Brrr, it’s cold outside…

But when I get inside my classroom, it’s so hot I can hardly stay awake!

Does this sound familiar?  Some of UMBC’s buildings seem to get confused in these cold temperatures and overcompensate by getting too warm.  A quick call to Work Control(410-455-2550) to report the problem will make you more comfortable, and most importantly save energy! 

Did you know that half of UMBC’s carbon emissions come from heating and cooling?  That means that reducing energy use can really make a difference.

Temperatures should be set to 70oF in winter and 76oF in summer in all spaces on campus according to Facilities Management Guidelines.

Hey UMBCers! We all know you're cold and tired of this crazy winter we've had so far. With low temperatures expected in the upcoming days, our heating systems and wallets may be getting a bit of workout. That's why today, during our TURN DOWN FOR TUESDAY event, we encourage everyone to dial down that thermostat a few degrees and simply bundle up in a few jackets/blankets and warm up with your roommates, friends, or that girl you've had a crush on since high school. Thermostats should be set to 70 in the winter for the best energy savings! Every little bit goes a long way, and our Eco-Ambassador team is just asking you to take part in a little bit of saving! Get your hot cocoa ready because we all still have a long winter to go!

Next week is the Trash on Your Back #greengrit Challenge for RecycleMania! It's not too late to join over 30 students who will be keeping their trash with them- to see how much waste they generate and encourage learning. 

Visit us online:
sustainability.umbc.edu/trash-on-your-back/

 Trash on Your Back: Part of RecycleMania 2015. Instead of yelling at people to sort their recycling, we have adopted this campaign to engage those around us in considering how our choices matter, and the ways we impact our ecosystem, and the role the environment plays in sustaining our lives. By carrying your Trash on Your Back during the 5-day challenge, you can spark curiosity, engage sponsors in fundraising for your org, shareyour reflections, catalyze meaningful conversations, raise awareness, broaden understanding, change your own habits, and serve as an example for others.

Email tanvig1@umbc.edu if you are interested!

UMBC’s Eco-Ambassadors welcome you back to campus and the spring semester!  We will continue our "Turn Down Tuesdays" series this semester with energy saving fun facts and tips!

As the semester’s workload begins to take off, we probably find ourselves using our computers more often.  Set your computer to automatically go to sleep after 10-15 minutes to save energy.  

According to energy expert Michael Bluejay, an average laptop uses 15-60 watts during normal use, but uses only 0-6 watts in sleep mode and 0 watts in hibernate.  That may not seem like a lot of savings, but imagine if everyone did this…it would add up!

Also, skip the screen saver – instead of saving energy, it consumes energy.  Setting your computer to sleep will still allow you to start up quickly where you left off.

Seminars are held on Fridays at 2 PM in the Technology Research Center, Room 206, and are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Visitor parking passes for the TRC lot may be purchased for $4.00 in the CUERE office in TRC 102/105 shortly before seminar.

January 30, 2015
Matthew Lambert
US EPA
"Bioavailability and Risk Management Decisions at Superfund Sites"

February 6, 2015
Dr. Krissy Hopkins
National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC)
University of Maryland
"From small watersheds to regions: Variation in hydrologic response to urbanization"

February 13, 2015
Dr. Neda Yaghoobian
"Building energy use and urban microclimate"

February 20, 2015   11 AM (Note time change)
Alimatou Seck
UMBC
Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
"A fully distributed integrated hydrologic model for quantifying groundwater dynamics in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed"

February 27, 2015
Dr. Allen Place
Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences
"Hydraulics and barley straw (Hordeum vulgare) as effective treatment options for a cyanotoxin-impacted lake"

March 6, 2015
Dr. Chris Hennigan
UMBC
Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
"Sources and Processes Affecting Particulate Matter in Denver, CO during DISCOVER-AQ"

March 13, 2015
Anna L. Johnson
UMBC, Dept of Geography and Environmental Systems
"The ecology of urban vacant lands: human-mediated local versus regional control on plant community assembly"

March 20, 2015
Spring break, no seminar


March 27, 2015
Dr. Miranda Mockrin
USDA Forest Service 
"Living in the wildland urban interface: growth of the WUI and policy response"

April 3, 2015
Dr. Lea Johnson
University of Maryland College Park

April 10, 2015
Zhengtao Cui
UMBC
Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering
"Development and application of a particle-tracking model for nitrogen transport and transformation in aquifers"

April 17, 2015
Dr. Stephanie Lansing
Environmental Science and Technology
UMD College Park

April 24, 2015
Dr. Cynthia Gilmour
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

May 1, 2015
Dr. John M. Sharp, Jr. 
NSF and University of Texas

May 8, 2015
TBA

What is RecycleMania?

RecycleMania is a competition between universities of all sizes to promote waste production on campuses across the country. Over 8 weeks UMBC will report our recycling and trash collection rates to RecycleMania Inc, a non-profit made up of various university sustainability coordinators. Our rates will be compared to other participants and ranked according to overall efficiency. Efficiency is determined by total amount of recyclables, least amount of trash, highest recycling rate, and other variables. For more information about the competition visit www.recyclemaniacs.org.

UMBC’s Goals

In 2014 UMBC was ranked in the top 100 of 273 participating universities and we want to continue towards the top of the heap. To accomplish this Sustainability Coordinators on campus are implementing new, permanent signage at trash sorting locations in the commons, residence halls, RAC, and other locations on campus. There will be a variety of celebrations and competitions on campus as well, running 8 weeks from the beginning of February. Faculty and staff in addition to clubs, residence halls, frats, and other student orgs will be participating over the course of the competition to promote sustainability on campus and move UMBC to the forefront of the national sustainability movement.

How Can You Help?

Check out sustainability.umbc.edu for any information you’ll need about sustainability on campus. The website contains various guides and links to help you go green at home, at school, and in life. For information on helping to coordinate the competition or other sustainability events during the year, email tanvig1@umbc.edu.

Event Schedule:

-Kickoff Fair on Commons Mainstreet – February 5th 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

-Weekly Recyclemania Tabling Events: Commons Mainstreet from 12-1 PM

• Monday 2/9: Exchange your plastic water bottles to receive a new   reusable one!
• Tuesday 2/17: "Trash on Your Back" Challenge sign-ups
• Wednesday 2/25: "Trash on Your Back" Photo competition booth
• Monday 3/2: Turn in plastic grocery bags for a surprise!
• Monday 3/9: Cupcake decorating
• Wednesday 3/25: TBD