October 7, 2020

Green Careers – October – Sustainability in Government

Interested in Sustainability in Government? Join us for a panel on the Government sector!

  NYC and NYS are taking many steps toward greening our city and to ensure it happens there are many government agencies involved in carrying out these plans. Varied agencies take on different roles and responsibilities and it can be difficult to parse out the differences. Come join us to hear from individuals who work at the nexus of government and sustainability. (more…)

September 30, 2020

Monthly Forum – Circular Economy

The circular economy has been a buzz word in recent years, with reference to it from the United Nations to the World Economic Forum. But what does transitioning from a linear take-make-waste economy to a circular one really entail? And what are the tools and missing links that can enable this transition to happen?

Join us at our monthly forum, featuring professionals who are passionate about connecting the dots for this systems design ideology that some are touting to be our way forward towards a more regenerative, resilient world.   So that we may dive deeper into conversation with our guests, please consider viewing this excellent introductory video before the event, produced by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the leading voice in the field: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/concept   Date: Wednesday October 21, 2020 Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Place: Online   REGISTER HERE  

Speakers:

Daniela Osio // Founder, Kloopify

Constantin Kostenko // Sr. Director – Solutions Architecture & Strategy, ConsenSys

Robert Gaafar // Head of North America, Algramo

Dr. Ahmed Ali // Assistant Professor of Architecture, Founder and Director of the Resource-Based Design Research Lab, Texas A&M University

September 28, 2020

Advancing Toward A Circular New York

By Kirstie Dabbs   New York City’s latest OneNYC 2050 strategy outlines an ambitious sustainability agenda that includes goals to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. New Yorkers who track city- and state-wide environmental goals and regulations are likely aware of the importance of renewable energy and energy efficiency in achieving this climate strategy, but those actions alone won’t fulfill New York’s ambitions. A circular economy must also be adopted in order to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste, while also conserving resources. Although the OneNYC strategy does make note of this shift, many New Yorkers remain unfamiliar with even the concept of the circular economy, let alone its principles, practices and potential impact. (more…)

September 22, 2020

Your Vote is Your Voice!

Be sure it’s heard in the 2020 Election! by Pamela Berns     The November election may be the most important election in our nation’s history and for our planet’s future, and Covid-19 does not need to be a deterrent.   This year registered voters in New York State have three options: Absentee mail-in ballot In-person early voting In-person voting on Election Day While the state is offering a plethora of ways to help meet the needs of many voters, for some, the choices can make the process seem overwhelming or difficult to follow. We’ve tried to simplify it here, so you can vote easily and safely and help others join you in getting the vote out.   People living in other states in the US can find voting details for their states at  https://www.usa.gov/election-office and //www.vote.org/.   There are three steps to voting in New York State: Register to vote Apply for your ballot Vote! (more…)

Urban Gardners Get Ready for the Fall Harvest

By Tamanna Mohapatra and Pamela Berns   After a long spring and summer of streaming and one too many Zooms, many city dwellers started craving something three-dimensional, organic and more nurturing to the body and soul. One therapy that emerged was growing our own herbs and vegetables at home—or at least trying to. We’ve used whatever spaces we’ve had—unused corners in small apartments, windowsills, kitchen counters, balconies (for those lucky enough to have one), and whatever little patches of lawn we could possibly cultivate. One Upper West Sider even appropriated a former city street tree planter to sprout corn stalks. (more…)

September 10, 2020

Monthly Forum: Material Impacts on Indoor Air Quality and the Environment

We spend 90% of our lives indoors, as reported by a 2001 EPA-funded study. Flash forward to 2020, it’s safe to say that we have been indoors even more lately. But what you may not know is that your interior finishes and furniture may contribute to toxic indoor air quality in your home or office. These indoor pollutants impact our health, productivity, and hormonal balance without us realizing it. Moreover, toxins that are not good for human health, usually also negatively affect the environment. How can we make healthier and more sustainable choices if the toxins are silent, invisible, or odorless? Join us for a discussion on making better material choices.   Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM Place: Online   REGISTER HERE!   Speakers for this event include: Kalli Solby // Senior Analyst at the International WELL Building Institute Mikhail Davis // Director of Technical Sustainability at Interface Scott L. Aker // Architect and Professor of Interior Design at The New School and the University of Pennsylvania (more…)

September 1, 2020

Materials Matter

By Lara Pes   We are all materialists. Whether we are choosing or using clothing or food containers, building blocks or paving, at every moment a wide range of materials are an integral part of our lives. Technology has allowed creation of sophisticated materials with specific characteristics, with improvements usually driven by a desire for practicality and lower costs. However, both synthetic and traditional materials have impacts on the environment and on human health that we need to be aware of and understand. These impacts can manifest at different stages of a product’s life cycle, either during raw material sourcing, the manufacturing stage, its use, or at the end of its life. We provide examples of each below, focusing on the built environment. (more…)

August 31, 2020

{Green Careers} September 2020 Sustainable Non-Profit

Interested in the Sustainability Non-Profit Sector? Join us for a panel on Non-Profits!

  When sustainability challenges fall outside the domain of market solutions, who is there to provide redress? Non-profits can satisfy energy and environmental problems of great import that financial interest may ignore. Come learn lessons from professionals experienced in navigating careers in the sustainability non-profit sector. (more…)

August 30, 2020

Sustainability Nonprofits: Jobs with a Purpose

By Kirstie Dabbs   Jobs in sustainability can be found in all sectors, from corporate to policy to nonprofit. Unlike government and for-profit organizations, nonprofits are specifically structured to serve a public benefit through their core mission, which all their activities are meant to support. This structure gives employees the opportunity to bring their values to work in a variety of professional roles. While some roles, such as customer service, marketing and facilities management are comparable to their private sector counterparts, others, such as development and community engagement, are unique because of the funding and service delivery structures in the nonprofit sector.   (more…)

August 27, 2020

The Divestment Movement

Will Fossil Fuel Divestment Usher in a New Era of Sustainable Growth?   By Melanie Mason   The fossil fuel divestment movement is gaining momentum as a large scale energy transition is underway. Over the past 5 years, major players have begun to divest from the fossil fuel industry and many financial analysts and environmentalists approve: not only is this the financially-savvy thing to do, it could play a major role in climate change mitigation and the shift to sustainable energy.   In 2011, passionate Swarthmore College students kicked off the very first fossil fuel divestment campaign in the United States, urging Swarthmore’s endowment to divest from coal immediately, and from oil and gas within 5 years. In 2012, environmentalist Bill McKibben and 350.org launched the Do the Math Tour, traveling around the world urging all institutions to divest from fossil fuels. In the years that followed, college students, activists, and environmental organizations held up bold signs, protested in the streets and on campuses, and spoke to huge audiences about the importance of the divestment movement. (more…)