June 2009
ESPM postdoc James Russell and his colleague Reinhard Klette discuss the use of pattern recognition technology to identify the geographical distributions of species, by using tracking cards and tunnels. Their research, just published in the journal Ecology, represents a cheap and non-labour intensive way of assessing the spatial patterns of species in their environments.
Looking at a future of rising energy demands, dwindling traditional supplies and greater volatility in fuel pricing, a new report by economist David Roland-Holst finds that a new energy agenda in California would create both short and long term growth. The new agenda should emphasize efficiency, renewables, and infrastructure.
The report finds that “a dollar spent on traditional energy is a dollar earned by 10-100 times as many new workers.” New job creation would occur both directly with “green collar” jobs as well as up and downstream. Most of these jobs would also have in-state job retention since jobs in the services bedrock of the state’s labor force cannot be outsourced.
The report looks at five different forecasting scenarios, and in each one, employment creation outweighs employment reduction. The report finds that the faster California deploys renewable energy resources, the faster the economy will grow and create jobs. The most ambitious of the scenarios is forecast to produce the most new jobs and income (for example, it suggests that aiming for 50 percent renewable energy sources along with 1.5 percent annual increases in efficiency would generate half a million new jobs with over $100 billion in cumulative payrolls over 40 years).
Los Angeles Times: California leading growth in nation's green jobs economy, study finds
Clean Energy Grows Economy Faster Than Traditional Sources
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"Climate change does not affect everyone equally in the United States," says Rachel Morello-Frosch, Associate Professor of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, and of Public Health at UC Berkeley and lead author of a new report on climate change. The report, The Climate Gap looks at the unequal harm climate change will have in the United States on people of color and the poor. Droughts, heat waves, poor air quality, floods, higher prices for basic necessities, and other challenges of climate change will have a disproportional impact on people of color and the poor.
The report also explores ways in which efforts to solve climate change and to close the “climate gap” can be combined. The report suggests many changes that should be made in government polices, including that government agencies at all levels should increase public participation in regulatory decisions at all levels to help counter imbalances in political power. That greenhouse gas emission reductions should be focused on neighborhoods that have the dirtiest air and on pollutants that may jeopardize public health and that green jobs and worker transition could be targeted to people of color and the poor.
To read more about Rachel Morello-Frosch's research on the “climate gap,” you can find recent articles in The Scientific American, The Huffington Post, and Scientific American Earth, or read the article in full The Climate Gap.
Congratulations to the 2009 Recipients of the CNR Awards.
Kass Green, Forestry '74, was honored with the CNR Citation. This is the College's highest award, honoring individuals, couples, groups or organizations such as donors, volunteers, alumni, advisory board members, or friends of the College who have made extraordinary contributions to the CNR community. Recipients are honored for their extraordinary commitment of time, sharing their expertise, advocacy and outreach, and/or private support to the College, its students, and its programs. The Citation recognizes those who have made a significant impact and have demonstrated an exceptional commitment the mission of the College.
The other 2009 CNR Award winners are:
Professor John Cassida
Career Achievement Award
Professor Justin Brashares
Young Faculty/CE Specialist Award
Jenny Sun
Staff Recognition Award
