And my students think that I'm nuts!

thanks to doodiepants for the heads up...

This guy has a fabulously wonderful blog (it helps that he is a writer - whateva' - yes, I'm hip, I'm down with the cool lingo) and is working on his new book about this crazy experiment he has been living - and dragging his family along with him! He takes a good look at consumption and the impact of one person in and on the world. I am hoping to keep this blog a little less philosophical - only because others can do that much more eloquently than I... Instead I hope to help people take those first baby steps into the greener lifestyle.

no impact man's blog

I wonder how much of this I could get away with here in my home? Hmm my husband without his computer?

As I sit here and watch him trying to reassemble a "vintage" mac laptop that he has ceremoniously taken apart and laid out piece by precious piece over the last couple of days I think: I'll probably try switching the toothpaste with baking soda before I take the computer away.

That's my boy! (or pontiff)

From - http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/06/news/vatican.php
Associated Press

ROME: Some of the Holy See buildings will start using solar energy, reflecting Pope Benedict XVI's worry about squandering the Earth's resources, said a Vatican engineer who came up with the idea.

The roof of the Paul VI auditorium will be redone next year, with its concrete panels replaced with photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity, the engineer, Pier Carlo Cuscianna, said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.

The 6,300-seat auditorium is used for the pontiff's general audiences on Wednesdays in winter and in bad weather during the rest of the year. Concerts in honor of pontiffs are also occasionally staged in the hall, which has a sweeping stage.

The cells will produce enough electricity to illuminate, heat or cool the hall, Cuscianna said.

The modernistic hall, at the southern end of Vatican City, was built in 1969.

The exterior of the audience hall...

and the interior. (I went there once, it was cool.)

Maybe St Louis will be the next Canada?!

WU to build center for $55 million
By Rachel Melcer
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
06/05/2007

THE GOAL: Cut 'greenhouse' gases, slow global warming.

PARTNERS: Include MU and Danforth Plant Science Center.


Washington University said Monday that it is spending more than $55 million on a biofuels and sustainable energy research center that could heat up the local economy while helping to cool the world.

It will be known as the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability, or I-CARES. Its creation marks one of the most significant financial contributions Washington University has made in a dozen years, said Mark Wrighton, who has been chancellor for that length of time.
"It's not unique for a university to be saying it's going to be working on energy, environment and sustainability," Wrighton said. "What we're striving to do is create the infrastructure in our region so that (it) becomes seen in America as one of the key regions of this research.

"It should be a place where people look for expertise, for human resources … and where we spawn the development of new (energy) technologies that will lead to improvements within existing companies and new companies," he said.

The goal is discovery of innovations that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and slow or halt global warming. Scientists will seek ways of making the most from existing fuel sources, such as ethanol and coal, while developing new ones.

I-CARES will be a focal point for research collaboration among Washington University, the University of Missouri-Columbia, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in Creve Coeur and a consortium of international academic institutions.

A committee of local business leaders will provide advice on how to make their scientific work relevant and easily transferable to industry. Members include executives from agribusinesses Monsanto Co., Solae Co. and Bunge North America; energy companies Ameren Corp., Peabody Energy Corp. and Arch Coal Inc.; manufacturer Emerson; and brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos.

Many of these partners came together a year ago, when Washington University led a bid for a $125 million federal biofuels research center. Two or three such sites will be selected this fall by the Department of Energy — but the local group didn't want to wait.

"We'd like to get real on-the-ground collaborations that start now, rather than waiting for the future to roll around. … It's time to pull this together and make a statement," said Roger Beachy, president of the Plant Science Center and chair of Gov. Matt Blunt's Advisory Council for Plant Biotechnology.

The Plant Science Center is creating the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels with $25 million donated by Jack and Susan Taylor. Its plant science work will dovetail with cross-disciplinary approaches taken by Washington University teams. The University of Missouri adds agricultural expertise and land where experimental crops for biofuels production can be grown.

I-CARES will include several elements:

•A $40 million building to house the center, key pieces of equipment as well as Washington University's department of energy, environmental and chemical engineering. It will be constructed on the northeast corner of the Danforth Campus; until it is complete, I-CARES will reside in that campus's Wilson Hall.

•An endowment of at least $12.5 million to fund professorships in science, engineering, architecture, social science or medicine that contribute to the I-CARES goal.

•At least $2.5 million over five years to develop collaborative research within the university and with its regional and international partners.

•Plus, $500,000, previously announced by Wrighton, to support collaborative projects with universities in Asia and the Middle East that belong to Washington University's McDonnell International Scholars Academy.

In addition, the university is hiring a "sustainability officer" and providing cash to improve its own energy efficiency and support green programs on campus.

"If we're declaring we're at the forefront of this knowledge and its application, I felt we should be a role model for the region. And if we can be more efficient in our use of energy, it's good for the environment, and it's good for our financial position," Wrighton said.

He first studied sustainable energy technology in the 1970s and, ever since, has held the issue dear.

"Energy in large amounts, affordable in price and with low environmental impact, is going to be vital to the future of the world," Wrighton said. "We owe this to young people so that they have prospects of a very bright future for themselves, for their children and their grandchildren. This is an area of vital importance, and I think it's important that we get on with it."

rmelcer@post-dispatch.com | 314-340-8394

Way to Go Wash U! (Although I still like SLU better)

Thanks to friend, JT for sending this my way - I am certainly relying on the kindness of friends and strangers as my semester comes to a close... Either I will be posting every five minutes (due to procrastination) or not much at all until the first week of May - stay tuned!

Happy Almost Earth Day!!!



Thurtene Carnival continues green theme

By Neil Schoenherr

More than 120,000 people from the St. Louis area are expected to attend the annual Thurtene Carnival from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. April 21-22 on the North Brookings parking lot.

This year's theme is "Wish. Dream. Live. Play." Build-A-Bear Workshop Foundation is sponsoring the carnival.

Already the oldest and largest student-run carnival in the nation, this year, Thurtene aims to reach further into the St. Louis community while expanding on last year's pledge to remain environmentally friendly.

A new addition to the carnival is the "Kids to the Carnival" initiative, sponsored by Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. The Thurtene Junior Honorary is subsidizing ride tickets and will provide buses to local schools and charities to give more St. Louis children the opportunity to experience the carnival. When are the city schools going to start using hydrogen buses like they have in National Parks?

This year's carnival will feature a continuation of last year's Green Thurtene project.

"We are trying to make the carnival even more environmentally friendly," said Sydney Schneider, public relations co-chair of Thurtene. "We will also offer education to members of the community regarding environmental issues and sustainability."

Toward that end, B-5 generators, which run on 5 percent biodiesel, will help power the carnival. Student members of Engineers Without Borders will be at the carnival building a prototype of a sustainable house they plan to construct in Guatemala. Additionally, there will be a recycling center for wood, paintbrushes and food-service waste, as well as an education center run by various green groups on campus. I wonder if they will recycle 6's - I've been looking for someone to take mine and my poor friend Press is carrying a bunch of them in her trunk!

Another exciting addition is the performance of a children's play by The Black Repertory Theater Co. at 12:30 and 4 p.m. both days of the carnival. All shows are free and open to the public.

Net proceeds from the carnival will benefit the George Washington Carver House, a community center that offers innovative youth-development programs, including a radio station and entrepreneur program.

"With many of these new additions to the carnival, we hope to highlight Thurtene's commitment to community," Schneider said. "Since its beginning, the Thurtene Carnival has been the ultimate community event, bringing together the students and faculty of Washington University with people from all over the St. Louis community."

More than 50 student organizations will take over the North Brookings parking lot for the event, presented by members of Thurtene Junior Honorary, 13 juniors who bear responsibility for the continuation of the tradition.

The carnival features myriad rides and food, six facades showing a variety of student-produced plays and a rock-climbing wall.

The first carnival was held May 9, 1907. It evolved from a circus to a vaudeville show in its early years. Rides appeared in 1914, when a freshman-powered merry-go-round was featured. Sounds like a eco-friendly ride to me! We should think about powering more things with Freshmen! (It would probably solve America's obesity problem, too. But I can only solve one problem per blog!)

In 1935, after a few years off and some festivals in other forms, a revival of the carnival by the Thurtene Junior Honorary saw the inception of what now is recognized as Thurtene Carnival.

Admission is free, though tickets must be purchased for rides and some plays.

The week preceding the carnival, dubbed "Lot Week," receives recognition from the State of Missouri through an official declaration from the governor as "Thurtene Carnival Week." During this week, students work around the clock raising facades and practicing plays.

As always at the conclusion of the carnival, the Thurtene Junior Honorary will present awards for best production, the Buckley Award for best construction of a facade, best food and best game booth.

Also to be awarded are the prestigious Chancellor's Charity Cup for the highest donation to charity and the coveted Burmeister Cup for best overall participation in the carnival.

Check out this crazy hippie!

My friend Doodiepants has a great project that she took on for Lent. Actually she is another Erin trying to save the world (while planning a wedding!) and she has really inspired a lot of us to rethink the way we shop.

doodiepants.livejournal.com

She has some great insights - If you are unfamiliar I'd start with the Feb 16 post, "Lenten Warm-up" and then follow along.