-
5 tips for a greener school year
Sheilamary Koch EducationOn Sept. 20, around 4 million people took to the streets worldwide as part of the largest youth-led climate strike to date. Whether you were there or at work, here are five practical tips to help ride the momentum of this historic event to create a greener classroom, school building or entire district. "If you’re not sure where to start, look at what other schools are doing," says Robert Whiteman, field studies teacher at Costa Verde International School in Sayulita, Mexico.
-
World Mountain Ungulates Conference shows concerns, hope
Chester Moore Jr. Recreation & Leisure"What the heck is a mountain ungulate?" An Instagram follower asked this after I posted about attending the 7th World Mountain Ungulates Conference in Bozeman, Montana. It is a good question. Ungulate, after all, is sort of a strange word. The quick explanation is an ungulate is an animal with hooves and a “mountain ungulate” is any of the variety of sheep, goats, deer and antelope that inhabit the hills and highlands of the world.
-
View from Europe: HVAC and Brexit
Andrew Gaved ManufacturingAs U.S. readers are no doubt aware, the U.K. is still in the throes of trying to leave the European Union, a process we now universally describe in a single word: Brexit. It is not my place here to go into the political machinations that have been going on for the last three years as the country has attempted to negotiate a legal exit from the EU. My purpose, instead, is to report on the challenges that the HVAC industry faces because of the threat of Brexit. What the industry fears is the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.
-
Sustainable travel efforts are increasing
Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementWhen Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex were criticized for taking a private jet to Elton John's home in France, one thought this might be another tabloid story that would be buried by the next scandal. The world perhaps underestimated the prince’s conscience and passion for environmental issues. His new travel sustainability initiative, Travalyst, is a massive drive to protect vulnerable travel zones and benefit local communities. Furthermore, sustainable tourism is projected to grow by 10% to become a $340 billion business in the next four years.
-
Federal emergency management: All in the name of security?
Michelle R. Matisons Civil & GovernmentRegarding recent controversies concerning Hurricane Dorian, National Weather Service (NWS) leader Neil Jacobs stated: "What did I learn over the last week? From now on, the National Weather Service should be at the table with emergency managers and FEMA, at all briefings." But this proposed coordination is complicated by obscured budgets in a vast, bureaucratic web. While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is tasked with tracking weather changes, FEMA is tasked with providing resources for hurricane-threatened and impacted areas, among other things.
-
US Geological Survey: Microplastics are raining down on us
Scott E. Rupp Waste Management & EnvironmentalIt is raining plastic in nature, says the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Based on the findings from a recent USGS report, better methods for "sampling, identification, and quantification of plastic deposition along with assessment of potential ecological effects are needed." Why? The planet is becoming inundated by microplastics, negatively affecting marine life and posing health risks to populations around the world. Specifically, the report says plastic is "raining" down on the Rocky Mountains.
-
3 post-natural disaster safety checks for facility managers
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsWhen a natural disaster strikes, there's usually little to do except wait until it's safe to return. Preparing in advance provides facility managers the best outcome to nail down any property needs. But lack of preparation is no excuse for a sudden storm to catch you unawares. Facility managers are in a unique situation when planning for post-storm returns and assessments. While many are on the evacuation path, facility managers are a bit like first responders regarding the health of their buildings. As you inspect your buildings, there are a few things to consider.
-
With Hurricane Dorian on the way, it’s imperative to be prepared
Damon Sayles Facilities & GroundsAs it continues toward the southeast coast of the United States, Hurricane Dorian has become national news. And the closer it gets to the Florida coast, the scarier it becomes. According to the National Hurricane Center, Dorian could threaten the Bahamas and then hit Florida during Labor Day weekend. Per forecasting, Dorian is expected to strengthen to a Category 3 hurricane. Central Florida could be a major target, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency.
-
Can you recession-proof your job?
Catherine Iste Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementWhether you believe that Big Macs or RV sales predict recessions, it seems at least that the continued talk of a recession is certainly on the horizon. Yet, with more of us gainfully employed and the job market so seeker-friendly, should we care? Yes; just like how it is easier to find a job when we already have one, it is easier to plan for a recession when we are not in one. Here are a few things to consider when trying to recession-proof your job.
-
Legal fights come to factory farms as grassroots organizations push back
Scott E. Rupp Food & BeverageFood & Water Watch, an organization that focuses on creating grassroots movements to protect environmental resources, began legal proceedings against Tyson Foods this summer, claiming that the company focuses on environmental stewardship as a business philosophy. The organization says these claims are counter to how Tyson actually treats the land and water. Additionally, several conservation groups sued the Environmental Protection Agency in July for "overstepping its authority in exempting factory farms from pollution-reporting requirements essential to public safety, environmental health and animal welfare."
All Waste Management & Environmental Articles