350 - Global Day of Action for Climate Change

October 23 & 24, 2009

October 24, 2009 has been designated as a Global Day of Action for Climate Change. Citizens of the World are encouraged to engage in awareness raising activities and influence community and world leaders to curb greenhouse gas emissions. 350 parts per million is the level that scientists agree is the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The University of New England will join other college campuses in Maine and communities worldwide in calling attention to climate change. The website www.350.org describes this global day of action and the long-term effort to reduce carbon emissions to 350 parts per million in our atmosphere.

Events Taking Place at UNE

The following events are free and open to the UNE community and general public.

Note: This is a tentative schedule

October 23rd, Portland Campus

Tapped, the movie - 2:00-4:00, Blewett 006
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce?  From the plastic production to the ocean, in which so many of these bottles end up, this inspiring documentary trails the path of the bottled water industry and the communities that were the unwitting chips on the table.  From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A, this film is a behind-the-scenes look at an industry which aims to privatize and sell back the one thing that should never become a commodity: our water.  A facilitated discussion will follow with participants. Visit tappedthemovie.com for more information.

Art & Environmental Amelioration - 4:00-6:00, Art Gallery
UNE will launch the “350 - Global Day of Action for Climate Change” event with a talk delivered by Dr. Owen Grumbling, Professor and Chair of the Department of Environmental Studies at UNE.  The talk, entitled “Art and Environmental Amelioration” will be held at the University of New England Art Gallery on the Portland Campus and is described below:

The Art Gallery will display selections from University of New England’s Permanent Collection, featuring the Peregrin Press Portfolio with prints by 24 artists.  The environmental themes in the portfolio are numerous and diverse and include:

Willow Pond Series, monotype with pastel additions by Susan Amons
Roses and Cranes, xerox lithograph by Judith Allen-Efstathiou
Spawning, woodcut by Frankie Odom
Flower for the Iron Age, etching by UNE Visiting Professor, Stephen Burt
Falmouth Marsh, monotype by UNE Adjunct Professor, Phil Stevens
Knotwillows, etching by Andrea van Beest

A bus will be available to transport students, faculty and staff from the Biddeford Campus to the Portland Campus in an effort to reduce commuting emissions and model carpooling habits.

October 24th, Marcil Hall, Biddeford Campus

CFL bulb exchange - 9:30 am, Biddeford Campus Resident Halls
Students in Earth’s ECO and the Green Learning Community will be walking through resident halls offering a free 20 watt Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb in exchange for less efficient incandescent bulbs.

Technology Timeline - 10:00-4:00, Marcil Hall, Second Floor Lobby
Neal Jandreau has assembled a digital retrospective of technology as it relates to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.  The slide show will run continuously and spark discussion among participants.

Saving Energy at Home - 1:00-2:00, Marcil Hall
Are you interested in reducing the amount of energy you use in your house, apartment or dorm room?  The power is in your hands!  Come to the “Saving Energy At Home” presentation by Beth Otto from Maine Energy Education Program to learn about the first steps to take.  This presentation will focus on how to identify Energy Hogs using a Kill-a-watt meter (available in libraries) and other simple Do-It-Yourself energy saving steps.

Tapped, the movie - 1:30-3:00, and 4:00-5:30, Marcil Hall 323
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce?  From the plastic production to the ocean, in which so many of these bottles end up, this inspiring documentary trails the path of the bottled water industry and the communities that were the unwitting chips on the table.  From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A, this film is a behind-the-scenes look at an industry which aims to privatize and sell back the one thing that should never become a commodity: our water.  Local water rights activists Jamilla El-Shafei and Lynne Williams will describe their efforts with Save Our Water in the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Wells Water District. Visit tappedthemovie.com for more information.

The New Energy Bill: Your Questions Answered - 9:30-10:30, Marcil Hall
By making buildings and homes more efficient, ramping up renewable energy generation, constructing a unified national smart grid and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we can address our country’s economic and national security challenges – all while making huge strides to solve the climate crisis.  Join the discussion about The American Clean Energy and Security Act.  Kate Brock from Repower Maine will facilitate the discussion and answer questions about the new energy bill in Congress.

Local Foods Panel Discussion - 11:00-12:00, Marcil Hall
Local farmers describe the models of food distribution during this panel discussion.  Community Supported Agriculture, Farmer Markets, Farm Stands and Coops will be presented.

Carbon-Free Homes - Time TBD, Marcil Hall
Energy costs have risen to the top of the list of Mainer's economic concerns.  The experts at Efficiency Maine will describe the programs designed for reducing those energy costs, from home energy audits, weatherization, appliance rebates and renewable energy programs.  Reducing carbon emissions is synonymous with reducing costs!

UNE’s Carbon Footprint - Time TBD, Marcil Hall
Sustainability Coordinator, Alethea Cariddi, will present UNE’s carbon footprint and describe the sustainability initiatives that are underway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Learn about how electricity, heating, cooling, transportation, solid waste, waste water and paper consumption all figure into UNE’s footprint.

Changing Commuter Habits - Time TBD, Marcil Hall
Whether you work close to where you live, or a distance, there are steps you can take to reduce the impact with your commuting habits.  Come learn about bicycle commuting, carpooling and public transportation options.  Meet others that share your interest and connect with potential carpoolers.

Community Climate Action Planning - Time TBD, Marcil Hall
John Lemons, former professor for 22 years in Biology and Environmental Science at UNE and Chair of the Department of Life Sciences at UNE, has lead a distinguished career and published extensively on environmental issues.  His most recent work concerns the ethical and public policy dimensions of global climate change.  Dr. Lemons played a key role in Homer, Alaska in getting a community climate change plan passed and implemented.  As a result, Homer has been recognized as one of the USA’s four outstanding communities with respect to taking action to combat global climate change and promote sustainable living.  Dr. Lemons will speak to this experience and outline how communities can bridge the gap between personal climate change plans that individuals are taking on their own and national political action that is being advocated for.  He’ll answer the question, “What can my community do?”

Environmental Commitment Banner Signing - 10:00 - 4:00, Marcil Lobby, Second Floor
“I will inspire the world to rise to the challenge of climate change - to create a new sense of urgency and possibility for our planet.  I will advocate for sustainable behaviors and do my part to conserve energy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.”  Come and sign the reused sail, donated by Rumery’s Boat Yard, and show your commitment to going green!

Solar Power, Questions and Answers - Time TBD, Marcil Hall
Revision Energy has installed half of all solar installations in Maine in the past three years.  A representative will explain solar power, the difference between photovoltaic and solar thermal and the cost and benefits of storing energy in batteries and using grid-tiered inverters to tie into the utility company’s grid.  The will also provide insight on accessing state rebate dollars for solar installations.

Green Cleaning at UNE - Time TBD, Marcil Hall
University of New England has just signed a contract with a cleaning chemical company.  Representatives of Swish will be on hand to introduce the new line of “Green Cleaning” products for UNE.  They will explain the benefits of Green Seal Certification and the human and environmental health benefits of the products that have been chosen for use on campus.