Maryland's Public System of Higher Education

Week of February 8, 2010

News from Across the USM Campuses

Feb.  9^th, 3:45pm - Biology Seminar- Dr. Subodh Sharma - "Warning Signs of Climate Change in the Himalayan Mountains." Smith Hall Room 359, on the Towson University campus. Lecture begins at 3:45pm, refreshments at 3:30pm. Dr. Sharma is Professor of Environmental Science at Kathmandu University in Nepal. Currently, he is a visiting Fulbright Research Scholar at Towson University, working with Dr. Susan Gresens of the Towson University Biology Department. For more information about the event, contact the Towson University Biology Department, or Dr. Gresens. [DEPENDING ON WEATHER]

New way found to tell when species are threatened (By Meredith Cohn, The Baltimore Sun - B'more Green Blog 2/3/10) [Article cites University of Maryland, Baltimore County researchers]

Post readers give views on balance billing, climate change, recycling - Broad Run - The Heat Is On (The Washington Post - Opinions, 2/2/10)

Post readers give views on balance billing, climate change, recycling - The Heat Is On (The Washington Post - Letter the Editor, 2/2/10 [Letter cites Dr. Donald F. Boesch, President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science]

Trees by the bay bulking up: Growth spurts might a slowing of global warming (By Timothy B. Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun, 2/2/10) [Article cites Mathias Ruth. Director of the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Environmental Research]

New compactor should solve North Campus' waste problem: Dining Services hopes ‘The Big Stuff' will keep trash cans empty during Late Night (By Dana CetroneThe Diamondback Online, 2/1/10

State of Maryland News

Baltimore's green building law still in limbo: Sweeping environmental standards await new mayor (By Tim Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun, 2/3/10)

Bikeability (Maryland Morning - National Public Radio, 2/2/10)

USM Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Initiative

• Practices
• Programs
• Policies

• Presentations
• Climate Change Definitions
• Facilities Master Planning
• Statewide Sustainability Efforts
• ACUPCC National Benchmarking
• Useful Links and References

WV wind farm bows to bats, as issue arises in MD (By Tim Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun - B'More Green Blog, 2/1/10)

BNEC hosts Mount Washington Eco-Fair The Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge (BNEC) will host its first annual Mount Washington Eco-Fair on Saturday, Feb. 27 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Mount Washington Elementary School. Visit the BNEC web site for more information or simply show up on Saturday - this event is free and open to the public.

National and International News

Commerce Department Proposes Establishment of NOAA Climate Service: New office would target nation's fast-accelerating climate information needs NOAA launches www.climate.gov as a portal for climate science and services(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2/8/10)

Branson warns that oil crunch is coming within five years: Virgin chief and fellow business leaders call for action; Energy crisis threatens to be more serious than credit crunch. (By Terry Macalister, The [UK] Guardian, 2/7/10)

Study Says Arctic Ice Melt to Cost Global Economy $2.4 Trillion:  Experts Say Estimating Dollar Cost of Global Warming Devilishly Complex (By Bill Blakemore, ABC News, 2/5/10)

Penn State climatologist cleared of misconduct (By Faye Flam, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2/4/10)

Researcher on Climate Is Cleared in Inquiry ( John M. Broder, The New York Times, 2/3/10)

NOAA's Sea Grant Awards Eight ‘Climate Engagement' Mini-Grants (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA News, 2/3/10)

Wind energy job growth isn't blowing anyone away: Despite record growth in generating capacity, the industry is creating few employment opportunities overall. (By JimTankersley, The Baltimore Sun, 2/2/10)

Countries Submit Emission Goals (By John M. Broder, The New York Times, 2/1/10)

Slow Going for Broadway Experiment (By Michael M. Grynbaum, The New York Times, 2/1/10)

MoveOn slams Lincoln, Landrieu and Nelson: MoveOn.org is launching a series of hard-hitting ads this week targeting the three Senate Democrats - Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Mary Landrieu (La.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.) - who've co-sponsored Sen. Lisa Murkowski's (R-Alaska) resolution blocking the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act. (By Juliet Eilperin, The Washington Post, February 2010)

A Green Building is a Healthier One - For the Greener Good, February 25, 2010, 6:30 - 8:00 pm. The National Building Museum, Washington, DC. Can working in a green building make you healthier? And if you can prove this, would reduce a company's health care insurance? Find out if this is a game changer when considering how and when to build sustainably.