Transcript Greening the Campus

Philosophy of Nature
Environmentalism on Campus
Ann Kildahl
Sustainability Manager, HKU
Email: [email protected]
Sustainability?
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Is sustainable development a reasonable goal?
Does the title “Sustainability Manager” make any
sense?
What time scale is appropriate?
Why is the university important?
Why is “environmentalism on campus” relevant
to this course?
Why the university?
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Institutional stability
Core mission: research, teaching, learning
Receptive to new ideas
Able to grasp complexity
Multi-disciplinary approaches
The University’s Critical Role
• Microcosm of the larger
community
• Unparalleled opportunities to
teach, conduct research,
demonstrate and learn about all
aspects of sustainability and
environmental issues
• Students…the Future Leaders
Environment, Sustainability
& Education
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Stockholm to Rio to Johannesburg
EE to ESD
Esoteric to Mainstream
Environment to Climate Change
2005-2014: United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development
Higher Education Sustainability
• Incorporating sustainability concepts into the university’s:
policy, planning & administration, curriculum/teaching,
research & scholarship, service to communities, student
life, and physical operations & infrastructure
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The most successful efforts are interdisciplinary, applied,
and action oriented…
HES Milestones
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Talloires Declaration—1990 (320+)
AASHE
National Wildlife Federation/Campus Ecology
Global Higher Education Sustainability Partnership, IAU
COPERNICUS-Campus (320 +)
American College & University Presidents Climate
Commitment (400 +)
Greening the Campus (I)
Facilities/Operations
ELECTRICITY, HEATING/COOLING, TRANSPORT
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Buildings & grounds
Purchasing
Dining services
Academic departments
Administrative offices and classrooms
Laboratories
Facilities using hazardous materials
Student activities
Greening the Campus (II)
Curriculum
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Architecture, Business, Computer science
Education, Engineering, Geography
International & public affairs, Law, Medicine
Sciences, Media and communications
Urban planning and environmental management…
Goal: Reaching all students and faculty…not only
specialists…incorporating sustainability issues into all areas of the
curriculum.
Greening the Campus (III)
Student participation—Western models
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Hands-on, project-based, participatory learning…research,
policy, practical efforts
Students as leaders, political activists
Proliferation of groups, activities, organizations
“Hierarchy is not sustainable” (CS Chico)
The Asian Century—Implications for HES
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The Asian Century & Ethics…Global leadership means global
responsibility…and demands a fundamental understanding of
environmental issues and our role in creating a sustainable
future…Contemporary and multi-generational issues
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The Asian Century & Action…Climate change and environmental
degradation require urgent action… immediate energy/emissions
reductions and behavioral change
Responding to the need for both “Ethics” and “Action,” universities in
Asia need a two track approach, stressing both practical/physical and
scholarly/academic dimensions.
HES in Asia?
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Are Western approaches to “greening the campus”
relevant in Asia?
What models and approaches would be most appropriate
for China?
What are the philosophical underpinnings of
environmental/sustainability efforts in China?
Models for China…德育?
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Moral Education…3,000 year history?
Broad term encompassing moral, political and ideological
education in China
Adapted to suit societal needs post 1949…
Incorporating new ideas in the economic reform era…
Sustainability component?
Sustainability @ HKU
Facilities?
Accomplishments:
 Early gains from energy reduction efforts initiated in 1991
 Recycling initiated in 2000
Opportunities:
 Accelerate energy audits, retrofitting
 Quantify & reduce HKU carbon footprint
 Revive & improve waste management, conservation, recycling
 Increase transportation efficiency
 Introduce green purchasing
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Increase cooperation with local & regional facilities teams
Sustainability @ HKU
Curriculum?
Accomplishments:
 Extensive course offerings in the sciences, architecture, urban
planning/environmental management…
 Expanding efforts in law, business, public affairs…
Opportunities:
 Expand efforts across all 10 faculties; increase interdisciplinary efforts
and introduce new core courses
 Centennial campus…40% student increase, 200 new faculty
appointments
Sustainability @ HKU
Student Activities?
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Greenwoods
Residence halls’ green groups
Climate Change Coalition
Fair Trade
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Opportunities!
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Centennial Campus & 4-year Curriculum
• An unprecedented opportunity to
make HKU a leading model of
university sustainability in Asia
• The ideal environment for learning,
teaching, and research…cuttingedge design, technologies, materials,
resource use, operations,
transportation
 New academic models…unique
opportunities for innovation and
cross-disciplinary collaboration
facilitated by larger campus,
increase in student intake, new
faculty hiring
Greening the Campus—Key stakeholders
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University leadership
Faculty
Estates
Administrative staff
Students/student organizations
Donors
Alumni
Community…government,
business, NGOs, education,
civil society…
Contractors and Suppliers…
HKU—Broader Goals
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Raising the university’s profile
Attracting top-notch faculty and students
Excellence in scholarship
Globally-aware graduates
Expanding academic links, international
exchange programs, collaborative efforts
Enhancing alumni & community relations
Fundraising
Philosophy of Nature
Environmentalism on Campus
Ann Kildahl
Sustainability Manager, HKU
Email: [email protected]