Community and business representatives from the Municipality of Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands visited ASU President Michael Crow and leaders of ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability (GIOS). The Dutch delegation met with partners from GIOS' Walton Sustainability Solutions Initiatives (WSSI) to learn more about sustainability in Arizona and to share their sustainability knowledge from the Netherlands.

The Municipality of Haarlemmermeer aims to become one of the most sustainable sites for businesses, communities, and organizations in the Netherlands. ASU Sustainability Scientists brainstormed with the Dutch representatives who included aldermen Arthur van Dijk and John Nederstigt, sustainability programs manager Debby de Rijk, and higher education programs manager Wendy van Vliet.

"The visit helped them better understand the ways in which ASU can contribute to Haarlemmermeer’s vision of becoming a regional model for sustainability," WSSI program manager Marta Hulley Friedman said.

How do humans work with growing populations? Sir Crispin Tickell, advisory council member of the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, explores this question in his lecture “The Human Future” which took place on April 11, 2013. This lecture, sponsored as part of the GIOS Wrigley Lecture Series, confronted the issues of adaptation to climate change, the economics of health and wealth, and most importantly, the way we think about sustainability in regards to the future of energy.

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Tejas Dhadphale is receiving his doctoral degree in Design, Environment and the Arts from Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and did his dissertation in India studying local retailers. While many businesses are focusing on sustainable product development and looking into the economic, environmental, and social aspects of a product, Dhadphale says many overlook the cultural aspect.

"Modern retailers fail to resonate with the cultural practices of daily shopping, specifically among Indian women," says Dhadphale. "India consumers equally value personal relationships, trust, and informal communication with retailers."

Dhadphale's goal is to create a toolkit that will allow product developers to create culturally appropriate businesses and services. To make the toolkit, Dhadphale drew on his education on sustainability, anthropology, and design.

The Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI) at Arizona State University and the Algae Testbed Public-Private Partnership (ATP³) are working with Health Enhancement Products, Inc (HEPI). to advance the science behind algae-based health and wellness products like vitamins and food chemicals.

Algae substances from HEPI's test facility in Scottsdale were transferred to AzCATI and ATP³ partners for further studying and preservation.

“These partnerships give us access to world-class algae experts and facilities,” said HEPI CEO Andrew Dahl. “Moving the cultures to the AzCATI/ ATP³ site and to the NCMA labs opens up a vastly broader range of  scientific  capabilities and expertise and provides access to a  tremendous network of development and production partners all while realizing substantial cost savings."

For his new professor of practice position at ASU's School of Sustainability and ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Peter Byck will be teaching a new "Sustainability Storytelling" course this fall.

Students from the two schools will learn how to produce and direct their own five-minute documentaries about issues surrounding clean energy and climate change. Byck is a seasoned documentarist; his first film, "Garbage," won the South by Southwest Film Festival and his second documentary, "Carbon Nation," is gaining worldwide attention.

“Working with a large university like ASU will allow us to amplify stories out into the world because we need to educate the American people on clean energy,” says Byck.

The Phosphorus Sustainability Research Coordination Network (RCN), a global gathering of researchers and stakeholders, will meet in Washington, D.C. May 14-16 to discuss a dwindling nutrient we all count on for food and clean drinking water: phosphorus.

The Phosphorus Sustainability RCN is led by Arizona State University Sustainability Scientists James Elser and Rimjhim Aggarwal, along with University of Arizona scientist Tauhidur Rahman. The goal of the five-year RCN is to find ways to recycle and efficiently produce phosphorus for a global demand. Phosphorus is a main ingredient in crop fertilizers, and the world's supplies are running out. Phosphorus runoff from farms is also the main culprit of ecological dead zones, massive fish die-offs, and contaminated drinking water.

“If you drink water and eat food, you should care about phosphorus,” Elser says.

Natalie Fleming graduated from the School of Sustainability in 2012 and a month later, she obtained a position at a Utah startup called EcoScraps. The company collects food waste from grocery stores, food banks, and farms and turns it into eco-friendly and sustainable gardening products. Working remotely in San Francisco, Fleming is the district sales manager responsible for training EcoScrap employees and representatives.

She gives some advice to graduating sustainability students on how to enter the job market:

"Tell everyone you meet how excited you are to graduate and how much you love sustainability," Fleming says. "Let them know you’re on a job hunt. Share your interest with people and you never know where that connection is going to come from. It will help you get your foot in the door."

In Green Living Magazine's May issue, Julie Ann Wrigley, CEO of Wrigley Investments, LLC, discusses investing for a better, more sustainable tomorrow.

“Where can our investments, both for profit and in the not for profit sector, help to look for solutions to real world problems?” she asks.

Wrigley is an advocate for sustainable communities and businesses. She has tailored her investments to include the health, environmental, and education sectors. In 2004, Wrigley helped co-found Arizona State University's Global Institute of Sustainability.

“All of us can make choices that can impact the future by very small steps and that is becoming an impactful investor.”

Move-out topics like packing, cleaning, and textbooks are covered in The Green Register's "The Green Minute."

For instance, you can collect recycled boxes from local companies instead of buying brand-new boxes. Be sure to sell back your old textbooks, too, or donate them to local schools. And have leftover furniture? Sell it online or host a garage sale.

For more tips, learn about Arizona State University's Ditch the Dumpster program.

SolarWorld, one of the world's largest solar energy companies and the largest U.S. solar manufacturer, will sponsor Arizona State University's team in the Department of Energy's 2013 Solar Decathlon.

ASU is one part of the shared Arizona State University and University of New Mexico team called aSUNm. Students and faculty advisers from both universities are currently developing their "SHADE" project. Focusing on a desert southwest ecosystem, the modular home prototype takes advantage of the sun with solar power and features water storing capabilities.

aSUNm will debut the house at the Solar Decathlon October 3-14 in Orange County, California.

Title

Limits to Flood Forecasting in the Colorado Front Range for Two Summer Convection Periods using Radar Nowcasting and a Distributed Hydrologic Model

Authors

Hernan A. Moreno, (1),(2)

Enrique R. Vivoni, (1),(3)

David J. Gochis, (4)

Publication

Journal of Hydrometeorology 2013 ; e-View

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-12-0129.1

Abstract

Flood forecasting in mountain basins remains a challenge given the difficulty in accurately predicting rainfall and in representing hydrologic processes in complex terrain. This study identifies flood predictability patterns in mountain areas using quantitative precipitation forecasts for two summer events from radar nowcasting and a distributed hydrologic model. We focus on eleven mountain watersheds in the Colorado Front Range (CFR) for two warm-season convective periods in 2004 and 2006. The effects of rainfall distribution, forecast lead time and basin area on flood forecasting skill are quantified by means of regional verification of precipitation fields and analyses of the integrated and distributed basin responses. We postulate that rainfall and watershed characteristics are responsible for patterns that determine flood predictability at different catchment scales. Coupled simulations reveal that the largest decrease in precipitation forecast skill occurs between 15 and 45-min lead times that coincide with rapid development and movements of convective systems. Consistent with this, flood forecasting skill decreases with nowcasting lead time, but the functional relation depends on the interactions between watershed properties and rainfall characteristics. Across the majority of the basins, flood forecasting skill is reduced noticeably for nowcasting lead times greater than 30-min. We identified that intermediate basin areas (~2 to 20 km2) exhibit the largest flood forecast errors with the largest differences across nowcasting ensemble members. The typical size of summer convective storms is found to coincide well with these maximum errors, while basin properties dictate the shape of the scale dependency of flood predictability for different lead times.

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(1) School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287

(2) Decision Center for a Desert City, Global Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287

(3) School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287

(4) National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO

On May 1, 2013, students engaged in DCDC education programs participated in our annual poster symposium. Graduate students from the Community of Graduate Scholars program, undergraduate interns from the Internship for Science-Practice Integration program, and undergraduates working with faculty researchers as Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU's) presented their research results.

CGS Posters

Farmers’ Resilience to Socio-Ecological Change in Central Arizona [poster]

- Julia C. Bausch (CGS), Cathy Rubiños, Hallie Eakin, Abigail York, and Rimjhim Aggarwal

Quenching our Thirst: Future Scenarios of Water in Phoenix [poster]

- Lauren Withycombe Keeler (CGS), Arnim Wiek, Dave White, Ray Quay, David Sampson, and John Quinn

Fostering Perspective-Taking in Collaborative Decision Making through an Interactive Computer Simulation [poster]

- Rashmi Krishnamurthy (CGS), Erik W. Johnston, Manikandan Vijayakumar (CGS), and Ajay Vinze

Actual vs. Perceived Amounts of De facto Wastewater Reuse in the Continental United States [poster]

- Jacelyn Rice (CGS) and Paul Westerhoff

Cross-cultural Perspectives on Uncertainty in Climate Science: Preliminary Results from DCDC and the Global Ethnohydrology Study [poster]

- Jose Rosales Chavez (CGS), Amber Wutich, Dave White, Kelli Larson, and Alexandra Brewis

Uncertainty Frames in Water Policy Debates [poster]

- Dave White and V. Kelly Turner (CGS)

Sustainability, Collaboration and Uncertainty: A Scenario Based Evaluation of Water Issues for Desert Cities Using Computer Simulation [poster]

- Manikandan Vijayakumar (CGS), Erik Johnston, Rashmi Krishnamurthy (CGS), and Ajay Vinze

Using Structured Discussions to Explore Cross-Cutting Themes in Research at the Decision Center for a Desert City – Community of Graduate Scholars Group Poster [poster]

- Julia C. Bausch, Jacelyn Rice, Jose Rosales Chavez, Lauren Withycombe Keeler, Rashmi Krishnamurthy, Rebecca Neel, Jorge Cazáres Rodriguez, V. Kelly Turner, and Manikandan Vijayakumar

ISPI Posters

Residential Landscaping Decisions and Water Usage in the City of Phoenix [poster]

- Emily Allen, ISPI Intern with the City of Phoenix

- Doug Frost, Mentor, City of Phoenix

- Elizabeth Wentz, ASU Faculty Mentor

Analysis of Water Consumption Trends in the City of Goodyear [poster]

- Christopher Berg, ISPI Intern with the City of Goodyear

- Mark Holmes, Mentor, City of Goodyear

- Ray Quay, ASU Faculty Mentor

Implementation of Low Impact Development Paving Strategies in Central Arizona [poster]

- Erin Brechbiel, ISPI Intern with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

- Summer Waters, Mentor, U of A Cooperative Extension

- Abigail York, ASU Faculty Mentor

Potential Attributes of Water Use Variation in Mixed Use Residential Landscapes [poster]

- Joseph Hennessy, ISPI Intern with the City of Phoenix

- Douglas Frost and Adam Miller, Mentors, City of Phoenix

- Dave White, ASU Faculty Mentor

Modeling Well Specific Pumping at the Provider Level [poster]

- Taylor Ketchum, ISPI Intern with Arizona Department of Water Resources

- Dale Mason and Frank Corkhill, Mentors, Arizona Department of Water Resources

- David Sampson, ASU Faculty Mentor

Criteria-Based Risk Assessment for Sustainable Water Quality in Municipal Wells [poster]

- Samantha Kohlwey, ISPI Intern with the City of Mesa

- Brian Draper and Colette Moore, Mentors, City of Mesa

- Ray Quay, ASU Faculty Mentor

Complexities of Analyzing the Water/Energy Nexus in Small Hillside Water Distribution Systems [poster]

- Winnie (Ching Yan) Lau, ISPI Intern with the City of Phoenix

- Andy Terrey, Mentor, City of Phoenix

- Benjamin Ruddell, ASU Faculty Mentor

Effective Engagements at the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area [poster]

- Martin Montes de Oca, ISPI Intern with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

- Summer Waters, Mentor, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

- Monica Elser, ASU Faculty Mentor

Effectiveness of the Modified Field Trip Curriculum: Teaching the Importance of Good Conservation Habits [poster]

- Andrew Wittig, ISPI Intern with Audubon Arizona

- Lyana Guevara, Mentor, Audubon Arizona

- Joni Adamson and Monica Elser, ASU Faculty Mentors

REU Posters

When Scientists Disagree: How We Frame Uncertainty Influences Public Trust of Science [poster]

- Rebecca Neel, Nicholas Murtha (REU), Susan Ledlow, Steven Neuberg, and Douglas Kenrick

The Future of Water in the Desert: Convergence and Divergence between Decision Makers and Students [poster]

- John Quinn (REU), Dave White, Lauren Withycombe Keeler, Arnim Wiek, and Kelli Larson

The Upside of Flip-Flopping: How Former Skeptics Can Shift Public Opinion on Climate Change [poster]

- Megan Ringel (REU), Rebecca Neel, Jaimie Krems, and Steven Neuberg

The plants on Arizona State University's Tempe campus have a little more spring in their step, thanks to the work of two Ground Services employees who are also university students.

Vicente Solis and Rigoberto Polanco are studying sustainable engineering and urban horticulture in addition to starting the program, "Grounds for Grounds." For a year, they collected over 500 pounds of used coffee grounds a week to reuse as fertilizer. The program has diverted a ton of waste from the landfill monthly, saved $900 in waste removal fees, and saved the university $10,000 in fertilizer costs.

“The bulk of the waste is from the four Starbucks and the three cafes that serve Starbucks coffee on the Tempe campus," says Solis. "We worked with partners at Aramark and ASU Facilities Management to develop the program, placing 96-gallon green bins on the Memorial Union loading dock and behind Oasis Café. These bins are filled once a day by Starbucks employees.”

A network of issues buried beneath the strategic and economic importance of petroleum and the increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide is complex; however, until addressed, no measure of global sustainability will be obtainable.

If we accept that, any solution to such issues yield lower net carbon emissions by 50-80 percent, then despite obvious advantages, alternative fossil fuel pathways cannot be the ultimate solution for transportation.

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Jaleila Brumand, a CAP undergraduate student, has received a Fulbright scholarship to the UK. Jaleila has been working with CAP scientist Kelli Larson for the past two years as a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) student. Her research focuses on understanding the drivers of residential landscaping decisions in metropolitan Phoenix and culminated in her honor’s thesis, "The effects of formal and informal institutions on residential land management in the Phoenix metropolitan area." She also authored two publications during her REU experience and has had an opportunity to work with a research team from across several Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites.

In the UK, Jaleila will attend the University of Lancaster on a Fulbright-Lancaster University STEM Award in Science and Technology.  She will pursue a MSc in Energy and the Environment, focusing her research on energy vulnerability between the US and UK.

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A Thought Leader Series Piece

By Ellen B. Stechel

Note: Ellen B. Stechel is the Deputy Director of ASU's LightWorks and Managing Director of LightSpeed Solutions, communicating global efforts of leading scientists and researchers working towards sustainable transportation energy based on liquid hydrocarbon fuels from the sun.

A network of issues buried beneath the strategic and economic importance of petroleum and the increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide is complex; however, until addressed, no measure of global sustainability will be obtainable.

If we accept that, any solution to such issues yield lower net carbon emissions by 50-80 percent, then despite obvious advantages, alternative fossil fuel pathways cannot be the ultimate solution for transportation.

Continue Reading

Outstanding graduate and Fulbright winner Jill Brumand is an honors student and a double major in sustainability and geography. She started her academic career at Arizona State University in 2009 and will begin her graduate career as a Fulbright master's student at Lancaster University in Northwest England.

During her sophomore year, Brumand partnered with Sustainability Scientist Kelli Larson to do some undergraduate research work on people's landscape choices in Phoenix and the sustainability implications. Throughout the rest of her undergraduate career, Brumand worked with Dell and Maricopa County. She was also a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) student with the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER) program. Brumand credits her success to the School of Sustainability.

"The School of Sustainability has a network of people who care and check up on you," she says. "The support and encouragement of the faculty and staff at the school has been invaluable."

For the fifth consecutive year, Arizona State University made The Princeton Review's "Green Honor Roll," a list that includes universities across the nation that promote sustainability in education, practices, and partnerships.

ASU has the largest collection of solar panels of any public university and numerous LEED-certified buildings. Sustainability is a core goal across departmental curriculum. The university is also pursuing carbon neutrality by 2035.

As part of the recognition, ASU will appear in The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2013 Edition, the only free publication that offers information on the top colleges focusing on sustainability.

Ray Jensen began working at Arizona State University in 1985. Since then, he has led about 90 employees, leading programs for people with physical and mental disabilities, improving the University Business Services' efficiency, and creating ASU's Sun Card.

In 2009, ASU President Michael Crow appointed Jensen as the University Sustainability Operations Officer. Jensen formed the Sustainability Practices Network to assist the university's climate neutrality goal by 2035. He then helped initiate the The Carbon (Climate) Neutrality Action Plan and the Strategic Plan for Sustainability Practices and Operations.

Jensen has won two President's Awards for Innovation, two Governor’s Recognition Awards, Supervisor of the Year by the ASU Classified Staff Council, the NAEP (National Association of Educational Procurement) Bert C. Ahrens Award, and others.

Joseph Hui, a professor in Arizona State University's Department of Electrical Engineering, is CEO of Monarch Power, the company that recently offered to buy equipment and employ workers from the Suntech plant. The Suntech plant is planned to shut its doors the end of this month, leaving 43 people without jobs. However, Hui's company is one of three bidding on equipment and manpower.

Monarch Power manufactures solar panels in the shape of a lotus flower to be easily transported and adapted in homes or businesses. AZ Central.com reports:

"In a statement released Monday, Hui said the plant is a good fit to manufacture the company’s Lotus Mobile 'flower power' solar units. The product launched three weeks ago."