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Water and Environment: Water Quality, Quantity and Contaminants (Symposium)
Associated Project(s):Please register for the Water and the Environment: Fundamental Aspects of Water Quality, Quantity, and Contaminants Symposium on December 9, 2021 from 9am-11:30am. There will be speakers as well as breakout rooms to engage our discussion on water and the environment. We look forward to seeing you December 9th!
This opportunity is available online. Visit the event's Zoom website to register online.
FGI Webinar: Live Panel Discussion on Allowable Leakage Rates
Associated Project(s):This Live Panel Discussion will assemble five industry leaders to answer questions about allowable leakage rates (ALRs) for different types of containment facilities. In particular, the maximum ALR of a liquid impoundment or landfill is usually a common but difficult question to answer. (1.5 PDH)
This event will be held on December 7th, 2021 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM as a virtual experience. Visit the GoToWebinar page for this event to register!
2021 Annual Kids' and Teen Bike Giveaway
Associated Project(s):The Campus Bike Center, in collaboration with the Urbana Bike Project, is hosting a free Kids’ and Teen Bike Giveaway this holiday season. Bikes are first come, first served; one bike per kid, and they must be present to pick out their bike. Be sure to get to the event early, as bikes will go quickly! Email contact@thebikeproject.org or call (217) 469-5126 to arrange a donation for the event.
The event will be held on December 11th, 2021 from 1:00-3:00 PM. In addition, the event will take place at Urbana Bike Project (202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana.)
Apply for a 2022-23 Levenick Teaching Sustainability Fellowship!
Associated Project(s):iSEE is offering seed funding to help faculty & instructors incorporate sustainability into the classroom in 2022-23. Levenick Teaching Sustainability Fellows can get $1,000 to integrate sustainability into an existing course or $2,000 to develop a new course, as well as resource support. 100- and 200-level courses encouraged.
Application deadline Jan. 31, 2022.
Results of the 2021 Sustainability Competition for Undergraduates
Associated Project(s):
"The three winners of the 2021 Sustainability Competition for Undergraduates were announced on Saturday afternoon.The overall winners in this inaugural competition were Jamie Lee and Semi Shin who developed a communication strategy for promoting the use of sustainable cement. They won $2000 for their innovative efforts. Their faculty advisor was Prof. Iwona Jasiuk.
The runner-up award ($1000) went to three MechSE students, Advay Sudarshan, Aryan Panigrahi, and Yuge Ji. They proposed the development of an energy efficient thermoelectric cooling system for data centers. MechSE’s Associate Departmental Head, Prof. Sanjiv Sinha, advised them.
Third prize ($500) went to Sakshi Vaya, who proposed a gender education strategy in India.
The six winning entries may be viewed on the competition website.
Thank you again for the wonderful support of the 54 specialist advisors and initial judges, and of the seven final judges. I also immensely appreciate the tireless support of the fellow coordinating team members, Prof. (emeritus) Robert McKim, Prof. Warren Lavey, Prof. Michelle Wander, Peter Davis (Univ. of St. Thomas), and Shreyas Venkatarathinam (MechSE Senior).
We trust that you might again be able to support us with the Fall 2022 competition, which will feature a few structural changes. Also, our students will get the chance to collaborate with those from other universities, locally and internationally, as they address their chosen sustainability challenges."
-Leon Liebenberg (12/04/2021)
Teaching Associate Professor
Fellow: Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning
Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
1206 W. Green Street
Urbana, IL 61801Update on Sensor Installation to Track South Farms Water Quality
Associated Project(s):In the middle of 2021, there was a discussion about adding a sensor station at the far south of South Farms to track the water quality in the Embarras.
The original scope included installing the sensor during the Fall 2021 semester as a part of Arthur Schmidt's Field Class. However, obstacles, such as purchasing additional materials and the change in weather, have shifted this timeline.
As of Mid-November, Arthur Schmidt and his colleague, Jacob, are teaching a new sensors class in the Spring 2022 semester. The new timeline hopes to get the installation included in the Sensors Class curriculum, with installation occurring in the early half of 2022.
Zero Waste iCAP Team Meeting
Associated Project(s):The Zero Waste iCAP Team met on Friday, December 3 to discuss and finalize the two recommendations related to the team's water bottle behavior change campaign. These include a drinking water behavior survey and a recommendation to track water filter systems on campus. Meeting minutes are attached.
Attached Files:CTAC fall 2021: Charge Letter, Presentation file, Meeting recording
Associated Project(s):Please see attached the presentation for the CTAC meeting in Fall 2021. This meeting was held on December 3, 2021. Here is the link to see the recording of this meeting: https://uofi.box.com/s/ezoxpyo8xp2bysocygvj4hnh7cnm9xi3
Attached Files:New iSEE Greener Campus Programs Certifications
Associated Project(s):Congratulations to the newest recipients of our Green Event and Green Office certifications!
Green Event Certifications:
Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS) Environmental Career Panel-Certified October 2021
University of Illinois Foundation Board of Directors Basketball Game Watch-Certified November 2021
Office of the Chancellor State of the University-Certified November 2021
Green Office Gold Certification:
Department of Communication-Recertified October 2021
Thank you to each of our participants, keep up the great work!
Sustainability and Green Job Certifications
Associated Project(s):Sustainability & Green Job Certification examples have now been included on the Institute for Energy, Sustainability, and the Environment (iSEE) Education Portal website. Scroll down on the page to find and review Professional Certification Programs. This list can be used to inspire and provide insight into green careers. Green Job Certification Topics include:
Buildings & Energy
Environmentalism & Advocacy
Climate Change and Sustainability Professionals, Business, Reporting
Water
Outdoors, Gardening, Wildlife, Natural Resources
A downloadable Excel file titled "Job Certifications" provides additional detail about these certifications and these careers.
R&D World Online Two-Part Green Labs Article
Associated Project(s):From: Becky Chambers Hennessy <hennessy.becky@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 1, 2021 5:07 PM
To: Foote, Gerard Paul <gfoote2@illinois.edu>; Breitwieser, Steven <sbreit@illinois.edu>
Subject: R&D World online two-part green labs articleHello, Paul and Stephen! I'd like to share with you and your peers the online version of R&D World's two-part feature story on sustainable labs.
For the online version, we spread the pieces across two days, with the second posted today. Here are the links:
Day 1:
—https://www.rdworldonline.com (landing page)
—https://www.rdworldonline.com/facing-sustainability-in-the-lab
Day 2:
—https://www.rdworldonline.com/a-look-at-the-2021-freezer-challenge-winners (U of I's profile)
I suggest that you share the article on U of I's social media channels. It's incredibly well-earned and effective publicity. :-)
The print edition comes out this month. If you'd like, I'll provide R&D World with your postal address and that of others if you send it to me.
However, the best way to receive the print copy might be to go to R&D World's website and subscribe. The December print edition will house both the edited main and sidebar portions.
I so enjoyed working with both of you, Paul and Stephen. Thank you for taking the time to share your world-class academic lab program!
Best,
--Becky
Becky Chambers Hennessy
219-689-8889
UIUC Freezer Challenge in R&D World Magazine
Associated Project(s):Becky Chambers Hennessy, writer of R&D World magazine, wrote a Q&A style piece on UIUC's "Winning Streak Award" for the International Freezer Challenge. The piece contains answers from Deborah S. Katz-Downie, Martin Gruebele, and Paul Foote. The piece can be found here.
November 2021 Buyer's Share Report
Associated Project(s):RailSplitter Wind Farm provided the November 2021 Buyer's Share amounts by hour, totaling 2,423.40 Megawatt hours. See attached file.
Attached Files:Local Carbon Offset Programs
Associated Project(s):From: Ricci, Marcus <mericci@urbanaillinois.us>
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 1:32 PM
To: icap-resilience at lists.illinois.edu
Subject: RE: [icap-resilience] Revolving Loan Fund example for evaluation*** Email From An External Source ***
Today’s Lunchtime Stroll Through the Internet: “Local Carbon Offset Programs.”
I hit on “The Offset Project” which started off in 2010 as a not-for-profit program in Monterey Bay, to fund sustainability programs that reduce carbon emissions: https://theoffsetproject.org/programs-and-services/local-offset-projects/top-local-offset-projects/.
They eventually morphed into a for-profit group that helps/services others to do the same: http://www.bluestrikeenvironmental.com/. One of their clients was UC Santa Cruz and the City of Watsonville, the latter of which instituted a Carbon Fund Ordinance which “establishes a Carbon Fee to be charged to all development projects except single family residential alterations, temporary buildings, and/or building area that is not used as conditioned space. The goal of the Carbon Fund Ordinance is to encourage the implementation of renewable energy in development projects. The money collected from the Carbon Fund Fee are placed in a separate account to be used for citywide greenhouse gas reduction projects.” https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/1765/Carbon-Fund-Ordinance
So, if we (someone) wanted to pick their brains (for free) Kristin from Blue Strike Environmental would be willing to chat with us, and provide the Power Point presentations they used at City of Watsonville.
The UC Santa Cruz Carbon Fund sounds similar to UIUC’s sustainability funds, so it could be used, in general, to pay for offsetting carbon: https://sustainability.ucsc.edu/engage/funding/carbon-fund/about/index.html.
By the way, I *really* dislike the use of the word “offset.” I feel that an offset is when you are paying for emitting something, when what we are trying to do (I think?) is actually *reduce* carbon emissions.
Merriam-Webster: : to cancel or reduce the effect of (something) : to create an equal balance between two things
Are we trying to reduce the emissions themselves? Or allowing all of the emissions and just fixing their effects?
Be safe, stay healthy,
Marcus
Marcus Ricci, AICP
Planner II
Community Services Department | City of Urbana
400 S Vine St | Urbana, Illinois 61801
217.328.8283Scott Tess shared these resources for local projects:
https://www.green-e.org/certified-resources/carbon-offsets
https://www.climateactionreserve.org/how/voluntary-offset-program/
Sustainability Council Meeting 11-29-21
Associated Project(s):The Sustainability Council met on 11-29-21. The presentation is attached and the agenda was as follows:
- Student group updates (SSC, SSLC, ISG)
- Clean Energy Plan
- Rainwater strategies
- Green Labs
- Strategic next steps (iCAP in campus strategic plan, AASHE STARS Platinum ranking)
Attached Files:15 permanent bicycle registration signs installed
Associated Project(s):15 metal signs to promote bicycle registration have been installed. These locations are:
- Snyder Hall
- Weston Hall
- Bike Shelter (new) by Flagg Hall
- Nugent Hall
- Hopkins Hall – covered bike parking
- Bousfield Hall – covered bike parking
- South of Wassaja Hall – covered bike parking
- Busey Evans
- Allen Hall
- LAR
- ISR (new bike racks on North side)
- ISR - North East location - 64 bike racks
- Illini Union South
- Illini Union North
- ARC
Career Services Meeting
Associated Project(s):Stacy Gloss and Meredith Moore met with Amanda Cox and Samantha Potempa from University Career Services to discuss how to connect students to Green Jobs and Green Job Certifications. Career Services staff described the services provided for students. Career Services across campus are distributed between the Colleges and students can meet with the central Career Services group or academic & career advisors in the College of their major. Career Services can provide presentations to both classrooms and RSO student groups. Trained peer career advisors can give presentations on interviewing, resume writing, Linked-in profiles and personal statements. A Career Services Council meets on a quarterly basis to discuss current issues and affairs. iSEE can have a representative join the Career Services Council.
Additional resources for students include:
- Illini Link: https://illinilink.illinois.edu/page/students
- What Can I Do With this Major? https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/info.htm
Weekly Update: Kids' Bike Giveaway event; Happy Thanksgiving!
Associated Project(s):All, Things are definitely slowing down and our visitor numbers/sales reflect that. We’re closed this week for Thanksgiving Break but I’ll be working a couple days to catch up on the Kids Bike donations. Over the weekend, we got mention in one of the campus email newsletters, so that’s good. I’ve also arranged for the event to be mentioned in some other newsletters/email blasts going out in the interim between now and the day of the event. I’ll also be getting in touch with some local news stations, since I think that boosted last year’s donation/turn out.
The official details for the Kids Bike event are:
The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign, in partnership with the U of I Campus Bike Center, is hosting a Kids’ Bike Giveaway this holiday season.
We are currently accepting donations of all kids’ and teen bikes, regardless of condition, and then refurbishing them to give back to young folks in the community!
Donations can be made at the Urbana Bike Project (202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana) or at the Campus Bike Center (51 E. Gregory Dr., Champaign). Please call (217) 469-5126 or email contact@thebikeproject.org to arrange a donation.
*Giveaway Event*
Date: Saturday, December 11th, 2021
Time: 1 pm – 3pm or until we run out of bikes
Location: Urbana Bike Project (202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana)
Details: first come, first served; one bike per kid, and they must be present to pick out their bike.This week I’m only here Mon/Tues but will wrench on the kids bikes we have—we got three more donated on Friday—then it’s off for the holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
The numbers:
Visitors: 20
Sales: $179.50
Memberships: 4 for $120Thanks!
Jacob Benjamin
Campus Bike Center CoordinatorSustainability components added to campus tour script
Associated Project(s):The following sustainability topics will be added to the new student campus tours!
- Student Sustainability Committee (SSC): each year a group of graduate and undergraduate students vote on the funding for projects that have an environmental impact on campus, SSC allocates about $1.5 million annually towards these projects, the funds come from students fees, one of the largest green funds in American higher education today, have allocated $15.55 million towards funding 316 projects since 2008
- Composting: National Soybean Research Center has a compost tumbler, the first publicly accessible compost drop-off on campus with plans to expand
- Environmental Quad Day: environmental RSOs and sustainability groups showcase their green initiatives and participation opportunities
- Recycling: single-use mask recycling locations on campus; approximately 50 collection boxes available on campus to recycle single-use face coverings
- Climate Commitments: UIUC has committed to achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible and has a Climate Action Plan (2020) to outline the campus sustainability plan to advance and achieve our goals