1.

Campus Sustainability

●​ Definition: Colleges and universities are like small societies, reflecting larger societal
issues like resource use, waste, and pollution.
●​ Purpose: Reduce campus ecological footprints and serve as models for the wider
society.
●​ Key Actions:
○​ Waste Management:
■​ Recycling programs, composting, and "landfill on the lawn" events to track
recyclable materials.
■​ Waste audits to identify recyclable items and improve waste
management.
○​ Green Building Design:
■​ LEED-certified buildings with energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and
water-conserving fixtures.
■​ Use of renewable materials and designs to reduce carbon footprints.
○​ Water Use Efficiency:
■​ Rainwater harvesting, use of waterless urinals, and installation of
water-efficient appliances.
■​ Example: University of Arizona captures monsoon rainwater for campus
use.
○​ Sustainable Transportation:
■​ Electric vehicles, hybrid buses, carpooling incentives, and bike-share
programs.
■​ Use of biodiesel in campus vehicles (e.g., Ball State and Rice
University).
○​ Renewable Energy:
■​ Solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems used to reduce
dependence on fossil fuels.
■​ Example: Middlebury College installed a wind turbine to generate clean
energy.
○​ Campus Gardens and Local Food Production:
■​ Organic gardens provide food for dining halls, promote sustainable
agriculture, and compost food waste.
○​ Curriculum Changes:
■​ Sustainability integrated into coursework across multiple disciplines (e.g.,
Ball State's "Green Initiative" awards).
○​ Sustainable Purchasing:
■​ Universities purchase sustainable products (recycled paper, organic food,
energy-efficient appliances).
■​ Example: Campuses like Chatham College aim for non-toxic,
environmentally safe products.
○​ Habitat Restoration:
 ■​ Projects to restore local ecosystems, remove invasive species, and plant
native plants.

2. Sustainable Development

●​ Definition: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising
future generations' ability to meet theirs.
●​ Triple Bottom Line: Focus on economic growth, social equity, and environmental
protection.
●​ Key Initiatives:
○​ U.N. Millennium Development Goals: Commitments to reduce poverty, promote
education, and protect the environment.
○​ Global Cooperation: Involves governments, universities, and corporations
working toward sustainability.

3. Environmental Protection & Economy

●​ Economic Myths: Critics argue environmental protection hurts economic growth, but
evidence shows the opposite.
●​ Economic Benefits:
○​ Job Creation: Growth in sectors like renewable energy, eco-friendly
manufacturing, and recycling industries.
○​ Increased Property Values: Cleaner environments boost property values and
local tax revenue.
○​ Research Evidence: Studies show that environmental regulations bring
economic benefits that outweigh costs.
○​ Resource Conservation: Protecting ecosystems yields higher long-term value
than exploiting them.

4. Perceived Economy vs. Environment Divide

●​ Sources of Conflict:
○​ Industrialization depletes natural resources and degrades ecosystems, creating
a perception of conflict.
○​ Command-and-Control Policies are seen as costly and restrictive, leading to
resistance from corporations.
●​ Solution: Recognize that economic growth and sustainability can coexist through
sustainable practices.
5. Humans & the Environment

●​ Disconnection: Urbanization and consumer lifestyles detach people from the natural
environment.
●​ Banana Split Example: Demonstrates that even human-made items like banana splits
rely on natural resources.
●​ Call to Action: Foster awareness of human reliance on nature to promote sustainable
decision-making.

6. Strategies for Sustainability

●​ Key Strategies:
○​ Reimagine Economic Growth: Focus on happiness and well-being instead of
endless consumption.
○​ Consume Less: Use circular economies, reduce waste, and adopt sustainable
manufacturing.
○​ Population Control: Support demographic transitions through education,
wealth, and women's empowerment.
○​ Technological Solutions: Develop green technologies like renewable energy
and catalytic converters.
○​ Closed-Loop Production: Shift from linear production (raw materials to waste)
to circular production (waste as input).
○​ Long-Term Thinking: Politicians and companies must prioritize long-term
outcomes over short-term profits.
○​ Local Self-Sufficiency: Support local economies, reduce reliance on global
supply chains, and emphasize community resilience.
○​ Political Activism: Engage in voting, advocacy, and policymaking to drive
sustainability.
○​ Consumer Choice: Purchase sustainable products with ecolabels (organic,
dolphin-safe, recycled).
○​ Research & Education: Use education and scientific research to support public
awareness and policy changes.

7. Economic Growth & Quality of Life

●​ Rethinking Growth: Economic growth should support human happiness rather than
material wealth.
●​ Solution:
○​ Use green taxes to discourage pollution.
 ○​ Phase out harmful subsidies and reflect external costs in the price of products.
○​ Promote consumer-driven change by influencing public policy and corporate
behavior.

8. Population Growth

●​ Carrying Capacity: Earth has limited resources; infinite population growth is impossible.
●​ Solution: Demographic transition reduces population growth through urbanization,
education, and family planning.

9. Technology's Role in Sustainability

●​ Impact: Technology drives population growth but also offers solutions for sustainability.
●​ Positive Tech:
○​ Renewables (solar, wind, geothermal) reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
○​ Green Tech like catalytic converters and recycling technology minimize
environmental damage.
●​ Negative Tech: Exporting polluting technologies to developing countries worsens
environmental impact.

10. Industry Mimicking Natural Systems

●​ Linear vs. Circular Production:

○​ Linear: Resources are extracted, used, and discarded as waste.
○​ Circular: Waste is recycled into new products, similar to natural ecosystem
cycles.
●​ Examples:
○​ Recyclable Carpets: Companies recover old carpets and recycle them into new
ones.
○​ Recyclable Cars: Car manufacturers design cars that can be disassembled for
reuse.

11. Long-Term Thinking

●​ Current Problem: Politicians and businesses prioritize short-term wins over long-term
benefits.
●​ Solution: Shift to long-term strategies that promote sustainability for future generations.
 ●​ Role of Citizens: Voters must push politicians to adopt long-term goals.

12. Local Self-Sufficiency & Globalization

●​ Local Self-Sufficiency:
○​ Supports local production (e.g., local food systems) to reduce dependence on
global markets.
●​ Globalization’s Impact:
○​ Positive: Knowledge sharing, access to technology, and global awareness.
○​ Negative: Cultural homogenization and corporate dominance.
●​ Resistance to Globalization: Movements like WTO protests challenge corporate
control and promote local control.

13. Political Influence & Civic Engagement

●​ Citizen Power: Citizens influence policy through voting, public hearings, and contacting
policymakers.
●​ Case Study: The U.S. environmental laws (1960s-70s) resulted from public pressure.
●​ Takeaway: Margaret Mead said, "A small group of thoughtful, committed people can
change the world."

14. Consumer Power

●​ Vote with Wallets: Buy ecolabeled products (organic, recycled) to influence corporate
production.
●​ Institutional Influence: Schools and companies can influence sustainability by buying
green products.

15. Research & Education

●​ Role of Awareness: Education encourages sustainable behavior.

●​ Case Study: Ball State University uses research and education to model sustainable
practices for students.

16. Precious Time

●​ Urgency: Human impacts like deforestation and overfishing are accelerating.
●​ Call to Action: Act swiftly before the opportunity for change closes.