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Carbon Solutions New England™: Collaboration for a Low Carbon Society |
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Carbon Solutions New England™ (CSNE) is a public-private partnership to promote collective action to achieve a clean, secure energy future. "Scientific evidence is clear that we must achieve an urgent and unprecedented level of carbon dioxide emission reduction over the next decade to begin to stabilize our climate system," explains CSNE Director and UNH climate scientist Cameron Wake. "The goal of CSNE™ is to unite leaders from the public, private, and non-profit sectors to collaborate at an entirely new level to build a low carbon society while sustaining New England’s unique natural and cultural resources." A common set of regional indicators and milestones is required to provide decision relevant information for a diverse set of stakeholders to coordinate action and track progress. |
CSNE™ will develop a web accessible and open source New England Carbon Index and related databases that provide credible information on progress towards reducing emissions and a common reference point for policymakers, businesses, the media, non-profits, and educators. In addition, a collaborative process of focused working groups, annual assessments, and biannual summits will sustain dialog and coordinate action. CSNE™ is already building a lead partnership network and conducting rapid appraisals of the region’s carbon cycle, the potential for renewable energy, and the existing institutions and initiatives working towards a low carbon society. Learn more about Carbon Solutions New England™ at carbonsolutionsne.org. |
Did You Know?Transportation makes up the largest and fastest growing sector of CO2 emissions in New England. If we don’t change our behavior, it is projected to release 90 million metric tons of CO2 per year by 2020. |
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CSNE's “New England Decarbonizer” is an easy to use web-based computer model to help guide the region in developing efficient strategies to reduce CO2 emissions. A graphical interface displays historical carbon emissions data for the region, projections of future emissions, and the potential savings from alternative solution strategies. See where we've been, where we're headed, and different combinations of actions to solve the region's carbon challenge - all from your computer! |
November & December Many great University-wide Dialogue on Democracy events! Contact: "We Hold These Truths..." UNH University-wide Dialogue on Democracy online events listings |
November 1 Cultural Excursion to the Boston Symphony Orchestra 10:30 AM live rehearsal $40/person including ticket and roundtrip bus transportation |
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November 3 Step It Up 2! Who’s A Leader? National Day of Climate Action 10 AM visibility at UNH/Northeastern football game 2-4 PM fair in Murkland Courtyard Contact: Erin Thesing or visit www.stepitup2007.org and search for Durham, NH |
November 17 & December 22 Holiday Farmers' Market Featuring Local Foods 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM Atlantic Culinary Academy, McIntosh College, Dover, NH Contact: Visit www.seacoasteatlocal.org or www.atlanticculinary.com |
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November 22 - 25 Turn off & unplug your computer, printer, and other electronics and appliances while away from campus Contact: www.unh.edu/etf/powerdown.html |
December 6 Cultural Excursion to the Boston Symphony Orchestra 10:30 AM live rehearsal $40/person including ticket and roundtrip bus transportation |
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Since 1997, the University Office of Sustainability -- the oldest endowed sustainability program in higher education in the U.S. -- has been uniting faculty, staff, and students in integrating sustainability across UNH’s CORE (curriculum, operations, research and engagement) through four initiatives that follow four foundational systems of sustainability – Biodiversity Education, Climate Education, Culture and Sustainability, and Food and Society – and in advancing sustainability in civic and community life across the state, region, and nation. A spirit of discovery. A small, New England liberal arts college feel. A top-tier university with research in climate science, sustainable energy and engineering, sustainable agriculture and food systems, marine science, natural resources, public health, nutrition, and more. A dedication to community, citizen engagement, diversity, cultural and natural resources, and public arts. Discover sustainability at UNH. UNH University Office of Sustainability 107 Nesmith Hall, 131 Main Street Durham, NH 03824 USA 603.862.4088. 603.862.0785 fax |
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Steve Trzaskoma, Ph.D., Associate Professor UNH Dept. of Languages, Literatures & Cultures Classics Program |
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Was sustainability important in ancient Greece and Rome? Yes, though we may not always recognize it. Pre-industrial societies, even ones as sophisticated as those of the Greeks and Romans, did not have the capacity to affect rapid global change, so there was never fear of, for example, global warming. On the local level they knew about the dangers of polluting water, overworking farmland, reducing animal and plant diversity, and so on. But they did not have the massive information gathering capabilities we have, so there are many examples of ancient cities damaging their environment severely but so slowly that they did not realize it until it was too late. Deforestation was a major problem in parts of ancient Greece. Most people may not think of history, art, and culture when they think of sustainability. Why should they? Because we make no decisions individually or collectively on the basis of complete and accurate information or on thought processes that are purely rational. Everything we do is affected by what a robot or computer would consider extraneous information. For human beings, culture in the broadest sense of the word is often more motivating than good science or intelligent laws.
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The key, I think, is in finding ways to remove the apparent conflict between those competing imperatives. Science, reason, and culture can evolve together to find solutions that people won't reject out of hand or stop practicing down the road. Those solutions are going to have to be part of our lives, and that involves culture. What motivates you personally to be involved in sustainability? I grew up in Northern California, which has been talking about sustainability for a long time, so to some degree it has always been a part of my own culture. At UNH, it's easy to be involved in sustainability because it is a persistent element in our idioculture due to the UOS and its delightfully broad view of what belongs in our discussions about the subject. -------------------------------- Challenge Up, then Powerdown!The Student Energy Waste Watch Challenge is on October 24 - November 21! UNH students, start saving energy and water - and teaching your hall and apartment mates to do the same - since the three buildings that reduce their per capita energy and water use the most win a cash prize! Learn more at unh.edu/etf/challenge.html. Then - faculty and staff included! - don’t forget to powerdown over Thanksgiving and winter breaks! Turn off and unplug your computers, printers, and other electronics to save energy and emissions. Learn more at unh.edu/etf/powerdown.html. |
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