Is There a Culture of Sustainability at Santa Clara

University? A Quantitative Measure

Liza DadiomovEnvironmental Ethics Fellow 2009-2010

AASHE 2010 Conference

Is There a Culture of Sustainability at Santa Clara

University? A Quantitative Measure

Liza DadiomovEnvironmental Ethics Fellow 2009-2010

AASHE 2010 Conference

What is a culture of sustainability?

• Culture: A set of shared values, beliefs, goals and practices.

• Sustainability: Meeting the environmental, economic and social needs of the present without compromising those needs of the future.

• Culture of sustainability: A community that exhibits a widespread understanding of sustainability as well as an intentional commitment to support it.

“As a Jesuit and Catholic University, we have the responsibility to provide leadership in developing a more sustainable way of living. By embracing sustainability, the University furthers its mission to act as a voice of reason, conscience, and service to society.”

- SCU Website

Why Culture? • Insight into campus mentality, motivation, and

values• Helpful tool for the development of

sustainability programs

Background Research

• Interviews with undergraduate students

(Mooney, 2008)• Survey of undergraduate students

(Asmar, 2009)

The Survey

Survey composed of 7 questions about: 1. Definition of sustainability

2. Behavior

3. Motivation

4. Self-esteem

5. Relevance to professional life

511 participants: • 73 faculty members (response rate of 7.4%)• 125 staff members (response rate of 13%) • 247 graduate students (response rate of 5.2%)

Which is most relevant to sustainability?

Environmental (M=6.22), Economic (M=5.70), Social (M=5.23). F (2, 1008) = 181.86, p< .001

How are people motivated to be sustainable?

Actual Effectiveness

1. Driving a fuel efficient car (greatest impact)

2. Improving home insulation

3. Eating less beef

4. Recycling

5. Using energy efficient appliances 6. Adjusting thermostat

Perceived Effectiveness

1. Recycling (perceived greatest impact)

2. Using energy efficient appliances

3. Improving home insulation

4. Driving a fuel-efficient car

5. Adjusting thermostat

6. Eating less beef

Misperception of Effectiveness of Behaviors

(Bonini and Oppenheim 2008)

What are people already doing?

Personal (M=3.96), Civic (M=3.01), Transportation (M=2.83), Diet (M=2.45). F (3, 1302) = 385.81, p<.001.

Other notable results• Negative effect of the use of the word

“environmentalist” • Sustainability moderately relevant to professional

life

So, is there a culture of sustainability at SCU?

No, because:

• No widespread understanding of the concept • No intentional commitment to the behaviors most

important for sustainability

Sustainability remains a sub-culture at SCU rather than a widespread culture.

Recommendations 1. All three dimensions of sustainability should be

emphasized equally.

2. The word “sustainability” should be used rather than “environmentalism.”

3. Reward/incentive systems should be avoided and instead programs should appeal to the identity of the individual and the community.

4. The impact of eating habits on the environment should continue to be promoted through dining services as well as the urban garden.

5. Santa Clarans, charge!

Recommendations 1. All three dimensions of sustainability should be

emphasized equally.

2. The word “sustainability” should be used rather than “environmentalism.”

3. Reward/incentive systems should be avoided and instead programs should appeal to the identity of the individual and the community.

4. The impact of eating habits on the environment should continue to be promoted through dining services as well as the urban garden.

5. Santa Clarans, charge!

Recommendations 1. All three dimensions of sustainability should be

emphasized equally.

2. The word “sustainability” should be used rather than “environmentalism.”

3. Reward/incentive systems should be avoided and instead programs should appeal to the identity of the individual and the community.

4. The impact of eating habits on the environment should continue to be promoted through dining services as well as the urban garden.

5. Santa Clarans, charge!

Recommendations 1. All three dimensions of sustainability should be

emphasized equally.

2. The word “sustainability” should be used rather than “environmentalism.”

3. Reward/incentive systems should be avoided and instead programs should appeal to the identity of the individual and the community.

4. The impact of eating habits on the environment should continue to be promoted through dining services as well as the urban garden.

5. Santa Clarans, charge!

Recommendations 1. All three dimensions of sustainability should be

emphasized equally.

2. The word “sustainability” should be used rather than “environmentalism.”

3. Reward/incentive systems should be avoided and instead programs should appeal to the identity of the individual and the community.

4. The impact of eating habits on the environment should continue to be promoted through dining services as well as the urban garden.

5. Santa Clarans, charge!

Recommendations 1. All three dimensions of sustainability should be

emphasized equally.

2. The word “sustainability” should be used rather than “environmentalism.”

3. Reward/incentive systems should be avoided and instead programs should appeal to the identity of the individual and the community.

4. The impact of eating habits on the environment should continue to be promoted through dining services as well as the urban garden.

5. Santa Clarans, charge!

Acknowledgments

• Markkula Center for Applied Ethics • David DeCosse• Lindsey Cromwell-Kalkbrenner• Amara Brook• Sean Watts• Michelle Bezanson • Eleanor Willemsen

Questions?