Arizona State University professor Nancy Grimm is one of the authors of a new and authoritative federal study assessing the current and anticipated domestic impacts of climate change. The report, "Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States," was released June 16 by the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, which advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs.

The main message in the report is that climate change is already having visible impacts in the United States, and, the choices that are made now will determine the severity of its impacts in the future.

The report compiles years of scientific research and takes into account new data not available during the preparation of previous large national and global assessments. It was produced by a consortium of experts from 13 U.S. government science agencies and from several major research institutes and universities, including Arizona State University.

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GlobalResolve, a social entrepreneurship program at Arizona State University, helps communities around the world solve challenges through sustainable research and development.

San Francisco has become one of the most innovative cities in the world in implementing new comprehensive approaches to urban sustainability. From its groundbreaking zero waste strategies such as the residential compost and green waste recycling program, to its energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, the City has been a leader in designing and implementing programs that work. The City’s newest project, EcoMap, will allow citizens to track their progress toward sustainability goals on a zip code by zip code basis. Jared Blumenfeld, Director of San Francisco’s Environment Department, will talk about the successes and challenges the City has experienced in implementing urban sustainability programs and the many partnerships the City has developed that help it to reach its sustainability goals.

Q&A with Devens Gust

Dr. Devens Gust is Foundation Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry. His research seeks to mimic the key processes of photosynthesis to create usable fuel from the sun.

At what point did “sustainability” become part of your research vocabulary?

The 1970s oil embargo made it obvious that we had to develop a more sustainable energy policy and I thought I could contribute through my expertise in organic and photochemistry. I have been working in the area ever since.

What is the most important sustainability-related research project you are currently working on?

I am director of the new ASU Energy Frontier Research Center for Bio-inspired Solar Fuel Production, funded by the Department of Energy. Our goal is to use the basic science underlying natural photosynthesis to find new approaches for producing renewable fuel such as hydrogen, which is a good medium for storing solar energy. The $14 million project involves 11 faculty members from different disciplines and will also employ and train undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates in renewable energy science.

How do you think your research will affect decisions in the "real world"?

We depend ultimately on the sun for almost all of the energy we use today — even fossil fuels are the product of ancient photosynthetic energy conversion. Producing useful energy from sunlight is technologically feasible, but current approaches are still too expensive to compete. Our research is devoted to developing the science behind new technologies that will be cheap and efficient. If we are successful, new energy industries and government policies will follow.

What is the world sustainability challenge that concerns you most?

Humanity badly needs a source of energy that is abundant, renewable, inexpensive, clean, and local. The sun is currently the only source that can produce such energy in sufficient quantities, but to make it usable requires not only new technologies, but new fundamental scientific discoveries. We must meet this challenge very soon because our environment, geopolitical situation, and quality of life depend on it.

May 29, 2009

ASU celebrates its first class of graduates from the nation's first School of Sustainability

President Barack Obama’s message of change parallels the vision Arizona State University has been pursuing since Michael Crow became its 16th president in 2002.

"The President’s emphasis on building the next generation of leaders in science, technology, and sustainability, as well as the arts, mirrors ASU’s mission as a New American University," said Crow. "His advocacy for representation of women and people of color, engaging a broader spectrum of leadership, models significantly for others at the highest level."

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ASU’s School of Sustainability and its faculty members were widely recognized for achievements, educational contributions, and research advances in 2008-2009. Among the accolades:

ASU’s School of Sustainability received both a Crescordia Award in the category of environmental education/communication and the overall President’s Award for 2008 from Arizona’s Valley Forward Association for outstanding environmental achievement of the year.

Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) co-directors Patricia Gober, Ph.D., and Charles Redman, Ph.D., accepted the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water in a November ceremony in Saudi Arabia. DCDC, which is a unit of the Global Institute of Sustainability, will split the $133,000 award with one other institution. Gober and Redman are both School of Sustainability faculty.

FACULTY MEMBERS

Patricia Gober, Ph.D., was elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society, in the Geology and Geography Division. In addition, Dr. Gober received the ASU Faculty Achievement Research Award sponsored by the ASU Alumni Association for her role in advancing the issues of water management and environmental change in metropolitan Phoenix. She also serves on the faculty of the School of Geographical Sciences.

George Maracas, Ph.D., was honored by the Phoenix Business Journal with its Green Pioneers Award, which is given to businesses, governments, and individuals that take steps to become more eco-friendly. He also serves on the faculty of the Department of Electrical Engineering and is CEO of ASU’s Solar Power Laboratory.

Douglas Webster, Ph.D., was awarded the 2008 Phoenix Global Power Player award by the Phoenix Business Journal. He also serves on the faculty of the School of Government, Politics & Global Studies.

Jianguo Wu, Ph.D., was chosen as one of 19 Leopold Leadership Program Fellows based on scientific excellence, leadership qualities, and desire to expand communication and outreach skills beyond traditional scientific circles. He also serves on the faculty of the School of Life Sciences.

AFFILIATED FACULTY MEMBERS

Braden Allenby, Ph.D., was named a 2008 U.S. Professor of the Year by both the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. He is also the Director, Center for Earth Systems Engineering and Management, and serves on the faculty of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Nan Ellin, Ph.D., received Valley Forward’s Environmental Excellence Award of Merit in the Environmental Education category for “Making Sustainable Communities Happen.” She is also director of the Urban & Metropolitan Studies Program in the School of Public Affairs, College of Public Programs.

Stuart Fisher, Ph.D., won the Ecological Society of America’s Eugene P. Odum Award for Excellence in Environmental Education. He also serves on the faculty of the School of Life Sciences.

Nancy Grimm, Ph.D., was elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society, for her work in the area of urban ecology & sustainability. She also serves as co-director of the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research Project and is a faculty member of the School of Life Sciences.

Mark Henderson, Ph.D., won the Creasman Award for Excellence from the ASU Alumni Association for his work as director of GlobalResolve, an interdisciplinary social-entrepreneurship initiative at Arizona State University that involves ASU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and international partners in projects that improve the lives of underprivileged people around the world. He also serves on the faculty of the ASU Polytechnic Department of Engineering.

Margaret Nelson, Ph.D., was named a President’s Professor in 2008, an award that recognizes tenured faculty who have made outstanding contributions to undergraduate education at Arizona State University. She is also Associate Dean, Barrett, The Honors College and serves on the faculty of the School of Human Evolution and Social Change.

David Pijawka, Ph.D., received the 2009 Outstanding Leadership in Education award from the NAACP, Maricopa Branch. He also serves on the faculty of the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning.

Bruce E. Rittmann, Ph.D., NAE, FAAAS, won the Simon W. Freese Environmental Engineering Award and Lecture from the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is also director of the Center for Environmental Biotechnology in the Biodesign Institute. Rittmann was just named a Regent’s Professor, the highest faculty honor bestowed by the University.

Everett Shock, Ph.D., was named 2009 Geochemistry Fellow by the Geochemical Society and The European Association for Geochemistry, an honor that is bestowed upon outstanding scientists who have, over some years, made a major contribution to the field of geochemistry. He also serves on the faculty of the School of Earth and Space Exploration.

On May 07, 2009 and May 11, 2009

from 12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Every year as students rush to move out, residence hall dumpsters fill up with things that could be reused or recycled. What if there was a way to reduce this needless waste and benefit a local charity, too? Arizona State University is doing just that.

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ASU center will focus on using fundamentals of photosynthesis to unlock new sources of energy

TEMPE Ariz. — Arizona State University will be home to a new Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) announced by the White House in conjunction with a speech delivered by President Barack Obama.

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TEMPE, Ariz.—Arizona State University has begun an ambitious project to install 3.3 MW of renewable energy capacity via solar cells on its West campus.

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In January 2009, a group of 31 experts with diverse backgrounds convened at Arizona State University’s Decision Theater for a two-day workshop. Participants identified management needs, research gaps, and adaptation solutions relating to the impacts of climate change in coastal and arid urban environments.

Planning Integrated Research for Decision Support for Climate Adaptation and Water Management: A Focus on Desert and Coastal Cities was co-sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Arizona State University. Findings from the workshop are documented in the formal report (1.02 MB PDF).

Graduating senior Andrew Krause has been studying how to reduce ASU greenhouse gas emissions in an area that is often overlooked -- the conference room. His capstone project for a degree from ASU's School of Sustainability uses computer modeling to investigate how Parking and Transportation decisions affect ASU's carbon footprint.

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[audio:http://sustainability.asu.edu/media/podcasts/Brendan-Beardsley-Podcast.mp3]

You probably know that buying in bulk is a great way to reduce packaging and get a rock bottom price. Another perk is that it keeps spoiled food and dollars from going down the drain -- that's because bulk bins allow you to select only the amount you need.

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Brendan Beardsley, a master’s student in ASU’s College of Design, has a plan to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle and save a little money, too. Learn more about his design for a convenient bulk foods container and how it can benefit you and your planet.

[audio:http://sustainability.asu.edu/media/podcasts/Brendan-Beardsley-Podcast.mp3]

Podcast by Brenden Beiriger, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University

By Karen Leland, Director

Communications and Marketing

Demonstrating its proactive leadership in the field of sustainability, Arizona State University (ASU) has appointed Associate Vice President of University Business Services Ray Jensen as University Sustainability Operations Officer, with the responsibility to forward sustainability practices in as many aspects of the University’s operations as possible. In his expanded role, Jensen will collaborate with the Global Institute of Sustainability (GIOS), while continuing to report directly to the Executive Vice President, CFO and Treasurer, Morgan R. Olsen.

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On a recent warm weekday morning, ASU students Joe Canarie and Jamie Wernet toiled away in an organic garden wedged between a fence and a lecture hall, pinching off excess blossoms from a squash plant.

It's a baby step in a mission to save the world.

Canarie is an ecology major. Wernet studies linguistics. Both are enrolled in ASU's School of Sustainability.

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Author's: John L. Sabo, Kevin E. McCluney

Summary: Understanding the determinants of the length of food chains is of fundamental importance to ecologists. Food chain length influences the potential complexity of the community, patterns of biomass in each trophic level, and possible biomagnification of harmful substances (e.g. mercury or DDT, Post 2002). There are many factors that may affect food chain length and debate over the importance of each has recently intensified (Post 2002). Additionally, very little is known about the functioning of urban ecological communities. Here we examine the influence of resource availability (water), disturbance (wind), and ecosystem size (number of plants) on the food chain length of arthropod communities inhabiting brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) at the Desert Botanical Gardens, a remnant desert site located in the urban Phoenix, AZ area. To do this we set up a field experiment consisting of 108 sets of replicate brittlebush locations, subject to three levels of watering (resource availability; one, three, or seven times per week), leaf blower wind (disturbance; none, once, or twice per month), and number of plants (ecosystem size; 1, 2, or 3 plants in sets). Our preliminary results suggest that water increases and wind decreases food chain length in brittlebush arthropod communities, and that there is a potential interaction between these two variables. Our results suggest no support for an effect of ecosystem size (number of plants in replicate sets) on FCL, though total plant volume may exert a heretofore unmeasured effect. Overall, our results suggest strong climatic control on the length of food chains on this naturally occurring plant in desert cities.

Paul Atkinson from KJZZ Rado

The recession has forced the issue of sustainability to take a back seat. But as KJZZ's Paul Atkinson reports, now may be the time to help the economy by adopting sustainable practices. Jonathan Fink, director of the Global Institute of Sustainability is interviewed along with others.

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By Rob Melnick

Executive Dean, Global Institute of Sustainability and

Presidential Professor of Practice, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University

Strolling down one of our world-famous canal banks in 2025, it's hard to imagine that a renaissance of greater Phoenix was launched in 2009 during the nation's economic meltdown. With the financial and real estate industries in tatters and major infrastructure in decline, Valley leaders nevertheless joined forces and seized the opportunity to implement bold, yet practical new ideas for creating a truly sustainable urban place.

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Five new solar initiatives totaling $4 million dollars to advance Arizona's renewable energy leadership

PHOENIX - Science Foundation Arizona announced its new solar technology initiatives and the opening of the Solar Technology Institute (STI) on April 17, with simultaneous events at the APS Star Facility in Phoenix and Global Solar in Tucson.

In a collaborative effort, STI is deploying Arizona's significant solar resources with industry and the research strengths of Arizona State University (ASU) and the University of Arizona (UA) to grow the state's global leadership in renewable energy. STI is being led by two pioneers in the solar field, Robert "Bud" Annan and Richard Powell, to serve as co-directors. The Stardust Foundation is assisting in the financial support of the investments.

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Communication is the basis of all social relationships between animals. Birds use acoustic signals (calls and songs) to attract and bond with mates, defend territories and warn of danger from approaching predators. Background noise reduces the distance over which a call or song can be heard. As well as natural noises (e.g. wind and rain), birds in urban habitats must compete with human-generated noise such as road-traffic noise, much of which occurs in the lower-frequency bands below 2,000 Hz. Birds in cities have been known to use a number of strategies for overcoming noise, such as singing at a higher pitch to reduce masking by the low-frequency noise, singing more loudly, or singing at night time when traffic noise is at its lowest.

I travelled to Phoenix to investigate the how birds there respond to traffic noise. In a collaborative project with researchers from GIOS and SoLS at ASU, I recorded the calls and songs of birds and measured noise levels at 24 neighbourhood parks around the city. We are particularly interested to see whether doves such as the Inca dove and mourning dove are calling at a higher pitch in noisy areas. Of all the birds that live in cities, we would expect them to have the most difficulty hearing each other in traffic noise. This is because they have very low-pitched calls that are overlapped by the low-pitched traffic noise. But these species are very common around Phoenix, which suggests that they can still attract mates and breed successfully in noisy urban environments. In the future, we would like to investigate the breeding success of doves in noisy and quiet locations, to see whether urban noise is actually having an impact on their populations.