Week of January 2, 2012 

News from Across the USM Campuses

UMCP Smart and Sustainable Campus Conference - Call for Proposals - Unlike other conferences, SSCC sets itself apart by creating a program that features in-depth discussions, dialogues and workshops. The program features: Traditional 40-minute presentations: Presentations, discussions, sharing in an interactive 40 minute session (presentation should be 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of Q & A); 80-minute hands-on workshops: Learning, dialogue and sharing in an interactive 80 minute session and Posters. The 2012 Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference welcomes presentation proposals linked to the 2012 conference tracks: 1. Life Cycle of the Built Environment  2. Community Connections 3. The Campus as a Learning Laboratory 4. Fostering Behavior Change 5. Strategic Implementation. Proposals must be received by January 5, 2012.

State of Maryland News

Polluted water did little damage to Chesapeake Bay's grasses, but oysters may not be as lucky (By Darryl Fears, The Washington Post - National, 12/29/11)

A Year in Review and a Look Ahead (By Takirra Winfield, Deputy Press Secretary - Office of Governor Martin O'Malley, 12/29/11)

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

Ohio Fracking Wells Closed After Earthquakes (CNN as reported by CommonDreams.org, 1/2/12)

Climate change must be addressed now (By Ted Kaufman, The Huffington Post - Green Blog, 1/2/12)

Will Fossil Fuel Companies Face Liability for Climate Change? It is one thing to do your own research, but it is another to deliberately deceive people, contributing to widespread harm primarily to retain profits. (By Christine Schearer, Alternet.org - Environment, 1/2/12)

White House, GOP battle for supremacy on Keystone pipeline (By Andrew Restuccia, The Hill, 1/2/12)

Mild weather redefines winter landscape (By Juliet Eilperin and Darryl Fears, The Washington Post - Energy and Environment, 12/30/11)

US Eyes First BP Criminal Charges Over Gulf Spill: The prosecutors are focusing on US-based BP engineers and at least one supervisor who they say may have provided false information to regulators on drilling risks. (AFP as reported by Alternet.org - Environment, 12/30/11)

America warns Iran that blocking oil route will 'not be tolerated': Tensions mount between US and Iran as Fifth Fleet warns that any attempt to block Strait of Hormuz will elicit naval response (By Paul Harris, The [UK] Guardian, 12/28/11)

No Time Left to Adapt to Melting Glaciers (By Stephen Leahy, CommonDreams.org, 12/27/11)