Debra Rowe, Ph.D President U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development Professor Sustainable Energy Technologies and Behavioral Sciences Oakland Community College
Sustainability is
meeting the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
~ Our Common Future, United Nations Brundtland Report, 1987
the shared responsibility for improving the quality of life for alleconomically, socially, and environmentally now and for future generations.
Flourishing Environment
Strong Economy
Ecosystem
Ecosystem
What we do:
Convening mainstream national leaders Catalyse their national initiatives in sustainability Communicate their efforts Build collaborative partnerships Work with governmental agencies
Higher education is taking a leadership role to prepare students and provide the information, skills and knowledge to achieve a sustainable society.
For higher education, sustainability and green is being integrated into: legislation public awareness
Curricula Research Operations Mission and Planning Community Outreach and Partnerships Purchasing
Student Life
Professional Development
Students, staff and community members know how to and choose to be more environmentally, socially and economically responsible.
Where? In the personal, career, community and governmental spheres.
1. Much of the public doesnt know that we are exceeding the carrying capacity of the planet. (www.myfootprint.org)
2. Public doesnt know we can reduce human suffering and environmental degradation now while building stronger economies 3. Core pedagogy. Education to action is the key. Catalyzing sustainable communities as academic assignments.
In higher education, we focus on the problems and engage students and the community in building solutions
declining
rising
AACC AASCU AASHE ACCED-I ACE ACPA ACUHO-I AGB APPA CCCU NACA NACUBO NAEP NAICU NIRSA SCUP
American Association of Community Colleges American Association of State Colleges & Universities Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Association of Collegiate Conference & Events Directors - International American Council on Education College Student Educators International Association of College & University Housing Officers International Association of Governing Boards of Universities & Colleges Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers Council of Christian Colleges & Universities National Association for Campus Activities National Association of College & University Business Officers National Association of Educational Procurement National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Society for College & University Planning
Resources
HEASC Resource Center - Socially, economically and environmentally responsible procurement, operations, planning, leadership, learning outcomes and more!!
DANS the Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability www.aashe.org/dans click on Resources Including sustainability in many disciplines and degrees
American Psychological Association Sociology Religion Philosophy Math Broadcasting Architecture Engineering (civil, mechanical, eng. ed.) Business
Ecological Economics Chemistry Biology American Association for the Advancement of Science Computer Research Humanities STEM disciplines Political Science Anthropology More
1. 2.
3.
4.
Each student will be able to define sustainability. Each student will be able to explain how sustainability relates to their lives and their values, and how their actions impact issues of sustainability. Each student will be able to utilize their knowledge of sustainability to change their daily habits and consumer mentality. Each student will be able to explain how systems are interrelated.
5. 6.
7.
Each student will learn change agent skills. Each student will learn how to apply concepts of sustainability to their campus and community by engaging in the challenges and solutions of sustainability on their campus. Each student will learn how to apply concepts of sustainability globally by engaging in the challenges and the solutions of sustainability in a world context.
These outcomes match international declarations and other countries learning outcomes Svanstrm,
Lozano-G, Rowe (2008) Learning outcomes for sustainable development in higher education, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education; Volume: 9 Issue: 3; 2008
Essential instructional approach real world problem solving for sustainability Opportunity!
1. All of us engaged as effective change agents* to create a sustainable future include as professional/personal development focus
1. Campus/school as a living lab and open to the public use the media
1. Catalyze movement from apathy/fearful/obedient caring, effective involvement (healthy selfconcepts & emotional/interpersonal intelligence)
2. Sustainability literacy and engagement for all students a 21st century core competency in all jobs * Change agent skills list http://www2.aashe.org/heasc/resources.php#ACPA
Shopping for sustainability in their college choices Creating initiatives on campus and in the community Involved in policy, nationally and locally Changing curricula Reducing waste and pollution and supporting family wage jobs Changing faculty, staff, community leaders and the media and more!
Opportunity Faculty Development that creates interdisciplinary collaborations. You have five minutes: Faculty - Take a big idea you have to teach in your course and a big sustainability idea. Create a learning activity that includes both. Everyone else - Take your job activities and/or your daily activities and think about how you can make them more sustainability oriented in your behaviors, the normal practices or the policies in the institution. Describe the actions you can choose to help build a culture of sustainability. Now share in the large group! Thanks to Jean MacGregor at Evergreen for this idea.
Resources from the ACUPCC to make us literate about our challenges and engaged in solutions
Education for Climate Neutrality and Sustainability very good - Opportunity!! Energy Performance Contracting Toolkit ACUPCC Voluntary Carbon Offset Protocol ACUPCC Climate Action Planning Wiki ACUPCC Reporting Tool ACUPCC Implementation Guide ACUPCC GHG Inventory Brief ACUPCC Webinar Series ACUPCC Solutions Page (includes links to further resources)
Education and Economic Development Resource Center at www.TheSeedCenter.org now have a Community of Action around Policy for students, staff, presidents, the public - Opportunity
www.aashe.org Opportunities: Sign up for the free bulletin Search the extensive resources and the digest Use STARS Sustainability Tracking and Rating System
Key Actions:
1. Colleges and schools are the neutral high credibility source for the public working with your government offices, non-profits and businesses, motivate the public to take action.
2. Convene sustainability partnerships, community forums, community education, etc. to catalyze entrepreneurship, and organizational and government policies that will build a sustainable economy! Include pathways out of poverty, discussions on quality of life and happiness research
Economics as if people mattered!!!!