This week in ESP...

Tuesday, November 18
*Environmental Careers Guest Speaker Series: "What is Sustainability?"
Speakers: Nilda Mesa, Columbia University Assistant VP of Environmental Stewardship;
Jeremy Friedman, Project Administrator, NYU Sustainability Task Force
1-2 p.m. IAB 411 (PIZZA WILL BE SERVED!)

Environmental Finance Prep Session II
6:10-8 p.m. IAB 403


Wednesday, November 19
**MPA-ESP Curriculum Recommendation Committee (First Meeting)
moderated by Diane Foy
1-2 p.m. IAB 405

Earth Institute: Geospatial Applications Brownbag
Speaker: Mark Becker, Senior Staff Associate, CIESIN
4:30-6 p.m. Lerner Hall, Satow Room



Thursday, November 20
ESP Colloquium featuring Emmanuelle Humblet & Emmanual Flamand
8 p.m. after Public Management in the same classroom


Friday, November 21
Sustainable Urbanism Series:
Rob Crauderueff, Policy Director, Sustainable South Bronx
Signe Nielsen, Principal, Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects
Vice President, Art Commission for the City of New York
1-2 p.m. IAB 405

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*A conversation with Nilda Mesa, Columbia University Assistant Vice President of Environmental Stewardship, http://www.environment.columbia.edu/, and Jeremy Friedman, Project Administrator, NYU Sustainability Task Force, www.nyu.edu/sustainability

"Sustainability" has become such an overused buzzword that it is in danger of becoming the new "Atkins Diet". Every company, organization, and individual wants to "be sustainable," but no one wants to be inconvenienced beyond their normal routine or be forced to pay for it. While sustainability jobs are created daily, defining it is difficult and working at it is even more complex. Learn how Nilda and Jeremy have navigated the changing field and helped Columbia University and NYU carve niches (and become leaders) in this burgeoning field.

Nilda joined Columbia as a seasoned environmentalist, having championed environmental justice policy as a Clinton-Gore appointee for the NAFTA environmental side agreements, the US Air Force, and the White House Council for Environmental Quality. Jeremy is a rising environmental leader who co-founded the Green Arch Initiative while a student at NYU. He advocated for the administration to "go green," and was subsequently hired in the newly created department to carry out this monumental task. Although they approach the field from different perspectives, Nilda and Jeremy share much in common with each other and those of us interested in carrying out "sustainability" work upon graduation from SIPA. Come join in the conversation and be inspired!

Pizza will be served.

**Curriculum Recommendation Committee (First Meeting)

The ESP Student Government is soliciting recommendations from the class to improve the rest of our Columbia experience (suggestions for the spring semester).
The meeting will last no longer than one-hour and will be moderated by Diane Foy. A strict timetable and outline of topics will be followed. In preparation, those interested in participating should compile a list of constructive suggestions for the spring semester. Another email will follow shortly with additional meeting logistics and an outline of discussion topics.