Students in Mary Savina’s Fall 2014 Geology of Soils class provide an assessment of the potential impact that carbon sequestration by soils at Carleton could have by presenting Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data on the area of campus that could be converted to a groundcover that would maximize carbon sequestration by soil.
Category Archives: Resource
Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) Report
Citizens Climate Education Corporation (CCEC) and Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) contracted a third party, Regional Economic Modeling, Inc. (REMI) to do a nation-wide macroeconomic study on the impact of its Fee and Dividend (F&D) policy. (REMI) examined the impact of a steadily-rising fee on carbon-based fuels with revenue from that fee returned to households in equal shares. With the fee starting at $10 per ton of carbon dioxide and rising $10 per ton each year, the major findings were:
◾In 20 years, CO2 emissions would be reduced 50 percent below 1990 levels.
◾Because of the economic stimulus of recycling carbon fee revenue back to households, in 20 years, 2.8 million jobs would be added to the American economy.
◾Improved air quality would result in 230,000 premature deaths avoided over 20 years.
There is no economic argument against Fee and Dividend. It creates jobs, grows the economy, saves lives, and makes Americans richer.
Free Lecture: Rising CO2 and the Science of Climate Change
Looking for a way to bring climate education to your service club, social or church group or family gathering? Alan Anderson’s presentation on “Rising CO2 and the Science of Climate Change” provides an overview of the current status of our climate, why we should care and what each one of us can do to help fight climate change. This lecture is offered free of charge at a location of your choice. Mr. Anderson served as the primary organizer of the 2014 Northfield Area Climate Summit, and is deeply committed to public education on climate change. Get your questions and concerns about climate change answered! Contact Alan Anderson at luckyduck49@gmail.com or call 507-301-4673 for more information or to schedule a presentation.
SERC InTeGrate Project
The Science Education Resource Center (SERC) works to improve education through projects that support educators. InTeGrate is a specific SERC project funded by a 5-year STEP Center grant from the National Science Foundation. The program supports the teaching of geoscience in the context of societal issues both within geoscience courses and across the undergraduate curriculum. Our goal is to develop a citizenry and workforce that can address environmental and resource issues facing our society.
Northfield Energy Task Force
The Northfield Energy Task Force (NETF) was created by resolution of the Northfield City Council in May 2007 to respond to challenges presented by reliance on fossil fuels and climate change. Their report, “With Hope: A Resilient Community” was presented to the City Council in May 2008, but follow-up was limited due to other political priorities at the time.
Contact: George Kinney, geokinney@gmail.com
Study of Agricultural Tillage Practices
Description: Undergraduate collaborators work directly with faculty, the CRWP, and area farmers to examine the effects of different agricultural practices on soil quality and agricultural yields. Past research has examined water runoff and the diversity of invertebrate soil fauna associated with different tillage methods, especially no-till and strip-till. Lands owned by farmer participants as well as St. Olaf College are used as field sites. In additional a special project examined tillage practices and carbon sequestration with the possibility of local carbon offsets. Recent research has focused on exploring how differences in applied nitrogen fertilizer translate into soil nitrogen levels, stalk nitrate levels, and product yield. Additionally, research work focuses on general indicators of soil quality including moisture levels, compaction, organic carbon and nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorous.
Participants:
- David Legvold, farmer
- Gene Bakko, St. Olaf College (retired)
- Kathleen Shea, St. Olaf College
- Megan Gregory ‘04, St. Olaf College
Contact: Kathy Shea, Curator of Natural Lands, Biology & Environmental Studies Departments, St. Olaf College (sheak@stolaf.edu, 507-786-3396)
St. Olaf Green Bike Project
The St. Olaf Green Bike Mechanics team is proud to present the new Rolvaag Checkout Fleet for use by anyone in the St. Olaf community as part of the campus transportation infrastructure. These 19 bikes are available for speeding you to class on time, down to Northfield and Carleton or further out of town for fun and exercise.
Polycentric Flood Governance : A Case Study of the Greater Northfield Action Arena
This paper by Courtney Dufford explores the actors, values, strategies, and knowledge operating within the Cannon RiverWatershedand theirimplications for common pool resource governance.
By applying the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework to a case study of the Greater Northfield area as a subset of the diversity of actors found within the CRW, this research will address the following sub-questions:
What actors are currently involved in flood management in the Greater Northfield area? What values do diverse actors bring toward flood management? What strategies do actors mobilize to achieve their flood management goals? What knowledge is utilized to inform these strategies?
Northfield Complete Streets Policy
Adopted 2012 and recognized as one of the nation’s strongest, Northfield’s Complete Streets Policy reconnects land use and transportation needs through context-sensitive transportation planning.
Northfield Greenway Corridor Plan
Northfield’s Greenway Corridor Plan (adopted 2007) identifies a connected system of protected natural areas and cultural resources and proposes action.