The Ferret Chronicles

Giant Postcard Success

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:44:42 GMT

We actually managed to hand off the postcard to Kerry before his event! (I was hoping he would mention it during his speech, but no dice). We got some great pics though. And hopefully he can use the postcard as a tool in the Senate.

Bella Center Break Down

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:39:29 GMT

It’s 7am Copenhagen time and we’re trying to figure out who gets into the Bella Center today. The United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) just limited NGO access to the talks. For the next two days we’re down to 30% of our original badges, for Thursday all the NGOs will share 1,000 and on Friday (the day Obama arrives) we will share 90.

No one seems to have any idea why they limited NGO access. They accredited us and, as far as I can tell, should have known exactly how much space there was for us. Now we’re in a logistical mess sharing our new secondary badges between us and our partners. Without even the benefit of predictable logistics, as the metro closest to the center closes down sporadically. Once you clear these hurdles and reach the Bella Center the lines are long, the wait is cold and the staff are unclear with their directions.

Everything ran smoothly last week, but I’ve been more than a little disappointed in this conference’s organization moving into the second, and more important week of negotiations.

FoMO

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:58:58 GMT

I'm writing this at an EU side event (with cake!) FoMO (Fear of Missing Out) is hitting me pretty hard, but I'm breathing deep and trying to keep my head above water. I stayed home from a Yale event featuring the president of the IPCC and slimmed my inbox down to a trim 21 unopened emails this morning. I feel virtually zen, but am a little bummed. Stupid FoMO.

First day in Copenhagen

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:33:21 GMT

I had a fabulous time in London, and will have to share a bunch of stories and pictures with you when I land. On our last day we went to the Stables- which I'd never even heard of. Crowded, food from all over the world sold in small stands, stalls selling everything from gothic Lolita parasols to custom-made bean bag beds, techno music, people speaking at least 5 different languages that I could count wearing all sorts of different things. I felt like I stepped onto the set of firefly or 5th element.

Travel in the city today was a comedy of errors (you know, the usual) but I finally met up with the group tonight and had a blast diving right in! I'm not behind everyone- like I was convinced I would be (at least in some ways) and -most exciting- I get to help shape our message and actions! This is awesome. I'm loving it so much.

Plus our group is kicking ass! We've got interviews with the WSJ and NYT lined up as of tonight!

Alright- off to bed!

PS- sorry for all the exclamation points. I'm just very excited!

Breaking Up with BOFA

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:03:24 GMT

Bank of America, we need to talk. I feel like you’re not listening to me. When I called and let you know I’d be out of town, you said you understood and we moved on. But when I left you froze me out. That hurt.

But when I called to straighten things out, you hung up on me. Twice. You transferred me to a fax machine. You transferred me to the wrong phone tree six times. I just feel like we can’t connect anymore.

Every time I got a hold of you, you didn’t want to work on us. You wanted to hear me say the same things over and over. Are you trying to break me over the phone? Your endless “please wait” refrain actually makes me want to destroy things. And your disappearing for minutes at a time, leaving me with perky piano music? Not better.

We’ve been together for a long time Bank of America, and I’d hate for it to end this way. I want to make this work, but you’re just not giving me what I need anymore, and you don’t seem to care.

Climate Ride

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:19:15 GMT

So I DID IT!!! All sorts of posts to follow (promises, promises, I know), but here is a video one of my fellow riders made to keep you going:

http://www.vimeo.com/6876499

Clumsy

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:14:17 GMT

I am so tired of being clumsy I could cry. It's bad enough to be constantly covered with bumps, bruises and cuts. Aren't they reminder enough that I look like an idiot without people bringing it up all the time? I think we should make fun of graceful people instead. If clumsy people have to be in pain, graceful folks should get something too.

Fuck.

more bad news

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:12:27 GMT

more bad news- I reached my goal of $2400 last week thanks to some truly fabulous people (Joey, Yonki, Jenna, Casey, Mom, Dad, the Queiors and Mem and Pep). And I know what you're thinking: "But Erin, what am I going to do with this big pile of money?!" Not to worry, I'll be an the track raising money to get myself to Copenhagen soon!

9 fingers good, 10 fingers better

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 20:22:12 GMT

Well, it’s that time of year again. I am sitting at my computer, typing out the story of my newly broken finger with my nine working ones.

Normally I have a thrilling tale with misleading, malicious government signs or exotic travel; this one is a bit cliché. I was riding down a hill in the rain when my tire got stuck in a grate. The bike spun underneath me and I slid- none too gracefully- across the pavement (denting the grate while I was at it). I was with my friend Ryan, who rides a much more stable hybrid with considerably more skill, and he took off for band-aids from the rite aid as I bled quietly by the side of the road waiting for reinforcements (again.)

People have all sorts of summer traditions. Some people go to the Hamptons, some break out their perfect margarita recipes. Me? I visit my good friends at ER.

Fixing the economy, and saving the world while we're at it.

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:58:21 GMT

The status quo is broken. The national unemployment rate reached 9 percent this spring- nearly doubling last year’s figure. It seems every week another business files for bankruptcy, and another neighbors loses their home. Business as usual is killing us.

I’m not proposing we jump on the first proposal Congress submits, but when politicians from both sides of the aisle, big companies and small businesses jointly support a piece of legislation, that bill is worth a second look.

USCAP, a coalition of 30 corporate giants, including John Deere, PepsiCo and GE, have banded together to support the climate bill. On June 18th 20 small business leaders from around the country took time from their companies and made their way to Capitol to personally tell their Representatives how beneficial this legislation would be for their businesses. Meanwhile, 80 companies in Virginia alone are poised to grow under to the climate bill (to view them visit www.lesscarbonmorejobs.com).

I'm tired of the constant refrain: “limiting energy carbon dioxide really amounts to limiting economic activity,” it flies in the face of American history and ingenuity. When we capped pollutants in the 1990 Clean Air Act, the amount of ideas submitted to the Patent Office spiked. Coal and oil are limited resources; the US will not be alone in shifting to new technologies, and those should have “made in America” stamped on them.

It would be economically irresponsible to push this bill aside. Let's give the American Clean Energy and Security Act a shot.

I'M GOING TO COPENHAGEN!!!

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:54:01 GMT

I'M GOING TO COPENHAGEN!!! I was selected for the Youth Delegation to the INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE TALKS!!! I'm GOING TO COPENHAGEN!!!

Fri, 29 May 2009 01:42:13 GMT

For those of you worried (Joey, I'm looking at you!) I am NOT fired! I'm EDF bound for at least the summer.

Double-wattled Cassowary

Tue, 12 May 2009 17:59:16 GMT

Dudes! I ran by a Double-wattled Cassowary and almost fell over laughing, but don't know how to upload pictures here. So check out my blog ride training blog- http://envirofreak.blogspot.com/

The Climate Ride Adventure Begins!

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:22:11 GMT

I just signed up for the Climate Ride! Show me how much you love (or hate me- either way works) me by throwing me some cash to make it happen! http://tiny.cc/ErinsClimateRide!

Erin's youth climate summit

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:34:32 GMT

From EDF's Daily Update:

"Our climate marketing associate Erin O’Sullivan was a key organizer of the first ever DC Youth Environmental Summit this spring! Erin co-founded the DC Youth Environmental Alliance (DCYEA) while a student at American University. The summit, held at the LEED Platinum-certified Sidwell Friends Middle School, provided more than two dozen students with tools and skills to organize clubs, promote sustainability in their schools and communities, and learn about pressing environmental challenges. “Just as important,” says Erin, “it encouraged students from diverse backgrounds across DC to unite and work together.” She is especially proud that the summit launched the first high school branch of DCYEA. "It's exciting to see the next generation of leaders get on their feet," she says."

My Dad is on the internet!

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:05:26 GMT

Want to learn more about the recession from my father- the "noted economist"? Check out the link below:

http://www.publicschoolinsights.org/node/2292

noooooooo kidding.

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:35:03 GMT

"Environmental Solutions Save Money."
By JERRY KARNAS

Florida Climate Project Director Environmental Defense Fund Green groups are usually known for singling out corporations that threaten the environment, but here in Florida dozens of companies have been identified as "Faces of Climate Change." They are being praised for taking the initiative to solve environmental problems. In the process, these corporations are also finding that there really is gold in green.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20081105/COLUMNISTS/811050307?Title=Environmental_Solutions_Save_Money

THE BUCKET LIST

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:26:10 GMT

THE BUCKET LIST
(from Jenna)

X by all the things you've DONE
REMOVE the X from the ones YOU HAVE NOT

( ) Gone on a blind date

(x) Skipped school

( ) Watched someone die (who put this on here?!?)

( x) Been to Canada

( x) Been to Mexico

(X) Been to Florida

(X) Been on a plane

(X) Been lost

( x )Been on the opposite side of the country

(X) Gone to Washington DC

(X) Swam in the ocean

(X) Cried yourself to sleep

( ) Played cops and robbers

(X) Recently colored with crayons

(X)Sang Karaoke

(X) Paid for a meal with coins only-- yup, and one coin actually- thanks 2 euro coin!

(X) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?

( ) Made prank phone calls

(X) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose or peed your pants

(X) Caught a snowflake on your tongue

(X) Danced in the rain

(X) Written a letter to Santa Claus

( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe

(x ) Watched the sunrise with someone

(X) Blown bubbles

(X) Gone ice-skating

(v) Been skinny dipping outdoors (half)

(X) Gone to the movies

QUESTIONS...

1. Any nickname? Rinner, Errett the Ferrett, Cornelious, Sully

2 Mother's name? Catherine

3. Favorite drink? Snakebite

5. Body Piercings? Ears

6. How much do you love your job? 6

7. Birthplace? Fairfax, VA

8. Favorite vacation spot? Istanbul

9. Ever been to Africa ? No! But I wanna real bad.

10. Ever eaten just cookies for dinner? cookie dough. no regrets.

11. Ever been on TV? yes? I think? Interviewers were sketchy on the details.

12. Ever steal any traffic signs? no, but i took part of the naval station sign. The AU shuttle ran into it and the letters were shaken out of the brick. So I took the letter E on my way to a spelling bee watching party. My silent E has since been lost.

13. Ever been in a car accident? no- thank God

14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? mopeds don't have doors

15. Can you drive a standard shift car? uhhh... sorta...

16. Favorite pie? squash or grasshopper

17. Favorite number? 7? hockey number of choice is 15 or 16.

18. Favorite movie? depends: finding nemo, MP Search for the Holy Grail, garden state, moulin rouge, and princess bride are up there. But I like trying new ones.

19. Favorite holiday? Halloween used to be the deal, then it was Christmas, but Easter is growing on me now.

20. Favorite dessert? Don't make me choose! (warm CCCs?)

21. Favorite food? Give me something interesting and new! And if not, bring me pad thai.

22. Favorite day of the week? Saturday!

23. Favorite brand of body wash? cheap

24. Favorite baseball team? The Red Sox, as geography dictates. With a growing fondness for the Nationals, the specialist team with the most gold stars for participation.

25. Favorite toothpaste? for serious? who came up with these questions?

26. Favorite smell ? the woods after rain

27. How do you relax? paint, braid, run, get a massage (boyfriend or roommate required)

29. Furthest place you will send this message? The great internet void of my livejournal

30. Who will respond to this the fastest? meh. whoever has the time.

31. What is your favorite breed of dog? lab

32. Favorite sound? four simple, true words: "Erin, you're the best." (response four simple, true words: "yes, yes I am.")

33) Favorite thing to do in spare time? paint, braid, run, read and save the world

34)least favorite baseball team? Yankees, as geography dictates. Ask me about hockey damn it!

Eco-SENSE being amazing

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:05:47 GMT

Eco-SENSE saved literally a ton of paper this summer and started so much more. My baby. I'm so proud!

http://veracity.univpubs.american.edu/today/vol/summer08/070208-greenorientation.html

eco-sense article!

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:08:14 GMT

Just look at my baby!!!!

June 10, 2008

AU offices go green

BY SALLY ACHARYA

A green revolution is changing life in AU’s cubicles and meeting rooms with a program that helps offices become eco-certified.

The office of New Student Programs, the Department of Environmental Studies, and the faculty corner at the Center for Teaching Excellence have been certified as green offices. Several other offices are poised to join them. Faculty Services at the School of International Service is expected to win the sticker this month.

The drive got its start with the student group Eco-Sense and a class called Practical Environmental taught by Paul Wapner, School of International Service. “Every year, Eco-Sense writes a policy. Last year, we wrote a transportation policy, and this year, we wrote a sustainable purchasing policy. This is what came out of it,” said Casey Roe ’09, Eco-Sense policy director and two-time winner of a prestigious Morris K. Udall Scholarship for young environmental leaders.

Wapner’s class took the eco-certification project on this spring, but Eco-Sense, some of whose members were in Wapner’s class, will keep it running in the fall. But equally key to making it happen are the staff members like Kelly Nolin and Tiffany Sanchez who make it a priority in their offices.

It’s really not as hard as it sounds, says CTE’s Nolin, who manages the faculty corner. When she met with organizers to hear about their checklist for green practices, she was pleased to learn the office had already made most changes.

It only took a few more steps to get the green sticker that tells visitors that the office is committed to acting on its ideals.

New Student Programs made the change while preparing a series of first-ever sustainable New Student Orientations. The office will save half a ton of paper by passing out “digital folders” at the sessions, which begin June 19, instead of folders packed with flyers.
The University Library is the largest unit working to transform itself. It’s no easy feat to curtail paper and energy use at a place packed night and day by people needing to print, photocopy, and use computers.

But the library switched its printers to print double-sided by default, initiated a campus-wide recycling container project, sells reusable canvas bags and water bottles, and promotes sustainability through a green film series.

Offices have to meet a checklist of green practices to qualify for eco-certification. Here are a few tips from offices that have made the move to a greener workspace:

• Print on both sides

That’s easiest with the right printer. But even before CTE could change to a duplex printer, it was printing double-sided by keeping a box of used paper by the printer, and using the blank side for internal documents. Student Life also keeps a box of used paper by the printer and prints in a small font.

• Mug it up

A mug rack is always ready at CTE, and it’s not just for staff members’ cups. Extra mugs are kept for adjuncts or students who drop by.

• Paperless meetings

How much of the paper handed out at meetings ends up in the trash? At Student Life, it was a lot.

“At one meeting, there’d be 25 copies of a draft schedule,” recalls director Tiffany Sanchez. “Then at the next meeting, another 25. They’d go right into the trash, because it was just a draft copy.”

Now draft schedules go on PowerPoint for meetings and online for later reference.
Some faculty and staff go even further. They have no paper to waste, because they meet in cyberspace on Blackboard sites.

It’s not just green. It’s convenient. “It can be hard to get everyone together in a room to meet,” Nolin says. “Having a place to upload documents and have online discussions is useful for communication.”

• Paperless papers

“We’re trying to get faculty members to teach paperless, and use Blackboard to collect assignments as opposed to printing,” says CTE’s Nolin. “Some people still like to have paper in their hand, and will always like that, because it’s comfortable. But I teach College Writing and have graded electronically for all four semesters.”

She inserts comments electronically. It doesn’t just save trees. Students have thanked her for helping them save the money they’d have spent on printing.

• Unplug it

Idling computers drain a lot of energy at night when an office is closed. Solution: at the end of the day, turn off the computers from the surge protector.

At CTE, it took a bit of old-fashioned sweat to get this plan in place. Graduate fellows shoved desks around to ensure the switch would be easy to reach.

Now, with a flick of a switch, computers go dark at night.

MORE NEWS

Related Links

* Sustainable New Student Orientations
* Udall Scholarship story

Published by Office of Communications, Office of the President
American University, 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016

American's diet-pill

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:26:31 GMT

American's diet-pill I have received countless emails about not buying gas on Wednesdays, not buying from Mobile, or not buying in large amounts, but not one suggesting that maybe we should just drive less. The best that these kind of group demonstrations can hope to accomplish is to show that a large group of people care about the price of oil. Not enough to alter their spending habits, but enough to drive a few extra minutes to the next station. That only proves how truly dedicated the consumer is to the product. That despite being upset with the situation, they are still unwilling to alter their consumption. And what would the supplier care about those extra few miles? There's nothing to keep Mobile from selling to Texico or BP. At the end of the day it's the bottom-line that drives the market. Unless the government steps up to subsidize gas even more that it is now, that won't change until the market changes.

I think that the "don't buy on Wednesday" plans are American's diet-pill answer to the energy crisis. It's taking action that isn't that difficult, but doesn't really do anything either. But it does make people feel like they're doing something, which eases their consciences enough so they can eat that bowl of ice cream or, in this case, take the long way home.

And yes, America is kind of unique in that its cities and suburbs were developed later than most, when engines played a larger role in transportation that foot or horse traffic. (Something which was exacerbated by government altered lower gas prices, btw) So, yes, means that not everyone can ditch a car for a bike or a pair of running shoes and naturally in places that are semi-perpetually covered in snow and ice are not ideal for bikes. I'm not saying that every person should switch over to a bike, and mass transportation cannot by any means get you everywhere you want to go- especially if you live outside a city- but that doesn't mean that everyone can't take steps. It isn't a huge lifestyle change to keep your car well-tuned, combine errands, obey the speed limit, carpool, make your car lighter by not carrying around unnecessary heavy things.

As for Americans not uniting, what hope do we have if the people don't?

The bottom-line to this is why not? Save yourself some cash (pay less at the pump), get healthy (by upping your exercise), protect your national security (by reducing our dependence on unstable countries and unstable resources), purify your air (preventing thousands of hospitalizations a year according to the EPA Clear Skies) and do the environment a favor while your at it. You have literally nothing to lose and everything to gain. So why not?

I'm Going to SAN FRANCISCO!!!!

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 03:27:03 GMT

Visiting Madison for a week and I'll be checking with some potential employers so when I MOVE OUT THERE I may have a place to live! :) So pumped. But to make a long story short, I'm looking for ideas about what to do, where to live and what to watch out for. Any insight for me?

perhaps the best thing anyone has ever told me

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:22:55 GMT

Poses Queen: how scary is that

Poses Queen: that i work for the man

Erinosul: don't be the man! fight the man! has your liberal education taught you nothing?

Poses Queen: i think my AU education has made me MORE conservative

Poses Queen: cuz all the feminazis and hippies seem deranged

Erinosul: I kinda resent that

Poses Queen: you are neither a feminazi nor a hippie

Poses Queen: like, even when you talk about the environment you dont get as defensive as stacia and tai do about womens issues

Poses Queen: you may singlehandedly have made me environmentally concerned

Erinosul: awww

Erinosul: that's perhaps the best thing anyone has ever told me

Poses Queen: but i have legit work to do, FINALLY. thank goodness, i was going nuts!

Poses Queen: lol well its true

Poses Queen: im all conservative and unfeeling

Poses Queen: and now i recycle

Poses Queen: and pick up litter

Erinosul: lol go for it dear. Save the world one habeas corpus case at a time

Erinosul: awesome!

Poses Queen: HAHA

Poses Queen: later gator

Erinosul: bye dear

Endings and Beginnings

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:36:01 GMT

In the midst of coming into graduation and looking at moving life seemed like it was moving towards some kind of end. But I forgot something important in all my preperation for "real life": when one thing ends- it means that another thing is beginning. It took at new start in my life to really drive that idea home.

Something is beginning and I want to see where it goes... Once more down the rabbit hole.

My Last Home Game

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:37:22 GMT

I have to tell you about my Saturday night. It was… what is that word… what is that word…? Oh wait, I know- AWESOME!

I hit the ice for my last metro-accessible game as a lady eagle. A little poignant, but it was also great because a bunch of my friends who were planning on coming to a game “one of these days” ran out of days. So a bunch of them saddled up, hit the metro and came to watch a high-quality hockey match.

I had a cheering section of about seven. (Eight if you count Jenna because I know she was there in spirit- awwww.) Physically present and yelling loudly were my dad, Vinnie, his friend Eric, Kelly K., Mike W, Kevin, and Adi V. Sarah B, my wonderful roommate, and my mom were both there too, but not yelling loudly, so they get their own sentence. (Tah-da!) I actually looked up at the crowd in the second period, my teammate followed my gaze and asked what was up. I answered: “See that guy in the grey shirt? From him to all the way to right. Those are my people.” All sorts of warm fuzzies; let me tell you. Not enough to keep me from hitting the other players- I mean the ice- though.

It was a great game: 5-0 us. And no, I didn’t get any goals. I’m waiting for a dramatic opportunity. I didn’t watch all three parts of the Mighty Ducks trilogy to rush my moment. Disney done taught me right. Luckily for me, there are no Disney rules about fights. (Loop-hole!)

Now it’s true that I may be a little biased, but I have a pack with my avid audience to write you only the honest, balanced truth. I’ll tell it just the way it happened.

There was a girl on their team, #44, who we’ll call Dating a Ref Cheater- Darcy for short. So Darcy was throwing elbows, slashing and pulling all sorts of minor penalties at the beginning, but as we started to make her team look more and more like frightened fourth graders she got a little frustrated. Old Darcy grabbed one of my center’s sticks, skated with it and threw it in the other direction. For those less avid hockey friends out there, yes, that is illegal. And no, I have no idea how the ref, Dating a Cheating Player (Dacpy doesn’t really work, so we’ll call him Stripes) missed that. With a minute left on the clock, we were over by their net. Goalie covers the puck and Stripes blows the whistle. Darcy, not sufficiently embarrassed by losing 5-0, tried to start a fight with my wing and then me. Stripes blows the whistle again and we line up next to the net. The puck drops and shoots behind the net. Darcy and I race for it and I knock her off her skates and flat on her back. Phenomenal. And a great noise, by the way.

Quick back-story for extra credit: I played offense when I first started in 2001, but by 2003 my team needed me to switch to defense because I was one of the few players who could skate backward. When I got to college I just kept to defense. Until about two weeks ago when I made the switch back, and now I have only one question: What the hell was I doing back there?! Offense is way more fun, faster and more intuitive. I spend less time in my head and more time thinking if that makes sense. But I digress- beautifully, but I digress nonetheless. Back to the update.

After the game there were hugs all around and then my parents went home. And THEN my friends and I went out. We hit the Cleveland Park Bar and Grill, which, turns out, is a great place. We each got a few beers. Except Mike. My dear, tiny, Asian friend Mike had a vodka martini like any good Bond fan and got TOASTED. I have been waiting for that moment for three and a half years. And it was everything I thought it could be. So friendly, so enthusiastic, so drunk. We had a great time and stayed until last call (around 2:30-ish.) I think I finally crashed around 5:30- only to wake up five hours later and go to the zoo to visit the Red Pandas. (Gotta love DC.)