Instructor Resources for Sustainability Teach-In

Introduction to Sustainability

What is sustainability?

A state of balance where the relationships between society, economy, and environment are maintained such that the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations of people and ecosystems to meet their own needs.

The role of the University

  • Prepare future leaders by researching sustainability strategies and educating about sustainability principles.
  • Demonstrate environmentally, socially, and economically responsible practices for the campus, surrounding community, State, and Nation.
  • Create and develop innovative solutions for pressing global issues and act as a model for best practices.
  • Provide a healthy learning environment where civic engagement and an elevated sense of environmental stewardship thrive in the community

Powerpoint Presentation from the Office of Sustainability

Briefing on Campus Sustainability, Energy Use, Global Warming and other important facts.

Briefing on Sustainability Teach-In

Helpful and interesting links

The Story of Stuff

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever. 

YouTube’s Sustainability Channel: Sustainability Media Project

The Sustainability Media Project is for all videos related to sustainability. We are especially looking for videos which inspire others to be more self-reliant in how they live: food, energy, housing. "How to" videos are especially useful here. This group is for farmers, biodiesel planners and everybody who is interested in learning how to better protect and live on the Earth in health and peace.

Ray Anderson (Founder and Chairman of Interface Carpet) on Sustainability

The story behind the video is now legend: the "spear in the chest" epiphany Ray Anderson experienced when he first read Paul Hawken's The Ecology of Commerce, seeking inspiration for a speech to an Interface task force on the company's environmental vision. Fourteen years and a sea change later, Interface, Inc., is nearly 50 percent towards the vision of "Mission Zero," the journey no one would have imagined for the company or the petroleum-intensive industry of carpet manufacturing which has been forever changed by Anderson's vision. Mission Zero is the company's promise to eliminate any negative impact it may have on the environment, by the year 2020, through the redesign of processes and products, the pioneering of new technologies, and efforts to reduce or eliminate waste and harmful emissions while increasing the use of renewable materials and sources of energy.   More.....

 

Articles on Sustainability: Science, Practice, policy

"Governance for Sustainability" -Derk Lorbach, Dutch Research Institute for Transition

"Editorial on Sustainability E-Journal" - E.O. Wilson, Pellegrino University Research Professor

"Sustainability: Science or Fiction?" - Pim Martens, Maastricht University

"Sustainable Development: How to manage something that is subjective and can never be achieved" Kemp and Martens, International Center for Integrated Assessment and Sustainable Development and Maastricht University

"Obstacles to and potentials of the societal implementation of sustainable development: a comparative analysis of two case studies"  Kastenhofer and Rammel, Institute for Ecology and Conservation Biology, University of Vienna

Roots of Sustainability Science: a tribute to Gilbert F. White,  Maurie Cohen,

lIMITS TO gROWTH

"The History and Conclusions to the Limits of Growth" Donella Meadows

"Limits to Growth: 30 year update" Donella Meadows, Jorgen Randers, and Dennis Meadows

Business

The Business Case for Sustainability

Naturally Successful features interviews with some of the country's top business consultants, educators, authors and speakers who are inspiring entrepreneurs worldwide. They offer insights on entrepreneurship, with a focus on building a values-driven business, providing meaningful leadership, achieving results beyond profits, serving customers, thinking long-term, seizing opportunities in new and existing markets, creating a thriving business and embracing a new type of capitalism.  A copy of the DVD is currently in the possession of Debra Scammon, U of Utah Department of Marketing mktdls@business.utah.edu 

Ecological Footprint Introduction

Ecological Footprint Calculator

Global Footprint Network Calculator

Ecology Fund Footprint Calculator

EcoBusiness Footprint Calculators

Fine Arts

Sustainability-related issues in the Fine Arts arena include:

1) types of materials and venues used in creating all forms of art, and

2) messages about environmental stewardship, economic security, and social justice sent via artistic expression.  

Here are a few URLs that provide some insight regarding relationships between sustainability issues and art.   

SustainCommWorld- Peter Max Poster Created Through Sustainable Green Process

Corporate Social Responsibility News- International Group of Artists Contribute to Global Awareness of Sustainability at the Opening of A New Gallery in Chelsea

Sustainability and Contemporary Art- Art and Sustainability

World Changing, Change Your Thinking- Beyond Green: Toward a Sustainable Art

Science

Sustainability-related issues in the Science arena include:

1) social and environmental impacts of materials, methods and venues used in performing scientific research, and

2) ways that scientists might inform diverse audiences about environmental stewardship, economic security, and social justice. 

PNAS: Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences- Sustainability science: The emerging research program

FORUM: Science and Innovation for Sustainable Development- Learn about science and technology for sustainability

Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy- e-Journal

Law

Green Biz: Business. The Environment. The Bottom Line.- Adding the Environment to the Scales of Justice

Green Biz: Green Guide for Lawyers

Sustainability Law Blog- PGE Rolls Out First of 15 Plug-In Hybrid Charging Stations

Health

Sustainability-related issues in the Health arena include healthcare, clothing and food, personal development, fitness products, eco-tourism and more.  Each of these topics can be related to the three pillars of sustainability: environmental stewardship, economic security, and social justice. 

Here is a URL that provides some insight regarding relationships between sustainability issues and health.  We are looking for more resources…..   

LOHAS: Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability- Changing our footprint on the environment

 

Psychology

Teaching Psychology for Sustainability- A Manual of Resources

Psychology and Education for Sustainable Development- Psychology Network Final Report

Center for Earth Leadership- Psychology for a Sustainable Future