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Your caption here?
 Send a caption for the above photo to asucontest@grist.org by Wednesday, March 4 at high noon. If yours is deemed the wittiest and greeniest, you could win a win a Grist prize pack, including Grist's book Wake Up and Smell the Planet, a biodegradable coffee mug, and a reusable ChicoBag. Contest details and rules here.
Congratulations to Robert Reed, winner of our most recent caption contest. See his winning entry at left, and check out the runners-up in the "Caption Contest" photo album on the Grist-ASU Facebook page.
If you've captured a moment you'd like captioned, send a photo to pix@grist.org.
TOO HOT IN AZ?
Study sustainability abroad with a cool summer program Down Under
How would you rather spend this summer: trying to beat your Wii bowling score or exploring the incredible worlds of Australia and Fiji? If you didn't choose bowling, take a look at the summer program the School of Sustainability and the School of Human Evolution and Social Change are planning. The itinerary takes you traveling for a month through Australia and Fiji so you can experience the human dimensions of sustainability. En route you will cover a little of everything, from anthropology and political science to ecology and urban studies. The program is open to undergraduates of all fields of study, and the summer coursework will fulfill general studies and science and society requirements. The deadline for application is quickly approaching (March 1) so get more details on the program or visit the Study Abroad website to apply.
 GREEN TEE AFFAIR
Arizona's biggest sporting event chips away at its ecological impacts
by Tara Alatorre, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism
The golf course has gotten a little greener at the FBR Open in Scottsdale thanks to a two-year-old recycling campaign by the Thunderbirds, who host this annual event. As a result, the nearly half a million fans at this year's event, Jan. 29 - Feb. 1, had just as much fun as in previous years, but left behind a smaller heap of trash destined for the landfill. The Thunderbirds' original goal was to recycle 25 percent of the waste collected, but in 2008 the event was able to recycle 37 percent, the equivalent of saving an estimated 1,200 mature trees and avoiding almost 1,000 pounds of landfill methane gas. While results for 2009 aren't in yet, you can read more about the FBR Open's sustainability efforts. Also find out about the NBA's eco-friendly strategies for the All-Star Game held Feb. 14 in Phoenix.
FISHING FOR A LITTLE TRUTH
ASU researcher debunks claims for renewed commercial whaling
There may not be enough fish in the sea, but claims that we can solve the problem by killing more whales are completely fishy, says ASU research scientist Leah Gerber, an associate professor of ecology, evolution, and environmental sciences at ASU's School of Life Sciences. In a recently published paper in the journal Science, Gerber and her co-authors totally sink the myth that whale culling -- the reduction or eradication of whales from ocean ecosystems -- is a way to increase fish catches. "It makes no biological sense," says Gerber. "Culling whales will not increase fisheries catches in tropical waters." Her study discredits efforts to convince the International Whaling Commission to resume commercial whaling and gives muscle to governments and policymakers that support long-term sustainability for ocean ecologies. Fish for more info on Gerber's research or tune in to her recent podcast.
GETTING TRASHED?
'Gurus' clean up campus with powerful recycling mission
A dedicated band of "Recycling Gurus" are infiltrating ASU campuses and keeping students from getting trashed ... by showing them how to lighten the ecological footprints of their residence halls. The Gurus' mantra for recycling compactors: "No glass, no plastic bags, no pizza boxes." Repeat 50 times, please. We tracked down two Recycling Gurus, Alex Davis and Andrew Latimer, and found out what makes them -- and the recycling program -- tick.
Q: Who are the "Recycling Gurus" and what is their mission?
A. The Recycling Gurus are primarily from the ASU RAD Recycling club and represent residence halls across campus. Their focus is to educate residents about recycling and ensure that any issues with recycling in the halls are handled accordingly. Read more.
» The above content is provided by ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability
AN EXCUSE TO FACEBOOK IN CLASS
Check out new climate-action Facebook application, win sweet prizes
Climate change sucks, but you can do something about it by joining Hot Dish, a brand-spankin' new (so new, it's still in Beta!) Facebook application. This is where online activism meets real-world action to fight climate change. Take action, rack up points, and -- once the Action Team goes live -- earn hip rewards like iTunes downloads and more. Sign up at http://apps.facebook.com/hotdish/.
 WATERWORLD
A floating city takes shape in NYC
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Take a good look at your plot of dry land now, folks, because according to the latest projection, the oceans could rise up to 21 feet in some places. Enter the Waterpod, a "floating, sculptural eco-habitat designed for the rising tides" that will set sail from New York City in May.
new in Grist: Waterworld
 A GREENER STIMULUS
The economic-recovery bill includes green funding and drops nuclear and coal subsidies
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The $789 billion economic-recovery bill that Congress passed and President Barack Obama signed last week looks good in terms of green spending. The bill contains at least $62.2 billion in direct spending on environmental initiatives and $20 billion in green tax incentives, while most of the funding for nuclear and coal projects was dropped from the final version. Get the details.
new in Grist: A Greener Stimulus
 THAR SHE BLOWS
A nosy review of recycled facial tissue
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As any sensitive nose knows, the quest for facial tissues that are gentle on both you and the earth is nothing to sneeze at. Is it possible to find a strong, soft schnoz-swiper that doesn't strip the forest? We nose around for recycled tissue options.
new in Grist: Thar She Blows
 HUNGRY FOR CHANGE
U.N. unveils ambitious 'green' food program
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The U.N. Environment Program has unveiled an ambitious seven-point plan to feed the world without polluting it further by making better use of resources and cutting down on massive waste. Get the details here.
new in Grist: Hungry for Change
 BOO WHOO?
Umbra breaks down bamboo origins
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Q. Dear Umbra,
Sustainably grown bamboo is a very good choice for fabrics. But how does the consumer know it is harvested sustainably? After all, some bamboo is clear cut from old-growth stands. Even in cultivated bamboo there are some very unsustainable practices (for instance, harvesting too young). How can you know if the bamboo fabric you are buying is harvested sustainably?
Gar L.
Olympia, Wash.
A. Dearest Gar,
Telepathy is the only way. Close your eyes, put your hand on the fabric, and let a vision of a Giant Panda come in to your mind. If the panda is frolicking, all is well ...
Read the rest of Umbra's answer.
new in Grist: Boo Whoo?
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