Sustainability Commons^™

Oregon Natural Areas Plan, Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, deserts, marshes, estuaries, dunes, rocky headlands, lakes and streams. There are a number of reasons it is so diverse. First are the extremes of climate, with rainfall ranging from over 200 inches a year along Oregon’s north coast, to less than 7 inches a year in the Alvord Desert, and temperatures from the very mild banana belt along the coast near the California border to the extremes of the …

Building Capacity For Sustainability Through Curricular And Faculty Development: A Learning Outcomes Approach, Jennifer H. Allen, Jeffrey J. Gerwing, Leslie G. Mcbride

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Portland State University has made integration of sustainability across its academic programs an institutional priority. This article describes the strategies that have been used to engage faculty in developing sustainability curricula, including adopting sustainability as one of eight campus-wide learning outcomes, incorporating sustainability into the general education program, providing faculty development, and developing a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability. The article shares lessons learned and next steps planned to advance Portland State's sustainability curricula.

Climate And More Sustainable Cities: Climate Information For Improved Planning And Management Of Cities (Producers/Capabilities Perspective), C.S.B. Grimmond, Matthias Roth, Tim R. Oke, Y. C. Au, M. Best, R. Betts, Gregory R. Carmichael, Helen Cleugh, Walter F. Dabberdt, Rohinton Emmanuel, E. Freitas, K. Fortuniak, Steven Hanna, Petra M. Klein, Laurence S. Kalkstein, C. H. Liu, Alex Nickson, David Pearlmutter, David J. Sailor, James Voogt

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In the last two decades substantial advances have been made in the understanding of the scientific basis of urban climates. These are reviewed here with attention to sustainability of cities, applications that use climate information, and scientific understanding in relation to measurements and modelling. Consideration is given from street (micro) scale to neighbourhood (local) to city and region (meso) scale. Those areas where improvements are needed in the next decade to ensure more sustainable cities are identified. High-priority recommendations are made in the following six strategic areas: observations, data, understanding, modelling, tools and education. These include the need for more …

Genetically Engineering Crops For A Sustainable Agriculture, David E. Ervin, Rick Welsh

Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations

The article examines the role of genetically engineered (GE) crops in fostering a more sustainable agriculture. An overview of the National Academy of Sciences metal study of the impacts of GE crops on farm sustainability in the U.S. is given. The two types of GE crops are discussed, one which produces its own insecticide called insect resistant (IR) crops and the other is engineered to resist particular herbicides. An explanation for sustainable agriculture is also presented.

Creating A Sustainable And Desirable Future, Robert Costanza

Institute for Sustainable Solutions Publications and Presentations

The article suggests methods of social and economic reform as a means to counter environment impact of pollution resulting from dependence on fossil fuels.

Portland State University Climate Action Plan, 2010, Fletcher Beaudoin, Noelle Studer-Spevak

Campus Sustainability Office Publications, Reports and Presentations

In June 2007, Portland State University (PSU) joined this effort by signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The commitment challenged PSU to form a committee to oversee climate efforts, track carbon emissions, and develop a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to move toward carbon neutrality. This document fulfills the final requirement for ACUPCC and supports regional climate goals of partner agencies, such as those described in the 2009 City of Portland and Multnomah County Climate Action Plan.

Gaining Ground: Wetlands, Hurricanes, And The Economy: The Value Of Restoring The Mississippi River Delta, David Batker, Isabel De Torre, Robert Costanza, Paula Swedeen, John W. Day, Roelof Boumans, Kenneth Bagstad

Institute for Sustainable Solutions Publications and Presentations

This report shows conclusively that physical sustainability and delta expansion secures vast economic benefits locally and nationally. Within the context of the current financial crisis, investment in restoration secures short-term benefits of employment, income generation, greater ecosystem services and other economic benefits, and the long term goals of increased storm protection, greater oil and gas supply reliability and other economic benefits. A sustainable restoration of the Mississippi River Delta is a good investment with a high rate of return. Gaining ground is the most successful economic strategy for securing hurricane defenses and economic development.

Climate Change And Freshwater Resources In Oregon, Heejun Chang, Julie Jones

Institute for Sustainable Solutions Publications and Presentations

Climate change will affect various sectors of water resources in Oregon in the 21st century. The observed trends in streamflow show significant declines in September flow and, although not significant, increases in March flow in many transient rain-snow basins. These streamflow trends are associated with rising temperature and coincident declines in snowpack in spring in the latter half of the 20th century. While there are no distinct trends in high precipitation events, such events are associated with climate variability such as ENSO and PDO. Effects of ENSO and PDO are more pronounced at the beginning and end of the wet …

Integrating Education, Evaluation & Partnerships Into Large-Scale Sustainable Stormwater Management Programs, Vivek Shandas, Anne Nelson, Carine Arendes

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

Integrated stormwater management using green infrastructure shows promise in saving money and mitigating environmental impacts caused by urban development. Equally important are the potential community benefits, including better understanding of ecological systems, increased access to urban green spaces, safer and healthier neighborhoods, and informed residents that are equipped to take action to improve watershed health. As a partnership between the City of Portland Environmental Services, Portland State University, and residents of the Tabor to the River (T2R) neighborhood, we conducted a survey to understand the role of civic ecology in green infrastructure projects. The survey results indicate a high interest …

What Drives Academic Bioscientists: Money Or Values?, David E. Ervin, Sharmistha Nag, Hui Yang, Steven T. Buccola

Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations

The article determines the factors that drive academic bioscience to better understand the role of genetically engineered (GE) crops in the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. Some challenges brought about by GE crops in the U.S. farm sustainability include tracking and controlling water pollution, protecting against herbicide resistance and nitrogen fixation. Professional norms are also considered as a great factor driving the academic bioscience.

Interview With Jim Quinn, Metro's Hazardous Waste Program, 2009 (Audio), Jim Quinn

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Jim Quinn by Sean Quigley at Metro in Portland, Oregon on December 2nd, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Robert Dozono, Blackfish Gallery, 2009 (Audio), Robert Dozono

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Robert Dozono by Greg Plath at Blackfish Gallery in Portland, Oregon on November 21st, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Kimberly Holmes, 4r Sustainability, 2009 (Audio), Kimberly Holmes

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Kimberly Holmes by Patrick Fausel in Portland, Oregon on November 20th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Lee Michael Barrett, Eco-Logistics, 2009 (Audio), Lee Michael Barrett

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Lee Michael Barrett by Angie Cirello in Portland, Oregon on November 20th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Bruce Walker, Bps, 2009 (Audio), Bruce Walker

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Bruce Walker by Zachary Hathaway in NW Portland on November 20th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With David Mcmahon, Cloudburst Recycling, 2009 (Audio), David Mcmahon

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of David McMahan by Allison Dowd at Portland State University on November 19th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Peter Spendelow, Oregon Deq, 2009 (Audio), Peter Spendelow

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Peter Spendelow by Angie Yzaguirre in downtown Portland, Oregon on November 17th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

How Does A Visual Monitoring System Foster Sustainable Behavior?, Melissa Haeffner, Federico Casalegno

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Americans spend upwards of 90% of each day in buildings that account for two-thirds of electricity usage. Because the supply of smart buildings will take time to catch up with demand, efforts are sought to develop informed and educated people to live and work in these “dumb” buildings. Additionally, energy efficiency alone may be inadequate to achieve major reduction in carbon emissions (Darby, 2006). Finding ways to intentionally change the lifestyle behavior in a household should have significant implications in reducing environmental impacts as fossil energy use in resident homes is directly related to the exploitation of natural resources and …

Interview With Rabbi Arthur Zuckerman, Shaarie Torah, 2009 (Audio), Arthur Zuckerman

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Rabbi Arthur Zuckerman by Austin Rosenfeld in NW Portland, Oregon on August 7th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Angela Martin, Village Gardens, 2009 (Audio), Angela Martin

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Angela Martin by Steve Jarosz at Village Gardens, Portland, Oregon on August 6th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Climate Justice: Towards A Proactive Response To Social Inequities, Vivek Shandas

Institute for Sustainable Solutions Publications and Presentations

Discussions about climate change have taken center stage. Claims of 'carbon neutral', and strategies for calculating and mitigating green house gas emissions (GHGs) have become common place from Beaverton to Bali. The discourse on climate change, however, remains largely an environmental one, with increasingly precise definitions of parts per million, downscaling climate models, and regional assessments for reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. These discussions are essential for understanding connections between local sources of GHGs and global consequences of our actions. But health and equity are equally critical dimensions of climate change, although these dimensions have had only limited investigation. Regional …

Interview With Caitlin Blethen, Growing Gardens, 2009 (Audio), Caitlin Blethen

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Caitlin Blethen by Kristin Milner at Growing Gardens Organization Portland, Oregon on July 29th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Rodney Bender, Growing Gardens, 2009 (Audio), Rodney Bender

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Rodney Bender by Sarah Roecker at Growing Gardens Portland, Oregon on July 29th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Sarah Patterson, Lettuce Grow Garden Foundation, 2009 (Audio), Sarah Patterson

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Sarah Patterson by Diane Mahon in Portland, Oregon on July 29th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Steve Cohen, Planning & Sustainable Development, 2009 (Audio), Steve Cohen

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Steve Cohen by Chris Stephens at Ecotrust Building, Portland, Oregon on July 28th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Marissa Madrigal, Jeff Cogen Chief Of Staff, 2009 (Audio), Marissa Madrigal

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Marissa Madrigal by Andrea Schons in Portland, Oregon on July 23rd, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Ted Labbe, Depave, 2009 (Audio), Ted Labbe

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Ted Labbe by Chris Fogg in Portland, Oregon on May 31st, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Tom Patzkowski, Rebuilding Center, 2009 (Audio), Tom Patzkowski

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Tom Patzkowski by Greg Peterson at the Rebuilding Center in Portland, Oregon on May 27th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Ivy Dunlap, Bureau Of Environmental Services, 2009 (Audio), Ivy Dunlap

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Ivy Dunlap by Kris Thomason at Portland State University on May 23rd, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Interview With Kirk Davis, Glumac International, 2009 (Audio), Kirk Davis

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Kirk Davis by Jay Fielding at Glumac International, Portland, Oregon on May 22nd, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.