Recylcemania 2012 Results May 11, 2012

Recylcemania 2012 held its 12th annual competition, had 605 schools participate for 8 weeks this spring.

Stats for this years contest:

• 92 million lbs. of recyclables and organic materials were recovered
• prevented the release of nearly 150,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2E).
• this reduction in greenhouse gases =
  • annual emissions from more than 25,840 passenger cars
  • electricity use of more than nearly 16,406 homes
  • the burning of nearly 705 railcars’ worth of coal.
•  average recycling rate for participating schools increased from 27.61%to 28.49%  over the course of the tournament

The Winners:

• “Grand Champion” (determined by the percentage of overall waste recycled): American University- (85.16 percent) – Washington, D.C.
•  “Per Capita Classic” (determined by total pounds of recyclables collected per person): Union College- (61.79 lbs.) – Schenectady, N.Y.
• “Waste Minimization” (determined by the lowest overall amount of recyclables and trash per person): Valencia College – (2.79 lbs.) – Orlando, Fla.

They also hosted the 2nd annual video contest with the theme “The Spirit of Recycling, ”  where the public was invited to vote for their favorite  videos posted to YouTube, the student submission from Florida State University garnered the most “likes” to win first prize followed by East Tennessee State University. Clemson University’s video received the Judges’ Award.

Amazing Kids – Jasper Sustainability Club Videos September 2, 2011

Jasper Sustainability Club for Youth designed this presentation to be presented at the Living Future unConference in Vancouver in April of 2011.

Thanks Anne Less for sharing these great videos!

Story of Citizens vs FEC video July 6, 2011

Worth adding to your library’s website?  librarians are all about democracy and standing up for the people rights aren’t we?

TED Talks: A Greener Future February 14, 2011

TED talks are a great resources for learning yourself or sharing with your students/patrons and even to get a discussion going.  TED ( Technology, Entertainment, Design) is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading.  They offer a series on A Green Future, a collection of videos talks related to the environmental debate which ” traditionally been characterized as a conflict between economic progress and preservation of the planet. Most TED speakers, however, insist that we can have both — provided we’re smart about it.”  This includes talks like Van Jones: the economic injustice of plastic or  Majora Carter: the Greening of the Ghetto or John Hardy: My Green School Dream.   Check out these and other TED talks and add as a great resource.

Video Contest for high school students October 7, 2010

From  http://www.worldof7billion.org/

Human population is set to reach seven billion by the end of 2011.  As this historic moment approaches, Population Connection is hosting  nationwide video contest for high school students.  The contest challenges students to create a video public service announcement that illustrates the impact of population reaching seven billion as it relates to environmental and global issues. Cash prizes of up to $1,000 available to winning videos. The deadline for entries is March 1, 2011. DETAILS

For teachers: If at least 10 of your students submit videos, they’ll send you a set of free classroom resources.   DETAILS

Questions?  contact  Worldof7Billion@populationconnection.org or call 1-800-767-1956 or visit the website.

Environmental Documentary Films June 21, 2010

Check out these films created by students at Guilford College (in Greensboro NC)  representing environmental beliefs and values and as stated on their web site: “producing a documentary film allows each student team to communicate and demonstrate not only mastery of key concepts and values of American environmental thought, but also to demonstrate mastery of technical and practical skills such as defining goals, idea development, time management, logical development, and cooperative learning.  Creating films not only challenge student teams to confront the difficulty of translating complicated legal and policy issues into a form the average person can understand, but also to engage in interdisciplinary creative and critical thinking and analysis.” View Films

Maybe a school, academic, or even public library could offer eco-documentary video creation contests to involved students, or even adults, in the education and discovery process of environmental connections and issues facing our world.

At my University this spring, the Communications & Outreach subcommittee of the UNCG Sustainability Committee lead by the enthusiastic eco-librarian Sarah Dorsey, offered “Sustainable Shorts” film contest – films produced by our students, highlighting a particular issue of sustainability. You can view the winners of the UNCG Sustainability Shorts Film Competition.

Green in 3 Video Contest January 23, 2010

All public are welcome to enter this contest (where you could win $500) through Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment: using just three words, create a 30-second (or less) video telling us how you would make the environment better. There are 3 contest entry periods  – 11:59 p.m. (EST), Fri., Feb. 12, March 12, April 9. Read more or watch this:

Single Steam Recycling: how it works January 15, 2010

A few people  have asked me recently about how single stream recycling works since its a better method for recycling.  (which has developed since in general people don’t seem to understand how to sort and not put trash in recycle bins, especially on my campus!)

This awesome Web site  www.explorethecycle.com offers simply explained, short video clips demonstrating “the cycle” and “the MRF” (and by visiting their site you can also watch clips on paper, glass, metal, plastic and overseas!)

Student Created Green-Themed PSAs December 9, 2009

I just had to re-post these videos from the Moraine Valley Community College Library’s Green blog. These are green-themed public service announcements created by a speech class on their campus. What a great idea!

A new Story of Stuff Project video December 4, 2009

If you missed the video “The Story of Stuff” (20 minute video) check it out but also check out the new video from the same group called  “Story of Cap and Trade.” (10 minute video)  They are both worth a watch and to pass on to your patrons regardless of your views on the issues.