Falls colors, going, going....gone?
ENVS Advising: Spring 2016 course listings are scheduled to post to MyCUInfo Monday, October 12. Starting Monday, look for the new Current Courses list in the Curriculum section on the ENVS website. Check the Hub to find ENVS Advising Drop-In hours or make an appointment to discuss your spring schedule.
Campus-wide Open Hours: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Locations
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ENVS Fall 2015 Colloquium Series
Speaker: Atreyee Bhattacharya
Topic:
"Exploring the coupling between mineral dust and drought on decadal timescales and longer: insights from proxy records and the late 20th century Sahel drought"
When: Wednesday, October 28, 2015
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Reception with light refreshments
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Lecture and Q&A
ENVS LECTURES ARE FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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ICE Talk
No ICE Talk this week due to the ENVS Internship Fair
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ENVS Internship Fair
When: Tuesday, October 27, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Recreation Center Ice Overlook Large Meeting Room C250
No need to RSVP, just bring copies of your resume! Check the
ENVS Website
to see the updated list of participating internship sites.
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Fellowships, Internships, and Jobs
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Eco-Cycle Internships for Spring and Summer 2016
Eco-Cycle is one of the largest and oldest nonprofit recycling organizations in the U.S. Eco-Cycle helped
launch the national recycling movement in the 1970s and has been on the front lines of the global Zero
Waste movement since 1996. Locally, we provide recycling, composting and Zero Waste services to every
sector of the Boulder County community: homes, businesses, events, government and schools. Through our
Eco-Cycle International program, we advocate for Zero Waste as a community-based solution to create green
jobs, reduce climate emissions, and invest in clean water, clean air and healthy soils. Learn more at
www.ecocycle.org.
Internship Descriptions and Application Information
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Adams 12 Five Star Schools Paid Benchmarking Internship
The start date for this position is in January 2016, and runs through May 2016. Because on-site measurements at each school need to be taken in the morning and in
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Rocky Mountain National Park Paid Spring Internship
Rocky Mountain National Park has an active education and outreach program focused on non-traditional Park users and school aged children. Interns assist park staff with the development and administration of this program.
Application deadline is November 4, 2015.
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Boulder Valley School District Office of Sustainability
The Boulder Valley School District's (BVSD's) Office of Sustainability has an opening for two unpaid part-time interns this fall, two to four positions in the spring, and one to two positions in the summer. All positions will work toward goals outlined in the district's Sustainability Management System, which can be found here: http://bvsd.org/green/Pages/sms.aspx. Topic areas include green building and operations, transportation, materials, education, climate and health.
More Information and Application Instructions
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CU Athletics Performance Nutrition Department
Sustainable Snacks Internship
Sustainable Snacks was created in 2014 with the vision of providing nutritious, minimally processed, and environmentally responsible snacks at Training Table for CU Athletes. With a grant from the CU Environmental Center the Performance Nutrition Department was able to purchase food dehydrators to create a sustainable food product. By producing our own products, we can reduce the distance from farm to fork on average of 1500 miles, eliminate additives and preservatives found in commercially produced dehydrated snacks, and eliminate excessive packaging by operating with a zero-waste policy.
More Information
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Thorne Nature Experience Seeking Spring Interns
Longmont 4th Grade Field Trip Internship
Thorne is seeking enthusiastic, environmentally aware individuals who want experience working with youth in an outdoor setting to serve as interns for the St. Vrain 4th Grade Field Trip Program. Interns will gain up to 50 hours of mentored teaching experience and are responsible for teaching one of four field trip stations on the following topics: Birds, Wetlands, Seeds, or Water Pollution.
More Information and Application Instructions
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Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA)
Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) is the award-winning nonprofit association leading Colorado's solar industry. Their mission is to expand solar markets and to generate jobs and prosperity for the people of Colorado. Together with hundreds of solar business members we work to advance solar policy, remove market barriers, highlight emerging trends, and promote solar outreach and education.
More Information
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Nevada Teacher Corps is Looking for Exceptional Teachers
Nevada Teacher Corps trains accomplished professionals and recent college graduates to become exceptional, certified teachers for Nevada's students who need them most. Fellows become highly-effective teachers through intensive training and classroom-based coaching. It's an honor and a tremendous responsibility, which is why they hold the highest standards of effectiveness of any teacher preparation program in America.
Do you have what it takes to join this elite group of educators? Learn more here - The next application deadline is Monday, November 9.
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SPRING 2016 CLASSES
Please check the ENVS website for a complete list of course offerings.
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ENVS 3525 Intermediate Environmental Problem Analysis: Topical Cornerstones: Waste and Global Justice
MW, 12:20 PM - 1:35 PM, SEEC N124
We all contribute to the problem of waste, but its impacts are often hidden out of sight. From plastics cluttering the oceans, to health hazards associated with electronic waste, to climate changing emissions from landfills and incinerators, waste is global in its reach and inequitable in its consequences. As an issue intricately linked to the organization of global and local economies, it provides a window into systems of inequality and efforts to achieve a more just and sustainable world. Through in-depth discussion, readings, writing, film, role-plays, guest speakers, and multi-media projects, we will explore the causes and consequences of waste, and the opportunities for transformative change. The course is intended for upper level undergraduate students committed to understanding environmental problems in their full complexity. Recommended prerequisite ENVS 1000.
Fulfills the Cornerstone Course requirement.
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ENVS 4100-001/005 Special Topics in ENVS: Conservation Ethics
Section 001: MW, 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Section 005: MW, 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM
This course will explore contemporary ethical questions concerning nature conservation, restoration, and preservation. It will use applied ethics to cover such topics as Climate Change, Intervention Ecology, Novel Ecosystems Management, the Anthropocene, and Rewilding, exploring questions of environmental value, ontology, and obligation. These questions might include, why protect a certain species? What environmental baseline ought to be promoted? Do we have an obligation to help environments adapt to new conditions? Course material will be largely theoretical, drawing from the discourse in environmental philosophy, but the course aim is to apply this theory to case based analyses concerning conservation in the American West. We will use course readings and lecture to inform discussion and case-study focused projects.
Applies to the Specialization Requirement.
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ENVS 4100-002 Special Topics in ENVS: Land Use &
Transport Dynamics for Dynamic Cities
TTH, 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Transport activity, a key enabler of economic development and human welfare, is increasing around the world as cities and economies grow. But conventional forms of personal transport also have significant environmental problems. Matters are improving to make transport more environmentally friendly, but many challenges are outstanding. This course provides students with an overview of theoretical, policy, and practical strategies to coordinate the reciprocal relationship between land use and transport in dynamic cities. We explore the merits of employing planning policies or infrastructure investments to design communities and networks that comport with common aims of environmental stewardship. Readings, discussions, and assignments help understand policies and plans to further sustainable transport solutions. As technology is a main enabler of such, issues of big data, crowdsourcing, and the shared economy will also be discussed.
Applies to the Specialization Requirement.
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ENVS 4100-003/004 Special Topics in ENVS: Exploring Oceanic Environment
Section 003: TTH, 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Section 004: TTH, 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
This course will explore the 75% environment: the oceanic environment, the threats to this massive environment and global ocean policies. Topics will include coral reefs, sea ice stability, ocean acidification, polar oceans, the deep-ocean, oceanic gyres, marine biodiversity, trash in the oceans etc. This will be a seminar style course, involving reading peer-reviewed manuscripts, intense presentations, lively group discussions and writing papers. We will develop critical thinking, analyses, and communication skills while exploring one of the most fascinating and complex environments, namely the global oceans.
Applies to the Specialization Requirement.
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ENVS 4100-006 Special Topics in ENVS: Desertification of Arid Lands
TTH, 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM
This course will develop in-depth understanding of how regional and global climate impacts the environment of arid regions. We will explore the link between environment and climate using both modern (e.g. California drought, the Sahel Drought) as well as historical (e.g. Medieval droughts of Europe, collapse of the Maya civilization) case studies. In addition, we will ask and review related issues that ultimately shape international policy. This course will focus on innovative hands-on approach aimed at developing interdisciplinary research, communication, and group working skills in students. Students will be expected to work in groups of 4-5 to complete a short research project that will end in a term paper, a policy brief and presentations (aimed for both specialists and general population) per group. This course will be vigorous and fun while exploring one of the most pressing concerns of the 21st century, namely desertification.
Applies to the Specialization Requirement.
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ENVS 4800 - 001 Critical Thinking in Environmental Studies: Human-Environmental Interactions in Sub-Saharan Africa
TTH, 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM
Many of the important issues facing Africans today are the consequences of human modifications of the physical landscape. These consequences can be intended and unintended, positive and negative, and both long and short-term. This course investigates the inter-relationship between humans and their natural or physical environments in Sub-Saharan Africa, a place of extraordinarily diverse, vibrant, and dynamic human cultures and environments. We will look at dynamic issues facing contemporary African societies and the challenges that the people and nations of this vast continent are working to resolve. Topics to be considered include human subsistence strategies, natural resource use, conservation, and human impact upon vegetation, soil, water, landforms, and climate. Full course description available
here (bottom of the page).
Fulfills the Capstone Course Requirement. If you have already taken a Capstone course, the class will count toward the Specialization Requirement.
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ENVS 4800 - 002 Critical Thinking in Environmental Studies: Deforestation and Food
TTH, 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Cocoa, sugar, palm oil, beef, coffee, and soy are a daily part of the diets of millions of people globally. Yet large-scale production of these commodities in the tropics is frequently associated with high rates of deforestation, soaring greenhouse gas emissions, and significant social inequality. In response, an increasing number of NGOs, government agencies, and private sector organizations are trying to improve the sustainability of commodity production. This important challenge presents numerous real-world questions. Can Rainforest Alliance certification help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Brazil? What does it mean when Unilever, Nestle, and Proctor & Gamble promise 'zero deforestation' supply chains by 2020? Full course description available
here (bottom of the page).
Fulfills the Capstone Course Requirement. If you have already taken a Capstone course, the class will count toward the Specialization Requirement.
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ENVS 4800 - 003 Critical Thinking in Environmental Studies: Resilience and Healthy Cities
F, 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Course description pending. Look for updates to this document on the ENVS website on the
Current Courses page.
Fulfills the Capstone Course Requirement. If you have already taken a Capstone course, the class will count toward the Specialization Requirement.
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ENVS 4800 - 004 Critical Thinking in Environmental Studies: Futures for Boulder Open Space
W, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The seminar is an interdisciplinary critical thinking seminar intended for students interested in exploring open space and land management issues/problems/futures facing Colorado's Front Range. These are, indeed, wicked problems! As such, we will be exploring a range of interdisciplinary topics, including but not limited to: community participatory planning and action research; ecological and social carrying capacity; future growth scenarios / alternative futures modeling; histories of open space planning; recreationist/preservationist debates; urban-boundary wildland systems and growth management. Full course description available
here (bottom of the page).
Fulfills the Capstone Course Requirement. If you have already taken a Capstone course, the class will count toward the Specialization Requirement.
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ENVS 4800-005 Sustainable Communities
Instructor: Brian Muller
TTH 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Neighborhoods and districts are an important scale for the organization of sustainable systems because they are at the center of daily life. It's where we live, play, raise families and potentially work. Neighborhoods are under stress in the form of an unstable climate, stressed infrastructure, shifting demographics and economic uncertainty. So the question is not: "Will cities change?" it's: "What shape will the change take?" This class explores issues, opportunities and methods for engaging residents in neighborhood scale sustainability planning such as green infrastructure, building resilience or long-term affordable energy. Students will focus on the following question: "how can neighborhoods become more involved from the ground up in the development and management of sustainable systems?" Full course description available
here
(bottom of the page).
Fulfills the Capstone Course Requirement. If you have already taken a Capstone course, the class will count toward the Specialization Requirement.
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ATOC 4200 Biogeochemical Oceanography
Provides a large-scale synthesis of the processes impacting ocean biogeochemistry. Transforms theoretical understanding into real-world applications using oceanographic data and models. Topics include: chemical composition, biological nutrient utilization and productivity, air-sea gas exchange, carbonate chemistry, ocean acidification, ocean deoxygenation, iron fertilization, biogeochemical climate feedbacks, and much more. Prerequisites: General Chemistry, Calculus
Partially fulfills the ENVS Specialization Requirement.
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NEW! Certificate in Global Environmental Affairs (GEA)
The Certificate in Global Environmental Affairs is offered jointly by the Program in International Affairs (IAFS) and the Program in Environmental Studies (ENVS). This certificate is open to all majors at CU-Boulder, and it draws upon courses and interdisciplinary expertise in both IAFS and ENVS. The certificate links and develops knowledge of global environmental policies and practices. For IAFS and ENVS students, it will provide additional value for the two interdisciplinary majors.
GEA Certificate Website
Certificate in Renewable and Sustainable Energy (RSE)
CU-Boulder's undergraduate energy certificate program provides broad exposure to energy issues, with an emphasis on renewable and sustainable energy. Required coursework in energy science and technology, energy policy, and energy projects is coupled with electives on energy and environment, energy technologies, energy economics, and other areas to give students the skills and knowledge to tackle society's pressing energy problems. Successful completion of the certificate program is indicated on CU-Boulder official transcripts.
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Seminars, Workshops, Films, and Extras
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Distinguished Research Lecture October 29
The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: Ecosystems Waiting for Water with Diane McKnight
Thursday, October 29
4-6pm, UMC 235
Diane M. McKnight is a Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering and a Fellow of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado. She is Director of the Center for Water, Earth Science and Technology, and Co-director Hydrologic Sciences Graduate program. Her research focuses on the biogeochemistry of natural organic material and trace metals in streams and lakes, and the consequences for water supplies. She has conducted research on stream ecosystems as part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long-Term Ecological Research (MCM-LTER) project and on alpine lakes and acid mine drainage streams in the Rocky Mountains. She has been President of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography and editor of Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences. She was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2012 and was awarded the John Dalton Medal from the European Geophysical Union in 2015.
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Power in a Warming World: Preparing for COP21
The CU Environmental Center is excited to build awareness and prepare for upcoming COP21 climate negotiations in Paris with guest speaker Dr. David Ciplet of the Environmental Studies Program, at Power in a Warming World: Preparing for COP21 on October 27th in Eaton Humanities 250 from 6-7pm. We will be gathering with Professor and Active COP21 participant David Ciplet to understand how the negotiations are structured, what climate initiatives we expect to see passed, and how we can be involved in this process. As always, there will be FREE FOOD from Tiffin's Cafe!
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Volunteer Project in South Africa
Limpopo Eco Operations, LEO Africa, is a special and important volunteer program based in a private and non- commercial game reserve of ca. 30.000 ha that hosts lots of animals, like Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Cheetahs, Leopards and others like Spotted Hyena. The reserve is typical of the savannah grassland biome with six different veld types offering a great diversity of habitats. The aim of LEO Africa is conservation and wildlife monitoring in the reserve thanks to the volunteers who help every day. Tracking animals with collars and telemetry is easier and is really useful for LEO's activity. Volunteers who come at LEO play a crucial role in research and monitoring activities because on the game drives they are responsible for Telemetry and Collect Data that is important to write reports to manage the reserve. Volunteers have the opportunity to assist at some extraordinary activities during their stay, like animal darting, re - collaring animals and so on. At LEO there are not only game drives, but also different activities like the day on quad to monitor Black Rhinos and taking the Microlight to fly over the reserve.
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Green Schools Summit Volunteer Opportunity Friday 11/6
The Green Schools Summit is an annual education and networking event hosted by the U.S.Green Building Council Colorado and organized by a dedicated group of volunteers from the Green Schools Initiative. It is Colorado's only conference dedicated to convening green building industry professionals, school decision makers, educators and parents. The event provides a truly unique opportunity for open and productive dialogue on how to create better learning environments for our kids. Volunteers will get to attend the summit for free!
Volunteer Form
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Rocky Mountain Green Conference Proposals
U.S. Green Building Council Colorado is now accepting proposals for the Rocky Mountain Green (RMG) conference, held April 21-22, 2016. This is an amazing opportunity to engage within the green building industry and to showcase any green building projects or studies. If you have done sustainability/green building research on the topics listed in the flyer below, please consider submitting an application.
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MIT Climate Collaboration Contest
Are you interested in helping cultivate a greater sense of collaboration around climate change on a local scale to set an example for cities around the world?
C3 Boulder, in coordination with Resilient Boulder, the City of Boulder's Climate Action Committee and MIT just launched an MIT Climate CoLab global challenge entitled
Fostering Climate Collaboration in Boulder, CO. The MIT Climate CoLab aims to address global climate change via a crowdsourcing platform where thousands of people around the world are able to submit, critique and collaborate on climate mitigation solutions. The organizations are seeking proposals that offer dynamic, self-renewing solutions to build community engagement and help leverage and coordinate existing efforts in the community for a magnified impact.
Early bird submissions are due November 30 and will be reviewed by the fellows and judges to help guide next steps and revisions before the
final entry date, which is January 8, 2016. All proposals will get feedback from national and global experts.
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Mental Health Task Force
Following one of the PAC-12 student leadership initiatives, CU Student Government is launching a Mental Health Task Force on campus that will focus on creating a dialogue around prevalent mental health issues at CU Boulder. The central goals are:
1. Reducing the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
2. Making information more readily available on the multitude of resources on campus for accommodating students coping with mental health issues.
3. Bringing national campaigns to campus including "Half of Us" and "To Write Love on her Arms."
4. Creating an environment of care rather than compliance in classrooms and other academic and extracurricular settings.
If any of these goals are of interest to you, please contact:
Haley Hoffman Smith
CUSG's Director of Academic Affairs
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Ralphie's Green Stampede Needs Volunteers This Season!
Interested in joining the Zero Waste movement? As the first collegiate sports zero waste program in the country, we are a leader in the field of green sports! Volunteers act as Zero Waste Goalies to help spectators choose the right bin for their waste, and afterward sort and weight the compost to make this event a success. PERKS: Free T-Shirt and Meal Ticket, you can watch the 4th Quarter, and a fantastic Zero Waste experience!
Sign up to be a goalie here.
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Looking for Other Involvement Opportunities or Events?
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Deadline to Apply for Fall 2015 Graduation to Have Name in Program is November 1 (11:59 p.m.)
Consent to Conduct Business Electronically
To comply with the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, all new and continuing students will be requested to consent to conduct business with the university electronically when they log in to
MyCUInfo.
More Information
Registrar's Academic Calendar
Scholarship Application Deadlines
Financial Aid Website
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