Transcript UN Mexico Rowe

Campuses Creating a
Sustainable Future and Going
Green: Resources for You
Debra Rowe
President
[email protected]
Professor
Renewable Energies and Behavioral Sciences
www.ceret.us
Founder
Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability
Co-coordinator
Higher Education Associations’ Sustainability Consortium
Advisor
Association for the Advancement of
Sustainability in Higher Education
www.aashe.org
Today’s Topics
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What is Sustainability and Greening?
Examples and Resources: Create
sustainability related activities and
policies on campus
Part III National Trends
Part IV
Conclusions
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Throughout this session = Next Steps for You
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Part I
Part II
Sustainable Development
is often defined as:
“meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of
future generations to
meet their own needs”
World Commission on Env. and Development. (1987).
Our Common Future. England: Oxford University Press.
The Three Components of Sustainable Development
What Businesses call “The Triple Bottom Line”
Healthy
Ecosystems
Healthy
Communities
Sustainable
Society
Healthy
Economies
Education for a
Sustainable Society:
“enables people to develop the knowledge,
values and skills to participate in decisions
…, that will improve the quality of life now
without damaging the planet for the future.”
Extend critical thinking to
change agent skills
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Resilient
Optimistic
Committed
Tenacious
Assertive
Cope effectively
with change
• Emotionally
intelligent
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Persuasive
Empathetic
Coalition builder
Mediate and
resolve conflicts
• Challenge the
status quo
effectively when
appropriate
Extend critical thinking to
change agent skills
• See the small steps and the systemic
changes needed for a more sustainable
future, convert it into a tasklist and
timeline, and follow through effectively.
Ecosystem
Sustainable Communities
Ecosystem
Public Choices and
Behaviors-Laws
Applied
Knowledge/
Technological
Skills/ Values
Private Choices and
Behaviors-Habits
Sustainable Economies
Ecosystem
Ecosystem
Why Sustainability Now?
We are the first generation capable of
determining the habitability of the
planet for humans and other species.
life supporting resources
declining
Global Perspective
consumption of
life supporting resources
rising
Climate Change
Effects in Our Lifetime
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Climate change = = Civilization Disruption
Disruption of food production and the food chain
More extreme weather events
Disruptions of ecosystems, including water supplies
Spread of disease e.g. West Nile, Malaria
Submersion of land masses –
was 1 to 4 foot sea level rise - now up to 48 feet
50% of world’s population lives on the coasts
Sources: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, EPA
Plus according to the Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment, all ecosystems
are stressed and at risk!
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Getting to the fun stuff!
Public unaware that we are exceeding the carrying
capacity of the planet. The U.S. has approximately
5% of the world’s population and is consuming 25%
of the world’s resources.
Public unaware that we can build stronger
economies that will produce quality of life and reduce
human poverty and suffering, environmental
degradation and social injustice now.
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A rapid shift in mindset is needed and
education to action is the key.
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SHIFT OUR Institutions’ and our
Society’s
CULTURE AND POLICIES
You can help make
sustainability “cool”!
What You Can Do –
Most Important Next Steps
What You Can Do On Campus?
Sustainability film series - with
discussions afterwards that lead to
possible actions
Sustainability speakers
Sustainability entertainers
Sustainability related community
projects
Clothing and other stuff swaps
Sustainability living contests in
collaboration with residential halls
Examples and Resources
from you
What will you do next?
Take multiple steps each semester
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Small but permanent impacts, such as
signage on energy and pollution savings
 work
with facilities, bookstore, and graphic
arts profs
 use downloadable poster
 sustainability primer
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Annual events
 Freshman
pledge
(www.graduationpledge.org)
 Sustainability living campaigns
What will you start with?
Take multiple steps each semester
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Add sustainability to all your events
 Trash
free events, Fair trade products
 Carbon neutral music and other events
 Campus Consciousness Tour www.reverb.org
 Green music – list of 185 artists and 277
different songs – will be on NACA’s site soon
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Reach out to other groups to go green
 Mayors,
businesses and non-profits
 Dining halls – local and organic – waste
sculptures
What will you start with?
Take multiple steps each semester
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Use the media – students have the power
 Create
visuals and call the TV stations and
newspapers
 YouTube, Facebook and Twitter what you do
 Engage MTV-U to include sustainability ideas
 USA Today wants your stories =
www.usatoday.com/educate/college/voices/green.
htm
 Also upload your videos to
http://www.campussustainability.info/
The media is coming to us
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Time/CNN;
Newsweek;
Washington Post;
New York Times;
MTV;
HE publications;
Science Magazine
You can help change media – MTV story
Local Professional Development
Offerings You can Use
1. “Campus Sustainability Catalyzing
Days”: Targeted Meetings plus
Faculty/Staff Development.
2. Capturing the Shifting Campus
Culture on Video to Promote More
Positive Change - put in the
recreational buildings/union/MTV-U
What will you start with?
Take multiple steps each semester
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Be part of the national events:
 National
Teach-In on Climate Change – show the
webcast
www.nationalteachin.org
 Powershift – www.powershift09.org
 Recyclemania – www.recyclemania.org/
 Campus Ecology and National Campus Chill Out –
www.nwf.org/campusecology/chillout/
 Create
your own at www.thinkMTV.org
 Campus energy wars MN- www.teammn.org/mcec.html
Building self-concepts in staff
and students:
You can help change society!!
Imagine students and staff literate in the
real world sustainability challenges and
engaged in the solutions
Provide the models and opportunities for
practicing the changing of behaviors and policies
www.playagreaterpart.org
Imagine a country where all college students get
involved in helping to solve our societal
problems through their academic assignments
and residential/student activities.
What will you start with?
Take multiple steps each semester
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Bring in entertainers and events that can
also teach sustainability
 Sustainable
Waves
www.sustainablewaves.com/
 Sustainable Living Roadshow
www.sustainablelivingroadshow.org/
Eco-info zone
 Solar stage
 Conscious carnival midway
 Renewable fuel vehicles
 Green market place
 Green film festival
 Green educators
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Environmentally aware
entertainers/managers/events…
Umphrey McGee organization, Native Energy,
etc.
 Campus GreenGame - players come up with
actions, plans, and policies that lead to
lowering the campus footprint and that reduce
operating costs www.bigpicturesmallworld.com/colleges/green
game.shtml
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ACPA Presidential Taskforce on
Sustainability
“Tool Kit” for Creating a Better World:
Ideas for Campus Activities that
Support and Educate About
Sustainable Living
http://www.myacpa.org/taskforce/sustainability/docs/Tool_Kit_Campus
_Activities.pdf
ACPA – Residential Curricula
Culture Making and Legislative Activities:
Each student participating in a campaign as a
freshman, and then organizing a campaign.
Ex. – UNC ICARE, Fair Trade, Campus Climate
Challenge, Political Campaigns, Student
Green Fees, Divestment (ex: Sudan), Nike
(tell the stories!)
Climate Change
We can’t have watered down legislation
Civic engagement – Feed in tariffs or
auction the credits!
Take out paper and pencil and make
some choices –
I’ll scroll through
Then let’s share what we’re creating!
NACA listserv under Blogs and
Forums!
Join us as in the national work!
Part III National Trends
More possibilities
U.S. Partnership for Education for
Sustainable Development:
Convene, Catalyze and Communicate
Sector Teams: Business, Higher Education, K-12,
Communities, Faith, Youth…
The United Nations
Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development
Leverage for action!
Select examples internationally in
higher education:
ESD is a guiding principle in the
European Union.
A requirement for all graduates in Sweden.
World Federation of Colleges and
Polytechnics
Sustainability is smart
business:
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Cradle to Cradle (McDonough) – clean factories
Biomimicry (Benyas – Like nature, efficient and not
toxic) – Butterflies and snail wisdom
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
(www.wbcsd.org)
Natural Step (Sweden and U.S.) – building
agreements
Natural Capitalism (Lovins, Harvard Business
Review) – negawatt
Ethical Markets – Hazel Henderson
Mid-Course Correction – Ray Anderson – no toxic
legacy
Trends and resources in
sectors – some examples
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Business - LOHAS, SOL Sustainability Consortium,
CERES, Businesses for Social Responsibility,
Shareholders, Investors (e.g. Swiss RE)
Communities - Mayors Climate Protection and
Smart Growth, Grand Rapids model
K-12 – Nat. Assoc. of Independent Schools, U.S.
Partnership resources
Faith - National Religious Partnership and
Interfaith Alliance, Regeneration Project
Youth – Driving the changes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GREAT NEWS!!! We’ve created a
National Trend in higher education
1. National higher education associations
and disciplinary associations are
creating initiatives in education for
sustainable development.
2. Three national networks with resources
for you!
Societal
Outreach:
Media
Operations
Purchasing
Curricula
Legislation
Professional
Development
Research
Mission and
Planning
Student Life
Alumni
Community
Partnerships
For higher education,
Sustainable Development integrated
into the above areas.
1. The Initiative
• Signed by over 600 presidents & chancellors
• Goals:
– model climate neutrality for society
– contribute research & educated students to solve
climate crisis and help create a sustainable
society
www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org
(c) 2007 Presidents Climate Commitment. All rights reserved.
Engaged National HE Associations
to assist you.
1. ACE–Am. Council on Ed.
2. AAC&U – Assoc. of
American Colleges and
Universities
3. AACC – Am. Ass. of
Community Colleges
4. AASCU – State Colleges
and Universities
5. AGB –
Governing Boards
6. ACUHO-I - Housing
7. NAEP –
Educational Buyers
8. APPA –
Facilities Officers
9. NACUBO –
Business Officers
10. SCUP – College and
University Planners
11. ACUI – Student Unions
12. ACPA – Student Affairs
13. NACA –
Campus Activities
14. NACS – Campus Stores
AND OTHERS
2. Higher Education Associations
Sustainability Consortium –
www.heasc.net – resource center
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Professional standards and resources for your staff!
Sustainability is part of everyone’s job!
Shared professional development,
Shared publications,
Sustainable practices/policies,
Informing the public about higher education’s
commitment to sustainability.
Governance & Management
Presidents & Trustees
AASCU’s Public Purpose Magazine; Sustainability Article in ACE’s The
Presidency Magazine; Sustainability Panel at AGB Conference; AACC’s
Education for Sustainable Development Website – monthly conference calls
Student Services – help educate
the staff – connect them to HEASC
Housing ACUHO-I, Student Life - ACUI’s
“Why Sustainability” Page, NAEP’s
Sustainable Purchasing Page
Governance & Management
Planning & Management
Association Publications:
Business Officer, Facilities
Manager, Planning for
Higher Education, and
many more
Governance & Management
Planning & Management
Collaboration – HEASC Resource
Center
Articles online, Professional
Development, including
Campus Sustainability Day,
Business Case for
Alternative Energy book
from APPA, NACUBO &
SCUP.
Student Affairs – www.myacpa.org
Primer, list of possible campus activities,
and chart of learning outcomes, including
change agent skills!
3. Disciplinary Associations Network
for Sustainability – DANS
www.aashe.org/dans
• American
Psychological
Association
• Sociology
• Religion
• Philosophy
• Math
• Broadcasting
• Architecture
• Engineering (civil,
mechanical, eng. ed.)
• Business
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Ecological Economics
Chemistry
Biology
American Association
for the Advancement
of Science
Computer Research
Humanities
Women’s Studies
Political Science
Anthropology………
NCSPOD
DANS – Infusing sustainability into:
1. Curricula, including cross-disciplinary
approaches
2. Promotion and tenure and accreditation
3. Legislative briefings
4. Informing the public
5. Professional identity as an academic
Very exciting – share with your faculty and
help them bring sustainability challenges and
solution building into their classroom! Every
discipline has a unique and important role to
play and most academic disciplines are
already involved.
National Professional Development
Offerings You can Use
1. Campus Sustainability Day (CSD)
– Oct
2. HEASC, DANS and PCC faculty
and staff oriented webinars
3. Faculty Development Offerings
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AASHE
U.S. Partnership
Contact me for more info on the
above
Curricular Initiatives
• In General Education Core
• Infused Throughout Curriculum
• Programs, Degrees, Institutes, Centers
Changing the norms!
If we don’t use the voice and the
credibility of higher education to help
create positive visions and actions,
we will not create a sustainable
future. You are in an important
position to catalyze education for
sustainability.
What You Can Do –
Build on the Trend
1. Point to the national trend.
2. Provide the “obedient middles” with
resources to act.
3. Build toward the critical mass. Be
inclusive.
4. Multiple entry portals.
5. Post accomplishments and
tell the stories!
What You Can Do –
Engage faculty and students PLUS:
facilities, purchasing, community
partnerships, bookstores, planners, IT…
everyone!
Ask for their help!
Toot their horns!
Key Phrases to get Participation
1. “You have unique and important
contributions to make to help create a
sustainable future. We can’t imagine
doing this without you!”
2. “We have all these resources for you.”
3. “How can we help you with your
sustainability initiatives?”
4. Follow up and nurture them.
We have seen increased involvement and
resistance break through across the
institutions!!!!!!!
Resources Used
• AASHE Bulletin (weekly, free)
• AASHE Digest (annual digest of
stories by topic) – www.aashe.org
• www.heasc.net/sustainablefuture
Conclusions so far
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The U.S. public is not educated enough
about sustainability issues and solutions.
We need sustainability literacy and
engagement for ALL. We all need skills to
change consumption behaviors and policies.
Use the national trends to shift attitudes on
campus.
You are in a unique and important position. It
is important to be a systems change agent.
We can help you.
Share what you are doing with our national
and international networks. Set precedents
for others.
If you feel overwhelmed or unsure,
don’t give up!!
There are people you can talk to
about how to create success
What do you need to institutionalize
year long social and environmental
responsibility?s.
The Power of What You Do
We can choose a
sustainable future
Congratulations on all you have
already done.
[email protected]
Most importantly, congratulations
on what you will do next!!!!!!!!!!!
Let your enthusiasm show!
Questions or Comments?
Debra Rowe
[email protected]
Let your enthusiasm show!