Environmental Justice & Climate Change: Special Quarter

In case you had not yet heard, just want to share with you some exciting news about a number of great classes being offered next quarter through Fairhaven College focusing on environmental justice and climate change. Rumor has it that next quarter's Fairhaven-sponsored World Issues Forum Speaker Series will also focus on themes of environmental justice and climate change.

Invisible bike helmets

Hi, this is Rob, the Green Shelfer who is somewhat bike-obsessed.  Two weeks ago I blogged about US embassy staff in Denmark in their assorted bike helmets.  Now we go back to Scandinavia for an amazing advance in head-safe technology.  My advice: watch the three-minute video all the way through.  It builds up suspense wonderfully until you finally get to see how the magic helmet works.  Clever!

11/19/13 Lunch & Learn: "Libraries: A Sustainable and Sustaining Resource"

This Tuesday's "Lunch & Learn" is about libraries! 

Western’s Office of Sustainability, the Teaching-Learning Academy, and Western Libraries invite you to an interactive and stimulating “Lunch & Learn” session.  

Join Rick Osen, Western Libraries’ Assistant Dean for Administration and Planning, as well as members of the Libraries’ Sustainability Team, as they consider the topic: “Libraries: A Sustainable and Sustaining Resource.” (And yes, in case you were wondering, Hans will definitely be there.) 

DATE: Tuesday, November 19 from 12:30 to 1:30 pm

LOCATION: Wilson Library 265

For more information, check out these links:

Library News

Event Poster

The Afterlife of Books

Sometimes a library has to get rid of a book.  Maybe it is worn out.  Maybe there is a newer edition.  Maybe it is a 1988 manual on word processing and no one would look at it on a bet.

What happens to those books afterwards?  It's nice to think they go on to A Better Place.  And sometimes they do.  Sometimes people find a way to reuse them.  See this wonderful article in Colleges and Research Libraries News on the RE:BOOK Contest.  (Okay, this is the 2012 poster.  I couldn't find a copy of the 2013 poster that would load.  But the new one is in the article.)

AS Environmental Club Summit is November 14th (TOMORROW)!

There is a really cool event happening on campus tomorrow that I wanted to share with you in case you have not yet heard about it. Join AS environmentally-themed clubs and programs in celebrating and exploring what they have already done and where they still want to go in the world of sustainability.

Guest speaker James Wells will be speaking about how to find your own voice and become empowered to speak publicly about the issues that matter most to you. I can personally attest to how articulate, thoughtful, and engaging James is, and I am sure this promises to be a really wonderful event.

This Environmental Club Summit is sponsored by the AS Environmental Center, and local businesses have provided food for the event, so you are encouraged to bring your own plate, utensils, and mug!

For more information, check out the Environmental Club Summit Facebook page.

WHAT: ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB SUMMIT,  FEATURING GUEST SPEAKER JAMES WELLS

WHERE: THE UNDERGROUND COFFEE HOUSE, (VIKING UNION 3RD FLOOR)

WHEN: NOVEMBER 14TH, 6:00 PM

Western's TLA Goes Platinum!

Check out this photo from last week's Sustainable Office Certification Program Award's Ceremony! Thanks to the dedicated and innovative work of the Teaching-Learning Academy, they have managed to reach the highest possible level of Platinum ranking in the SOC program. Serving as an inspiration to the rest of the Learning Commons and Western Libraries, they are definitely worthy of congratulations and recognition. Way to go TLA! Thanks for all that you are doing!

If you would like to learn more about how you can participate in this or other sustainability programs at Western, check out the Office of Sustainability's website for more information.

Viking Liking Biking

Who are these people?  Would you believe federal employees, hard at work? In Copenhagen biking to work is extremely common and that includes people who work at the U.S. Embassy.  Last spring 25 employees participated in Denmark's Bike To Work Day, and both of their teams clocked more than 2,000 kilometers.  Plus, they looked really cool in their assorted helmets.  Read all about it in State Magazine

Make a Ripple

Cool video from the University of British Columbia about keeping their campus sustainable.  Some exciting ideas! 

Don't Miss Tuesday's "Lunch and Learn," part of WWU Sustainability Week 2013

Just another reminder that Monday (11/4) kicks off Sustainability Week here at WWU. There are lots of great things happening, but one thing I always look forward to is the "Lunch and Learn" sustainability-themed conversations that take place in Wilson Library.

This week's talk features WWU Grad and Artist Services Coordinator at Allied Arts Katy Borden, who will be speaking about the role of the arts in "sustainability." Please join us for what promises to be an engaging presentation and conversation! Feel free to bring your lunch, and note that there is always hot tea waiting for you at these sessions as well. Hope to see you there!

WHAT: LUNCH & LEARN SUSTAINABILITY CONVERSATION
WHEN: FROM 12:30 TO 1:30 ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
WHERE: WILSON LIBRARY TLA SEATING AREA (the little alcove area to the left of the Learning Commons info desk).