Sustainability Commons^™

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.

Participatory System Dynamics Modeling For Sustainable Environmental Management: Observations From Four Cases, Krystyna Anne Stave

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

Sustainable environmental management requires a decision support approach that accounts for dynamic connections between social and ecological systems, integrates stakeholder deliberation with scientific analysis, incorporates diverse stakeholder knowledge, and fosters relationships among stakeholders that can accommodate changing information and changing social and environmental conditions. Participatory system dynamics modeling provides such a framework. It supports stakeholder learning about the system and the perspectives of other stakeholders, and can help build social capital among stakeholders. Four cases of participatory system dynamics modeling, which range from no to full participant involvement in model development, support the idea that greater social capital development results …

Building Sustainable Societies: Exploring Sustainability Policy And Practice In The Age Of High Consumption, Cindy Isenhour

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation is an attempt to examine how humans in wealthy, post-industrial urban contexts understand sustainability and respond to their concerns given their sphere of influence. I focus specifically on sustainable consumption policy and practice in Sweden, where concerns for sustainability and consumer-based responses are strong. This case raises interesting questions about the relative strength of sustainability movements in different cultural and geo-political contexts as well as the specific factors that have motivated the movement toward sustainable living in Sweden.

The data presented here supports the need for multigenic theories of sustainable consumerism. Rather than relying on dominant theories of …

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 …

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 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.

Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, Ilonka Zlatar, Cassidee Shinn

Reports (USI)

National and international organizations and programs like the United States Global Change Research Project and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change agree, and scientific evidence indicates, that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions are resulting in global climate change. Unless actions are taken to reverse and reduce the effects of these emissions, future generations will need to either adapt to or bear the burden of the changed environment. Individuals, companies, institutions, municipalities and countries are being called upon during this urgent world crisis. Universities, which support research and education, have a unique opportunity to become leaders in sustainability.
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Green Employees: Organizational Identification In An Environmentally Friendly Company, Jenna Haugen

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Environmental sustainability is an issue facing our global society and one that must be addressed through communication in order to encourage change amongst individuals. The current research focuses on the organization, in this instance a “Green” printing company, and its role in building identification amongst employees. This study focuses on environmental sustainable practices initiated or continued by employees through the use of a directed mission statement and organizational rhetoric. Utilizing individual interviews, the findings suggest that by building organizational identification, more environmentally-friendly practices amongst organizational members may be achieved.

The Very Basics Of Sustainability - An Alternative Viewpoint, Jim Mcgovern

Other resources

This paper examines the context and meaning of the term ‘sustainability’, the factors that determine and govern climate on Earth, the population of the Earth and its trends and influencers, the requirements for sustaining life and the options that are available to humankind. Some viewpoints are presented that are alternative to ‘conventional alternative’ thinking. The author advocates keeping an open mind on all available options, including the use of oil, gas, coal, tar sands, carbon capture and sequestration, nuclear power etc., as well as the technologies that are more widely considered ‘green’ and also argues that humankind needs to face …

The Very Basics Of Sustainability - An Alternative Viewpoint (Slides With Audio) (Large File! To Speed Up Download, Right-Click On "Download" Link To Save To Own Pc.), Jim Mcgovern

Other resources

This presentation sets out the very basics of ‘sustainability’, although a definition of sustainability is not attempted. Some of the very basics are the context in which the Earth and humankind exist in space and time, the Earth’s climate, the Earth’s population and humankind’s options and choices. The author advocates keeping an open mind on all available options, including the use of oil, gas, coal, tar sands, carbon capture and sequestration, nuclear power etc., as well as the technologies that are more widely considered ‘green’. The author also argues that, in addressing the challenges that humankind faces, globally concerted effort …

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 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.

Sustainability Action Plan Booklet, Paul Andricopulos, Ned Thomas

Publications (SD)

Learn about our commitment to maintaining a high quality of life while pursuing a progressive approach to environmental issues. Also, read about our guiding principles with information provided in the new Sustainability Action Plan booklet.

Mine, Yours Or Ours?: The Role Of Local Identity In United Way System Redesign, Elizabeth Claire Monaco

MPA Capstone Projects 2006 - 2015

For-profit and non-profit entities alike are facing the challenges of recruiting and retaining effective leadership, gathering sufficient and competitive capital and achieving long-term credibility as they struggle to assert their legitimacy and ensure sustainability in an ever changing world. These challenges have forced many organizations to consider different business models of operations, including opportunities to partner with others in their sector. There exists a growing list of non-profit federations that are considering and pursuing complete system redesign through the strategic restructuring of their affiliates in response to factors such as competition for resources, environmental and institutional pressures and the effects …

Morning Concurrent Track 2: Creation And Correction Of Myths About Global Warming, Matthew S. Lachniet, Gale Sinatra, Carolanne Kardash, Gita Taasoobshirazi, Doug Lombardi, E. Michael Nussbaum

Education for a Global Future: 21st Century Challenges in Sustainability & Climate Change Education

MORNING CONCURRENT TRACK 2: CREATION AND CORRECTION OF MYTHS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING Moderator Robert Futrell Student Union Room 211 Matthew Lachniet – Global Warming Misconceptions and Myths: Barriers and Opportunities for Communicating Climate Change Science to a Non-scientific Audience Abstract: Opinions on an anthropogenic influence in global warming abound. Within the non-scientific public, the strength of one’s opinion commonly seems to be in inverse proportion to their knowledge of climate science. One reason for this disconnect between reality and opinion is the persistence of many climate change myths in popular knowledge of global warming. These myths are regularly propagated in …

Interview With Michael Imlah, Congregation Shaarie Torah, 2009 (Audio), Michael Imlah

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Michael Imlah by Dennis LaPrade at Congregation Shaarie Torah, Portland, Oregon on March 4th, 2009.

The interview index is available for download.

Creating A Carbon Neutral Campus: The University At Albany’S Climate Action Report, Mary Ellen Mallia, Indumathi, Tina Daniels

Carbon Neutral Plans

This report provides a plan for reducing green house gas emissions.

Opening Remarks, Jay Cox

Syracuse University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Greening The Orange, Carol L. Boll

Syracuse University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Destination Green, Mary Ellen Mallia

Presentations

Presented at the Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium Conference

An Interview With Julian Agyeman: Just Sustainability And Ecopedagogy, Salma Monani

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

This interview with Julian Agyeman, a key originator of the concept of just sustainability, engages Agyeman in discussion of how just sustainability evolved, and how its theoretical and practical dimensions relate to the principles of ecopedagogy.

The 2009 Unlv Campus Sustainability Survey Report, Mark J. Salvaggio

Reports (USI)

In an effort to understand environmental awareness, concerns, practices, and values at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), the Urban Sustainability Initiative (USI) conducted its first campus environmental sustainability survey during the months of March, April, and May 2009. This pilot study was developed to collect baseline data from students, faculty, and staff members at the UNLV campus to be used in a longitudinal study that assesses attitudes and preferences towards environmental sustainability issues. This research project is guided by one of the major goals of USI, which involves reaching out to the academic community to help find workable …

Chancellor's Message, Nancy Cantor

Syracuse University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Examining The Influence Of Restaurant Green Practices On Customer Return Intention, Audrey L. Szuchnicki

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In recent years there has been an increased awareness of how the actions of the foodservice industry are effecting the environment. With this awareness we have begun to see a change in priorities for both new and existing businesses. At the forefront of this change in the "green" direction is the GRA who certifies how eco-friendly an establishment is based on its' environmental guidelines. This study will examine the correlation between customer return intention and the institution of green practices within a restaurant setting. The expected outcome would be that a restaurant that is certified green or, implementing measures to …

University Of North Florida Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory And Projections 2009, Radha Pyati, Katrina Norbom, Megan Walker-Radtke

Campus Sustainability

This report describes the 2009 greenhouse gas emissions inventory of the University of North Florida. Such inventories are becoming more important as society approaches restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions due to their effects on global warming. Greenhouse gas emissions inventories have been conducted on hundreds of campuses in the United States, as well as thousands of other organizations worldwide, including U.S. private corporations. An inventory like this generally forms the initial baseline for a campus climate action plan. Climate action plans have also been created by hundreds of universities and other entities. Following the release of this report, a UNF …

Growing Greener: Step By Step, Alexandra Gomes, Laura E. Abate, Laurie Lyons, Hasna Ross

Himmelfarb Library Faculty Posters and Presentations

In 2008, the Green Himmelfarb task force identified areas in which the staff could easily improve the environmental impact of the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library. This poster presentation is a summary of the library's initiative to evolve into a "green library".

Interview With Michael Menzies, Braeside Farms, 2008 (Audio), Michael Menzies

All Sustainability History Project Oral Histories

Interview of Michael Menzies by Joel DaMetz at Braeside Farms in Estacada, Oregon on June 6th, 2008.

The interview index is available for download.

Slides: The Big Questions, Doug Kenney

Shifting Baselines and New Meridians: Water, Resources, Landscapes, and the Transformation of the American West (Summer Conference, June 4-6)

Presenter: Doug Kenney, Natural Resources Law Center, University of Colorado Law School

7 slides