what is education for sustainability? jason hamilton dept. of environmental studies & sciences...
TRANSCRIPT
What is Education for Sustainability?
Jason HamiltonDept. of Environmental Studies & Sciences
Ithaca College
Capable of being sustained
Definition: Sustainability
?
What is sustainability?
“Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.”
http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm#sustainability
Definition: Sustainability
At Walmart, we know that being an efficient and profitable business and being a good steward of the environment are goals that can work together. Our broad environmental goals at Walmart are simple and straightforward:
To be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy;To create zero waste;To sell products that sustain people and the environment.http://walmartstores.com/Sustainability/
Definition: Sustainability
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
World Commission on Economic Development. (1987). Our Common Future. England: Oxford University Press.
Sustainability is……
A fundamental concept like “liberty” or “justice”
Alternative Energy
Preserving Biodiversity
Stopping Climate Change
Saving Trees
Green Building
Eating Tofu
First Basic Axiom of Sustainability
The current state of people is not a morally acceptable endpoint
People Below the Poverty Line
http://www.indexmundi.com/map/?t=0&v=69&r=xx&l=en
Zimbabwe 95% Turkmenistan 60%
Haiti 41%
People Living With Water Insecurity
Second Basic Axiom of Sustainability
The current state of people is not a morally acceptable endpoint
We have reached a state where we are negatively impacting the ability of future generations to live
“Human activity is putting such a strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the
planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted.”
“Nearly two thirds of the services provided by nature to humankind are found to be in decline worldwide.”
Time before 2005 (years)
Figure SPM.1
Carbon Dioxide (ppm)
Methane(ppb)
Nitrous Oxide(ppb)
10000 5000 0
Proof that global warming is real
The State of Our Global Temperature
Muir Glacier, Alaska August 1941
Photos by Bruce Molnia, USGS.
The State of Our Global Temperature
Photos by Bruce Molnia, USGS.
Muir Glacier, Alaska August 2004
Third Basic Axiom of Sustainability
The current state of people is not a morally acceptable endpoint
We have reached a state where we are negatively impacting the ability of future generations to live
The major types of problems have to be addressed simultaneously: there is no ranking of importance
Sustainability is the mindset that considers the systemic connections among the major challenges facing humans
impaired immune function
Increased rates of polio and measles
respiratory problems in children
pollution from flaring
Royal Dutch Shell Exxon Mobil Corp
Chevron
vaccination for polio & measles
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Money
Money
reduced
vaccination
rateReduced rates of polio and measles
&
Fourth Basic Axiom of Sustainability
The current state of people is not a morally acceptable endpoint
We have reached a state where we are negatively impacting the ability of future generations to live
The major types of problems have to be addressed simultaneously: there is no ranking of importance
The system isn’t broken
THE CENTRAL LAW OF IMPROVEMENT
Every system is perfectly designed to
achieve the results it achieves.
Donald Berwick
So where do we keep going wrong?
The “50 simple things...” Trap
The Basic Axioms of Sustainability
• The current state of people is not a morally acceptable endpoint
• We have reached a state where we are negatively impacting the ability of future generations to live
• The major types of problems have to be addressed simultaneously: there is no ranking of importance
• The system isn’t broken
Healthy People
Physical Health
Physical HealthMenta
l H
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Physical HealthMenta
l H
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h
Em
otio
nal H
ealth
Physical HealthMenta
l H
ealt
h
Em
otio
nal H
ealth
Spiritu
al H
ealth
Healthy People
Healthy People
Healthy Environment
Healthy People
Healthy Environment
Healthy People
Healthy Environment
Healthy Communities
Healthy People
Healthy Environment
Healthy Communities
Healthy People
Healthy Environment
Healthy Communities
Healthy Trade
Healthy People
Healthy Environment
Healthy Communities
Healthy Trade
Healthy People
Healthy Environment
Healthy Communities
Healthy Trade
Moving Beyond a Sustainability “Mission Statement”
• Goals
• Useful approaches
• Ways to measure progress
Sustainability is the mindset that considers the systemic connections among the major challenges facing humans
• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, etc.
• Ensure functioning of Earth’s life support system
• Develop a global partnership for development
Sustainability: DESD
The UN has declared this the Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development and called for a complete rethinking of the role of education in our world
Sustainability must become the guiding focus and organizing principle of
everything we do.
What?
Learning that is about knowledge and also about doing, being, interacting with others and changing the world
Why?
Prepares learners to enter the workforce as well as handle a crisis, be resilient, become responsible citizens, adapt to change, recognize and solve local problems with global roots, meet other cultures with respect, and create a peaceful and sustainable society
How?
Learning that is enjoyable, hands-on and relevant to life outside school while addressing the problems of our world
Complexity, Systems & Design Thinking
Place-based & Locally Relevant
Agents of change
Sustainability-Oriented Content
Core Learning Objectives of Education for Sustainability:
Ethical/affective values based
Sustainability Must Become Second Nature
Sustainability is about all choices and connections
InvestmentChoices
FormalEducation
CommunityInvolvement
Spiritual Life Personal
Development
PoliticalChoices
Consumption Choices
