Sustainability Commons^™

Slides: Shale And Air Quality: The View From The Other Side, Jeremy Nichols

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

Presenter: Jeremy Nichols, Climate & Energy Program Director, WildEarth Guardians, Denver, CO

18 slides

Slides: U.S. Shale Gas: Resources, Reserves And $$$, John B. Curtis

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

Presenter: John B. Curtis, Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering and Director of the Potential Gas Agency, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO

17 slides

Slides: Evolving Policy On Shale Plays, John Martin

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

Presenter: John Martin, Crowell & Moring, LLP, Washington, DC

17 slides

Agenda: 2010 World Energy Justice Conference: Emerging Solutions For The Energy Poor: Technological, Entrepreneurial And Institutional Challenges, University Of Colorado Boulder. Center For Energy & Environmental Security, Colorado Journal Of International Environmental Law And Policy

2010 World Energy Justice Conference (November 5)

This conference is a sequel to the 2009 World Energy Justice Conference (WEJC 2009) which began examining ways of mainstreaming safe, clean, and efficient energy for the world's Energy Poor (EP). The EP number two and a half billion people living on less than $1-2 a day who have no access to modern energy services. WEJC 2010 more fully develops these themes. WEJC 2010 will explore how the next round of global warming meetings in Cancun could design new flexibility mechanisms that give credits, for example, for the reduction of black carbon by the adoption of cookstoves, and embrace small …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 86, No. 19, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. Articles:

• Duvall, Tessa. Officials: WKU Police Justified in Tasing Student – Dennis Craig
• Carter, Caitlin. Lingering Warm Weather Costs WKU – Energy, Sustainability
• Whitaker, Ross. Legacy of Bourbon – Maker’s Mark Distillery
• Friddell, Cristen. Students to Give Back to Local Kids – Bernard Stenecky, Honors College, $100 Solution
• Garcia, Jon. First-hand Account: Bourbon Trail Not Just About the Alcohol
• Ryan, Jacob. Glasgow Children’s Theatre Recounts Greek Mythology
• Bushon, Hannah. Asian Religions & Cultures Major Now Offered at WKU
• Erskine, Anne. Editorial Cartoon re: Studying for Tests
• Oliver, Angela. Try …

Culvert Material Cost Comparison, New England Environmental Finance Center

Water

The following tables provide a detailed look at the role that culvert material and culvert diameter play in the overall cost of a culvert replacement project.

Culvert Material Cost Comparison, New England Environmental Finance Center

Economics and Finance

The following tables provide a detailed look at the role that culvert material and culvert diameter play in the overall cost of a culvert replacement project. Table 1 displays the cost per foot purchase price arranged by diameter size for the various culvert materials that are currently available. Table 2 displays the average additional culvert pipe material cost (increased cost to upsize minus original in-kind replacement cost) that would be incurred when upsizing a given diameter of culvert with a 50 foot length by factors of: 200%, 250% and 300%.

Understanding, Modeling And Valuing Ecosystem Services, Robert Costanza

Systems Science Friday Noon Seminar Series

Ecosystem services (ES) are the direct and indirect contributions of ecosystems (in combination with other inputs) to human well-being. An ES-based approach can assess the trade-offs inherent in managing humans embedded in ecological systems. Evaluating trade-offs requires both an understanding of the biophysical magnitudes of ES changes that result from human actions, as well as an understanding of their impact on human well-being, broadly conceived. This talk discusses the state of the art of ES assessment, valuation, and modeling, including the potential of integrated ecological economic modeling. Valuation is about assessing trade-offs – not necessarily about trades (exchanges) in markets …

Take Pride In America In Southern Nevada: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Covering October 5, 2010 – January 4, 2010, Margaret N. Rees

Anti-littering Programs

• The Hector’s Helpers program with the Clark County School District continued curriculum development.
• The team was selected to serve on the litter and recycling work group for Keep Las Vegas Beautiful.
• The team continued to develop the GIS database.
• A total of 12 clean-up events were conducted this quarter.

Take Pride In America In Southern Nevada: Quarterly Progress Report, Period Covering July 5, 2010 – October 4, 2010, Margaret N. Rees

Anti-littering Programs

• The street team portion of the media campaign was completed.
• The Hector’s Helpers program with the Clark County School District continued curriculum development.
• The team was selected to serve on the litter and recycling work group for Keep Las Vegas Beautiful.
• The team continued to develop the GIS database.
• A total of five clean-up events were conducted this quarter.

Guano Exploitation In Madagascar, Christina Buliga

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Agriculture in Madagascar continues to remain largely undeveloped. Out of the eighty percent of Malagasy individuals that live in rural areas an overwhelming sixty five percent practice subsistence agriculture. With respect to the country as a whole this means that out of Madagascar's 58.2 million hectares of available land only 5.2 percent (3 million hectares) are farmed. And out of these 3 million hectares only 67% are cultivated permanently and only 11% are fertilized.

While there are several reasons for why Madagascar’s agriculture has remained largely undeveloped and for why Madagascar continues to rely on imported crops to meet its …

Renewable Energy In Rural Amazônia: A Case Study Of Its Advantages And Limitations In Santo Antônio, Amy Plovnick

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Isolated renewable energy projects are a promising alternative to diesel power for providing electricity in rural communities not connected to the conventional electricity transmission grid. However, there have been a limited number of such projects in rural Amazônia, and they often face obstacles that limit their sustainability. The objective of this study is to evaluate the environmental, social and economic impact of isolated renewable energy projects through a case study of a small-scale biomass and solar energy electrification project in the community of Santo Antônio, Pará. It will also evaluate the limitations to implementing and sustaining isolated renewable energy projects …

The Greening Of The Information Systems Curriculum, Patricia Sendall, Li-Jen Shannon, Alan Peslak, Bruce Saulnier

Management Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study is related to Green Information Technology (IT), Green Computing, and/or Sustainability (GITS) curriculum initiatives in institutions of higher education in the US and abroad. The purpose of this study is threefold; 1) to evaluate whether GITS academic programs have been initiated in higher educational organizations; 2) to analyze if GITS programs and/or courses are currently in place; and 3) to investigate the conceptual framework of GITS across campuses.

Droughtscape, Fall 2010, Kelly Smith

DroughtScape: Quarterly Newsletter of the National Drought Mitigation Center (2007–2023)

CDC Issues Drought Guidance for Public Health

La Niña May Intensify Drought in South

Recent Workshops and Meetings

East Feels Impacts as Heat Intensifies Drought

New Products

Nicole Wall Co-Facilitates Republican River Basin Task Force

NDMC Climatologist on Ethiopia Team

El Movimiento Verde En La Tierra De La Albiceleste: Obstáculos Y Oportunidades Para La Energía Limpia En Argentina, Robert Strickling

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Para combatir el cambio climático, países por todo el mundo están haciendo políticas para incentivar el desarrollo de energía limpia. Cada país tiene sus propias problemas y oportunidades para reemplazar su uso de energía con fuentes limpias como energía eólica y solar. Este estudio miró a la situación en Argentina y usó las opiniones de académicos y con actores. Con sus opiniones y experiencias y con estudios de caso de países con políticas más desarrollados muestra la situación actual y soluciones posibles para el futuro. Los problemas que emergieron incluye el desarrollo de líneas de transmisión, la competitividad de energía …

Los Problemas Energéticos De Chile Y Sus Soluciones: El Rol De Las Energías Renovables No Convencionales, Megha Jain

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Esta investigación trata sobe la seguridad energética de Chile, un concepto relativamente nuevo que tiene que ver con la capacidad de un país para garantizar un suministro energético, que permita el crecimiento económico y el desarrollo social. Actualmente, Chile se encuentra en una posición energética muy vulnerable. A pesar de su riqueza geográfica repleta de recursos energéticos renovables, carece de las fuentes de energía más importantes hoy día: el petróleo, el carbón y el gas natural. Por eso, para cumplir con una demanda creciente, tiene que importar entre el 70%  y el 80% de su energía, dependiendo de pocos suministradores …

Unlv Magazine, Tony Allen, Shane Bevell, Donna Mcaleer, Ched Whitney, Cate Weeks

UNLV Magazine

No abstract provided.

Tabor To The River: An Evaluation Of Outreach Efforts And Opportunities For Engaging Residents In Stormwater Management, Vivek Shandas, Anne Nelson, Carine Arendes, Cathy Cibor

Institute for Sustainable Solutions Publications and Presentations

This report summarizes the key findings from a neighborhood survey that focused on household perceptions of sustainable stormwater systems. The survey was conducted in collaboration with the City of Portland?s Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) and Portland State University?s Center for Urban Studies.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 86, No. 9, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news.

• Rutledge, Chris. Music Festival Mixes Local, National Acts – Starry Nights Music Festival
• Duvall, Tessa. Junlian Zhang Lawsuit Against WKU in Court Today
• Carter, Caitlin. Sun’s Energy to Heat Pool in Preston Health & Activities Center – Sustainability
• Aulbach, Lucas. Having a Ball – Schleuderball
• Davis, Leslye. A Thousand Words – Susan Hull, Lillie Remour
• Snyder, Kristen. Fifth-week Assessments Taking Place This Week
• Vogt, Darren. Editorial Cartoon re: Big Red Dollars
• Too Many Options – Big Red Dollars, Dining Services
• Carter, Caitlin. Packages Must Be Sent Through Campus Mail …

A Short Nuclear Primer, James Conca

UNLV Clean Energy Forum

The 2010 UNLV Clean Energy Forum will take place on the UNLV campus September 8th. The event focuses on clean energy production in Nevada, the US Southwest, and clean research projects nationwide. Subject matter will focus on financing, national policy, current technologies, and nuclear energy.

Unlv Clean Energy Forum 2010 Agenda, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

UNLV Clean Energy Forum

The 2010 UNLV Clean Energy Forum will take place on the UNLV campus September 8th. The event focuses on clean energy production in Nevada, the US Southwest, and clean research projects nationwide. Subject matter will focus on financing, national policy, current technologies, and nuclear energy.

Unlv Clean Energy Forum 2010 Summary, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

UNLV Clean Energy Forum

The 2010 UNLV Clean Energy Forum will take place on the UNLV campus September 8th. The event focuses on clean energy production in Nevada, the US Southwest, and clean research projects nationwide. Subject matter will focus on financing, national policy, current technologies, and nuclear energy.

2010 National Clean Energy Summit 3.0: Program Agenda, University Of Nevada Las Vegas, Center For American Progress Action Fund

National Clean Energy Summit

High-level industry leaders, policy experts, investors, and public officials, along with citizens and the media, will gather in Nevada for a day-long summit hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. National Clean Energy Summit 3.0: Investing in American Jobs, the third annual summit, will bring together top minds to chart the course for our nation’s clean energy future.

2010 Fall Engr333 Project Assignment, Matthew K. Heun

ENGR 333

The Fall 2010 ENGR333 project focused on heating and air-conditioning in campus dormitories, which are notoriously leaky and inefficient.

I asked the students “What would it take to retrofit the Bolt-Heyns-Timmer (BHT) dormitory heating and air-conditioning systems in a manner that achieves LEED certification?”

Customer

The customer for this project was Calvin’s VP for finance Henry DeVries.

Site-Specific Photocatalytic Splitting Of Methanol On Tio2(110), Chuanyao Zhou, Zefeng Ren, Shijing Tan, Zhibo Ma, Xinchun Mao, Dongxu Dai, Hongjun Fan, Xueming Yang, Jerry L. Larue, Russell Cooper, Alec M. Wodtke, Zhou Wang, Zhenyu Li, Bing Wang, Jinlong Yang, Jianguo Hou

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Clean hydrogen production is highly desirable for future energy needs, making the understanding of molecular-level phenomena underlying photocatalytic hydrogen production both fundamentally and practically important. Water splitting on pure TiO₂ is inefficient, however, adding sacrificial methanol could significantly enhance the photocatalyzed H₂ production. Therefore, understanding the photochemistry of methanol on TiO₂ at the molecular level could provide important insights to its photocatalytic activity. Here, we report the first clear evidence of photocatalyzed splitting of methanol on TiO₂ derived from time-dependent two-photon photoemission (TD-2PPE) results in combination with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). STM tip induced molecular manipulation …

Empirical Geographic Modeling Of Switchgrass Yields In The United States, Henriette I. Jager, Latha M. Baskaran, Craig C. Brandt, Ethan B. Davis

Dartmouth Scholarship

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a perennial grass native to the United States that has been studied as a sustainable source of biomass fuel. Although many field‐scale studies have examined the potential of this grass as a bioenergy crop, these studies have not been integrated. In this study, we present an empirical model for switchgrass yield and use this model to predict yield for the conterminous United States. We added environmental covariates to assembled yield data from field trials based on geographic location. We developed empirical models based on these data. The resulting empirical models, which account for spatial …

Technology Enhancement In Hotel Guestroom, Chee Wah Peter Too

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This is an exploratory research paper looking on various types of technology, facilities enhancement and devices adopted by hoteliers for their guestrooms to meet the ever increasing demand and expectations from their guests. This paper also explores the technologies and devices that owners use to leverage on business sustainability for their operations. As part of the corporate social responsibility, hotel owners are exploring the opportunities to increase these activities through the use of modern technology and devices to reduce damage to the environment such as using energy saving devices in their properties. Business and leisure travelers who are environmentally conscious …

The Perfect Spill: Solutions For Averting The Next Deepwater Horizon, Robert Costanza, David Batker, John W. Day, Rusty A. Feagin, M. Luisa Martinez, Joe Roman

Institute for Sustainable Solutions Publications and Presentations

In this article the authors comment on the oil spill incident from the Deepwater Horizon, particularly on its economic and ecological damages. The authors highlighted the disaster as an event wherein much is needed to be learned so that future oil spills can be avoided. One lesson refers to the valuability of natural capital assets and other public entities that are at risks due to private interests and that better regulations and incentives are needed to protect these assets against risks.

Design Of A New Suturing And Knot Tying Device For Laparoscopic Surgery, Sinan Onal

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Minimally invasive or laparoscopic surgery has completely changed the focus of surgery becoming an alternative to various types of open surgery. Minimally invasive surgery avoids invasive open surgery as the operation is performed through one or more small incisions in the abdomen and using a small camera called laparoscope. Through these incisions, surgeons insert specialized surgical instruments to perform the operation resulting in less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery. However, the main problems during minimally-invasive surgery are the limited space for operating instruments and the reduced visibility and range of motion inside the patient’s body. During minimally-invasive …

Construction Cost Models, Barry Dikeman

Economics and Finance

The following are a series of cost estimate models similar in format to a typical engineer’s estimate that were developed in support of our financial impact assessment report for LD 1725. The models us current material costs, labor costs, and equipment costs for the region to provide a comparative cost analysis of seven culvert replacement scenarios. The models provide information about what the cost impact of LD 1725 would be for typical culvert replacements in Maine. However, due to the inherent restrictions of the cost modeling framework we were not able to include the abundance of variables that would be …