Environmental Stewardship: Not Just for Scientists

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Environmental StewardshipNot Just for Scientists

• Presented by
• Judi OToole
• Featuring
• Robyn OKane Olga Calderon

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Introduction

• Environmentalism and Stewardship are commonly
  thought of as scientific ideas
• Limits potential for spread of environmental
  awareness
• Fixing the ecological crisis must be a
  collaborative effort

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Introduction

• Teaching in a college arena is an effective way
  of learning
• Particularly new and challenging ideas
• Open discussions, questions and debates
• Critical Thinking

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Why should we teach students about the
Environment?

• It is important that community members learn and
  understand the consequences of their actions
  relative to the environment
• It is up to the student to filter their knowledge
  and teach others about what they can do to curb
  ecologically disruptive habits

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Why should we teach students about the
Environment?

• A commonplace where we all live and jointly
  depend on for every aspect of life
• Garrett Hardins Tragedy of the Commons the
  allocation of resources
• Knowledge of the changing environment opens the
  door for a lot of job opportunities

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Why should we teach students about the
Environment?

• Direct Connection
• Energy bills
• Rising gas costs
• Air pollution
• Water pollution
• Noise pollution
• Aesthetic value of a neighborhood

• Indirect Connection
• Deforestation
• Erosion
• Increased storm ferocity
• Spread of disease
• Loss of species diversity
• Water shortage

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Breaking it Down

• By definition, ecology is the scientific study
  of the distribution and abundance of living
  organisms and how the distribution and abundance
  are affected by interactions between the
  organisms and their environment.
• Applicable to every aspect of life
• Interdisciplinary

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How do I incorporate an environmental element
into my course curriculum?

• Environmental studies can be implemented in a
  multitude of ways
• In-class discussions, homework, projects, tests,
  papers, lab experiments
• Goal Reduction in our ecological footprint
• Creativity and open-mindedness are key

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Example 1 Chemistry

• Use micro-scale experiments
• Neutralize chemical waste to decrease the amount
  of hazardous waste generated
• Benefits the school, instructor, technicians,
  students, and the environment

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Example 2 Mathematics

• Offer problems in the following areas that
  correlate with the environment
• Problem Solving
• Statistics
• Logic
• Proofs
• Graphing
• Modeling

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Example 3 English

• Papers allow you to be creative and implement an
  ecological component in or out of the classroom
• Select environmental-themed literature applicable
  to your topic for class assignments
• Open-class discussions

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Example 4 Social Studies/ History/ Politics

• Form class debates and discussions relative to
  ecology
• The history of the Earth
• Environmental law and the establishment of
  regulatory agencies and legislation to enforce
  them

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Example 5 Engineering

• Teach students about technological innovations in
  environmental planning
• Army Corps of Engineers levee-building, dam
  creation, land hazard assessments, etc.
• Mechanical engineering eco-friendly cars

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Example 6 Construction/ Contracting Trades

• Initiatives in building code development,
• The use of more sustainable materials
• Electrical work innovations in energy saving
  methods
• Other areas Asbestos lead abatement, plumbing,
  roadways, landscaping, HVAC, building operations,
  maintenance, etc.

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Example 7 Communications

• In order to do communications work, you must be
  attuned to your surroundings
• Encourage students to communicate complex topics
  and ideas
• Open debates, mock interviews, PR work
  surrounding ecological issues

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Example 8 Computer Programming/ Design

• Graphics/ web page design designing an
  eco-friendly webpage
• Energy-saving tips
• Learn to use online environmental resources
• Industrial Design create/ modify everyday items
  in an ecological way cars, houses, appliances,
  etc.

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Example 9 Business Management

• Teach students how to integrate business with
  environmental ethics
• Corporate responsibility tied to social
  responsibility
• Sustainable development in business

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Example 10 Food Service

• Gradual shift from Industrial agriculture?
  Ecological agriculture
• Organic produce Whole foods markets
• Sustainable farming practices
• Teach students about a greener food service
  career

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Example 11 Nutrition Fitness

• Knowledge about the ecology of fitness and
  nutrition creates job opportunities
• Adjusting diet and exercise regimes to climatic
  changes
• Ecological approach to nutrition
• Naturalistic approach to exercise

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Example 12 Performing Arts

• Stronger focus on the environment in modern art,
  music and theatre
• Holistic and global themes very common
• Encourage students to portray the ecological
  crisis through art, dance, music, acting

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Extra-Curricular Activities

• Earth Day Celebration, April 2007
• Environmental Club
• Inaugural meeting scheduled for Wednesday,
  September 19th at 430 (location TBA)
• Environmental Health Safety Office
• Outreach Opportunities
• NYC Parks Recreation
• Go Green Initiative

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Earth Day 2007 At LaGuardia!
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Conclusions

• Why is it important to incorporate the
  environment into our class curriculum?
• Mutualism you are affected by the environment
  in the same way that you affect the environment
  around you
• Education is the key to prolonging our existence
  on Earth
• Awareness is a priority

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Conclusions

• We must teach students that ecology and the
  environment touches every aspect of their lives
• Being a steward of your environment means taking
  responsibility for your actions
• Doing what is necessary for future generations to
  survive and thrive

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Conclusions

• We abuse land because we regard it as a
• commodity belonging to us.  When we see
• land as a community to which we belong, we
• may begin to use it with love and respect.
  
• Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

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The End... Thank you!