Headline News: How did your building do in York’s holiday Unplug campaign?

An effort by the York University community to conserve energy over the 2009 holiday break saw an average reduction of 5 per cent at the Keele campus compared with the 2008 holiday shutdown.

“The percentage of energy saved represents enough energy to power the Stedman Lecture Halls for one week,” says Helen Psathas, York’s senior manager of environmental design & sustainability.

The data collected was obtained using York’s new energy consumption monitoring system. The new electronic meters were installed in buildings on the Keele campus, and the system is capable of monitoring electricity consumption building by building, rather than on a campus-wide basis.

Psathas says the real energy conservation winners are the occupants in those buildings that have shown a consistent and gradual downward trend over the past few months. These buildings are the Health, Nursing & Environmental Studies Building (HNES), the Behavioural Sciences Building and Central Square.

Short Term International Volunteer Advisor Opportunities
Albania

Since 1990, CDC Development Solutions (CDS) has worked to link small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging economies with US companies and organizations through volunteer consulting assignments.

Currently, CDS seeks business experts with a minimum of ten (10) years experience for 3-4 week volunteer assignments in the follow areas:

1. Productivity experts in garments and footwear production for operations management (i.e. line balancing, inventory and total quality control, etc.)
2. HR specialists in reviewing and developing HR policies and procedures, remuneration incentive schemes in manufacturing companies, employee recruitment and retention improvements in basic manufacturing companies.
3. Experts in developing sales and marketing tool kits for garment and footwear companies to increase sales.
4. Food processing experts with expertise in marketing, production and sales.
5. Experts in hotel management, tourism, and sales.

Ideally, volunteers will be experts in the above areas. Knowledge of the European textile and apparel industry is a plus as well as language skills in Italian.

Headline News Michener Lecture focuses on eco-arts as a catalyst for change

Ben Todd, an engineer, technology broker and executive director of Arcola Theatre, Britain’s groundbreaking green performance venue, will give the annual Wendy Michener Lecture at York University on Jan. 14.

In his address, titled “Humanizing the Science of Climate Change: The Role of the Arts in Driving Sustainable Lifestyles”, Todd will discuss the leading edge of eco-arts production and performance, and its potential as a catalyst for changing awareness and behaviour around the most compelling environmental issue of our day.

Left: Ben Todd

“While scientists tell us that we already have the technologies required to avert catastrophic climate change, policy-makers and businesses continue to seek new technological ’solutions’. Meanwhile, global consumption and emissions continue unsustainably, with minimal abatement,” Todd says.

“I believe that to change the lifestyles of entire populations, a cultural shift is required, and thus it is cultural agents which must take the lead.

The World Green Building Council and York University have partnered to create the International Green Building Internship Program for eligible undergraduate and graduate level students registered at Ontario Universities and Colleges. This Internship Program presents a truly unique career opportunity for students who are looking to gain hands-on skills and experience in the field of green building.

Internship placements are three months in length and begin in May 2010. There are 15 placement opportunities available for qualified students this year in the following countries: Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Jordan, New Zealand, Romania, Spain, and Vietnam. Internship responsibilities vary depending on the needs of the host organization and may include assisting with educational programs, rating tool development, membership management, research, logistical support for events and workshops, administrative support, etc.

Students who are accepted into the program will receive a $3000 stipend and will also be eligible to receive a mobilization award to help offset air travel costs.

The hard-working folks (including many York U grads!) at the City of Toronto Environment Office have launched the e-newsletter, Live Green News.

It has lots of important information, including grant and contest info.