcomingevent.jsp?id=530.

This program is part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s 2012 Centennial celebration.

Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite or by calling the Koshland Science Museum at (202) 334-1201. Tickets are $10; $7 for students.

Inquiries should be directed to: Amy Shaw

Green Infrastructure: Using Natural Landscapes for Flood Mitigation and Water Quality Improvements

Resources For the Future First Wednesday Seminar

Wednesday, April 4, 2012
12:45 - 2:00 p.m.

A light lunch will be provided starting at 12:30 p.m.
First Floor Conference Center
1616 P St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20036

Registration for in-person attendance is required. To RSVP for this event, please visit RFF's event registration page.
This event will also be webcast live starting at 12:45 p.m. Join the webcast at rff.org/live.

About the Event

Nature provides a wealth of ecological services: forests store carbon and clean the air; rivers provide water for drinking and harbor animal species; and wetlands purify stormwater and serve as buffers against floods. Governments around the world are increasingly recognizing that this “green infrastructure” can be a cost-effective supplement or substitute for the “gray infrastructure”—pipes, dams, levees, treatment plants—traditionally used to control flooding, purify and store water, and reduce urban stormwater runoff.
At this First Wednesday Seminar, sponsored by RFF's Center for the Management of Ecological Wealth, panelists will explore what “green infrastructure” means and describe how to evaluate the costs and benefits of land-use options for reducing flood damages. They will also discuss the challenges of convincing stakeholders that natural systems can provide infrastructure services and complement public projects. RFF experts will describe a case study evaluating flood abatement options in a Wisconsin watershed, and provide some lessons learned from working to implement a payment for environmental services program in the Florida Everglades.

Moderator:

Lynn Scarlett, Co-Director, RFF Center for the Management of Ecological Wealth

Panelists:

Margaret Walls, Research Director and Thomas J. Klutznick Senior Fellow, Resources for the Future
"The Role of Land Use Policies in Minimizing Flood Damage"

Len Shabman, Resident Scholar, Resources for the Future
“A Green Infrastructure Contribution to Everglades Restoration”

Tuesday Event at the Brookings Institute

Addressing the Legal Gaps in Climate Change Migration, Displacement and Resettlement: From Sinking Islands to Flooded Deltas

Large numbers of people are expected to leave their homes and communities in the coming years because of the effects of climate change. Some will leave as a result of the increasing severity and frequency of sudden-onset disasters. Others will move as long-term processes of environmental degradation intensify, including desertification and rising sea levels. Still others are likely to be relocated by their governments when the areas where they live are declared uninhabitable. While much remains unknown about the scale, timing and nature of such population movements, it seems clear that present normative frameworks will be inadequate to deal with large-scale future movements of people as a result of climate change. Are new international treaties or guiding principles needed for climate change-induced displacement, migration and resettlement?

Event Information

Tuesday, April 03, 2012
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Falk Auditorium
The Brookings Institution
1775 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC

On April 3, the Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement will host a discussion on the gaps in present normative frameworks and the pros and cons of coming up with new instruments for climate change displacement, migration and resettlement. Panelists include Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow Jane McAdam, Senior Fellow Elizabeth Ferris, co-director of the Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement and Michele Klein Solomon, permanent observer of the International Organization for Migration to the United Nations. Vincent Cochetel, representative from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, will moderate the discussion.

After the program, panelists will take audience questions.

Participants

Moderator

Vincent Cochetel

Representative to the United States and the Caribbean
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Panelists

Elizabeth Ferris

Co-Director, Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement

Jane McAdam

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy, Brookings-LSE Project on Internal Displacement

Michele Klein Solomon

Permanent Observer to the United Nations
International Organization for Migration

Mon, Feb 27: Emerging Scarcity in a Land of Plenty: Water and Water Policy in Canada

The Canada Institute and the Environmental Change and Security Program of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars present

Emerging Scarcity in a Land of Plenty: Water and Water Policy in Canada

with

Lars Hallstrom

Associate Professor of Political Studies, University of Alberta

Director, Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities

 

and discussant: 

Betsy Otto

Aqueduct Director, World Resources Institute

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, American Rivers

Monday, February 27, 2012

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

5th floor conference room

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

1300 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20004 USA

RSVP to Canada@wilsoncenter.org or (202) 691-4301

Canada is a state blessed with the world’s largest supplies of fresh water. While other natural resources (oil, grain, timber) figure largely in Canada’s economic and international profile, water is rapidly becoming recognized as a core of these other resource-based industries, and a resource that is increasingly challenged both in terms of supply and quality.

This is particularly true in the western province of Alberta, a province where the combination of climate, geography, hydrology, regulatory politics, economic development, and corresponding population growth make the concept of “peak water” more than just a rhetorical tool. Alberta is already a land with a history of significant drought and variation of supply with important challenges ahead. Dr. Hallstrom will discuss how the factors noted above are increasingly converging upon water as a critical challenge in the province, and the importance of water as a core element of sustainable development. 

Please allow extra time to enter the building. A photo ID is required for entry. Directions at www.WilsonCenter.org/directions.

Internship Fair - February 25!

Bethesda Green's
Third Annual Fields of Green Internship Fair

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, 10 am - 2 pm
4825 Cordell Avenue

Second Floor above the Capital One Bank

The Internship Fair provides college-age young people an opportunity to meet representatives from a number of companies and non-profits offering job experience in the green business sector. 

More than 25 companies will be in attendance. Learn about internships, academic and government programs, as well as a variety of volunteer opportunities in the Washington metro region.


http://www.bethesdagreen.org/Programs/FieldsofGreenInternshipFair/tabid/339/Default.aspx

DC Update: Mayor Vincent C. Gray and U.N. Environment Programme Announce District Will Be North American Host City for World Environment Day 2012

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Mayor Vincent C. Gray and officials from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today announced that the organization has named Washington, DC, as the North American host city for World Environment Day (WED) 2012. With the regional theme, “Unite for a Sustainable D.C.,” UNEP invites area residents and organizations take part in energy-efficiency and sustainability activities during the six weeks linking Earth Day on April 22 and WED on June 5.
Mayor Gray’s office and the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) will work with partners that include UNEP’s Regional Office for North America, the D.C. Public Schools, local businesses, Earth’s Natural Force and other non-profit organizations to galvanize the D.C. community into action.

“By its 1987 U.N. definition, the word ‘sustainable’ means to ‘meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs,” said Mayor Gray. “In other words, our resources are finite. We must do everything we can to protect the interests of our children, our children’s children and beyond. Through our Sustainable D.C. initiative, the District has been moving forward with purpose to ensure our city is the greenest in the world. We are honored and proud to be selected as the North American Host City for WED 2012, as it is the perfect platform to unite the city around its successes and future goals.”

This year, the overarching international WED theme is the “Green Economy.” The UNEP-led Green Economy Initiative aims to foster investment in green sectors and to fully value the Earth’s natural resources.
A key way that citizens and businesses can help create a green economy is through business efforts to promote energy efficiency. The WED 2012 celebration will highlight this link by focusing on energy efficiency, sustainability and the important role residents play in their local communities in these efforts.

“The District of Columbia was chosen as the North American host of WED 2012 not just because of the work that the city has already done for sustainability, but also because of the city’s plans for the future,” said Amy Fraenkel, Director of UNEP’s Regional Office for North America. “I am excited to see how WED will help link local and global actions — particularly in the lead-up to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development or Rio+20.”

Planned activities that highlight the regional theme, “Unite for a Sustainable D.C.,” will include the following:

• The District will be signing a Green Economy pledge with an array of international embassies at the end of January to show a united commitment to a green economy and sustainability.
• The International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment  will engage local students in a global art contest that addresses why environmental protection is important. Sponsored by UNEP, the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace, Bayer Corporation and Nikon, the competition has been held annually since 1991 and has received over 3 million entries from children in 150-plus countries.
• Elementary and high-school students in the District that participate in Energy Patrol programs  will receive energy education and assessment training that they can use to assess how their school uses energy. During WED, this program will expand to include additional D.C.-area schools and students.
• WED will offer the opportunity to forge linkages between the District of Columbia and Brazil, the global 2012 WED Host Country.
• Mayor Gray will present his 2012 Sustainability Awards http://ddoe.dc.gov/service/mayors-environmental-excellence-awards)  (to local individuals, schools, organizations and businesses just prior to WED, recognizing efforts to build a greener, more sustainable future for D.C.

UNEP and District leaders invite the entire DC community to participate in these activities, and to develop others in support of this United Nations day.

See full press release here.

Jobs Available at ITIF

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) is looking to hire two positions for its *Clean Energy Innovation Policy* platform: a full-time *Clean Energy Policy Analyst* and a 1-year contracted *Clean Energy Research Assistant*.  Both position descriptions can be found here.

As many of you know, ITIF is a non-profit, non-partisan policy think tank in Washington, D.C. committed to advancing a pro-innovation agenda as we believe innovation is central to boosting productivity, spurring economic growth, and addressing key societal challenges. Our Clean Energy Policy program is no different as it aims to make innovation central to climate and energy policymaking in order to address global energy issues and anthropogenic climate change. ITIF’s work ranges widely and includes convening high-level stakeholder meetings, producing high-impact policy reports and recommendations, holding public events like the annual Energy Innovation Conference series, curating public energy innovation data and analysis through the Energy Innovation Tracker project, and advising decision makers on implementing innovation-oriented policies.

The 1-year *Research Assistant *position would be perfect for new college graduates looking to get their foot in the door to D.C. policymaking.  Not only will this position directly support clean energy policy research and reports, it will staff the further development of the Energy Innovation Tracker project. 

The *Policy Analyst* position best fits folks with more experience (BA/BS + Experience or MA/MS) and a deeper knowledge of energy and climate policy. In particular, this position will directly support key report projects and stakeholder meetings planned for 2012.

ITIF is looking to fill both positions by the beginning of 2012. Please pass this information along to anyone that may be interested and also contact me with any questions regarding the job openings.

Matthew Stepp

Clean Energy Policy Analyst

Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

1101 K Street, NW Suite 610

Washington, DC 20005

EnvironMentors Internship Available (unpaid)

Position: Development/Communications Intern

EnvironMentors National Office, Washington, DC

EnvironMentors (EM) seeks a creative and committed individual for a part-time (10 hours/week) Marketing and Communications internship. The ideal candidate will have experience and skills in Internet research, writing and communications, program administration, and maintaining a sophisticated internal social networking website. The position will include working as part of a national office team located in Washington, DC and Boulder, CO, as well as with Directors and Coordinators at 13 university-based chapters nationwide.  The position’s primary emphasis is to assist with fundraising, communications research/development, maintain/update “EnvironMentors Online Community,” with occasional program support for EM’s university-based chapters.

Primary Responsibilities:

·         Broaden EnvironMentors portfolio of development prospects through research and outreach to F-500 corporations and National Science Foundation programs supporting STEM education and advancement.

·         Support sponsorship solicitations for the EnvironMentors National Fair and Awards Ceremony and conduct EnvironMentors student scholarship solicitation mailings.

·         Write EnvironMentors external newsletters and assist in developing all promotional videos and print materials.

·         Support EnvironMentors team in all other program coordination activities as needed.

Qualifications:

·         Two or more years of undergraduate study pursuant to a degree in education, communications, business, web design, public policy or related field.
·         Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication and writing skills.
·         Ability to work efficiently in a team environment while remaining responsible for individual tasks.
·         Strong commitment to underrepresented youth and the environment.

Status: Part-time (10 hours/week)

About EnvironMentors

EnvironMentors is an environmental science mentoring program geared to preparing high school students from underrepresented backgrounds for college degree programs and careers in environmental and related science fields. Initiated in 1992 as a community based organization serving DC public high school students, EnvironMentors is now an initiative of the National Council for Science and the Environment and currently undergoing an ambitious scale up as a national, college access program with chapters located at 13 universities across the country. 

To apply:

Send resume and cover letter to:

Jessica Soule

Subject/Attn: EM Intern Application

Electronically to: jsoule@ncseonline.org

Or via fax: 202-628-4311                                             

Live Green Internship Opportunities

Communications Intern

Live Green’s goal is to create a thriving green economy by making eco-friendly living easy, affordable and fun for all. One of our core functions is to identify leading edge green businesses and incentivize consumers to frequent them. As an early stage venture, this is a challenging but exciting work environment with tremendous opportunities for growth and personal achievement.

Currently, we are working to grow our supporter base, expand our business network, improve our web presence, and more. We are looking for a top-notch, energetic, reliable, and green-minded communications intern who can expand Live Green’s reach and impact.

Willingness to learn, creative thinking, and a positive attitude are essential. Your opinions and ideas are an essential part of what makes Live Green succeed, so be ready to contribute!

Qualifications:

-       Creative thinking and creative writing skills

-       Excellent communication and organizational skills

-       Experience or interest in marketing

-       Creativity and innovation is a necessity!

Responsibilities:

-       Develop and write content for Live Green’s monthly newsletter

-       Develop creative ways to expand Live Green’s reach and impact

-       Social media outreach and communications

-       Create and implement marketing campaigns and related materials

Our office is located in Adams Morgan (DC) on 18th Street, NW (approximately 1 mile from Woodley Park stop on the Red Line). We are looking for an intern who can work 15-20 hours per week for at least one semester.  

Application instructions:

To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and one (1) creative writing sample to contactlivegreen@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you do not have a creative writing sample, send a short piece, such as a school/work blog post, article, or short essay. Please do not send a research paper.

In your cover letter, describe what interests you about Live Green and why you are a good fit for this position.

Program Coordinator Intern

Live Green’s goal is to create a thriving green economy by making eco-friendly living easy, affordable and fun for all. One of our core functions is to identify leading edge green businesses and incentivize consumers to frequent them. As an early stage venture, this is a challenging but exciting work environment with tremendous opportunities for growth and personal achievement.

Currently, we are working to grow our supporter base, expand our business network, improve our web presence, and more. We are looking for a top-notch, energetic, reliable, and green-minded program coordination intern who can expand Live Green’s reach and impact.

Willingness to learn, creative thinking, and a positive attitude are essential. Your opinions and ideas are an essential part of what makes Live Green succeed, so be ready to contribute!

Qualifications:

-       Interest in community service and outreach

-       Excellent written and oral communication skills

-       Excellent organizational skills

-       Creative thinking and creative writing skills

-       Strong multi-tasking skills

Responsibilities:

-       Membership support, engagement, and processing

-       Assist in coordinating outreach activities and events

-       Research on and outreach to potential partners

-       Develop outreach strategies

Our office is located in Adams Morgan (DC) on 18th Street, NW (approximately 1 mile from Woodley Park stop on the Red Line). We are looking for an intern who can work 15-20 hours per week for at least one semester.

Application instructions:

To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and a short writing sample to contactlivegreen@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Please do not send a research paper.

In your cover letter, describe what interests you about Live Green and why you are a good fit for this position. 

The Atlantic's Green Intelligence Forum - November 16-17

Mark your calendars for The Atlantic’s 4^th Annual Green Intelligence Forum: Creating the Sustainable City of the Future taking place Wednesday & Thursday, November 16 - 17, 2011, at The Madison, Washington DC.

The Atlantic is pleased to offer two days of dynamic conversation on the issues shaping green thought and sustainable development. Join us as award-winning writers, including James Fallows and Clive Crook, lead expert discussions on energy policy, sustainable business, green building, and more! The 2011 Forum builds on a three-year tradition of thought-provoking programs and news-making speakers such as: Bill Ritter, Governor of Colorado; John Holdren, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology; Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator of the EPA and Eileen Claussen, President, Pew Center on Global Climate Change and Strategies for the Global Environment.

Please stay tuned as we finalize program details and confirm keynote speakers.
You’ll receive a formal invitation in early October, but to reserve your spot early or learn more, visit http://events.theatlantic.com/Green-Intelligence-Forum/2011/ or contact me directly at forum@theatlantic.com.

We hope to see you in November!
Elizabeth Vargas
The Atlantic | AtlanticLIVE | TheAtlantic.com

White House Council o on Environmental Quality Internn Environmental Quality Internships Available

WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY NOW ACCEPTING SPRING INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS. 

DEADLINE:  NOVEMBER 1^ST. 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/internships

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) coordinates Federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. CEQ was established within the Executive Office of the President by Congress as part of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

The Council's Chair, Nancy Sutley, serves as the principal environmental policy adviser to the President. Chair Sutley assists and advises the President in developing environmental policies and initiatives.

CEQ interns are given a wide range of assignments including conducting research, managing incoming inquiries, attending meetings, and writing memos on a variety of environmental issues.  Interns have the opportunity to be involved in groundbreaking projects, working closely with staff from all levels and a variety of backgrounds.  The pace in the office is fast, so accuracy and attention to detail are absolute requirements.  Interns can expect to begin with the basics and gradually add more specialized projects as they gain experience.

Other essential intern duties include answering phones, routing mail, copying documents, filing and retrieving information, assembling briefing materials and performing assigned research tasks. 

Qualifications Needed:

We are seeking students who are:

• Highly motivated
• Willing to contribute where needed
• Have the ability to handle the inherent pressure that comes with working within the Executive Office of the President.

Additionally, candidates should have:

• Excellent communications skills
• Computer literacy
• Relevant classroom or practical experience

We strongly prefer candidates who are available to work full-time, but will consider applicants who cannot.  CEQ will work with interns who are attempting to arrange credit with a college or university to help fulfill academic requirements.   All internship positions are unpaid.

Most interns work a typical semester-based schedule (May – August, September – December, January – April); however a position may be customized based on applicant availability and project needs.

Deadlines for applications are March 1 (Summer), July 1 (Fall), and November 1 (Spring).

About CEQ:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/about

Apply here:  http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/internships

Shira Miller

Special Assistant to the Chair

Council on Environmental Quality

(202) 456-3270

smiller@ceq.eop.gov

Food Justice Series at Busboys and Poets

Food Justice Series 
Thursday September 22, 2011 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Busboys and Poets 14th and V 
Accokeek Foundation in Partnership with the Rural Coalition and National Immigrant Farming Initiative 
Free and Open to All - Suggested Donation $5  

Thursday, September 22, 2011 – The next installment in the popular Food Justice Series will be held at Busboys and Poets on 14th and V St, NW DC. Speakers will lead a lively discussion about building local, just food systems. We will discuss those initiatives that work to bring fresh and local foods into restaurants and communities, urban neighborhoods and institutional settings. We will also discuss those programs that work with under-served and immigrant farmers in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Panelists will include Mapy Alvarez of the National Immigrant Farming Initiative speaking about their partnership with the Accokeek Foundation working on the Immigrant Farmer Incubator Program; Holly Freishtat, Food Policy Director for the Baltimore City Department of Planning; Jeremiah Lowery from Common Good City Farm, and Margaret Morgan-Hubbard as well as Christina Melendez from ECO City Farms in Edmonston, Maryland. The Food Justice Series spotlights the issues that affect food justice on a local and global scale. From the challenges to building local and just food systems to the threat that genetically-modified foods can pose to our environment and our health, this series of four open-to-all events brings together farmers, policymakers, community leaders, and advocates to cultivate insight and conversation about the pressing matters of food justice that each of them witnesses firsthand.