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Education and Actions for a Sustainable World

Education and Actions for a Sustainable World . Debra Rowe President. dgrowe@oaklandcc.edu Professor Renewable Energies Technologies and Psychology www.ceret.us U.S. Designee World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Sustainability Group www.wfcp.org Co-coordinator

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Education and Actions for a Sustainable World

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  1. Education and Actions for a Sustainable World

  2. Debra RowePresident

  3. dgrowe@oaklandcc.edu ProfessorRenewable Energies Technologies and Psychology www.ceret.us U.S. Designee World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics Sustainability Group www.wfcp.org Co-coordinator Higher Education Associations’ Sustainability Consortium Founder Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability Senior Advisor Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education www.aashe.org

  4. Today’s Topics • Part I What is Education for a Sustainable World? • Part II National Trends in the U.S. • Part III Examples, Resources and Opportunities for You • Part V Conclusions

  5. “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. Sustainable Development is often defined as:

  6. 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.”

  7. The Three Components of Sustainable Development What Businesses call “The Triple Bottom Line” Healthy Ecosystems Healthy Communities Healthy Economies Sustainable Society

  8. Ecosystem Ecosystem Sustainable Communities Public Choices and Behaviors-Laws Applied Knowledge/ Technological Skills/ Values Private Choices and Behaviors-Habits Sustainable Economies Ecosystem Ecosystem

  9. Why Sustainability Now? We are the first generation capable of determining the habitability of the planet for humans and other species. The typical general core requirements and the typical curricula are crucially inappropriate

  10. Global Perspective life supporting resources declining consumption of life supporting resources rising

  11. 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 In addition to climate change, according to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, all ecosystems are stressed and threatened. Effects in Our Lifetime

  12. Why is EFS so Important? • 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. Here, high per capita emissions. • Public unaware that we can build stronger economies that will produce high quality of life and reduce human suffering, environmental degradation and social injustice now. • A rapid shift in mindset is needed andeducation to action is the key. SHIFT CULTURE AND LEGISLATION

  13. Part II National Trends

  14. U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development: Convene, Catalyze and Communicate www.uspartnership.org Sector Teams: Business, Higher Education, K-12, Communities, Faith, Youth…

  15. The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable DevelopmentLeverage for action!

  16. Business principles of sustainability: • Cradle to Cradle (McDonough) • Biomimicry (Benyas – Like nature, efficient and not toxic) • World Business Council for Sustainable Development (www.wbcsd.org) • Natural Step (Sweden and U.S.) • Natural Capitalism (Lovins, Harvard Business Review) • Ethical Markets – Hazel Henderson • Mid-Course Correction – Ray Anderson

  17. Trends and resources in sectors – some examples • Business – Corporate Statement calling for Sustainability literacy and solutions, CERES, Shareholders, Investors (e.g. Goldman Sachs), Response to European Union laws • Communities - Mayors Climate Protection and Smart Growth, Grand Rapids – regional approach • K-12 – Nat. Assoc. of Independent Schools, Summit, standards, U.S. Partnership resources • Faith - National Religious Partnership and Interfaith Alliance, Regeneration Project • Youth – Climate Challenge, Reduce Your Impact, Action Campaigns, Driver… • Frame – take action or be left behind

  18. Legislation Societal Outreach: Media Operations Curricula Purchasing Professional Development For education, Sustainable Development integrated into: Mission and Planning Research Student Life Community Partnerships Alumni

  19. The Initiative Signed by over 600 presidents & chancellors in all 50 states Goals: model climate neutrality for society contribute research educate and engage students to solve climate crisis and address sustainability challenges www.PresidentsClimateCommitment.org

  20. ACE–Am. Council on Ed. AASCU – State Colleges and Universities AACC – Am. Ass. of Community Colleges AAC&U – Assoc. of American Colleges and Universities AGB – Governing Boards 6. ACUHO-I - Housing NAEP – Educational Buyers APPA – Facilities Officers 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 GREAT NEWS!!! We’ve created a National Trend in higher education

  21. Governance & ManagementPresidents & Trustees & Regulators

  22. Student Affairs ACPA main sustainability page, student flyer, primer, list of possible campus activities, and chart of learning outcomes!

  23. Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium – www.heasc.net – resource center • 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.

  24. American Psychological Association Sociology Religion Philosophy Math Broadcasting Architecture Engineering (civil, mechanical, eng. ed.) Career and technical education Ecological Economics Chemistry Biology American Association for the Advancement of Science Computer Research Humanities Women’s Studies Political Science Anthropology More… Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability – DANSwww.aashe.org/dans

  25. Infusing sustainability skills and principles into: • Curricula for all programs and areas • Promotion and tenure and accreditation • Informing legislation • Informing the public • Cross-disciplinary approaches • Funding • Professional identity as an academic Very exciting – tell your faculty!

  26. The media is coming to us • Time/CNN; • Newsweek; • Washington Post; • New York Times; • MTV; • HE publications; • Science Magazine.

  27. Share what we do as models and possibilities for our society. Changing the norms!

  28. Lessons Learned Build on the Trend • Point to the innovators and share the emerging trend. • Provide the “obedient middles” with resources to act. • Build toward the critical mass. Be inclusive. • Tell stories of people making a difference. • Learn together. Keep asking questions.

  29. Key Phrases to get Participation • “You have unique and important contributions to make to help create a sustainable future. We can’t imagine doing this without you!” • “We have all these resources for you.” • “How can we help you with your sustainability initiatives?” • Follow up and nurture them.

  30. Important Steps to Shift SocietyThree major initiatives: 1. Collaborative Media Project 2. Legislation for Sustainability 3. Real World Problem Solving for Sustainability

  31. President Obama:$500 million for green jobs training Climate Change: U.S. can’t have watered down legislation; possibly 1% for education = billions from auctioned creditsSenators eliminated funding for energy efficient retrofits in education and federal buildings.We are engaged, but not enough, in educating legislators about legislation for sustainability C

  32. 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 solutionsProvide the models and opportunities for practicing the changing of behaviors and policies

  33. 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.

  34. For Learning Outcomes: Include Change agent Skills No more armchair pontificators

  35. Change Agent Skills • Resilient • Optimistic • Tenacious • Committed • Assertive • Cope effectively with change • Emotionally intelligent • Persuasive • Empathetic • Coalition builder • Mediate and resolve conflicts • Challenge the status quo effectively when appropriate

  36. Part III Examples, Resources, and More Opportunities for You

  37. Resources Used • AASHE Bulletin (weekly, free) • AASHE Digest 2007 (annual digest of news stories by topic) – www.aashe.org

  38. 1. Institutionalizing Sustainability Through Planning

  39. Sustainability in Mission, Planning, Guiding Documents & Reports • In Vision, Values, or Mission Statement • Ex: Lane CC – core value • Ex: Warren Wilson – mission statement • City College of San Francisco - trustees resolution • In Institution’s Strategic Plan (35+) • In Residential Curricula • In Campus Master Plan (40+)

  40. Sustainability in Guiding Documents & Reports (continued) • Sustainability Plan or Report • Policies (Sustainability in Procurement, Investment, Energy, Building, and Job Descriptions, etc.) • Ex: Western Carolina U - energy conservation • Ex: Houston CC – green procurement • Ex: Duke – socially responsible investing • Ex: Cornell and ASU – job descriptions

  41. Sustainability in Guiding Documents & Reports (continued) • Sustainability Assessments • Frameworks for Assessment – AASHE STARS • Websites (260+) • AASHE design guidelines • New sites in 2005-2006 - CSU Chico, Broward CC, Duke, Colorado State…

  42. Sustainability Staff & Structure • Committee, Task Force • Reports at a high level • Put into all job descriptions and annual reviews • Sustainability Offices

  43. Awards, Recognition, Celebration • Campus Sustainability Day (CSD) – Oct 24 • CSD in fall; Earth Day in spring • Campus Theme for Year (or Month) • Ex: St. Olaf College (2005-6) • Ex: Willamette U – Sustainability Month • Internal Awards & Recognition • External Awards • AASHE Leadership Awards • State & local awards

  44. 2. Incorporating Sustainability into Facilities

  45. Green Buildings • Green Building Policies (70+) New and Remodeled Buildings and community planning • Good visuals for the media • Use permanent signage to educate students and society! • Labs – University of California, Santa Barbara, useful website • LEED – USGBC.org and also net zero and ecologically restorative

  46. Sustainable Dining • Farm-to-Cafeteria Movement (400+ campuses) • Sustainable Dining Initiatives- sculpture from food waste

  47. Fuel & Energy – all good visuals for media • Biofueled Fleets • Renewable Energy & Energy Conservation – still need policy shifts on the state and national level

  48. 3. Student Life and Curricular = Leaders in Sustainability

  49. Opportunities to engage the faculty and students • Carbon neutral events • Paint the new coastline • Community Film Series • Sustainability Living Campaigns • Sustainable Future Fair – great model for reticent faculty • 3 pages of possibilities at myacpa.org

  50. Pledges & Declarations Pledges, Targets, Resolutions • Freshman and Graduation Pledges - social and environmental responsibility – www.graduationpledge.org

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