Events

Follow the Eye on Earth blog for Events updates & other news from IonE

2011-01-26T15:22:12Z

Event-related articles will now be posted at the Eye on Earth blog, here on the IonE. Subscribe to the feed to find out more about upcoming events and other big ideas happening at the Institute on the Environment!

Eye on Earth gives our scientists and staff a chance to jot down their ideas and share them with the world. Both prominent and promising leaders in land use, renewable energy, environmental communications and other topics sound off on the issues that matter most to them. The blog also serves as a journal for the ever-growing IonE community, providing candid accounts of our research findings, field hearings and more.

It's time to Rock! (for Raingardens)

2010-11-17T14:30:28Z

Rock for Raingardens - Thursday, December 2

U of M faculty and student musicians will be performing for clean water on Thursday, December 2 at the 400 Bar. Rock for Raingardens will feature "The Gated Community" (8:30), "Hypoxic Punks" (9:30), and "The Big Strong Men" (10:30), voted U of M's best student band.

All proceeds will go to Metro Blooms, an organization dedicated to cleaning up Minnesota's "troubled waters." Buy your $5 ticket at Metroblooms.org by tapping the "Rock for Raingardens" link. Tickets can also be purchased through Tickmaster (search "Metro Blooms").

More info:

Tickets (Metroblooms.org)

Tickets (Ticketmaster)

Gated Community

Hypoxic Punks

Rock for Raingardens

Prairie Dog Vacuums at Frontiers in the Environment?

2010-11-03T17:56:01Z

What does this YouTube video have to do with today's Frontiers in the Environment seminar?
Watch Jeff Bender's presentation Animal Translocation: The Public Health Implications of Moving Animals and Animal Products, now posted on the Frontiers event page!

Click here to watch now.

Don't miss our upcoming Frontiers seminars:
Emerging Technologies and the Environment: The Right Pushmi-Pullyu?
IonE resident fellow Jennifer Kuzma presents a Frontiers in the Environment talk on the role of emerging technologies with unknown consequences in addressing pressing environmental problems.
Nov. 11

Lester Brown Was Half Right: What We Can Learn From China's Food System
Jim Harkness, president of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, presents a Frontiers on the Environment look at China's efforts to feed 22 percent of the world's people on 9 percent of its arable land.
Nov. 17

China's Challenges: Energy, Environment and Development
IonE resident fellow Elizabeth Wilson presents a Frontiers on the Environment talk on energy supply, demand, policy and innovation in the world's most populous country.
Dec. 1

MORE EVENT NEWS:
E3 2010: The Midwest's Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference (Nov 30)
Fall 2010 Frontiers in the Environment schedule
IonE Events
U of M Environmental Events (Environmental Portal)

E3 2010 Early Bird Registration ends tomorrow!

2010-10-28T15:45:36Z

Early bird registration for E3 2010: The Midwest's Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference ends tomorrow at midnight! Register now before normal rates take over on Saturday.

Check out the E3 2010 website for information on:
Keynote speakers
Track Speakers & Breakout Sessions
Agenda
Sponsors
Exhibitors

It's not too late to become a sponsor or exhibitor at the E3 2010 Conference. For more information about sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, contact Stephanie Szurek.

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E3 2010: The Midwest's Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference
Tuesday, November 30 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre

New this year:
Wind Energy Workshop (produced by SAFL)
Wednesday, December 1 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre

Seminar: Path Dependence and Learning in the Global Clean Tech Industry [Oct 26]

2010-10-25T13:36:54Z

Freeman Center for International Economic Policy, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, presents a Workshop on Global Policy

Path Dependence and Learning in the Global Clean Tech Industry
Presented by:
Professor Alfred Marcus
Carlson School of Management

12:45 - 2:00 pm
Tuesday, October 26
170 HHH - Stassen Room
Humphrey Institute, West Bank Campus

Clean tech - the production of electricity and fuels with a smaller environmental impact -saw a mini-investment boom occurred in the first decade of the 21st century. This study investigates the degree to which the strategies of clean tech investors varied over time in response to learning from investment successes and failures and from changes in public policy. The literature on path dependence predicts, all else equal, that initial patterns persist into the future. The past character of the investments will continue into the future without much alteration. Professor Marcus's model suggests that this pattern can be broken based on the feedback that investors receive from successful or unsuccessful rounds of venture capital funding and from the changes in the clean tech polices of global governments. Thus, there is another theoretical perspective that should be applied to the strategic choices that investors in this domain make, that is learning theory. Its predictions would be that adjustments in strategic choices will take place based on factors included in the model.

All are welcome! Beverages and cookies will be served

Recent events at the IonE

2010-10-14T15:23:17Z

It's been a busy couple of weeks as far as events go at the IonE, and there's more to come!

First off, we had 2 excellent seminars last week. As part of our Frontiers in the Environment seminar series on Wednesday, October 6, Eray Aydil presented "Eight-track Tapes, Compact Discs and Solar Cells." View his powerpoint presentation here.

On Friday, October 8 we were pleased to bring special guest and friend of Jon Foley, Brian Stone, Associate Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, for a special seminar. He presented "Extreme Heat in Cities: Notes from the Front Line of Climate Change," looking at warming trends in U.S. cities and strategies for managing climate change in urban environments. Click here to view his presentation.

Just yesterday, Jason Hill provided our Frontiers in the Environment seminar, "Fuelish Choices: Improving Sustainability of Transportation" which the seminar room and ignited many discussions about the consequences of our various transportation fuel options, including "none of the above." If you missed it, the video of his presentation is posted here.

Also yesterday, October 13, IonE director Jonathan Foley presented "Another Inconvenient Truth" at the TEDxTC conference at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Video of his presentation will be posted at TEDxTC's website soon - we can't wait to check it out (again!)

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

The next Frontiers in the Environment seminar, October 20, will be presented by Alexandra Klass of the U of M School of Law. She will be presenting "Property Rights on the New Frontier: Climate Change, Natural Resource Development, and Renewable Energy." If you'd like to do a little preparation in advance for Professor Klass's presentation, she's provided us to a link to view her paper online.

A Sea Change,
November 4 at noon - Coffman Union theater
Join us for a look at the other side of global warming in a screening of the award-winning film, A Sea Change. This feature-length documentary is the first to focus on the significant and largely unrecognized impact of ocean acidification. This event is free and open to the public.

Thanks to the Science Museum of Minnesota for allowing us to screen this for IonE supporters, students, faculty and staff. A special evening showing at the SMM will feature a panel discussion following the screening.

E3 2010: Register now!
Registration is now open for E3 2010: The Midwest's Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference.
Featuring keynote speakers Daniel Kammen and Nicole Lamb-Hale, and a second day focused entirely on Wind Energy in the Upper Midwest.
Registrations available for each day individually or both together at a reduced rate.

MORE EVENT NEWS:
Fall 2010 Frontiers in the Environment schedule
IonE Events
U of M Environmental Events (Environmental Portal)

Watch it now - Halorespiration: How, Where, and So What? (Frontiers)

2010-09-29T19:24:05Z

Another great turnout for the second in our Fall 2010 Frontiers in the Environment seminar series. Paige Novak, Civil Engineering, spoke about halorespirers, and her work in trying to figure out their natural role and how to clean them up!

CLICK HERE to watch a recording of the presentation!

Upcoming Frontiers in the Environment seminars:

October 6
Eight-Track Tapes, Compact Discs and Solar Cells
Eray Aydil, Professor, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

October 13
Fuelish Choices: Improving Sustainability of Transportation
Jason Hill, Assistant Professor, Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering

October 20
Property Rights on the New Frontier: Climate Change, Natural Resource Development, and Renewable Energy
Alexandra Klass, Professor, Law

Rescheduled from 10/27

MORE EVENT NEWS:
Fall 2010 Frontiers in the Environment schedule
IonE Events
U of M Environmental Events (Environmental Portal)

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR E3 2010 - November 30 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre!

E3 2010 - Registration NOW OPEN!

2010-09-28T13:19:56Z

Registration is now open for E3 2010: The Midwest's Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference!

This year's E3 2010 will take place on Tuesday, November 30 at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. We have also collaborated with the Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory in putting on a second day focused on wind energy in the Upper Midwest. This 2nd day workshop will take place on Wednesday, December 1, also at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. Save $10 when you register for both events!

This year's keynote speakers are Daniel Kammen (UC Berkeley, World Bank), Nicole Lamb-Hale (U.S. Dept of Commerce) and Megan McCluer (U.S. Dept of Energy - 2nd day keynote). We also have five breakout session tracks, each focused on a specific aspect of renewable energy. Check out the agenda and session listings on the E3 2010 Website, and then register!

Early registration is available through October 26, 2010.

Breakout tracks:
Bioenergy
Conservation & Energy Efficiency
Energy Policy, Environment & Economy
Solar Energy
Special Topics
Day 2 - Wind Speakers

E3 2010 would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and exhibitors. If your company or organization is interested in exhibiting or sponsoring, contact Stephanie Szurek for more information on getting involved in E3 2010!

RSVP and invite your friends and colleagues:
E3 2010 on Facebook
E3 2010 on LinkedIn

Cleantech Open Awards Gala & Expo - October 6

2010-09-27T14:41:47Z

Please join IREE supporter, North Central Cleantech Open, in celebrating its first year and the accomplishments of its participant companies.

The event will feature the announcement of the North Central finalists who will move on to Silicon Valley to compete with Cleantech entrepreneurs from around the country for a grand prize package of up to $250k of investment and services!

There will also be a trade show with exhibiting and showcasing of our participant companies, partner organizations and sponsors.

Where:

Nicollet Island Pavilion
40 Power Street
Minneapolis, MN 55401

Program

5:15 pm -- Trade show starts with exhibits from 2010 Participant Companies, Partners and Sponsors.

6:15 pm - 8:30 pm -- Awards program, including announcement of 2010 regional winners.

*Awards program will also include a keynote and insights from prominent industry experts.

Who Should Attend

Entrepreneurs, Investors, Corporate, Media and Civic Leaders who want to help foster the local cleantech and renewable economy, and learn more about the exciting contestant companies who will represent North Central in the world's largest cleantech business competition. The North Central region includes participant companies from various states including Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin.

For more information, visit cleantechopen.com

Frontiers Fall 2010 Kicks off with Larry Wackett's Biochemical Bloodhounds

2010-09-22T17:24:04Z

The room was abuzz with energy about our first Frontiers in the Environment seminar for the fall 2010 semester.

Professor Larry Wackett presented "Biochemical Bloodhounds: Using Enzymes to Detect Toxins."

Biochemical Bloodhounds: Using Enzymes to Detect Toxins

How can we detect food contaminants before they do harm? Deliberate doctoring of milk with melamine to provide misleadingly high protein content measurements sickened 300,000 infants and children in China in 2008. It also motivated Institute on the Environment founding fellow Larry Wackett to look back to melamine-related research performed in his lab seven years earlier for a potential tool for preventing similar tragedies in the future. As the first speaker in IonE's fall Frontiers in the Environment lecture series, Wackett, distinguished McKnight professor of biochemistry, described how he and colleagues built on that earlier research to create an easy-to-use enzyme-based kit to test for the presence of melamine as well as uncover the biochemical basis for melamine toxicity. Wackett's work resulted in production of a commercialized test kit by Texas-based BIOO Scientific and opens doors to developing similar tests for other contaminants that might accidentally or intentionally be introduced into the food we eat.

If you missed Professor Wackett's talk, or would like to watch it again, click here for a recording of today's presentation.

And be sure to join us for other Frontiers in the Environment and Institute on the Environment events!

September 29
Hooked on Halorespiration: How, Where and So What? - Paige Novak

October 6
Eight-Track Tapes, Compact Discs and Solar Cells - Eray Aydil

October 13
Fuelish Choices: Improving Sustainability of Transportation

Fall 2010 Frontiers in the Environment schedule
IonE Events
U of M Environmental Events (Environmental Portal)

IonE Sponsors BioEnergy Conference (article in MN Daily)

2010-09-16T17:18:26Z

Check out this article by Ashley Bray, MN Daily, about Roger Thurow's keynote speech at the Global Sustainable Bioenergy North American Convention!

Updates on GSB will be posted to the website next week, including presentations and the final resolution.

IonE Sponsors BioEnergy Conference (MN Daily, 9/16/2010)

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Be sure to join us next week for Frontiers in the Environment, Wednesday at noon!

IonE Events Page
E3 2010

Daniel Kammen (E3 Keynote) Joins World Bank

2010-09-13T21:21:42Z

Adding more pizazz to E3 2010 this year, keynote speaker Daniel Kammen has recently joined the World Bank as the Chief Technical Specialist for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

The press release about this impressive appointment is below - sign up for E3 2010 updates to be notified when registration opens and stay up-to-date on other E3 2010 updates.

International Leader on Clean Energy Joins World Bank

Daniel M. Kammen to head programs to foster low-carbon growth in developing countries

WASHINGTON, September 9, 2010- The World Bank today announced the appointment of Professor of Energy Daniel M. Kammen of the University of California, Berkeley as the organization's Chief Technical Specialist for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. This is a new position created to provide strategic leadership on the policy, technical, and operational fronts. The aim is to enhance the operational impact of the Bank's renewable energy and energy efficiency activities while expanding the institution's role as an enabler of global dialogue on moving energy development to a cleaner and more sustainable pathway.

The appointment comes amid unprecedented demand from developing countries for World Bank support in their efforts to address development and climate change as interlinked challenges. This includes responding to the challenges in providing energy services to the one-and-a-half billion people who remain without access to clean, reliable, and affordable modern energy services.

"I am delighted that Dan Kammen will be joining the Bank in this critical role at this critical time," said Inger Andersen, World Bank Vice President for Sustainable Development "With Dan on board, we look forward to strong leadership and rich partnerships with many actors, in the public and private sectors, on this important topic."

"More than ever," Andersen added, "our client and countries are looking for solutions as they put in place economic growth and poverty reduction policies for their citizens today while taking into account the needs of the planet tomorrow. The supply and use of clean energy is a prime element in responding to both concerns. Dan's deep knowledge, broad experience, and extensive network of international actors working in this area makes him a perfect fit for this new position."

Daniel M. Kammen has worked for 25 years on the technical, analytic tools and policies that play a central role in enabling a low-carbon energy and wider sustainable economic systems.

"I am captivated and motivated by the need to respond to the immense clean energy needs of countries around the world to address quality of life and economic empowerment, address problems of inequity, and respond to the challenges of climate change," said Kammen. "As researchers and development professionals, we must refine what we are currently doing, as well as develop new tools, to provide more low-cost, high quality, clean energy worldwide."

"The World Bank, with its cadre of seasoned staff already working in this area, is in a position to make incredible contributions to this push for global sustainability. I look forward to joining the organization, being a part of this exciting venture, and contributing to lasting solutions that enable countries to get and stay on a path of development that reduces poverty and provides for the well-being of generations to come," said Kammen.

Currently, Kammen is the Class of 1935 Distinguished Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley, where he holds appointments in the Energy and Resources Group, the Goldman School of Public Policy, and the department of Nuclear Engineering. The focus of his work is on the science and policy of clean, renewable energy systems, energy efficiency, the role of energy in national energy policy, international climate debates, and the use and impacts of energy sources and technologies on development, particularly in Africa and Latin America.

Daniel M. Kammen's appointment will be effective October 4, 2010.
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About Daniel M. Kammen

Kammen is the founding director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL), Co-Director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment, and Director of the Transportation Sustainability Research Center. He has founded or is on the board of over 10 companies, and serves the State of California and the U. S. federal government in expert and advisory capacities. He has authored or co-authored 12 books, written more than 240 peer-reviewed journal publications, testified more than 40 times to U.S. state and federal congressional briefings, and has provided various governments with more than 50 technical reports. Kammen served for many years on the Technical Review Board of the Global Environment Facility. He is also a frequent contributor to or commentator in international news media, including Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Financial Times. Kammen has appeared on 60 Minutes, Nova, Frontline, and hosted the six-part Discovery Channel series Ecopolis,

Kammen is a Permanent Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, a fellow of the American Physical Society. In the U. S., he serves on two National Academy of Sciences boards and panels and, in April, 2010 was named by U. S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton as the first Energy and Climate Fellow for the Western Hemisphere.

Kammen was educated in physics at Cornell and Harvard, and held postdoctoral positions at the California Institute of Technology and Harvard. He was Assistant Professor and Chair of the Science, Technology and Environmental Policy Program at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University before moving to the University of California, Berkeley. Kammen has served as a contributing or coordinating lead author on various reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change since 1999.

For more information, please visit: www.worldbank.org

Fall 2010 Frontiers in the Environment Lineup

2010-08-11T15:00:29Z

With the start of the semester falling upon us, it's time to start up the Frontiers in the Environment seminar series again. Following in last year's successes, we've got a great lineup of environmental all-stars this semester, starting on September 22. Here's a sneak peak at what's coming up this fall in Frontiers in the Environment.

Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
IonE Seminar Room R380, VoTech Bldg., St. Paul campus (map)
Free and open to the public; no registration required
Join us online via UMConnect

SEPT 22
Biochemical Bloodhounds: Using Enzymes to Detect Toxins
Larry Wackett, Distinguished McKnight Professor, BioTechnology Institute
Toxic chemicals have always been with us, but today's toxins are more problematic than ever: They are often made by people instead of by plants, bacteria, or other living things, and are found in places and even as part of objects we generally assume are safe. How can we detect toxins' presence and so avoid harm? Wackett is working on enlisting enzymes to sniff out the presence s-triazine ring compounds, a major class of manmade chemicals used as disinfectants, dyes, drugs, monomers, pesticides, and explosives. His talk will focus on melamine, which was used as a food adulterant and hit the news in 2008 for sickening hundreds of thousands of children in China. Wackett will show how fundamental enzyme research provided the key ingredient for a melamine test kit as well as valuable insights into the mechanism of melamine toxicity.

SEPT 29
Hooked on Halorespiration: How, Where and So What?
Paige Novak, Associate Professor, Civil Engineering
Chlorinated organic molecules are some of the world's most hazardous compounds, causing effects from cancer to obesity. Developed by humans for uses such as degreasing, insulation, and fumigation, they now contaminate tens of thousands of sites in the U.S. alone. About 15 years ago, scientists discovered bacteria that were able to "breathe" some of these chlorinated compounds and thereby detoxify them. Astoundingly, some of these so-called halorespirers actually require chlorinated compounds to live. Scientists and engineers have since debated how these organisms came to be, whether they have a niche in uncontaminated environments, and how we can best harness their abilities. Novak will talk about her work trying to unravel the natural role of halorespirers in hopes of developing better clean-up methods.

OCT 6
Eight-Track Tapes, Compact Discs and Solar Cells
Eray Aydil, Professor, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
At least a dozen existing technologies produce solar cells with overall power conversion efficiencies ranging from 5% to 40%. Given that these technologies are available, the question arises as to whether society should invest in research to develop even more new technologies, or just work to improve existing ones. Aydil will make the case that we should continue research on new types of solar cells, basing his argument on the decision in the 1970s to develop new recording technologies beyond the eight-track tape - a decision that led to compact discs and eventually to digital formats. Even though new technologies are uncertain, Aydil will argue, they are worth pursuing on the chance they may lead to even more efficient solar cells at much lower cost, revolutionizing renewable energy.

Other featured Frontiers speakers this semester include:
Jason Hill (Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering)
Martin Saar (Geology and Geophysics)
Alexandra Klass (Law)
Jeff Bender (Veterinary Public Health)
Jennifer Kuzma (Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs)
Jim Harkness (Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy)
Elizabeth Wilson (Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs)
Tim Smith (Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering)

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Fall 2010 Frontiers in the Environment schedule & descriptions
IonE Events Calendar

Watch: "Enough: Why the World's Poorest Starve in an Age of Plenty"

2010-08-09T19:12:37Z

Interested in attending Roger Thurow's keynote presentation at the Global Sustainable Bioenergy North American Convention, but not sure?

Here's a preview of what Thurow will talk about on September 15.

Don't forget to see my last blog post for details on how you can get half-price tickets to Thurow's talk!

Half price tickets to Roger Thurow's GSB Keynote Address!

2010-08-02T20:04:24Z

Roger Thurow, author of ENOUGH: Why the World's Poorest are Starving in an Age of Plenty will be speaking at the Marquette Hotel on Tuesday, September 15 as part of the Global Sustainable Bioenergy North American Convention.

His talk, Raising the Clamor on Ending Hunger, will focus on opening our eyes to the problem of world hunger and how we can focus on ending this widespread problem through grassroots efforts, government policies and agriculture development.

Thurow will be signing copies of his book after the presentation. Copies of ENOUGH can be bought through pre-sale on the registration site, or at the event.

Want to see Thurow's inspiring presentation, but can't afford the $30 price tag? As thanks for reading the IonEvents blog, we'll give you half off the admission price to this event!

Click Register here!
Select "Sept 15 - Keynote by Roger Thurow (only): $30.00"
In the "Discount Code" box, enter blog15
Proceed through the registration process - your final fee will be discounted $15!

online event registration
by Regonline