Author: Elyssa G. Anneser (Page 4 of 7)

November 2017 Eco-Ambassador Session #1 – Medford

Session Summary:

During our first meeting, we discussed the history of the Eco-Ambassador program and the role of Eco-Ambassadors, as well as the definition and meaning of “sustainability.” We also went through an overview of sustainability at Tufts and the goals for water, waste, and energy and emissions set forth in the Campus Sustainability Council Report. We then discussed waste and recycling at Tufts.  To round out the day, we talked about behavior change and the steps to creating a Community-Based Social Marketing plan, followed by an overview of climate change, its impacts, and how it will specifically impact the Boston area.

Assignments for next week:

  • Do your personal behavior change challenge! We will report back to each other about how it went.
  • Introduce yourself as an Eco-Ambassador to your officemates, your department, etc. This can be informal in person, or maybe you want to do a cute email?
  • Check that you have the proper Landfill and Mixed Recycling labels on your waste bins and that you have a blue lid on the recycling lid. Also, assess if you want a wall sign sticker to go above your waste bins. Please bring a list of what you need to next week’s session.
  • Start brainstorming behavior change ideas for your office (some of you have some ideas already!)

Additional Resources

Sustainability at Tufts:

Behavior Change:

Climate Change:

Waste & Recycling:

Contacts

Shoshana Blank

Education & Outreach Program Administrator

Shoshana.Blank@tufts.edu

(617)627-2973

Gretchen Carey

Recycling and Organics Coordinator

RepublicServicesGCarey@republicservices.com

(781)560-1412

 

Recycle (General)

Recycle@tufts.edu

Go.tufts.edu/recycle

 

Research Associate, The Climate Policy Lab (Haiti and Puerto Rico)

Required Education, Experience, and Skills

Applications are invited from candidates with a Master’s or higher degree who also have experience conducting academic fieldwork and/or professional experience related to the research topics described below, and demonstrated fluency in French. Spanish proficiency is a plus but not required. Candidates should have excellent skills in presenting complex material to a wide range of audiences. Experience living and working in developing country contexts is also highly desirable. Applications from political scientists, business experts, lawyers, economists, those in the natural sciences, and others of diverse disciplinary backgrounds are welcome.

Qualifications

  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experienced in working with multicultural and multidisciplinary research teams.
  • Have initiative and capacity to work independently as well as in a team environment.
  • Value the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.
  • Master’s or higher degree
  • Fluency in French

Position Description

CPL is seeking a research associate with a focus on climate policy investments.  The ideal candidate will have experience in research on climate policy design and implementation, international climate finance, an interest in synergies between mitigation and adaptation policy, and a demonstrated ability to synthesize research results into actionable policy recommendations.  Familiarity with the Green Climate Fund and modes of access to climate finance is highly desirable.

The person will contribute to grant-funded projects in Haiti on climate investments and in Puerto Rico on climate policy, is expected to be conducting fieldwork in-country for extended periods, and will work closely with government officials and other policy stakeholders.  In addition, the research associate will contribute to academic publications, including the completion of at least one journal article together with the Director of the CPL, Professor Kelly Sims Gallagher and the faculty lead on adaptation and resilience, Professor Laura Kuhl. The role also requires substantive engagement in both formal and informal processes of disseminating findings such as presenting before internal and external audiences, and authoring op-eds and blog posts. In addition, the research associate will assist with project development including grant writing and/or prospect research/meetings.  The research associate will work on other projects related to adaptation/mitigation/development synergies as time permits.

The research associate will be based in Boston with extensive periods of travel to Haiti and some travel to Puerto Rico.  She/he will work collaboratively with the CPL Director, Professor Kelly Sims Gallagher, as well as other members of the CPL research team, including faculty, research fellows and student research assistants.

This is a 12-month position starting immediately, with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and continuation of funding.

The mentoring, research program, and training will be under the direction of Professor Kelly Sims Gallagher, Director of the Climate Policy Lab.

The Climate Policy Lab & CIERP

The Climate Policy Lab is an initiative of the Center for International Environment and Resource Policy at The Fletcher School, Tufts University.

Established in 1992 to meet the growing need for international environmental leaders, CIERP’s mission is to build sustainable prosperity in a changing global environment through rigorous, interdisciplinary, policy-relevant research and training of the next generation of leaders. CIERP’s work includes scholarly research for the international academic community; policy research that evaluates current programs or proposes new approaches; and applied policy development in collaboration with government agencies, the private sector, and international NGOs.

The main questions the Lab seeks to answer are: Which climate policies work in practice? Which don’t work?  Why? Under what conditions would they work elsewhere?  The scope of the Lab is global, with a particular emphasis on international comparative analysis. In-residence faculty and research fellows work with a global network of scholars, governmental policymakers, and multilateral organizations on projects, which are attuned to state, national, and bi-lateral policy processes, responsive to policy needs, and academically rigorous. The Lab’s products include accessible publications, scholarly journal papers, policy briefings, workshops, and trainings, all of which are designed to facilitate two-way communication between scholars and practitioners.

The Fletcher School

Since 1933, The Fletcher School has prepared the world’s leaders to become innovative problem-solvers in government, business, and non-governmental organizations with strategic cross-sector networks. Through our ongoing commitment and rigorous approach to advancing world knowledge through research and scholarship, we continue to inform and build bridges to meaningful global solutions. We seek to build partnerships between nations, government agencies and the public/private sector in order to be ready to shape international issues and events. The twenty-first century is being shaped by new realities worldwide, and global interdependence has become the accepted norm. From the reconstruction of post-conflict societies and the creation of markets in emerging economies to the analysis of terrorist threats and the promotion of human rights, today’s issues transcend borders and disciplines. Common to all these challenges are the myriad connections between history, politics and culture that we must understand to respond effectively to them.

Application should include:

  1. Cover letter (maximum 2 pages);
  2. Statement of research experience and interests;
  3. CV including a list of publications;
  4. Names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers for three people who can provide recommendations (or reference letters from these individuals, if available).

 

Applications should be sent by e-mail (one pdf file) with the subject heading “GCF Application” to Jillian DeMair (jillian.demair@tufts.edu).
Applications will be considered as they are received.  Deadline for applications is January 19, 2018.

Sustainable Resolutions

Happy 2018! Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions? Maybe you’re trying to eat healthier, more organic or local food. Signing up for a local CSA is a great way to help you achieve that resolution, by signing up each week you’ll receive fresh and local fruits and veggies! Tufts partners with World PEAS to deliver farm shares right on campus, find out more information here! Or maybe for your resolution you want to get into better shape? Instead of driving where you need to go, try walking, running, or biking wherever possible! Not only will you be exercising more, but you will also be saving CO2 from entering the atmosphere and saving money that you would have spent on gas. Taking public transportation  and carpooling to get to your destination are other great ways to go further distances and cut down on your carbon emissions.

Another great resolution you may have is to use less disposable plastic this year. There are some easy ways to reduce your plastic consumption. One of the most convenient is to bring reusable bags with you everywhere you go. Another great way to cut down on your waste is to shop in bulk and bring your own containers. And a cool, newer option for online shopping is to opt for hassle free packaging when you check out.

Perhaps you have already incorporated these tips into your daily life. You avoid driving and single-use plastic,  and support local and sustainable farming through your eating habits. So how can you use your New Year’s Resolution to create more of an impact?

You’re in luck! This year, 2018,  is an election year, you can use your vote to elect representatives that align with your views on the environment. Organizations like the Environmental Voter Project help to inform the public about environmental issues and organize to “Get Out the Vote” before elections.Voters in every state can look up their registration status, elected officials, and polling place. Locate your MA polling place on the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts site. If you’re registered to vote outside of Massachusetts organizations like Headcount can help you find out how and where to vote. Our democracy is strengthened when more people turn out to vote, especially during mid-term elections. America has one of the lowest voter turnout rates among developed nations. This new year, you can strengthen our democracy and make your voice heard by voting!

Do you want to give back to your local community this year? Volunteering with organizations that share your values is a great way to increase your civic engagement. Find a list of national environmental organizations with local chapters all across the country here. Read more tips from the EPA about how to get more involved with local environmental organizations.

The Office of Sustainability wishes you a happy 2018! We can’t wait to collaborate more with you all to make 2018 a more sustainable year full of civic-engagement and community building!

 

 

 

Bring Home Sustainability

Congratulations, you finished the semester! You’re done with finals and are heading home for winter break. We know that before you left campus, you made sure to unplug all of your electronics, turn the heat down to 1, and close all of your windows.

You’re officially ready to leave for break, but don’t forget about sustainability while you’re at home. While at school, we are often shielded from a lot of the waste that is created on our behalf. In the dining halls, we often don’t see all of the packaging that goes into food production and all of the food waste at the end of meals. At home, we can be more aware of the waste we produce.

How to bring sustainability home with you:

Remember to recycle!

At home, it can be easy to put all waste into the trash bin. So, remember all of the good recycling habits that you learned at Tufts and bring them home with you. Always sort your waste into bins destined for the landfill or recycling.

Care to compost!

At Tufts, the Eco-Reps take out compost from the dorms, but at home, there might not be a city-wide composting program. If you don’t, talk to your family starting your own compost pile at home. When food waste is sent to the landfill, it releases methane gas. When food waste is recycled to form fertile soil. Learn more about how to create a compost at home from the EPA.

Reduce your food waste.

Holiday meals are notorious for their large spreads of food. Make sure you eat what you can and that you save any leftovers. Read more tips for a sustainable, food-centric holiday from our Thanksgiving blog.

Think before you buy!

Have you ever thought about how much energy, labor, water, and raw materials go into everything that you buy? Before buying new, try reusing what you already have, or buy used and save money. Watch The Story of Stuff to learn more about the life cycle of some of our most used goods.

Be wary of plastic packaging! 

Plastic film cannot be recycled and is used in many single-use items. Before you buy something in plastic wrapping, try looking for a bulk size to cut down on packaging waste or find a similar item that’s not wrapped in plastic.

Make sustainability your New Year’s resolution!

In 2018, commit to being more sustainable and taking steps to reduce your environmental impact. Read some great tips for how to live more sustainably from the Center for Biological Diversity.

Bring on the sweater weather!

Put on a sweater before turning up the heat. Save energy in your home by keeping the temperature down, and if you get chilly, then put on a sweater and some cozy socks before turning up the heat.

Connect and engage!

Being home is a great time to reconnect with your family, friends, and community. Share your passion for sustainability with your communities at home. Here are some tips for .

Enjoy your time off from lectures, exams, and projects, but don’t forget about your environmental impact and responsibilities. Enjoy a restful and sustainable winter break!

 

Sustainable Winter Break

Classes have ended, finals are on the horizon, and everyone is dreaming of going home for the break as soon as their last final is over. But before you can go, there are some things you must do to winterize your dorm.
Remember to:

  • Close all of your windows.
  • Turn off all power strips and unplug everything from the wall.
  • Unplug your refrigerator and leave the door of the fridge open. Place a towel underneath the door to catch the melted ice.
  • Prevent food waste by eating or taking home all left-over nonperishable foods.
  •  Turn the thermostat to 1.

All of these simple things help Tufts reduce our energy consumption over break! Want more tips on how to have a sustainable winter break?

Sustainable winter break tips:

  •  Put on a sweater before turning up the heat.
  • Recycle any notebooks that you’re done with after your final.
  • Think about how your travel impacts the environment. Find more about sustainable travel from last week’s blog post.
  • Wrap your holiday presents in newspaper and reusable gift bags.
  •  Give sustainable presents. Check out some great gifts for everyone on your list here!
  •  Reduce your food waste during those big holiday dinners.
  •  If you have the opportunity, go adventure in the outdoors! Use your winter break to reconnect with your home and nature. Take a walk, go for a hike, swim, or ski. Take advantage of not having exams, homework, or meetings and get outside!

Congratulations on a great fall semester and good luck with finals! We wish you a very sustainable winter break!

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