Switch May 22, 2013

Check out the movie “Switch,” which explores a wide variety of future energy options. The Geological Society of America, American Geosciences Institute, American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the Verizon Foundation are funding this for educational organizations and institutions by the Switch Energy Project (http://switchenergyproject.com/).  All they ask is that when it is shown, you report the number of people who attended.

Also check out their efficiency tips page -  some great ideas broken down by easy, medium and hard (for the champions among us!) and by category like water, food,office, etc.

Two Week Online Course: Sustainability Movement on Campus… May 20, 2013

The Sustainability Movement on Campus: Forming a Library Action Plan for Engagement

June 3-17, 2013.

This course focuses on the role of the academic librarian in the sustainability movement which is sweeping across U.S. campuses. A proliferation of sustainability courses, programs and related activities bears witness to a paradigm shift in our society. You will end up with an action plan that matches the needs of your library and institution and suits your comfort level for professional involvement.

Increase your knowledge, find your allies, be part of the change!

Space is limited. Registration and other details here:
http://libraryjuiceacademy.com/029-sustainability.php

Presenter: Madeleine Charney, UM Amherst

Green Book Festival Winners May 13, 2013

The overall winner at the Green Book Festival this year was “Life Everlasting” by Bernd Heinrich which  ”focuses on the fascinating doings of creatures most of us would otherwise turn away from – field mouse burials conducted by carrion beetles; the communication strategies of ravens; and the inadvertent teamwork among wolves and large cats, foxes and weasels, bald eagles and nuthatches in the cold-weather dispersal of prey. The judges awarded top honors because of the book’s original vision and keen scientific eye. “

There were winners in many other categories, one to note is the winner of the Business Category was Greening Libraries – edited by Monika Antonelli/Mark McCullough – congratulations! There are many great chapters in this book (including one I wrote so I hope you check this award winner!

RESOURCE: Global Plants May 10, 2013

Global Plants  is a community-contributed database with more than two million high resolution plant type specimen images found worldwide, many digitized from glass slides.  These contributions are through the Global Plants Initiative (GPI), an international undertaking by leading herbaria to digitize and make available plant type specimens and other holdings. It  also includes expedition travelogues, letters, photographs, botanical paintings and drawings, a nd reference works, with links to related research articles on JSTOR. The image viewer feature examines and measures plant specimens and savable in “MyPlants.” It does cost and use you use their calculator to estimate the cost for your institution. (note: did you know JSTOR resources  are free in Africa and many other developing countries!)

Free streaming in May for film Mother May 7, 2013

On Earth Day and continuing throughout the month of May, the film by Tiroir A Films entitled   Mother: Caring for 7 Billion (2011) will be FREE online  to view! Find out more about this 69 minute film throuhg facebook, twitter or the website.

Their Synopsis… After being pushed into the shadows by converging societal forces, Mother: Caring for 7 Billion connects the dots between population growth and humanity’s most pressing social and environmental problems.  In the film, Beth, a children rights activist and mother, helps the audience navigate through the complexities of the population issue and its barriers.  Grounded in the theories of social scientist Riane Eisler, Mother is a gentle treatment of a complex issue that urges humanity to work together to bring about a peaceful, just and sustainable world.

Watch the trailer:

Mother Caring for 7 Billion – Teaser from Tiroir A Films on Vimeo.

Happy Earth Day! April 22, 2013

Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22 since 1970. Read more about whats happening for earth day or ideas on what you can do today such as getting outside for a walk,  turning off all electronics for at least an hour (cell phones too!) or,  any one of these ideas I posted in the past.  

other resources: 

• earth day network - the key place to go to find out what’s happening!
• organized reading events/ideas
• epa’s earth day events page
• artists’s work with recycled materials 
• Library of Congress’ Earth Day science guide
• earth day in your neighborhood

Looking for Column editor for EGJ! April 15, 2013

Flora Shrode has been compiling the list of books and websites on environmental topics for the Electronic Green Journal for years and is now looking for others who might be interested in taking over the column. If you are interested contact  Flora  directly at flora.shrode [ at ] usu.edu

The Electronic Green Journal (EGJ, e-ISSN: 1076-7975) is a peer-reviewed digital journal that provides open access to scholarly, international environmental information.  It was launched in 1994 and is published semiannually by the UCLA Library.  Maria Anna Jankowska, Librarian for Economics/Data Services and Government Information at the UCLA Charles E. Young Research Library, is the founding editor of the EGJ and is currently the general editor. The journal’s site is: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/uclalib_egj