12/1/12

What if Money didn't Matter? Narration by Alan Watts

What do you desire? 

"So I always ask the question: What would you like to do if money were no object? How would you really enjoy spending your life? Well it's so amazing as the result of our kind of educational system, crowds of students say 'Well, we'd like to be painters, we'd like to be poets, we'd like to be writers' But as everybody knows you can't earn any money that way! Another person says 'Well I'd like to live an out-of-door's life and ride horses.' I said 'You wanna teach in a riding school?'

Let's go through with it. What do you want to do? When we finally got down to something which the individual says he really wants to do I will say to him 'You do that! And forget the money!' Because if you say that getting the money is the most important thing you will spend your life completely wasting your time! You'll be doing things you don't like doing in order to go on living - that is to go on doing things you don't like doing! Which is stupid! Better to have a short life that is full of which you like doing then a long life spent in a miserable way. And after all, if you do really like what you are doing - it doesn't really matter what it is - you can eventually become a master of it. It's the only way of becoming the master of something, to be really with it. And then you will be able to get a good fee for whatever it is. So don't worry too much, somebody is interested in everything. Anything you can be interested in, you'll find others who are.

But it's absolutely stupid to spend your time doing things you don't like in order to go on spending things you don't like, doing things you don't like and to teach our children to follow the same track. See, what we are doing is we are bringing up children and educating to live the same sort of lifes we are living. In order they may justify themselves and find satisfaction in life by bringing up their children to bring up their children to do the same thing. So it's all retch and no vomit - it never gets there! And so therefore it's so important to consider this question:

What do I desire?" 

- Alan Watts
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11/27/12

Inspiration of the day: Gac Filipaj



Meet Gac Filipaj. While working as Columbia University's janitor in the afternoon and evening, he would take classes in the school during the day. It took him 12-years to finish his undergraduate degree, and he finished his degree last year with honors! He still works as a janitor at our school. His ambition is to get a master's degree, maybe even a Ph.D., in Roman and Greek classics.

"There's nothing interesting in my life. I only work in my job and take classes. It will be something else if I did a Master's or a PhD." Gac told me when I asked him why he refused to have a movie made about his life.

Meeting him today is one of the most exhilarating moments in my time here at school. He is humble, simple, and driven. All-inspiring traits to have.


Immediately after posting this blog I received this mesage from a friend, Joe Green, on facebook:




For more of Gac's tory, go here:
Huffington Post
ABC News
MSNBC


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11/26/12

A day in the life of a graduate student


It is my second year in Columbia University's Master of Science in Sustainability Management program.  Prior to this, I was working on my post-baccalaureate in two other schools. I find it to be the case that with every semester, the stress piles up. Every day has been a constant struggle, and I am looking forward to the day when I am back in the real world. Just for kicks, here is an attempt at documenting a day in the life at grad school: 

4:30 AM – 5:30 AM  Emails (but mostly snoozing) 

5:30 AM – 6:30 AM  Shower/Change (semi-snoozing in the shower)

6:30 AM – 7:30 AM Gym – jog (snoozing on the gym mat)

Columbia University Dodge Fitness Center 

Source: Columbia University

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Gym- yoga (aaaah - snoozing in my meditation)

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM  Breakfast (and running to class- still in gym clothes)

9:00 AM – 11: 00 AM           
Class: Renewable Energy ProjectDevelopment and Markets with Professor Peter Fusaro

                                    Guest Speaker: Scott Siddell, Ph.D.
Topic: Structure Finance/Asset Backed Securitization Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure Projects – The Case of Private Commercial and Industrial Energy Eficiency Retrofits


11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Visit to the hardware store. Lunch. Shower (finally) and change. 

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM  Room has been unbearably cold. Finally fixed the heating system in apartment with building superintendent. Also installed additional room curtains. 

1:30 PM – 4:30 PM    Group meeting for Industrial Ecology class to prepare for our Wednesday presentation on “Life Cycle GHG Emissions from NewYork City's Electricity Supply“
Source: PlaNYC
L to R: Esperanza Garcia, blogger, with classmate, Douglas Price, Columbia University MSc Sustainability Management future graduate at the SIPA Lehman Library group study room

L to R: Mashael Alshalam, SIPA graduate student with Michael Didyk, Columbia SIPA graduate student at the Lehman Library group study room

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM  Work on problem set due on Wednesday on “Carbon Abatement” for Energy System Fundamentals class with Prof. Travis Bradford

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM  Sustainability Metrics class lecture on climate risk, climate resilience strategies, and issues related to rebuilding NYC after Hurricane Sandy

Columbia University Sustainability Metrics lecture


9:00 – 10:00 PM Google hangout group meeting for Industrial Ecology class in preparation for Wednesday’s presentation
L to R: Douglas Price, Esperanza Garcia, Nick Daniello, John R Abrashkin
                   


10:00 PM – 12:00 AM  Write cover letter and touch-up resume for that job posting with today's deadline...

12:00 AM - 1:00 AM Catch up with family and partner. Get in my PJ's. And then I zonk....ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz...........

Tomorrow, I wake at 6 AM, and on for another day... 


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11/17/12

Global action through passion


I just received a first draft of a magazine (published in 100 countries) article written about my work the past few years. What this article doesn't talk about is my recent struggle. I understand and advocate the importance of pursuing higher education, but I am no longer as passionate, and in fact quite miserable being in an academic environment. What this article has reminded me of, however, was
 that burning passion I once used to have, and how I used to wake up everyday with that fuel. As I had stated: "I am neither a scientist nor a politician, I am a young person. Discovering, fuelling, and excelling in my passion has given me confidence and made me realize my potential in making a global impact in the the work that I have done with my friends and colleagues, we have mobilized youth from all over the world and played a part in inspiring global action."

I hope that you find your passion, and if you already have it, that you are doing all that you can to develop and nurture it. Heartfelt thanks to Jeff and Mark for giving me the opportunity to tell my story. Although, my first thought receiving this draft was: "A 3-page spread about my life/work? How boring."
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Lunch with inspiring women and Cheryl Saban


L to R: Esperanza Garcia, Diana Cartaya-Acosta, Marie-Claudine, Cheryl Saban, Karen Yang

Today, was one of those life-changing days. A month ago, I received an email from Richard Jordan, a mentor and 60th DPI/NGO Conference Chairman, expressing  interest in setting-up a meeting with an influential woman, by the name of Cheryl Saban, along with other young and accomplished women. There was no particular agenda, the purpose was just to bring passionate and accomplished women in one table to exchange ideas. I met these brilliant women for lunch today.

 Each interested in our own fields, Dr. Cheryl-Saban, while being a world-renowned author and US UN representative, she has a mission to help and empower women all over the world, Marie-Claudine, as a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, is running her own organization helping orphans from the genocide and HIV/AIDS, Diana-Cartaya Acosta after finishing her studies in climate change at Fordham is interning at UNEP, Karen Yang, along with being an international model and spokesperson, she is pursuing her studies at NYU, and myself, pursuing a career in business in sustainable development. Though our interests differ, we were brought together under the common ground of empowering global women. In our conversation, we discussed the importance of the need for more women leaders. Agreeing that a woman's natural nature to be nurturing is one of our greatest assets in creating a better community --and the leverage we have over men. 

It was truly an honor to meet  with these strong and powerful women who are making the genuine difference in the world. For almost three hours, we shared our stories, inspirations, dreams, and passion. Hearing of these women’s struggles and achievements uplifted my spirits and I now feel more empowered, inspired, and reminded about my purpose in life. We had an enriching and inspiring conversation, and I hope that we will use our experiences to work on something together that will help empower women. We women, we need to stick together. 



HERE'S A GLIMPSE OF THESE WOMEN'S PASSIONS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 

Dr. Cheryl Saban - Ph.D., is an author, psychologist, philanthropist, advocate for women and children, and Senior Advisor, U.S. Delegation for UN General Assembly (among many other things). 

Dr. Saban is the author of several books, including What is Your Self-Worth. Dr. Saban founded the non-profit organization “Women’s Self Worth Foundation” (www.whatisyourselfworth.com) with a $10 million pledge to charitable organizations for the aiding, advancement and empowerment of girls and women. She is President of the Saban Family Foundation, which was established alongside her husband Haim, to support medical, children’s and education programs. She serves on the board of several organizations, including, the Saban Research Institute, Girls Inc., Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Marc & Jane Nathanson Mental Health Resource Center at UCLA. 

The young women that Richard brought together were all very excited to meet Cheryl. As soon as she entered the Greek restaurant where we had all convened near Columbia University, one can sense a strong force by her presence. Dressed simply and elegantly, she exudes a natural sense of poise, strength, confidence, and wisdom. She shared with us her stories about serving as a US UN delegate, along with her current and future plans (in the lines of women empowerment). It is truly inspiring to learn from a woman who has the resources and ability to make a difference and does everything in her power to do so. Along with that, keep a strong relationship with her husband and family. If there is one woman who knows a thing or two about balance, it is Cheryl.


 Marie-Claudine (Rwanda), Ambassador for Peace Award Winner/ Humanitarian Achievement Award Winner/ an orphan-survivor of Rwandan genocide

During lunch, Marie-Claudine shared her painful story about going through the genocide, with her family and tribe members violently killed around her. In her story, she shared that she had prayed to God and had said to God, that if she would survive the genocide, that she would do everything in her power to prevent the genocide from recurring and help the people who were suffering through it. Given a second chance at life, she started an organization called, “Kuki Ndiho Rwanda Orphans Support Project” (http://www.kukindiho.org) a charitable organization dedicated to helping orphaned children from the Rwandan genocide and HIV/AIDS. Marie Claudine is a recipient of the UN Ambassador for Peace Award 2010.


Karen Yang (China)- International Model/Miss Asia International/Spokesperson

At age 23, she has received numerous scholastic awards with her outstanding grades and extraordinary performance in activities. In the 18th Miss Asia International Pageant, the seventeen year old Karen won the 1st Prize of USA and 2nd Runner-Up of the Final World Competition. She continues to be actively  involved in societies, and has been invited to national and international events since 2007.Tall, beautiful and smart, Karen is not only an emblem Asian beauty, but global beauty.


Diana Cartaya (Cuba)- young scientist/UNEP intern

            Born and raised in Cuba, this 23-year old woman has engaged herself in many global issues and studying to help find solutions to these issues, ranging from AIDS to Climate Change. She is vocal, strong, passionate, beautiful, and smart – just like every woman in the lunch table.

Richard Jordan (left), 60th UNDPI Conference Chair and master-mind behind this gathering, and Esperanza Garcia (right)

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10/26/12

CUCSD at UNFCCC Special Intersessional Meeting at Yale University November 2-3, 2012

Columbia University Coalition for Sustainable Development (CUCSD) have been invited to represent Columbia University at the COP18/CMP8 sessions of the UNFCCC hosted by the UNFCCC Executive Secretary at Yale University from November 2 - 3, 2102. We will be joining students from Yale, Duke, MIT, Tufts, and Georgetown at this event. Check out all the amazing people involved! 

UNFCCC Special Intersessional Meeting November 2-3

Event Description
The negotiations of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, particularly at the annual Conferences of Parties (CoP), are vital discussions which promise to determine the ecological and economic fate of our world under the specter of global warming. In preparation for this important event, each year since 2009 students at the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies have sought to better understand this process by staging a negotiation simulation exercise mimicking the politics and policy underlying the UNFCCC process. In 2010, this event expanded to include participation by students from other universities. Every year, the exercise has been a notable success, hailed by faculty, outside observers, and student participants alike as a uniquely valuable learning process difficult to match in any other setting. With the expiration of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (KP), 2012 marks an interesting point from which the next CoP, to be held in Doha, Qatar, may or may not lead to a stronger and legally binding process. While the earlier negotiations centered on country participation post-KP, the new discussions will focus on legal obligations of all the countries in the world leading up to 2020 and beyond. Hence, CoP 18 in Doha will continue to determine the rights and duties of developed and developing countries in our collective effort to mitigate and adapt to global climate change. These issues will be the central themes of this year’s Negotiation Simulation. As the core of this exercise, registered participants will be assigned a country and, over the course of two days, charged with representing their interests as they negotiate over the legal issues of a new international climate agreement, based on actual working texts from the UNFCCC. We invite any and all university students to participate.
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10/8/12

NY+20 interviews & speeches



















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10/7/12

Spring & Summer 2012 Highlights


I finally put something together to sum up the crazyness that is 2012 (so far). In reality most of my time was spent hiding inside the library trying to be done with my graduate degree (almost there! Or so I think...). In this blog, I share some pics of last Spring and Summer semester's highlights (the times when I wasn't caved inside the library at least). I know I am missing some events and people to thank... 

Here are some links of old semester's highlights: 


Meeting Ban Ki Moon at World Leaders Forum, April 2012. More info here.

 Moderating NY+20 at UN Headquarters, May 2012. More info here: http://ecohope.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-york20-on-iisd.html?utm_source=BP_recent

Rio+20 side-event speech with Pres. Mary Robinson hosted by CWW & CEP at the Ford Foundation in Rio de Janeiro last June 2012. Thanks to Tracy Mann, Director, Climate Wise Women and Vicky Markham, Director, Center for Environment and Population (CEP) for putting this great event together! More info here: http://ecohope.blogspot.com/2012/06/rio20-side-event-global-south-women-and.html?utm_source=BP_recent

 
Rio+20 with Gro Brundland, June 2012.

 
Rio+20 interview with Jane Gooddall, June 2012.

Rio+20, June 2012 with Jeff Sachs, head of our Columbia University/Earth Institute delegation

Rio+20 interview with Richard Branson- my partner's man-crush. I told him that too.

UNIPRO speech June 2012. Special thanks to Bryan Lozano, Executive Director of UNIPRO, and the incredible UNIPRO team: Rachel Ocampo, Randy Gonzales, Ivan Gonzales, Zennia Datulayta, Steven Raga (I know I am missing more awesomeness in this incredible group to thank) for putting this event together.
More info here: http://ecohope.blogspot.com/2012/05/speaking-at-unipro-summit-june-2.html?utm_source=BP_recent



Published on Världshorisont, a UN Swedish Magazine. Thanks to Caroline Bach, writer of the article and AnnaLena Andrews, Editor of Världshorisont for your phenomenal work. Now, time to learn Swedish! 
Magazine here:http://issuu.com/fnforbundet/docs/varldshorisont2_12/9 


NY+20: Brice Lalonde, Executive Coordinator of Rio+20



    I started this organization in my school last Spring semester called, Columbia University Coalition for Sustainable Development. It's been inspiring to see all that the team has done and achieved in a short amount of time. I'm especially impressed by Kate Offerdahl, John Romano, Andrew Mc Cormack's (co-organizers) and our partners' work with NY+20 as well as Scott Miller's work in Climate Ride (biking 300 miles from NYC - DC for Climate Change and raising funds for CUCSD), and the leaders who worked hard to help CUCSD have a strong foundation, namely Jairo Garcia and Ben Rattenbury. And of course, a shout-out to those who are part of the heart of the team, the executive board and focal points: Sunsarae Smith, Krystal Laymon, Sooah Kim, Larissa Johnson, Alaine Marx, Patricia Reis, and Diana Sierra. There were also those who worked hard to make sure we had a strong Rio+20 delegation in Rio last June, namely: Ashley Taubman, Marie Elodie Bazy, Inigo Larraya, Narayan Submarianian, Raquel Solomon, Julia Sclafani, Jamaiah Harris, Erica Marcos, Sherry Goldberg, and Evan Welber. We are not only colleagues or classmates, but we have developed life-long friendships and partners that will help us achieve our goals, and that is priceless. Here are some of the highlights of our work: 


 

























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