Climate Change and MATC

MATC President Bettsey Barhorst, a charter signatory of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, leads a dedicated effort to reduce energy use and promote sustainability at the college.

From the Renewable Energy Certificate through the Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technology program, to the use of solar energy, to an impressive reduction energy use and more, MATC continues to show leadership in its efforts to achieve climate neutrality.

Have a comment or suggestion for greening MATC? Please email us at mesa (at) matcmadison.edu

MESA Steering Committee

• The Steering Committee meets regularly on alternating Tuesday mornings from 8:30am - 9:30am at Truax in Room 141A
• Everyone is welcome -- please join us
• Upcoming meetings: Dec 9
  

Hot, Flat, and Crowded Reading Group

• Join others in a discussion of Thomas Friedman's Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America
• Please email David Shonkwiler for more information

MESA MATC Foundation Account

• Please support MESA activities with a donation to the MESA Foundation account

Join the MESA Listserv

• Join the MESA email list and receive meeting notices and updates

There are still spaces available for the new class Renewable Energy for the Developing World being offered for the spring 2009 semester.

The 3-credit, college transfer class combines 9 days of field study and hands on work in Costa Rica, with 8 weeks of additional online instruction. The study abroad portion is being coordinated with Solar Energy International, and the online class is being created with funding from a U.S. DOE Title VI International Education grant. The class is being offered on a pilot basis starting in January, 2009. We will travel to Costa Rica Jan 1-9, and the online course will be held Jan 12-March 14.

For more information, please see the fact sheet, FAQ, and slide presentation with photos from Mastatal.

To register for the class, please contact Diana Paynter at dpaynter@matcmadison or contact Ken Walz at kwalz@matcmadison.edu for more information.

Campus Sustainability Day - Wednesday, October 22

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory

MATC Instructor Ken Walz explained what he did on his summer vacation at the NREL. A behind-the-scenes look at this United States premier renewable energy research facility.
Watch the Mediasite presentation of the "National Renewable Energy Lab."

Winter Biking Clinic

Can you ride all year? MATC riders do. You can too. Ali Dwyer from “We Are All Mechanics” took us through the nitty gritty with practical tips and true stories. Watch the Mediasite presentation of the "Winter Biking Clinic."

“Climate Realities, Challenges and Progress in Higher Education”

The New York Times science editor Andy Revkin will moderated a webcast discussion of climate change and higher ed.

More Resources

• Visit the MATC Libraries' Renewable Energy and Sustainability Resource Guide
• Tips to curb global warming (PDF)

A solar car wash was held on July 30th to benefit area flood victims. The "Solar Car Wash" system being used
is typical of a domestic solar thermal hot water installation. It produces about 4500 wats of electrical equivalent
water heating -- enough for a family of four. It is available for public events to raise awareness of a solar solution
that makes economic sense for Wisconsin. For more information, please contact Tom Kaminski.

Focus the Nation at MATC - January 31, 2008

MATC was one of thousands of colleges and universities participating in the Focus the Nation kickoff, a national initiative to educate and inspire solutions to reduce global warming for America.

• MATC Vice President Debbie Derr
• State Representative Spencer Black
• Wes Marquardt, MATC Focus on Going Green    view presentations    
• Dr. Jonathan Foley, UW, Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment    view presentation
• 2% Solution Webcast    view presentation
• Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk    view presentation