Why we must act
"Climate, soil, air, water, energy resources, food, fisheries, and biodiversity are all elements of the global commons, and all have prospects that range from uncertain to perilous."
- Editorial, Science
"When scientists and public policy specialists gathered at the Earth Institute at Columbia University, New York, to assess the State of the Planet in 2004, their overriding concern centered on global-scale interactions between the growing human population and Earth processes under increasing strain. The fourfold increase of the human population during the past century, coupled with a roughly 4.5-fold increase of economic activity per person, has led to adverse anthropogenic effects on species extinction, ecosystem functions and biodiversity, climate change, groundwater depletion, soil nutrient losses, and zoonotic disease emergence and transmission, with far too little societal effort invested in mitigating these consequences... There is a public hunger today for information that is not spin or sound bites."
- Editorial, Science
Watch the Education for a Sustainable Future webinar
Listen to Debra Rowe and others as they present a 90-minute webinar on the latest trends in sustainability on campus. Several higher education experts highlight some of the best examples of implementing sustainable projects and practices.
(flash required to view) Click to download Announcements
Announcements and Events
Greening of the Campus VIII: Embracing Change
September 20-23, 2009 - Ball State University
Presented by Ball State University and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
Our society needs ideas and actions that enhance the environmental health and integrity of the places where we live and work. Educational institutions are complex human communities that pose unique opportunities to explore, understand, and respond to the interrelationship of environmental issues. College and university campuses can be a vital link bridging current community needs and understandings with future visions.
"Greening" directly influences every aspect of human culture. It impacts economic, political, technical, philosophical, and cognitive practices in a complex interweaving of ideas and actions.
Management of environmental resources on college and university campuses can have long-term effects on the institutions themselves and on society as a whole. This is a unique opportunity to share effective ideas on environmental issues.
This interdisciplinary conference allows people representing diverse areas in university communities to share information on environmental issues. These areas range from the practical day-to-day management of the physical plant to "green" curriculum development and "green" utilization of campus resources. The areas are bound by common concerns for achieving environmental soundness through safe and sane management of resources. The campus community can become a "green" model for society as a whole by gathering and sharing this information.
Sample of resources available
from DANS members:
Business:
- Aspen Institute - Caseplace.org is a practical and dynamic resource for up-to-date case studies, syllabi and innovative MBA teaching materials on business and sustainability- from corporate governance to sustainable development
Psychology:
Religion:
Links:
For additional resources click here.
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