1. Education and Action for a Sustainable Future Debra Rowe, Ph.D President U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development Professor Sustainable Energy Technologies and Behavioral Sciences Oakland Community College

2. Part IWhat is sustainable development and what is education and action for a sustainable community? Part II What are our sustainability challenges? Part III National Trends Part IV Solutions and Resources

3. 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.

4. Strong Economy Social Well-being Flourishing Environment Sustainable Society Triple Bottom Line of Sustainability

5. 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.”

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

7. Part IWhat is education for a green and sustainable future? Part II What are our sustainability challenges and solutions? Part III National Trends Part IV Solutions and Resources for you!

8. What are the economic issues of sustainability so important? Family economic health – our loved ones Community economic health – and our neighbors and essential services National economic health – when we import energy and goods, it is a hole in the bucket of our economy Global economic health Unsustainable business policies create human suffering and economics as if people don’t matter

9. Why is environmental responsibility such a high priority? Freshwater withdrawal has almost doubled since 1960 and nearly half the world’s major rivers are going dry or are badly polluted (New Internationalist, no. 329) 11 of the world’s 15 major fishing areas and 69% of the world’s major fish species are in decline (State of the World, Worldwatch Institute) Climate change (global warming) exists, a major culprit is fossil fuels, and impacts are very serious. (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report: Summary for Policymakers: The Science of Climate Change)

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11. Effects -Climate Change uDisruption of food production and the food chain uMore extreme weather events uDisruptions of ecosystems, including water supplies uSpread of disease e.g. West Nile, Malaria, Dengue Fever uSubmersion of land masses – sea level rise 50% of world’s population lives on the coasts = Civilization Disruption and National Security Threat Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, NASA, Pentagon says this is a national security threat, and National Defense University

12. Why are environmental issues important? We are the first generation capable of determining the habitability of the planet for humans and other species. The decisions now are crucial.

13. Why Sustainability Issues are so important Our decisions will create: more scarcity and suffering, or a future of greater abundance and higher quality of life

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

15. Why is EFS such a high priority? 1.Much of the public doesn’t know that we are exceeding the carrying capacity of the planet. (www.myfootprint.org)www.myfootprint.org 2.Public doesn’t know we can reduce human suffering and environmental degradation now while building stronger economies 3.A rapid shift in mindset is needed and education to action is the key.

16. Global Transition – Paradigm Shift Not a list, a more accurate understanding and a lens for all we do From Carbon pollution powered Take, make, waste Living off nature’s capital Market as master Loss of cultural & biological diversity Independence Materialism as goal To Non-polluting powered Cyclical production Living off nature’s income Market as servant Maintain cultural & biological diversity Interdependence Reduced human suffering and higher quality of life goal Thanks to Tony Cortese for this slide

17. A vision of sustainability What would it look life to have a more sustainable lifestyle and a more sustainable community?

18. Part IWhat are green jobs? Part IIWhat is education for a green and sustainable future? Part III What are our sustainability challenges and solutions? Part IV National Trends Part V Solutions and Resources for you!

19. Read Plan B: Mobilizing to Save Civilization by Lester Brown, founder of Worldwatch Institute Explains how to get to sustainable clean energy solutions, sustainable practices and policies, poverty reduction, and economic health, and what each of us can/needs to do Downloadable at www.earth-policy.orgwww.earth-policy.org Great sections to include in any course – actions near the end

20. Examples of what should/could be the norm: Incredible potentials for renewable energies and conservation which keeps the money in the community Benefits of sustainability: Saves Money and builds economic health, Improve Physical Health, Reduce Financial Risk, Improve Quality of Life Sustainable Manufacturing and Business Opportunities Financing and investment for green and sustainable will reap the economic and other rewards We need engagement in sustainability solutions for all

21. Part IWhat is education for a green and sustainable future? Part II What are our sustainability challenges and solutions? Part III National Trends Part IV Solutions and Resources for you!

22. 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…

23. www.uspartnership.org www.uspartnership.org Join for free and use the extensive resources

24. 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) –More accurate economic indicators and markets – Hazel Henderson

25. Trends in sectors – some examples Business – LOHAS - Japan, SOL Sustainability Consortium, Businesses for Social Responsibility, Shareholders, Investors (e.g. Goldman Sachs and Swiss RE) Communities - Mayors Climate Protection and Smart Growth, Sustainable Communities Partnerships, Coalitions, Community Planning K-12 – U.S. Summit and collaboration, national webinars and resources Faith - Religious Partnership and Interfaith Alliance, Regeneration Project Youth – Climate Challenge, Reduce Your Impact, Action Campaigns, Powershift, National Teach-in…

26. Higher education is taking a leadership role to prepare students and provide the information and knowledge to achieve a sustainable society. What does it look like?

27. For higher education, Sustainable Development is being integrated into: Curricula Research Operations Community Outreach and Partnerships Student Life Professional Development Mission and Planning Purchasing public awareness legislation

28. GREAT NEWS!!! Growing National Trend in U.S.: O ver seventeen national HE associations and twenty national disciplinary associations are creating initiatives on Education for Green and Sustainable

29. Committed to the advancement of sustainability throughout higher education

30. Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium www.aashe.org/heasc 1.Presidents 2.Academic Officers 3.Student Affairs 4.Trustees 5.Campus Activities 6.Facilities 7.Business Officers 8.Planners 9.Events Directors 10.Recreation Directors 11.Purchasers 12.More….. On campus Sustainability Committees

31. HEASC Resource Center - Socially, economically and environmentally responsible procurement, operations, planning, leadership, learning outcomes and more!!HEASC Resource Center Funding Sustainability and the Business Case for Renewable Energies from NACUBO – the business officers Resources

32. DANS – the Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability www.aashe.org/dans - click on Resourceswww.aashe.org/dans 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…

33. The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment Climate Leadership in Higher Education Over 650 presidents in all 50 states

34. Resources (for presidents, students and you!) Education for Climate Neutrality and Sustainability – very good!!Education for Climate Neutrality and Sustainability 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)ACUPCC Solutions Page

35. HE Sustainability Examples more at www.aashe.org Annual Digestwww.aashe.org Systemic integration Georgia Tech University of North Carolina Arizona State Moraine Valley Community College Lane Community College…. Transportation UC Boulder Many community colleges

36. HE Sustainability Examples more at www.aashe.org Annual Digestwww.aashe.org Green Computing League for Innovation (comm. colleges) Educause Food Marshalltown CC Organic Garden Yale Institutionalization in job descriptions and performance reviews From Cornell to Lane CC to ASU

37. Learning Outcomes ACPA President’s Sustainability Taskforce, 2006 1.Each person will be able to define sustainability. 2.Each person will be able to explain how sustainability relates to their lives and their values, and how their actions impact issues of sustainability. 3.Each person will be able to utilize their knowledge of sustainability to change their daily habits and consumer mentality. 4. Each person will be able to explain how systems are interrelated.

38. Student Learning Outcomes (cont.) ACPA President’s Sustainability Taskforce, 2006 5.Each person will learn change agent skills. 6.Each person 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. 7.Each person 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, other countries … Svanström, Lozano-G, Rowe (2008) “Learning outcomes for sustainable development in higher education”, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education; Volume: 9 Issue: 3; 2008International Journal of Sustainability in Higher EducationIssue: 3

39. Models to choose from – a few examples Oberlin Regional Center of Excellence – Grand Rapids Quincy similar size to a campus – so many models and precedents to choose from Burlington Evergreen/Cleveland Intentional Communities Dayton Ohio NARC – National Association of Regional Councils Mayors orgs./ICLEI U.S. Partnership communities sector

40. Solutions (cont.) via professional development: 1.All of us engaged as effective change agents* to create a sustainable future – put it in job descriptions (e.g. ASU) and include as professional development focus 2.Connect the silos – community as a living lab for a sustainable future 3.Catalyze movement from apathy/fearful/obedient caring, effective involvement (codes of conduct for emotional/interpersonal intelligence) 4.Essential instructional approach – real world problem solving for sustainability (affects completion too) 5.Sustainability literacy and engagement for all students – a 21 st century core competency – in all jobs * Change agent skills list - http://www2.aashe.org/heasc/resources.php#ACP A http://www2.aashe.org/heasc/resources.php#ACP A

41. Key Actions beyond the norm with excellent benefits for you: 1. Colleges and schools are the neutral high credibility source for the public – work with them to 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 healthy green economy! Include pathways out of poverty, discussions on quality of life and happiness research 3. Reach out to associations of builders, mechanical contractors, plumbers, engineers, manufacturers, chambers of commerce, economic developmt agencies, non-profits and others to show them how to go green and sustainable Economics as if people mattered!!!!

42. Modeling for the Public Individuals in the community living more sustainably (it will take many forms) and telling their stories too – posting their stories and the stories of students – e.g. MTV’s Breaking the Addiction to Oil

43. The lab and the schools/campus can also be a community demonstration center for sustainability

44. Next Steps Get it in your assignments and into student life activities Building healthier self-concepts. We can change society for the better. Tell the stories of success and persistence.

45. Community Partnerships

46. Free online match-making for sustainability projects in your community Imagine a where all students get credit for helping to solve our societal problems through their academic assignments. Aids with retention and economic development www.playagreaterpart.org

47. Initiatives Convening education, government, non-profits, businesses and faith networks to envision, plan for and create Sustainable Communities Examples - Creating Sustainable Futures: 1.Penn State (beyond a coal community), 2.Scenario Building 3.Positive Futures Fairs 4.Building local sustainable businesses

48. Real life problem solving for sustainability in all disciplines and as degree core. 1.Students interview govt., businesses, non-profits for possible sustainability projects and post them on the site. 2.Faculty, staff and students (and community volunteers) pick the projects they want to work on/include in academic assignments (script for students to encourage faculty to participate) 3.For big projects, make it a legacy project with multiple semesters. 4.Build in connections to disciplinary concepts and reflections for skill building. We have an open source online networking for sustainability projects free platform for you!!!

49. Play A Greater Part Academic learning combined with real life problem solving for sustainability in all disciplines and in all degrees.* Building healthier self-concepts. “We can change society for the better.” Becoming life long change agents, including resilience, systemic thinking, and interpersonal skills. Example of project listings at http://www.macalester.edu/sustainability/studentproj ects/possibleprojects.html http://www.macalester.edu/sustainability/studentproj ects/possibleprojects.html More info on Campus Based Learning at serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/campusbased/index.html serc.carleton.edu/sp/library/campusbased/index.html

50. Brainstorm Systemic Change 1.How do we want to build a structure so we can work with each other to build the sustainable community? (Where are all the stakeholders in the community already meeting? How else can we tie it to existing community initiatives and gatherings?) 2.Real world projects that will engage students in K-12 and college in solutions to our sustainability challenges – fit into playagreaterpart? 3.What else?

51. Challenges and Answers Challenges Already busy Don’t know this stuff Putting out fires, don’t have time to do the right thing Issues complex and systemic Societal & environmental impacts invisible and ignored Answers Don’t have to know the answers. Just keep asking the sustainability questions. Don’t try to get it perfect first. Use resources and learn from others to help you learn, grow and implement Sustainability is everyone’s job! You have an important role to play. Take big steps.

52. Conclusions 1.The public is not educated enough about the energy and sustainability issues before us. 2.We need sustainability literacy and engagement in solutions for ALL. Technology is part of the answer but there is more. 3.You are creating the future with your daily decisions. 4.You are in a unique and important role to help create a sustainable future. Successful precedents/materials can assist you in the sustainability path you choose as a private person, as an employee, and as a community member. 5.We can model and change consumption, investment, institutional and civic policies and behaviors to create a economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future.

53. The Power of What You Do We can choose a sustainable future

54. Congratulations for all you have done. Congratulations for all you will do in the future. Let your enthusiasm show! For more information, contact Debra Rowe at dgrowe@oaklandcc.edu