Contribution Nr. 2

A friend gave me some links on the education for sustainability! Thank's a lot!!!

http://www.econation.co.nz/
http://www.econation.co.nz/basic-sustainability-tips.html

http://www.greenkiwi.org.nz/
http://www.greenkiwi.org.nz/efs.html

This citation is from one of the pages:

"We need to teach our children and students the fundamental facts of life – that one species' waste is another species' food; that matter cycles continually through the web of life; that the energy driving the ecological cycles flows from the sun; that diversity assures resilience; and that life, from its beginning more than three billion years ago, did not take over the planet by combat but by networking."

– Fritjof Capra

Comment: education is not only done in classrooms or during university lectures - you can contribute to show others what you think is important whenever, wherever and the way you think is most suitable!!!

Thank you for your contributions (Nr.1)

There have been a few contributions sent to me. it is really cool that actually some people seem to give thoughts to what is presented here...

Contribution one - HABITATS:

Habitats are the natural living space of every species (fauna/flora). Due to human influence these spaces are getting more and more scarce for the living beings (causes can be: urbanisation, farmland, introduced species that create competition for the native species...).

It is therefore important to find out what can be done to protect habitats that still exist and how to re-establish habitats that will provide space for vulnerable native species (this can be done eg. by modern "landscape design" to change structures in cities to raise the amount of different plant- and animal species together with providing a better living area for us humans)

UN-Habitat therefore annually celebrates "World Habitat Day" to "reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all, to adequate shelter".

Check out: http://www.unhabitat.org/categories.asp?catid=669

Course on sustainability

How could sustainability be educated at undergraduate level at a university?

Here is a suggestion... --> Parts of it can maybe also help you for your personal relationship to sustainable development!

_____________________________________________________________

General Information on the course:

· Beginning of each lecture: short presentation (5 min. + 5 min. discussion) on a sustainability issue (depending on the topic)

· General structure: from broad to narrow, from known to unknown

· Homeworks (what was dealt in class the week before? hand in every week a page on the topic eg. 10 times 3 %)… eg:

o Assignment 1: what is sustainability for you / understanding of the topic

o Assignment 2: Critique on sustainability…

o Assingment 10: Field Trip report

Lectures

1. Introduction

a. 10 min. of lecture – examples of sustainability

b. Why is sustainability important

c. What do you think

d. brief discussions on sustainability

2. Brundtland report + definition of sustainability

a. 3 pillars of sustainability +

b. Discussion of interdisciplinarity

c. Integration of all pillars (evenly/fit to situation)

d. How is sustainability recognized around the world (contracts)

3. Field Trip

a. Eg. Taking part in a tree planting day, local cleaning up project…

4. Critique on sustainability

a. Rehearsal of Field trip

b. What are problems of facing sustainability

c. Are there different points of view (cultures, social classes, religion)

d. eg what is: “Greenwashing”

5. Economic pillar

a. Money

b. Markets

c. Neo-classical theory

d. Role of business vs. finite resources

e. Ethics in economy

f. Environmental Management systems (eg. Natural step)

6. Social/cultural pillar

a. Modern values compared to former values

b. Consumerism

c. How did our problems come about

d. values

7. Environmental pillar

a. Ecological footprint

b. Global environmental issues

c. Changing personal habits

8. Guest lecturer

a. Be prepared for the lecture (questions/critical thinking…)

b. eg. principal advisor for sustainability at city council (eg. Tony Moore)

9. Education for sustainability

a. How can we inform others

b. Actions for sustainability

10. Field Trip

a. Local business

b. Or international NGO

11. Presentations on sustainability and how to put into practice

a. Other examples similar to field trip

12. Concluding class

a. Rehearsal

b. What have we learn

(Thank you: Shaun, Lena, Kana, Elisabeth, Luke, Lea)

Water Footprint and Virtual Water - What is this?

Ever heard of virtual water? It is the water that is needed to produce consumer goods. It means all the irigation, cleaning etc. that goes into the product...

Here are a few examples:
2700 litres for 1 cotton shirt
75 litres of water for one glass of beer
5000 litres of water for 1 kg of cheese
1500 litres of water for 1 kg of cane sugar
(Source: The Water Footprint Network (2011): http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/productgallery&product= [20.09.2011]

In some countries there might be enough water for the production of these goods, but what if production moves to a dry region (because it is cheaper), where people don't even have enough water to supply themselves? Just buy the new fancy T-shirt anyways?

Learn more about the so called "Water Footprint":

e.g. on The Water Footprint Network: http://www.waterfootprint.org/?page=files/home

the pillars of sustainability

In order to achieve sustainability there are four so called "pillars" that should equally be taken seriously... It is believed that only by being sustainable in all the four of them are we be able to guarantee our fellows but also our successors a life they deserve!

Here's the four pillars:
(Source: Sustainable Kingston (s.a.): Community Sustainability; in: http://www.sustainablekingston.ca/community-plan/four-pillars-of-sustainability [16.09.2011]

















What do you think... ?