Education and Practical Actions for a

Sustainable Future in the U.S.

Debra Rowe, Ph.DPresident

U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable DevelopmentProfessor

Sustainable Energy Technologies and Behavioral SciencesOakland Community College

Key Concepts, Overview of Trends, and Resources

• Part I What is sustainable development and what is education for a sustainable future?

• Part II National Trends and Examples

• Throughout: Resources and Opportunities

Green jobs: the obvious choices Traditionally, community college, career and

technical education, and even the National Science Foundation

focus on technicians:

Energy auditorWind energy technicianInsulation and weatherization technicianPhotovoltaics (solar electricity) installerThermal solar installer (hot water and space heating

and pool heating)

Upstream green jobs: the other jobs needed so technicians get employed

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Products Financiers and Manufacturers and Distributors and Salespeople

Energy Policy Analyst and LegislatorsEmployee in state and local energy related offices HVAC and other types of contractors with energy efficiency and

renewables expertise/product lineEnergy Service Company (ESCO) Corporate Social Responsibility OfficerSustainability Oriented Purchasing Agent and Business VPEnergy ManagerFacilities Director

Partial list of green jobs: the less obvious choices?

Resource Conservation/Efficiency ManagerMeasurement and Verification TechnicianManufacturing – Product Design/Developer, Production

Designer, Material Scientist, Production workerEnvironmental Engineering TechnicianBiomass Plant Designer, Manager, Technician…Utility Plant OperativesHVAC/ Building Automation Technician Controls SpecialistRefuse & Recycling WorkerSustainable Agriculture: farmer, distributor, marketer…Groundwater heat pump contractor/installerWave power system designer/installerForestry & Wildlife Manager

Partial list of green jobs: the less obvious choices??

Hydrogen, batteries, compressed air, and other energy storage specialists

Water Reservoir and watershed engineerGreen Building Design Specialists: Materials Designer,

Distributor, Installer …Heating/Cooling/Ventilation Scientist and Engineer, ….Electrical TechnicianEnergy Statistician Recycling DirectorEnvironmental Maintenance WorkerGreenhouse Gas Analyst/Broker…

Partial list of green jobs: the less obvious choices???

Industrial EngineerEngineering ManagerGreen products distribution designer/manager Sales & Marketing Staff for Sustainable ProductsBrownfields Real Estate DeveloperSustainable Business Process DesignerCorporate Recycling ManagerEnvironmental EconomistSustainability EntrepreneurEnvironment, Health and Safety DirectorEnvironmental Quality Certification SpecialistGeographic Information Systems Specialist

Partial list of green jobs: the less obvious choices????

Hazardous Materials HandlerSustainable Operation Manager/consultantSocially Responsible Investment AdvisorSustainability OfficerTrainer/Educator for Green JobsSustainability CommunicationsFostering Sustainable Neighborhoods Community OrganizerEnvironmental JournalistPermaculture Designer and Contractor Sustainable Landscape ArchitectNatural Resources ManagerSustainable Communities Planner

Partial list of green jobs: the less obvious choices?????

Sustainable Development Policy AnalystGroundwater professionalRestoration EcologistClimate Change Risk Assessor and Mitigation ExpertSustainable Transportation PlannerWater Pollution Control TechnicianWatershed ManagerWildlife BiologistAgricultural Extension SpecialistEnvironmental Communications SpecialistEnvironmental Conflict ManagerPower Purchase Negotiator

The Pervasiveness of GreenSOC listings are incomplete

Every job will have a green component to it, since we all make green related decisions in all of our jobs.

Doing nothing supports energy waste, toxins, food chain disruption and ecosystem destruction. Costly in dollars and in human suffering of billions - unacceptable.

From green to sustainability.

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

Another way to think about Sustainability is:

the shared responsibility for improving the quality of life for all—economically, socially, and environmentally—

now and for future generations.

StrongEconomy

SocialWell-being

Flourishing Environment

SustainableSociety

Triple Bottom Line of Sustainability

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.”

 

Applied Knowledge/

TechnologicalSkills

Private Choices and Behaviors-Habits

Public Choices and Behaviors-Laws

Sustainable Communities

Sustainable Economies

EcosystemEcosystem

EcosystemEcosystem

Key Government Initiatives

•Sustainability Summit•Green Ribbon Schools!!! •Including Green/Sustainability into Career Pathways for State Directors of Career and Tech Ed•Funds from multiple federal agencies in energy/environment/climate change – NOAA, EPA, NSF, FIPSE…•“Sustainability Improves Learning in STEM”

U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development:

•Convening mainstream national leaders•Catalyst their national initiatives in sustainability•Communicate their efforts•Build collaborative partnerships

What we do and you can be part of the “we”:

Vision: Sustainable development integrated into education and learning in the United States

• Non‐partisan, multi‐sector partnership of over 360 registered organizations

• The Partnership’s current Sector Teams are:

– Communities

– Business

– Faith Based Organizations

– Higher Education

– K-12 and Teacher Education

– Youth

Higher education is taking a leadership role to

prepare students and provide the information, skills and knowledge to achieve a sustainable society.

What does it look like?

(The following slide can also be a guideline for who is on your

sustainability committee.)

For higher education, sustainability and green is being integrated

into:

Curricula Research

Operations

CommunityOutreach andPartnerships

Student Life Professional Development

Mission andPlanning Purchasing

public awarenesslegislation

Thanks to Wynn Calder for this diagram

KEY THRUST – KEY OUTCOME

21st century learning outcomes require sustainability perspectives and skills

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.

Why is it 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)

2. Public doesn’t 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.

life supporting

resources

declining

consumption of life supporting

resources

rising

In higher education, we focus on the problems and engage students and the community in building

solutions

Committed to the advancement of sustainability throughout higher education

AACC American Association of Community Colleges AASCU American Association of State Colleges & UniversitiesAASHE Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher EducationACPA College Student Educators International ACUHO-I Association of College & University Housing Officers International APPA Association of Higher Education Facilities OfficersCCCU Council of Christian Colleges & UniversitiesNACUBO National Association of College & University Business OfficersNAEP National Association of Educational ProcurementNAICU National Association of Independent Colleges & UniversitiesNIRSA National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association

Higher Education Associations Sustainability Consortium www.aashe.org/heasc Professional

Associations for:

1. Presidents2. Academic Officers3. Student Affairs4. Campus Activities5. Facilities6. Business Officers7. Planners8. Recreation Directors9. Purchasers10. More….. All Working on Sustainability

•HEASC Resource Center - Socially, economically and

environmentally responsible procurement, operations,

planning, leadership, learning outcomes and more!!

Resources

DANS – the Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability

www.aashe.org/dans -

DANS – the Disciplinary Associations Network for Sustainability – Participating Associations

• 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…

Academic Disciplines and U. S. Partnership created DANS

Infusing green/sustainability into:

1. Curricula, including textbooks2. Promotion and tenure and accreditation3. Informing legislation and policy4. Informing the public5. Professional identity as an academic6. Grant received from U.S. Dept of Ed Click on “Resources” at www.aashe.org/dans -

scroll down the page!!!

Student Learning OutcomesACPA President’s Sustainability Taskforce, 2006 –

College Student Educators International

1. Each student will be able to define sustainability.

2. Each student will be able to explain how sustainability relates to their lives and their values, and how their actions impact issues of sustainability.

3. Each student will be able to utilize their knowledge of sustainability to change their daily habits and consumer mentality.

4. Each student will be able to explain how systems are interrelated.

Student Learning Outcomes (cont.)

ACPA President’s Sustainability Taskforce, 2006

5. Each student will learn change agent skills.

6. 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.

7. 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 … Svanström, 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

1. All of us engaged as effective change agents* to create a sustainable future –include as professional/personal development focus

2. Campus/school as a living lab and open to the public – use the media

3. Catalyze movement from apathy/fearful/obedient caring, effective involvement (healthy self-concepts & emotional/interpersonal intelligence)

4. Sustainability literacy and engagement in solutions for all students – 21st century core competency – in all jobs

* Change agent skills list - http://www2.aashe.org/heasc/resources.php#ACPA

We Offer Professional Development

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.

The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment

Climate Leadership in Higher Education

Over 650 presidents in all 50 states

Resources from the ACUPCC to make us literate about our challenges and engaged in solutions

• Education for Climate Neutrality and Sustainability – very good!!

• 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)

Three more Key Sites about activities

1. U.S. - Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education – www.aashe.org Sign up for the free bulletin and search the extensive resources and share what you are doing, STARS

2. World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics International Sustainability Group sharing curricula and other resources - http://wfcp.accc.ca/

3. American Association of Community Colleges and its members colleges – a leader in greening the curricula and the community – visit their Sustainability Education and Economic Development Resource Center at www.TheSeedCenter.org

Resources on:

• curricula,

• college success stories,

• components (genome) of a quality green program,

• industry standards and certifications,

• competencies, community partnerships

Sectors: Solar, Wind, Green Building, Energy Efficiency, Agriculture, Transportation, Sustainability

40

• AACC’s SEED Policy Action Plan Toolkit!

»http://www.theseedcenter.org/Resources/SEED-Resources/SEED-Toolkits/AACC-s-SEED-Green-Action-Plan-Series

41

Community of Action: Policy and Civic Engagement to Grow Green Jobs and

Sustainable Communities

ecoAmericastart with

people

K-12 & Teacher Education Sector 2012 Priorities

• Standards & Assessment - NASDCTEC• International Connections• Webinar/National Education for Sustainability Week• K-12 National Organizations Network• Sustainability Fellows• Teacher Education • Policy• Resource sharing and community building via Website

and Listserv – www.uspartnership.org

K-12 educational trends – links for your site

• Sustainability Standards – national, from www.uspartnership.org under K-12 (and integrated into other standards)

• Environmental literacy curricular plans in 40 states

• K-12 National Associations Network for Sustainability, including NSTA, NCSS, ACTE, AASA (teachers of science, social studies, technical ed, superintendents)

Education for SustainabilityNational Standards – Version 3.0

Students: 1: Understand and are able to apply the basic concepts and principles of sustainability.2: Recognize the concept of sustainability as a dynamic condition characterized by the interdependency among ecological, economic, and social systems and how these interconnected systems affect individual and societal well-being. Develop an understanding of the human connection to and interdependence with the natural world. 3: Develop a multidisciplinary approach to learning the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to continuously improve the health and well-being of present and future generations, via both personal and collective decisions and actions.

Table 1: EfS Grade Band Concepts – Summary Chart

ComponentK-4

5-8(Building on topics and areas of

study in K-4)

9-12(Building on topics and areas of

study in 5-8)1.1Intergenerational Responsibility

Family Generations (grandparents, parents,

children)

Responsibility to Future Generations Intergenerational Equity

2.1 Interconnectedness

Relationships Historical Connections Sense of Place

Systems Interdependency

Systems Thinking Cradle-to-Cradle Design

2.2Ecological Systems

Connection to Nature Plants, Animals, Habitats

Natural Resources (renewable & non-renewable)

Biodiversity Ecosystems Ecological Footprint (including Carbon

Footprint) Carrying Capacity Environmental Stewardship Nature as Model and Teacher

Respect for Limits Respect for Nature Tragedy of the Commons Environmental Justice Biomimicry Urban Design/Land Management Natural Capital

2.3Economic Systems

Human Needs and Wants (food, water, energy, shelter)

Equity Resource Scarcity Energy Economics Ecological Economics Food Systems

Poverty Ecosystem Services Alternative Indicators and Indexes of Progress Globalization True (or Full) Cost Accounting Triple Bottom Line Micro Credit

2.4Social and Cultural Systems

Family and Friends Personal Identity Happiness Fairness Collaborative Learning

Cultural Diversity Multiple Perspectives Citizenship Resource Distribution Population Growth Quality of Life Indicators Education

Human Rights Social Justice Peace and Conflict Multilateral Organizations International Summits, Conferences,

Conventions, and Treaties Global Health Appropriate Technology Governance

3.1Personal Action

Setting Goals Communicating Ideas Making a Difference

Personal Responsibility Personal Footprint Calculation Critical Thinking Problem Solving Project Planning and Action

Accountability Lifelong Learning and Action Personal Change Skills and Strategies

3.2Collective Action

Setting Goals Working Together

Designing a Sustainable System Structural vs. Personal Solutions Democracy Societal Footprint Calculation Local, State, and National Sustainability

Plans

Local to Global Responsibility Community-Based and Societal Level

Decision-Making Public Discourse and Policy Organizational and Societal Change Skills and

Strategies

EfS Standards - Grade Band Concepts

International Connections

Building Connections and Networks with International Partners (Australia, Japan, New Zealand, India, China, Scotland, and Sweden…)

Teacher Education

•Work with Universities and Colleges of Teacher Education to promote Education for Sustainability pedagogy and content

•Special interest group with the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education

•Develop a network of the Universities and Colleges of Teacher Education

•Document case studies of programs engaged in ESD

Active Sustainability Efforts can create:

•Multi pronged approach to change

•Nurture sustainability champions

•Think and act systemically

•We can assist you!! – Strategies, resources, and ABCs of celebration and preventing burnout

•SISBRO

Key Actions:

1. Colleges and schools are the neutral high credibility source for the public – working with your government offices, non-profits and businesses to collaborate and 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 even happiness research. (Look at community resources at www.uspartnership.org )

Economics as if people mattered!!!!

Sustainable living community plans, roadshow, support group, celebration.

Help to create systemic change! Thousands of schools and colleges are:

1. Teaching green specific courses, certificates and degrees: renewable energies, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, green in transportation, water, manufacturing, etc. and into all technical programs

2. Teaching sustainability specific courses in hundreds of schools, colleges and universities and integrating sustainability into thousands of existing courses,

3. Integrating sustainability into educational core for students in all degrees

4. Educating and catalyzing the employers and the public to be more sustainable

Congratulations for all you have done.

Congratulations for all you will do in the future.

Let your enthusiasm show – welcome others to join in!

You have a unique and important role…

For more information, contact Debra Rowe at dgrowe@oaklandcc.edu