One Day, One Job » sustainability

Summit Energy

Willy Franzen — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:45:39 +0000

We’re constantly hearing about green technology, alternative energy, and other buzzwords aimed at stopping climate change. It’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s hype. Yet there has been a group of people who have been preaching responsible energy use for as long as we can remember. They’re call Dads. You’ve probably heard one of these: “What are you trying to do? Cool the entire house? Close the refrigerator door!” or “Why did you raise the thermostat to 63? Go get two more blankets!” or “Do you really need that light on to do your homework? Can’t you do it by candlelight?” And it’s all to save a few cents off of the electricity or gas bill. Well, think of Louisville, KY based Summit Energy as the mother of all Dads (I know that makes no sense). They’re in the business of energy management, which means that they help companies that spend a lot on energy spend more efficiently. Summit Energy manages “nearly $20 billion in annualized global energy spend,” so while your Dad is saving pennies, they’re saving millions of dollars.

Reach the Summit

I’ve obviously oversimplified what Summit Energy does. They work with clients in a variety of industries, and they offer services that include Market Intelligence, Strategic Sourcing, Rates Analysis, Risk Management, and Energy Sustainability. If it can help clients manage energy costs, then Summit Energy probably does it. The best way to get a basic understanding of the work that Summit Energy does is probably to read their blog, EnergyBurrito. If the name doesn’t make it clear, it’s more focused towards a lay audience. If you like the way an EnergyBurrito tastes (Red Bull on a burrito sounds nasty), then you should check out Summit Energy’s Careers page. Right now they have a few positions that seem suitable for new or recent grads. These include Client Implementation Associate and Sustainability Sales Representative. There are a few other positions, but they require more experience.

Links to Help You Begin Your Research

What was your Dad known to say in reference to energy use?

National League of Cities

Willy Franzen — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:38:28 +0000

I never thought that I’d live in a major city, yet somehow I ended up in downtown Chicago. It may not be near any trout streams, and an occasional gang fight might break out while I’m playing volleyball at the beach, but I’m actually enjoying Chicago. Cities are filled with opportunities, and with so many opportunities come quite a few challenges. Cities can attack those challenges on their own, but often it’s better if they work together. That’s why the National League of Cities exists (I wonder if there’s an American League of Cities…). They are “the country’s oldest, largest and most represented organization serving municipal governments.” They’re based in Washington, DC and they work to represent their members in a number of ways including “advocating for cities and towns, promoting cities and towns, providing programs and services, keeping leaders informed, strengthening leadership skills, recognizing municipal achievements, partnering with state leagues, and providing opportunities for involvement and networking.” It makes sense that our cities should be working together, and the National League of Cities facilitates that cooperation.

Enjoy City Life

National League of Cities’ website doesn’t seem to have a ton of basic information on the organization, but according to Wikipedia they are “a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns, and villages and represents more than 218 million Americans, including 49 state municipal leagues.” They do this with six centers: Research and Innovation; Federal Relations; Public Affairs and Member Relations; Enterprise Programs; Conferences, Education and Training; and the Institute for Youth, Education and Families. That means that they have all kinds of interesting work. If you want to get involved, you should check out the jobs at National League of Cities. Right now they have a number of jobs posted including a couple that seem suitable for new grads like Sustainability Fellow and possibly Member Relations Representative (description looks entry level, but they want more experience). Give the positions a look, and consider applying. Our cities can use your help.

Links to Help You Begin Your Research

What city do you live in?

Second Nature

Willy Franzen — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:14:34 +0000

When I was in college, campus sustainability was just starting to become a common buzzword. I guess it makes sense that higher education institutions would be at the forefront of such a movement—you know, since they deal with students protesting by camping in tree tops all the time. Second Nature is a Boston based non-profit organization that is continuing this movement (no not the camping out in tree tops). They initiate and support “high-leverage national initiatives and programs aimed at re-orienting the higher education sector toward more sustainable outcomes.” It’s a smart idea, because they’re targeting the places where their ideas are most likely to catch on. If they can succeed by pushing sustainability forward on college campuses, then there’s a good chance that the sustainability movement can go a lot farther.

It’s Your Second Nature

Second Nature has been around for more than 15 years, and since then they’ve worked with “more than 500 colleges and universities to help make the principles of sustainability fundamental to every aspect of higher education.” I guess how Second Nature defines sustainability is important to know too. They believe that the key to achieving sustainability is avoiding four situations:

systematic increases in concentrations of substances from the earth’s crust e.g. fossil fuels, heavy metals); systematic increases in concentrations of substances produced by society (e.g. CFCs, DDT); systematic degradation by physical means (e.g. deforestation, overfishing); and when social systems are subject to conditions that systematically undermine people’s capacity to meet their basic needs (e.g. oppressive conditions, non-living wages)

When you really break these four situations down, you realize how much effort must go into sustainability initiatives. If it sounds like something that you want to be a part of, then you should check out Second Nature’s Jobs page where they have a Program Associate position posted right now. You can apply by sending “a cover letter describing related experience and salary requirements, a resume, and a writing sample to: careers@secondnature.org.”

Links to Help You Begin Your Research

What’s your Second Nature?