A reminder about this upcoming Earth Day event!

Sustainability Around the Globe for Folks With Short Attention Spans
Monday, April 22, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm, Library Lounge, Building L
Students of the Intensive English Language Program will be presenting on sustainability initiatives from around the globe in this interactive workshop. Come enjoy museum-style presentations, with several students placing posters around the room so that visitors can walk around and choose various or multiple presentations.

The following is a repost from an email alert I receive weekly from the EPA. It’s about calling attention to water leaks in our homes and suggesting ways to minimize water loss. A lot of the time we (I) get emails like this and think, That’s great information but I don’t know how and can’t afford to pay someone to fix these problems. So, I am also embedding links to YouTube videos that show you how to do some of the things suggested by yourself. So grab a wrench and let’s get started saving water and money!

EPA Marks March 18-24 as Fifth Annual Fix a Leak Week
One in every 10 homes has a leak that is wasting at least 90 gallons of water per day

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program encourages Americans to check and replace leaky plumbing fixtures and sprinkler systems, helping households save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year and as much as 10 percent on utility bills.

“Easy-to-fix household leaks waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, which is equal to the amount of water used by more than 11 million homes,” said EPA Acting Administrator for the Office of Water Nancy Stoner. “We’re not just wasting water; families also lose money from leaks with higher utility bills. That’s why Fix a Leak Week is so important, and why we encourage everyone to take a few simple steps that add up to make a significant positive impact.”

In just 10 minutes, businesses and homeowners can: check winter water bills and fixtures for water waste; twist and tighten pipe and hose connections; and consider replacing broken or inefficient fixtures with WaterSense-labeled models.

If winter water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, it’s likely that the home has a leak problem. Here are some easy tips:

• Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back and, if after 10 minutes, color shows up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to make an easy repair and replace the flapper.
• Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures for leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.
• Check outdoor hoses for damage from winter frost and tighten connections at the water source.
• For in-ground sprinkler systems, a professional certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can inspect sprinkler heads and pipes for signs of leakage and help homeowners maintain an efficient system and healthy lawn.

WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by EPA, seeks to protect the future of our nation’s water supply by offering people a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, new homes, and services. Since the program’s inception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save 287 billion gallons of water and $4.7 billion in water and energy bills.

Learn more about fixing leaks, find a certified irrigation professional, or search for WaterSense labeled plumbing and irrigation products: http://www.epa.gov/watersense

Also, you can save on water by making sure your appliances are working properly (dishwashers, washing machines, etc.). Make sure to have them serviced regularly. Another cheap way to save water and money is to install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators. A family of four could save up to $250 in water-heating costs just by installing a low-flow showerhead. And installing faucet aerators in kitchens and bathrooms can save over 2,000 gallons of water a year!

For more tips on water saving or questions about creating a healthy, eco-friendly home for you and your family feel free to email sustainability@morainevalley.edu or stop by L242, the Center for Sustainability at Moraine Valley Community College.

The South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium is pleased to announce

2013 Student Sustainability Summit
Friday, April 12, 2013
9:15 am – 2:45 pm

Prairie State College
202 S. Halsted St. Chicago Heights, Il 60411

Keynote Speaker – Chad Pregracke is the President and Founder of Living Lands & Waters (LL&W), the world’s only “industrial strength” not-for-profit river cleanup organization. Chad formed LL&W at the youthful age of 23, after spending his life growing up and working on the Mississippi River. Early on, he became appalled by the amount of garbage in the river and decided that if no one else was going to do something about it, he would.

 Over the last 15 years, he, his crew, and 70,000 volunteers have removed 7 million pounds of garbage out of our nation’s rivers.  He’s also broadened his mission to include a MillionTrees and an Adopt-A-River Mile Project, as well as a new floating classroom aboard a barge that he and his crew live on 7 months of the year, teaching students, educators and individual citizens about the value of our rivers and natural resources. 

View the Event Program & Submit a Proposal!

Registration deadline is April 5, 2013. All registrants will be entered to win an iPad. You must be present to win. The drawing will be at the end of the summit.

Want to be a student presenter? Breakout sessions give you the opportunity to share your insights with others. Deadline for submission is March 6, 2013.

For more information, email Stephenie Presseller sustainability manager at Moraine Valley Community College, or call her at 708-974-5412 or Call Don Brozek with SMHEC Phone: 708-235-3972

The Yale Project on Climate Change Communication & George Mason Univeristy Center for Climate Change Communication released a new report indicating more Americans are beginning to accept climate change as fact, as well as are becoming more fearful of its implications.

Acccording to the new report, Climate Change in the American Mind: Americans’ Global Warming Beliefs and Attitudes in September 2012, Americans are more concerned than before about global warming. More and more, they see global warming as threatening to themselves, their families, communities, and believe it is already affecting people in the US and other countries. In fact, their concern is at its highest since November of 2008, with 58 percent of Americans now describing themselves as somewhat or very worried. 76% now say they trust climate scientists as a source of climate change information and 60% also trust the informaiton from TV weather reporters. The report also shows, 54% of Americans agree human activity is a principal cause of global warming, up 8% since March 2012, and, Americans more so recognize there is no longer a debate amongst the scientific community about the reality of climate change.

I for one feel this is promising news…Now to motivate these newly enlightened folks to action! What can you do? Start by learning more for yourself. Check out the EPA’s site on Midwest Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation for a good overview.

Read the full Yale/GMU report here or come find it in the Center for Sustainability (L242)

Leiserowitz, A., Maibach, E., Roser-Renouf, C., Feinberg, G., & Howe, P. (2012) Climate change in the American mind: Americans’ global warming beliefs and attitudes in September, 2012. Yale University and George Mason University. New Haven, CT: Yale Project on Climate Change Communication. http://environment.yale.edu/climate/files/Climate-Beliefs-September-2012.pdf

NASA Scientist: We face a Planetary Climate Emergency

Posted on 11/01/2012 by Juan

NASA scientist James Hansen explains that we are facing a planetary emergency and that the public is still largely unaware of how menacing it is.

The danger is that we could pass tipping points, such as melting of ice sheets, which could lead to rapid increases in sea level.

—–

Cole: If the public understood what is about to befall them, they’d agree with me that mining, distributing and burning coal should be criminalized, like, today and that a global crash program to depend primarily on green energy by 2020 should be launched by all the countries of the world.

Likewise, climate change denial should be treated with the same horror in polite society as genocide denial, with similar ostracization.

Scotland plans to get 50% of its electricity from renewables by 2015. That is a country in a hurry, and we all should be like that.

Powerful words- what do you think?

2012 EVANSTON GREEN LIVING FESTIVAL   

Saturday, September 29, 2012.  9am to 3pm.

The Evanston Green Living Festival is an annual event presented by the Evanston Environmental Association (EEA) and the City of Evanston, with financial and in-kind assistance from an outstanding group of Sponsors.  The festival is held to present green products, services and ideas that help attendees lower their carbon footprint.   THIS YEAR’S ATTRACTIONS   The 2012 Evanston Green Living Festival will present a wide spectrum of green exhibitors, plenty of fun activities for adults and children, and a healthy selection of food and drinks. This unique environmentally-focused event will feature the following attractions:

• A special focus on Water as a precious resource.

This year’s theme is “Water – Conserving and Protecting It!” •

The Green Market – nearly 4000 square feet of covered outdoor space featuring exhibits by over 80 participating green businesses and organizations • The NU Tiny House – an 128 square foot totally sustainable house built by students from Northwestern University that will brought to the festival for the enjoyment and education of our attendees • One or more presentations by industry experts on timely environmental topics • Alternative Energy Displays including the latest in sustainable energy options including a residential wind turbine, solar panels, and other green energy demonstrations • Alternative Transportation Demos – hybrids, all-electric cars, and other forms of transportation that can be used to reduce your carbon footprint  • A Green Silent Auction of items generously provided by local green vendors and organizations • Plenty of fun activities that will keep kids (and their parents) entertained • Free bicycle rickshaw rides for all attendees  • Delicious Food and Refreshments • Secure Bike Parking

We invite you, your friends, and family to come to the 2012 Evanston Green Living Festival. You’ll have a great time and can help us make it the biggest and best festival ever!

The John G. Shedd Aquarium internship program is designed to allow you to learn from the professionals, in a variety of areas throughout the aquarium. Whether you’re interested in assisting with animal care, marketing initiatives, education, human resources, or other areas, Shedd gives you meaningful, practical, hands-on experience to equip you with the knowledge and skill you will need to pursue your professional goals.

What a great opportunity for Moraine Valley Students!!

Current Openings Include:

Does that seem like a crazy question? When you think about it, I am sure it makes sense to you that some energy is lost during the time it is produced to the time it is consumed (i.e., delivered to my apartment to power my toaster oven), but the amount that is lost astounding! MOre than 2/3 of it is lost in transmission. And that’s the standard. Well, at least it was (I hope)…

This short video is a great example of what people can do when left to their own devices. The University of Texas makes their own energy. They operate their own power generation plants, equipment, etc. and they have the ability to make changes to it when they want. You and I don’t have that luxury (or if you do, please let me know because that would be really cool!). We buy our energy from someone else and we hope we’re getting the best bang for our buck.

Hope springs eternal, right? Well… Watch this video, about 3 minutes long, and you tell me. After watching the video we realize we are stuck hoping we’re getting our best deal and knowing we’re not.  If U of T can make this level of impact on their energy production efficiencies, so can the big e-companies, no?

UT Utilities Director Receives Award for Energy Ingenuity

The Moraine Valley Community College Fine and Performing Arts Center (FPAC)  fills its concession stand with green, sustainable products. For example they source their coffee from a company called Grounds For Change (www.groundsforchange.com).  The specific coffee purchased is called Café Feminino Peru.  Through a partnership between Cafe Feminino & Grounds for Change money for purchases are then donated back to a women’s coffee growing project in Peru.  Here’s info on that project: http://www.groundsforchange.com/communities/cafe_femenino.php?.

“In 2004, we became one of the first coffee roasters to participate in the Cafe Femenino coffee project. As part of our ongoing commitment to this effort, we donate 10 cents for each pound of Cafe Femenino coffee sold directly back to the Cafe Femenino Foundation for funding specific grants that have been requested by the women producers. This year, thanks to the support of our customers, we funded the creation of an Educational Center in Northern Peru.” ~ Grounds for Change

Here is info on that grant they funded: http://www.groundsforchange.com/press/CF-Grant-2012.pdf

“It’s always nice to be able to help, even in a small way, to support sustainable harvesting and in this case, to support the efforts of entrepreneurial women in Peru” Tommy Hensel, Managing Director, Fine & Performing Arts Center.

Great work, Tommy & FPAC!!!

Readers: What does your Moraine Valley (or external) department do locally that also has a global, sustainable impact?