Clean Air - Cool Planet | CA-CP For Colleges and Universities

The Climate Change Backpack is an educational tool for introducing the science of climate change to students in grades 5-12. As a CA-CP Fellow, Akilah updated the Climate Change Backpack by creating a mid-Atlantic version. She also researched climate change websites, books, movies, science broadcasts, and National Standards & NOAA Science Standard. She researched and updated climate change learning activities as well as case studies for the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Akilah recently finished her B.S. in Wildlife Management, with a Wildlife Biologist Certification, and a B.M. in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire. Her previous experience includes working as a park interpretive ranger for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, a project manager for the Louise S. Wold Conservation Land in Madison, N.H., and as a park naturalist in Watchung, N.J.

As a Climate Fellow for Clean Air-Cool Planet, Liz worked with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Office of Climate Change to develop the foundational materials for New York State’s Climate Smart Communities program, a state and local partnership to support climate protection. The Climate Smart Communities Program encourages local governments in New York State to adopt the “Climate Smart Communities Pledge,” a ten-step model resolution for climate mitigation and adaptation. Liz worked with agency partners to develop the Climate Smart Communities Guide, which includes step-by-step guidance for planning and implementing climate smart practices, information on resources and funding, examples of successful implementation, and considerations for measuring and monitoring success. New York’s state agencies launched the Climate Smart Communities program in February 2009.

Liz Compitello is completing a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning at the University at Albany with a concentration in land use planning. Her in-progress thesis titled “Local Government Response to Climate Change in New York State,” includes case studies of the regional effort to respond to climate change in New York’s Hudson Valley. She worked as an intern for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for two years and began an internship with the N.Y. Department of Environmental Conservation to work on a best practices toolkit for local government response to climate change in New York State.

Masters, International Management

Michael spent much of the summer researching and exploring greenhouse gas emission reduction opportunities, particularly relating to methane, and produced a fact sheet outlining the key rationale and core elements of a potential landfill methane reduction program. He also researched the opportunities for significant energy use reduction via large commercial-building retro-fitting programs.

Michael has spent the last 17 years working in Africa in humanitarian relief and development. For 12 of those years he worked for the International Rescue Committee — most recently as the Regional Director for the Great Lakes Region overseeing program activities in Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Republic of Congo. Michael has a B.S in Electrical Engineering, a B.A. in General Arts and Science, and a Masters in International Management. Michael spent much of the summer researching and exploring greenhouse gas emission reduction opportunities, particularly relating to methane, and produced a fact sheet outlining the key rationale and core elements of a potential landfill methane reduction program. He also researched the opportunities for significant energy use reduction via large commercial-building retro-fitting programs.

Hillary developed “best practices” reports for Shaw’s Supermarkets, Staples, Inc., the town of Hull, Massachusetts, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103 and Cape Cod Community College. The reports document the achievements of these Clean Air–Cool Planet partner organizations in reducing their carbon footprints in a variety of creative and effective ways. She is excited about the role that these case studies will play in raising awareness of environmentally-friendly, cost-saving measures that can be taken by other organizations in similar positions. She joined CA-CP through the Summer Fellows Program at New Sector Alliance, a Boston-based organization.

Hillary Harnett is completing her B.A. at Brown University with concentrations in International Relations and Hispanic Studies and a focus on global environmental problems. She is interested in climate change, environmental justice, and law, and has previously interned with legal aid organizations in New York and Madrid. During her internship, Hillary developed case studies that document the achievements of Clean Air–Cool Planet's partner organizations in reducing their carbon footprints.

B.A., Anthropology, Latin American Studies
Master's degrees in Theological Studies, Divinity, Environmental Advocacy & Organizing

Sarah worked on the Cool Monadnock Project, a regional, multi-sector initiative to assist 35 towns in developing effective strategies to save energy costs and address climate change. She also worked on a Clean Air-Cool Planet project, the Keene 10% Challenge, assisting local small businesses in saving energy.

Sarah is interested in sustainable community development through local enterprise and participatory democracy as well as sound national and international policy and development initiatives. She has a BA in Anthropology and Latin American Studies and Master’s degrees in Theological Studies, Divinity, and Environmental Advocacy and Organizing. She has experience in the non-profit sector in the Dominican Republic and has worked in education, libraries, and public services.

B.A. Candidate, Environmental Studies and Communications
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL

Hope attends Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, and is a double major in Environmental Studies and Communications, with a minor in Spanish. Hope is currently working on her certification to conduct energy efficiency audits for commercial businesses.

B.A. History, University of New Hampshire
M.S. Counseling & College Student Development, Northeastern University
Ph.D. Candidate, Natural Resources & Environmental Studies, Univ. of NH, current

Dovev worked on updating Clean Air-Cool Planet’s community toolkit. This web-based "how-to" guide for municipal staff and elected or appointed representatives provides illustrative projects focused on energy, transportation, waste and land use.
The community toolkit includes step-by-step project guides, important contacts, financing mechanisms, cost implications and model ordinances.

Dovev Levine is a Ph.D. candidate in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, and a Lecturer in Climate Policy, both at the University of New Hampshire. His fields of research include campus-based climate actions and multilevel environmental governance. He is currently the admissions officer for the Graduate School of the University of New Hampshire.

Through the Climate Fellows program with Clean Air – Cool Planet, Ryan coordinated the development of a Climate Action Plan and supported the establishment of reduction targets and strategies with the City Government of Providence, RI.

Ryan is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Management at the University of San Francisco in California. As a former Peace Corps volunteer, Ryan collaborated with local residents, businesses and city government to design and implement a citywide solid waste management program. Having received his B.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Ryan has also worked with NGO's such as Natural Resources Defense Council and California Certified Organic Farmers. Prior to arriving in Providence, Ryan managed the recycling, composting and outreach programs at the University of San Francisco.

As a Climate Fellow in the Campus program, Claire helped update the Campus Carbon Calculator for the new release of version 6.0. Most notably, she developed the Projection Module to allow institutions to model a business as usual scenario of the growth of their greenhouse gas emissions. She also supported the Campus program by creating training materials on carbon accounting and answering Calculator users’ questions. The Campus Carbon Calculator is the tool of record for carbon accounting within higher education and has been used by several thousand institutions.

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Claire Roby is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies. In her time at American University, she pursued campus sustainability in several capacities. She rejuvenated the student group Eco-Sense in her first year, and subsequently led the group in successful campaigns for a clean energy referendum and a green transportation policy. After stepping down from her role as President of Eco-Sense, she became the Student Government's first Director of Environmental Policy, and in that capacity she spearheaded the successful efforts to persuade the university president to sign the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. She also worked for AU's Facilities Management to compile a preliminary greenhouse gas inventory for the university using Clean Air-Cool Planet's Campus Carbon Calculator. Claire has presented on the lessons learned in staff-student environmental partnerships at AU and other universities at the Smart and Sustainable Campuses and Greening of the Campus conferences, and her efforts were recognized by her designation as a 2007 Udall Scholar and 2008 recipient of AU's award for Outstanding Service to the University Community.

As a CA-CP Campus Fellow, Casey assisted the Campus Program with a variety of projects, including campus outreach.

Casey Roe majored in Environmental Studies and Political Science at American University. Casey has been involved in campus sustainability since her freshman year, when she contributed to the successful passage of a clean energy referendum. Last year, as Policy Director of American University's environmental organization, Casey wrote a Clean Transportation Policy that resulted in biodiesel in AU's shuttles and a bikeshare program. This year she wrote a Sustainable Procurement Policy and created an Office Eco-Certification Program at AU to encourage sustainable office behavior. This spring, Casey assisted the Sierra Club with their 2008 election endorsements as an intern in the Political Division. She has also interned with the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network.

As a fellow with CA-CP, Katie is working to design and implement the "10% Challenge," a program that encourages local businesses to committ to reducing their carbon dioxide emissions by at least 10%, in Keene. This project has been an ideal experience for Katie, as she is constantly finding ways to bridge the gap between education and advocacy, two tactics which are essential to the climate solution.

Katie is a Master's Candidate in Environmental Studies at Antioch University in New Hampshire with a focus in environmental education and advocacy. She is committed to addressing climate change issues, specifically in higher education institutitions and local communities, with sustainability and responsible lifestyles as the goal. Katie recieved her B.A. from Penn State University, where she led a climate change campaign that resulted in the university's committment to a 17% reduction in CO2 emissions and LEED certification of all new buildings.

B.A., Geology, Denison University
Master's Candidate, Community Planning and Development, Muskie School of Public Service
University of Southern Maine

As part of the Sustainable Portland program, Greg assisted the City of Portland, Maine in implementing a pilot project focusing on the energy efficiency of municipal buildings. He studied approximately forty municipal buildings and facilities including city hall, homeless shelters, police and fire stations, public schools, libraries, parking garages and public assembly buildings. This information will be entered into the EPA’s portfolio manager program, and in a RFP process to begin a full energy audit for the city of Portland.

Greg has previously worked as a journalist, an educator, and an outreach coordinator in the environmental field.

*Our thanks to the Roy A. Hunt Foundation for their
generous support of our Fellows program.