Stetson GREEN

Sick of consumerism? Here’s an alternative way to think...

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:34:00 -0500

Sick of consumerism? Here’s an alternative way to think about our clothes, the Earth, and the role we all have to play from Patagonia’s ‘Common Threads Initiative.’

Photo

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 13:04:58 -0500

Sandy in the City: Living with Severe Storms Flash Forum

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 13:04:01 -0500

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s torrent through the Northeastern United States last week, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told reporters that he did not “give a damn” about Presidential politics. Instead, his mind was set on helping those citizens most affected by the flooding, destruction, and power outages that the storm had left behind. That same seriousness and sense of urgency was present in Monday’s flash forum in the Rinker Environmental Learning Center. The panel consisted of Stetson Professors Tony Abbott, John Jett, Barbara Bischof, Clay Henderson, and Jim Buthman, who each gave their unique perspectives about Hurricane Sandy and the broader topic of climate change. Topics ranging from public policy, environmental law, biological diversity, and politics were all part of a highly informative yet understandably bleak discussion about the future of climate change in the United States and the rest of the world.

Dr. Abbott began the event by giving a brief overview about the nature of hurricanes, and why warmer oceans fuel hurricane power. This means that hurricanes will continue to travel further north every year, to the point where Great Britain might even begin to feel the brunt of these storms. Dr. Jett used his opening statement to detail the worrisome situation in New Jersey and New York, where large amounts of plastic and chemical waste from land has washed back into the ocean. The fact that much of the petrochemical industry in the region is now underwater does not bode well for the marine life in the Atlantic Ocean. Dr. Bischof discussed addressing global climate change in terms of risk versus cost, and warned of the huge price mankind will pay if no serious action is taken with regards to the warming planet. Clay Henderson, visiting Stetson Professor and recent recipient of the 2012 Hood Award, told of his recent travels to Malawi, a country who feels the effects of climate change harder than most. Henderson noted that a storm like Hurricane Sandy might help people understand the seriousness of climate change, considering that over half of the American population lives within 50 miles of the coast (NOAA). Political science professor Jim Buthman stressed the need for a greater dialogue when it comes to climate change. Buthman discussed the political hurdles that keep us from seriously addressing climate change on a policy level in an impassioned and articulate manner. In fact, each speaker was highly driven to have climate change become a subject of discussion on the national stage.

On a day where all the news was about the impending election, Stetson hosted a nuanced and critically important discussion about various topics in the context of climate change. This comes as a stark contrast to the climate silence that was evidenced from all three Presidential debates, and it certainly begs the question of what we should be talking about as responsible Stetson students, Americans, and citizens of the world.

-K.E.

The Guardian: 'A great silence is spreading over the natural world'

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:28:01 -0400

The Guardian: 'A great silence is spreading over the natural world':

“The birds are silent in the woods.
Just wait: Soon enough
You will be quiet too”
- Robert Hass

Rio+20 Summit

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 21:03:00 -0400

Leaders and senior officials from 193 nations are all currently meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for a United Nations conference to discuss sustainable development. With the talks coming to a close on Sunday, June 22nd, it will be interesting to see the resulting outcomes from the discussions. You can read, watch, and keep up to date with what has been happening in Brazil on the official UN website. With failed summits in the recent past fresh in mind, let us hope that there will be serious efforts to make up for lost time rather than trying to save face— in terms of sustainable development for future generations.

-KE

Gulf of Despair. Don’t feel like clicking on the link...

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:37:54 -0400

Gulf of Despair.

Don’t feel like clicking on the link below? Here is the video in its entirety from Journey Man Pictures’ YouTube Channel.

BP Oil Spill

Wed, 23 May 2012 12:33:00 -0400

Over the course of 3 months, an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico.

We’ve all seen the BP Oil Spill commercials on TV touting the Gulf beaches as now being open and more inviting as ever, and it seems as though the “recovery” seems to be in full swing. However, this short film from JourneyManPictures tells a different story of the effects of the disaster in the affected areas in various southern states. Rather than touting the successes of the response, this film shows the dire consequences for local fisherman, responders, as well as possible repercussions for the general population as a result. Share this with a friend or a colleague and remember that at the end of the day, everything you see on TV is trying to sell you something.

-KE

Farmer’s Market on the Stetson Green

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:48:00 -0400

Farmer’s Market on the Stetson Green

Happy Earth Day! Come down to today’s Farmer’s...

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:45:48 -0400

Happy Earth Day! Come down to today’s Farmer’s Market, hosted by Hatter Harvest

Take a look at Stetson University’s calendar full of Earth...

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:52:00 -0400

Take a look at Stetson University’s calendar full of Earth Week Events

Monday, April 16th kicks off the beginning of Earth Week 2012 at...

Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:44:02 -0400

Monday, April 16th kicks off the beginning of Earth Week 2012 at Stetson University

Green Symposium to set the stage for Earth Week

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:11:47 -0400

The 4th Annual Green Symposium will take place tomorrow, Friday April 13th, at the Lynn Business Center from 9am-4pm. The day will kick off with keynote speaker Cynthia Barnett, a journalist who specializes in freshwater issues. Speeches and concurrent session will continue to take place all throughout the day, and will be open to Stetson students and professionals alike.

A networking mixer from 3:30-4pm will be a great opportunity to meet people currently working in clean energy and natural resource management, among other environmental-related fields.

The Symposium will kick off a number of green events set to continue through next week as a part of Stetson’s Earth Week. The full schedule is set to come out soon.

The current Stetson news release reveals several of the events already set in stone, but stay tuned for more events and keep an eye out on campus for anything GREEN!

Naturally Noted: into the center

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 12:19:05 -0400

Naturally Noted: into the center:

naturallynoted:

Looking for another chance

for someone else to be,

looking for another place

to ride into the sun.

- Lou Reed

Straight west, the surface of Lake Eustis shimmers in the distance, nestled in the notch created by parallel rows of buildings and a roadway running into the…

Naturally Noted

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:46:00 -0400

Here at Stetson, student interest in our natural environment takes many shapes and forms. Robert Allen is an English graduate student at Stetson University. As a curious observer and reflective journalist, he is intrigued by the natural side of Florida an inspiring reality he believes far too few visitors, and even residents, appreciate.

In his blog, Naturally Noted, Robert regularly writes about his experiences with the sunshine state’s unconstructed identity. He hopes readers enjoy these perspectives and then feel compelled to discover their own.

A great opportunity for Stetson students to support the city of...

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:19:37 -0400

A great opportunity for Stetson students to support the city of Deland and local green businesses & products!

We really do have a beautiful campus here at Stetson.

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:42:00 -0400

We really do have a beautiful campus here at Stetson.

Stetson to host Global Brigades Exchange

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 12:23:00 -0400

The Mission of the Global Brigades is “to empower volunteers to facilitate sustainable solutions in under resourced communities while fostering local cultures.” The Global Brigades have as many as 9 specific programs related to global health and sustainable development such as

Global Brigades is the world’s largest student-led global health and sustainable development organization, and they will be holding their GB Florida Exchange right here at Stetson on April 1st. Students from all across the region will make their way to Deland to attend one of many exchanges occurring all across the nation.

Exchanges will include guest speakers, leadership panels and most importantly an opportunity for students to share their ideas and learn from others in passionate breakout sessions. A Global Brigades international staff member will also be in attendance, so participants will have the chance to hear the latest in-country updates as well as provide direct feedback to new ideas.

For more information about Global Brigades, you can find them on Facebook or on their official website here.

Farmer's Market this Sunday

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:56:00 -0400

Hatter Harvest is hosting its 2nd Farmer’s Market this weekend! The event will be taking place this Sunday, March 19th on the Stetson Green from 12-4pm. The Farmer’s Market will include a number of different types of vendors, so come and check it out.

Hatter Harvest is a student-led club founded in 2009 at Stetson. Its vision is to bring sustainable food to campus and raise awareness about alternative agriculture systems and healthy lifestyles. The Hatter Harvest maintains a garden on campus adjacent to the Rinker Environmental LearningCenter.

The Farmers’ Market is based on the international “Slow Food” movement founded by Carlo Petrini in 1986. Promoted as an alternative to fast food, it strives to preserve traditional and regional cuisine and encourages farming of plants, seeds and livestock characteristic of the local ecosystem.

Students, faculty, and members of the Deland community all came out to last month’s Farmer’s Market, so join them on Sunday and help promote locally-based food, music, and fun.

Join SASS - Students Advocating Sustainability at Stetson

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0500

Students Advocating Sustainability at Stetson is a student organization dedicated to raising awareness about sustainability through meetings, information sessions and community service projects. They work collaboratively to find and support solutions to help reduce our community’s environmental impact. Student groups like SASS can be just as important as policy decisions made behind the scenes, as we strive to educate the public on sustainability issues.

If you’re interested, e-mail Logan Dodson at ldodson@stetson.edu

Caitlin Peterson was an Environmental Science minor who...

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:46:00 -0500

Caitlin Peterson was an Environmental Science minor who graduated from Stetson University at the top of her class in 2011. This short video features her research in Biology. Caity’s research gives us information that can be used as “a small piece that can help us to explain a larger phenomenon- specifically, the phenomenon of climate change in the Arctic.”

This interesting and informative video is just a taste of not only Peterson’s research, but also of how Stetson students can effectively communicate information about the changing world we live in.