Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Global Road Warrior

Have you tried the Blume Library’s new database, Global Road Warrior? Whether you’re an adventuresome traveler, preparing for a Study Abroad program, or curious about different cultures, this "ultimate guide to the world" promises a worldwide experience!

Just in time for International Education Week at St. Mary’s, Global Warrior offers a wealth of information about 175 countries. Learn about the climate or demographics for locales that your friends discussed in the Student Showcase. Find out more about the business culture for countries represented in the Fair Trade Sale. Before watching the film, Rough Cut, equip yourself with facts about security and medical issues.

Global Road Warrior is especially valuable for preparing yourself to visit a foreign country. Jot down sightseeing stops recommended by insiders, gain practical insight about essentials to pack in your suitcase, and memorize a few common terms in the native language. Familiarize yourself with the country’s electrical plugs and voltage standards, and check out a list of nearby Internet cafes, to stay connected during your travels. You can also find answers to specific concerns, including tipping practices, emergency numbers, transportation options, and advice geared towards businesswomen.

Link to Global Warrior at the top of the Blume library’s website, and tour the possibilities! [photo courtesy of http://www.thewashingtonnote.com]

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Sustainability Resources: Live and Online

Interested in learning more about sustainability issues and how you can get involved? You're in luck!

This Saturday, November 15, stop by the Texas Recycles Day festivities at Woodlawn Lake Park, less than 3 miles from St. Mary’s campus (map). Start the day off by learning how to compost, then soak in the music, entertainment, and food. Pick up a few tips from the on-site exhibits, including purses made from recycled books and hand/chair massages. Drop off your used ink cartridges, plastic grocery bags, wire hangers, and even old sneakers, to de-clutter your dorm room and recycle at the same time!

Before you go, check out these online resources:

  • LivingGreenSA.com supplies local news, blogs, and an events calendar, as well as links to other city and state-wide resources.
  • The Green Wikia community generates content written from a green point of view and focused on ways people can adapt to more sustainable living, with topics from hybrid cars to natural pest control.
  • Grist sheds light on environmental news, with a splash of humor, to prove that “news about green issues and sustainable living doesn’t have to be predictable, demoralizing, or dull.” Learn handy tricks for everyday eco-living, read about the political side of green issues, and load up on enviro-friendly kitchen wisdom with weekly recipes.
  • Along a similar wavelength, TreeHugger delivers sustainability news through an enthusiastic, upbeat lens. A reliable media outlet for blogs, newsletters, videos, and even a weekly radio show related to sustainability, TreeHugger brilliantly fuses green themes with modern fashion and lifestyle trends.
  • One of the oldest and most thorough sources of sustainability news, Envirolink connects you with a range of resources, especially helpful for non-profits.
  • For media websites dedicated to sustainability audio and video, visit: GreenTV, emPivot, Do The Green Thing, Go Green Tube, and ViroPOP.
    [Photo courtesy of http://www.ga.wa.gov]

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Sustainability Resources in the Spotlight


Heard the new buzz word on campus? Last week, The President’s Peace Commission hosted a program dedicated to the issue of sustainability. On November 18, the Lin Great Speakers Series will return to environmental concerns, with renowned speaker David Orr’s lecture, “The Changing Climate of U.S. Politics.” International Education Week, scheduled for the same week (November 16-21), focuses on a similar theme, “We Have Only One Earth: An Environmental Challenge,” with related exhibits and presentations.

Swing by the Blume Library to dig deeper into the issues! Our new sustainability display gives you a taste of the resources available on campus. From films to government documents, newly-released books on the hottest topics in the field and even e-books that you can access from your own laptop at home, you’re guaranteed to pick up a few interesting facts. Maybe even find a topic for that research paper on your “to-do” list…

The display also includes some tips for how you can take action toward a sustainable future and online resources to guide your plan. Check out the Carbon Footprint site to calculate how much carbon dioxide your everyday activities account for, and then learn how you can reduce your carbon footprint with simple changes, like defrosting your refrigerator or turning off your DVD player.

Among state resources, Texas Campaign for the Environment offers voting records and environmental reports, quirky videos, and contact information for similar organizations. At the local level, Build San Antonio Green connects you with green builders and designers, provides a “green map” of San Antonio, and keeps you updated with an events calendar. [photo courtesy of http://www.solarsanantonio.org/]