Presidian Blog
Diving into the Energy Challenges in Chile
This past winter 12 Presidians from the International Sustainability Club (ISC) went on an adventure to Santiago, Chile to learn about—and assist in cultivating—the potential for renewable energy and energy independence there. We were inspired to go to Chile by PGS Alumnus Edgardo LeBlond’s (C15) Alpine of the America’s project and the film Streams of …
The Facilitator: Lily Laurence Makes Things Happen
Wangari Maathai. Katniss Everdeen. Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There are many different types of heroes, but it is generally agreed upon that they are people who accept the hard challenges others would defer. Although Lillian “Lily” Laurence (C17) hasn’t won a Nobel Peace Prize or vanquished any vampires (yet), she fits a heroic pattern. Her …
Finally, A Deodorant That Works: Developing Wild Arrow
The five of us like to laugh. And make jokes. Lots of jokes. One fine day, a joke turned into reality. At the beginning of our Fall 2013 semester, Scott created a funny fake ad of a classmate’s picture on Facebook declaring, “Sustainable Products for Sustainable Men.” An avalanche of likes and commentary quickly followed. …
Conveying the Message: An Interview with Carl Schneebeck & Nils Moe
Ever seen a pair become so in sync they start to dress alike? With matching plaid shirts and stylish kicks, PGS professors Carl Schneebeck (C7) and Nils Moe (C3) have an uncanny ability to look, speak and communicate with a flow that rivals the most polished cinematic duos. But the “MoeBeck look” isn’t how these …
From Mattel to Cisco: In the Trenches with Kathleen Shaver
Kathleen Shaver, MS, is Director of Sustainability and Risk at Cisco Systems where she has been the architect of Cisco’s sustainability and social responsibility strategy for global supply chain operations. She is a past Director of Corporate Responsibility at Mattel and President of the Chlorine Institute. She is also serving as PGS’s Expert in Residence …
PGS Takes EDF’s Climate Corps By Storm
PGS Takes EDF’s Climate Corps By Storm This summer, I will be writing the Strategic Energy Management Plan for the City of Baltimore, Maryland. I’ve never worked in government before. I have definitely never put together a formal energy management plan. My background is in project management and financial services. So how did I get …
Where do we go from here? Wrapping up ISC’s Chile adventure
The sun is setting on the PGS International Sustainability Club’s blog series on this past January’s service-learning trip to Chile. Since the beginning of March, you have been treated to pieces on everything from the background of the trip to Santiago’s future as a smart city to what it means to go on an international …
PHYSICIST DISHES ON THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO CLIMATE PROGRESS
Eric Gimon, PhD, describes himself as a “climate activist focused on helping society find practical solutions for moving beyond fossil fuels and towards a sustainable future.” He wears many hats, including advisor to the Clean Coalition, Board Member of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the Pacific Institute, consultant, and instructor. Eric is also …
Common Sense & Eating Larvae in Connecticut: a Travelogue
This fall, Team Blue Wave — Nick Lee (C13), Ema Phelps (C16), Sam Ruben (C17), and myself — collaborated on an Experiential Learning (EL) project with Beau Perry (C5), founder of Olazul, a non-profit developer of sustainable, market-based solutions for satisfying demand for ocean goods. Our team’s task was to design an operations plan for …
Marketing the work not the brand
My Experiential Learning team — Scott Bright (C17), Julian Fishman (C17), Trey Graham (C15), Sam Ruben (C17/PA4), and myself — recently partnered with the Bay Area Climate Collaborative (BACC) a non-profit project of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and the Mayors of San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland. The BACC acts as a public-private catalyst …