Edition 6 (10-26-09)

THE GREEN SCENE: Edition 6
The Green Scene is Wesleyan's new environmental newsletter. Look to us for weekly updates on relevant news, lectures, conferences, meetings, and other interesting little environmental tidbits.
*If you have anything you would like included, please submit it to weseon@gmail.com each week by Monday afternoon*

Events/Lectures:
~Annual Pumpkin Fest!
-Where: Long Lane Farm
-When: Saturday, October 31st; 1-4pm (Rain date: November 1st; 1-4pm)

~The Many Psychologies of Global Warming
-Presented by Bill Blakemore '65, ABC News Correspondent
-When: Tuesday, November 3rd, 8pm
-Where: Memorial Chapel

~Where on Earth are we Going?
-"Global Environmental Change and Freshwater Resources: Hope for the Best or Change to Prepare for the Worst?" by Patrick L. Osborne, PhD
-"Water in a Changing Climate: The Role of the National Forests in the Water Infrastructure" by Frank H. McCormick, PhD
-When: Saturday, November 7th, 8:30am-12pm
-Where: Exley Science Center, Room 150

~Science Choreography: Tutorial in teaching science through dance
-Earn .25 credits for participating in a the groundbreaking collaborative project entitled Science Choreography
-It is a learning and teaching approach being developed by scientists and artists at Wesleyan, and area school teachers, in collaboration with choreographer Liz Lerman and dancers from her company
-The idea is that embodying ideas in movement can catalyze learning in interesting and unexpected ways often leading to a deeper understanding of science.
-Students will work closely with artists and faculty to develop and teach science/dance modules in local middle and high schools.
-Introductory Meeting: November 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.
-Also entails 6-8 group tutorial sessions on dance as education facilitated by Department of Dance faculty Katja Kolcio
-Tutorial begins: December 1, 2009 and continue through Spring 2010 semester.
-If you are interested please contact Áine McCarthy at amccarthy@wesleyan.edu.

~Regional Power Shift Summits
-When: Weekends October 9-November 8th
-Click here to find and register for an event near you

Group Meeting Times for the Week:
~Dining: Thursday, October 29th, 9pm on the black couches in Usdan
~WesRUM: Monday, November 2nd, 9pm in Woodhead Lounge
-Will be planning the Free Market- all are welcome!

FYI:
~Nudging Recycling From Less Waste to None- NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/science/earth/20trash.html?_r=1&hp

~Fossil Fuels’ Hidden Cost Is in Billions, Study Says- NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/science/earth/20fossil.html?scp=1&sq=fossil fuels&st=cse

~Curbing Emissions by Sealing Gas Leaks- NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/business/energyenvironment/15degrees.html?_r=1&ref=science

~Biggest Obstacle to Global Climate Deal May Be How to Pay for It- NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/science/earth/15climate.html?ref=science

~U.S. Rejects Nuclear Plant Over Design of Key Piece- NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/science/earth/16nuke.html?ref=science

~E.P.A. Vows Better Effort on Water- NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/business/energyenvironment/16water.html?ref=science

~Corps of Engineers Awards $1.3 Million Contract for Dredging of Narraguagus River in Milbridge- NY Times
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/corps-of-engineers-awards-13-million-contract-for-dredging-of-narraguagus-river-in-milbridge-64550322.html

Action On Campus!
~Big River Harvest Tour
-Big River is a new documentary telling the ecological story of our nation’s industrial and chemical-dependent agriculture. It is the companion film to the award-winning documentary King Corn.
-Bill KcKibben has called the film, “A sharp and clever reminder that nothing ever really goes away, certainly not the soup of chemicals we’re pouring into our fields.”
-View the trailer here or visit their website.
-Interested in taking charge and making this screening happen here at Wes? Please see the attached application.

~Host a Screening of Coal Country
-Coal Country is a new, not yet released documentary about mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia.
-The Sierra Club is looking for people to host screenings from November 10-14th
-As a host, you receive a free 45 minute special version of the film, discussion questions on the issue, a party planning guide, and materials for guests to take action immediately after watching the film.
-There will also be a phone line for parties to call into to hear special guests including celebrities, coalfield residents in the film and leaders of Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign, talk about the issue and how we can take action in our own communities.
-Sign up to host a house party here!

~Do you think Wesleyan is the most vegetarian friendly college?
-Vote for Wes in Peta2's Most Vegetarian-Friendly College Contest HERE!

~350 Events over Fall Break
-Did you go to an awesome 350 event during Fall Break?
-Do you have cool pictures to document your experience?
-Email them to Katherine Yagle (kyagle@wesleyan.edu) for a photo spread in the Argus

~Senator Kerry wants to talk with you about climate change!
-What: Conference call for youth climate activists
-When: Tuesday, October 27 at 9pm EST
-Senator Kerry wants our input on his Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. Discuss the bill and the roll we can play in getting it passed.
-RSVP today and submit a question for Senator Kerry!

~Call President Obama and tell him to stop blasting on Coal River Mountain!
-Massey Energy has begun blasting on Coal River Mountain in southern West Virginia.
-Brushy Fork impoundment is an enormous retention pond holding 8.2 billion gallons of toxic coal slurry waste. If the impoundment were to fail due to the blasting, hundreds of lives will be lost and thousands more will be in jeopardy from an enormous slurry flood.
-A 2006 study confirmed that Coal River Mountain -- which has the highest peaks ever slated for mining in the state -- is an ideal location for developing utility-scale wind power.
-Please call President Obama today at 202-456-1414 and implore him to use his agencies and influence with West Virginia politicians to stop the destruction of Coal River Mountain
-Learn More Here

Outside Opportunities:
~EPA Greater Research Opportunities Program
-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) program, is offering Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) undergraduate fellowships for bachelor level students in environmental fields of study. The deadline for receipt of paper applications is December 10, 2009 at 4:00 PM and December 10, 2009 at 11:59:59 PM ET for submittal of electronic applications to Grants.gov.
-Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility during the summer between their junior and senior years. The fellowship provides up to $19,250 per year of academic support and up to $8,000 of internship support for a three-month summer period.
-To apply, visit: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2010/2010_gro_undergrad.html


Job Announcements:
~None known at this time

Meeting Minutes
~Be sure to check out last week's all-EON meeting minutes on the blog:
-http://weseonminutes.blogspot.com/


"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure."- John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day