Sustainability in Study Abroad: An Introduction

1. Sustainability in Study Abroad: An Introduction Emily Capdeville, Tulane University Courtney de Vries, Rice University Megan Wood, SIT Study Abroad

2. Objectives of this session • Gain a better understanding of sustainability and responsibilities within a study abroad context • Increase knowledge of ways you can reduce the environmental impacts of your campus • Gain a better understanding of ways you can promote sustainability amongst study abroad students and on your campus • Learn about resources available to you, your students and your campus

3. Sustainability • What does it mean? • Several definitions exist, including: • a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged (Webster) • development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (’87 World Commission on Environment and Development) • But how do we define it in relation to Education Abroad?

4. Sustainability and Education Abroad • Forum Standards of Good Practice The organization minimizes negative impacts on the environment and host culture and maximizes economic and social benefits. • Program Design • Curriculum • Office Management • Promotion

5. Building a Sustainable Office • Tulane’s Center for Global Education • Step One! How sustainability-conscience is my office now? • www.TheGreenOffice.com/carbon/

6. Transportation

7. Facility, Energy & Waste

8. Products & Misc. Services

9. CO2 Output • 48.7 tons of CO2 • Annual greenhouse gas emissions from 8.1 passenger vehicles • CO2 emissions from 5,015 gallons of gasoline consumed • CO2 emissions from 103 barrels of oil consumed • CO2 emissions from the electricity use of 5.9 homes for one year • CO2 emissions from the energy use of 3.9 homes for one year • Carbon sequestered by 1,133 tree seedlings grown for 10 years • Carbon sequestered annually by 10 acres of pine or fir forests • Carbon sequestered annually by .31 acres of forest preserved from deforestation • CO2 emissions from 1,841 propane cylinders used for home barbeques • CO2 emissions from burning .23 railcars’ worth of coal • Greenhouse gas emissions avoided by recycling 15.2 tons of waste instead of sending it to the landfill • http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html

10. Methods • www.maps.google.com • www.convertunits.com • www.entergy.com • Facility Services (on-campus) • Materials Management (on-campus) • http://www.swbno.org/

11. Proactive Approaches • University Actions • President’s Commitment • Recycling Programs • Sustainability Appointed Position • Study Abroad Actions • Study Abroad Fairs • Pre-Departure Orientation • Abroad

12. Study Abroad Fairs • Transportation (consider carpooling) https://www.goloco.org/learn_more • Green Hotels Association http://www.greenhotels.com/grntrav.htm • Carbon offsets • Local food

13. Study Abroad Fairs • Give aways and program materials • Reduce handouts • Publicity • Water in bulk containers • Compost and recycle bins

14. Green Passport Program • Awareness, Actions, Advocacy, Reporting http://www.greenpassport.us/ As a Green Passport holder I acknowledge the interconnectedness of the world’s people and the environment. I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of studying, living, working, traveling, or volunteering abroad and will try to improve these aspects of my international experience. While overseas, and when I return home, I will do my best to: • Minimize my impact on the environment;• Act in culturally respectful ways;• Engage with locals and participate in the local community;• Give back to my host community(ies).

15. Programs Abroad • Program Component Impacts • Environmental Policy • Curriculum Integration

16. Program Component Impacts • Transportation • Waste • Green office and classroom

17. Transportation • Travel with the herd (more people per vehicle) • Plan ahead (reduce the number of trips by combining activities, locate accommodation close to activities) • Take it slow (the faster the more energy needed) • Don’t go far (distance makes big difference) • Stay for a while (longer in one place) • Avoid friction (travel light in efficient vehicles) Transport options are from best to worst: walking, bicycle, train, bus, car, airplane. Airplanes emit extremely high levels of greenhouse gases and should be avoided if possible.

18. Waste • Reduce use of plastics • Reuse program readings and texts • Purchase recycled paper • Use rechargeable batteries • Use refillable printer cartridges or Recycle used ink-jet cartridges • Avoid goods with lots of packaging • Composting bin • Recycling Bins • Recycle or Auction all Used Electronic Equipment • Use a water filter rather than bottled water

19. Green Office and Program Site • Get an office and classrooms that require minimal or no heating, cooling and lighting • Buy electricity from renewable sources • Buy the most energy efficient appliances • Use the backs of already-used paper in fax machines, and as scratch pads • Use double sided printing and copying • Set thermostats to conserve energy • Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents • Turn off computers and lights if not needed • Set appliances to power-saving modes and don’t leave on standby www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/action/documents/GreentheOffice.pdf

20. Environmental Policy • Identify major impacts • How to reduce these impacts • Include students in the process • Publish and Share • Add it into the syllabi, student handbook or orientation materials given to students • Give a copy to program contributors and staff • Put on program website

21. Curriculum Integration • Create dialogue through assignments • Trash log • Analysis of economic community development projects in relations to environmental impact • Explore host country culture and philosophy • Create expectations of reciprocity and contribution.

22. 5 Things! Room for Improvement The CGE made 5 simple changes to go from 48.7 tons of CO2 to 40.6! Find this presentation at: http://global.tulane.edu/studyabroad/green.html

23. Resources • Forum Standards of Good Practice • Sustainability listserv sustainabilityabroad@lists.livingroutes.org • Report of the Task Force on Environmental Sustainability in Education Abroad http://www.livingroutes.org/NAFSA_Sustainability_TF_Report.pdf

24. Special Thanks to: Daniel Greenberg Stacey Woody Thebodo Amber Garrard Sylvia Seger Peter Brennan