PETE Okla 04Final

Teaching Energy Literacy and Sustainability: 

Teaching Energy Literacy and Sustainability Debra Rowe, Ph.D. Professor, Oakland Community College Senior Fellow, Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future dgrowe@oaklandcc.edu

Why should we care about energy supplies?: 

Why should we care about energy supplies? It is a national security issue causing the following threats to our well being: Political Instability Economic Instability Environmental Instability

Political Instability = Dependency on foreign oil: 

Political Instability = Dependency on foreign oil The U.S. imports 54% of its oil consumption. U.S. oil production has declined continuously since 1974. Thanks to John Richter for this slide Source: University of Minnesota

Political Instability = Dependency on foreign oil: 

Political Instability = Dependency on foreign oil Much of our oil comes from Middle Eastern countries whose policies we don’t like

Economic Impacts: 

Economic Impacts "Paid predominantly by the US, the costs of protecting our Middle East oil supplies are as high as $15-25 a barrel - that is about a dollar a gallon.” Peter Hain, UK Europe Minister USS Stark, 1987

Economic Instability: 

Economic Instability Globally, the largest item in the U.S. trade deficit is our importing of foreign oil Nationally, our economy is hampered by energy costs which decrease the bottom line of profits and economic health Locally, people on stressed budgets - many have to choose between heating and eating

Environmental Impacts - Disease: 

Environmental Impacts - Disease “… power plant particle pollution causes more than 603,000 asthma attacks per year..” Source: Abt Associates: Death, Disease, and Dirty Power Plants

Environmental Impacts - Death : 

Environmental Impacts - Death “Abt Associates finds over 30,000 deaths each year are attributable to fine particle pollution from U.S. power plants.” Source: The Clean the Air Task Force

Environmental Effects -Climate Change: 

Environmental Effects -Climate Change Unknown effects on food production More extreme weather events Unknown effects on ecosystems Spread of disease to temperate climates Submersion of land masses – 1 to 4 foot sea level rise 140,000 deaths per year attributed to climate change Sources: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Terrorist threats: 

Terrorist threats Centralized power plants are much more vulnerable to terrorist attacks than distributed generation via wind, solar and other renewable energies

Why should we care about energy supplies?: 

Why should we care about energy supplies? It is a national security issue causing the following threats to our well being: Political Instability Economic Instability Environmental Instability

What can we do about it?: 

What can we do about it? Teach energy/sustainability literacy Train technicians,designers,marketers,and policymakers in cleaner and cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energies Provide upgrade training to existing professionals in architecture, construction, landscaping, HVAC, building inspectors, community planners and more

Teach energy literacy for everyone: 

Teach energy literacy for everyone How to reduce waste How to use renewable energies How to change policies to stop favoring fossil fuels Teach sustainability literacy………

Sustainable Development is often defined as:: 

Sustainable Development is often defined as: “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” World Commission on Economic Development. (1987). Our Common Future. England: Oxford University Press.  

Slide15: 

  What is Sustainable Development? Sustainable development calls for improving the quality of life for all of the world’s people without increasing the use of our natural resources beyond the earth’s carrying capacity. While sustainable development may require different actions in every region of the world, the efforts to build a truly sustainable way of life require the integration of action in three key areas: From: World Summit on Sustainable Development brochure, 2002

What is sustainable development?: 

What is sustainable development? Economic Growth and Equity foster responsible long-term growth while ensuring that no nation or community is left behind.

What is sustainable development?: 

What is sustainable development? 2. Conserving Natural Resources and the Environment   for future generations, reduce resource consumption, stop pollution and conserve natural habitats.

What is sustainable development?: 

What is sustainable development? 3. Social Development – Throughout the world, people need jobs, food, education, energy, health care, water and sanitation; also ensure that cultural and social diversity, and the rights of workers are respected, and that all members of society play a role in determining their futures.

The components ofA Sustainable Future: 

The components of A Sustainable Future

The United Nations has declared a Decade of Education for Sustainable Development2005-2014: 

The United Nations has declared a Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014

Education for a Sustainable Future: “enables people to develop the knowledge, values and skills to participate in decisions about the way we do things individually and collectively, both locally and globally, that will improve the quality of life now without damaging the planet for the future.”: 

Education for a Sustainable Future: “enables people to develop the knowledge, values and skills to participate in decisions about the way we do things individually and collectively, both locally and globally, that will improve the quality of life now without damaging the planet for the future.” Sustainable Development Education Panel (1999), First annual Report 1998, London Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, p. 30.

Slide22: 

Applied Knowledge/ Technological Skills Private Choices and Behaviors-Habits Public Choices and Behaviors-Laws Sustainable Communities Sustainable Economies Ecosystem Ecosystem Ecosystem Ecosystem

Sustainable Development integrated into:: 

Sustainable Development integrated into: Curricula –disciplines and/or Gen Ed Research Operations Community Outreach and Partnerships Student Life Professional Development Mission and Planning Purchasing

CurriculaKEY CONCEPTS PREMISE: 

Curricula KEY CONCEPTS PREMISE Educators should teach students how to be: socially, economically and environmentally responsible active citizens as part of the required curricula

Slide25: 

Why? So that, as adults, they can help create a more positive society and act as responsible, contributing citizens. How? Teach students to: increase their knowledge create positive future scenarios for society develop their interpersonal intelligence develop their change agent skills

Strategies to change institutional norms regarding environmental literacy (e. l.) & sustainability (s.): 

Strategies to change institutional norms regarding environmental literacy (e. l.) & sustainability (s.) 1. General Ed revision- core degree requirements 2.Infuse the basics of e. l & s. through many disciplines 3. Start an energy/ environmental committee 4. Teach/learn change agent skills. Students as change agents. 5. Publicly celebrate the baby steps and use the media as much as possible

Oakland Community College, University of Minnesota, Alverno and others, see chapter at http://www.ncseonline.org/efs/DebraRowe.pdf : 

Oakland Community College, University of Minnesota, Alverno and others, see chapter at http://www.ncseonline.org/ efs/DebraRowe.pdf 1. General Education Sustainability Literacy Requirements

General Education Core Attributes at OCC: 

General Education Core Attributes at OCC 1. To communicate effectively 2. To think critically and creatively 3. To solve problems analytically, systematically and insightfully 4. To develop an aesthetic awareness 5. To acquire interpersonal and personal development skills 6. To learn independently and collaboratively 7. To be technologically and scientifically literate 8. To appreciate diversity and commonality 9. To develop a strong commitment to social responsibility 10. To understand the global environment

Since 1994, at the University of Minnesota, 2 of the 4 required themes for graduation:: 

Since 1994, at the University of Minnesota, 2 of the 4 required themes for graduation: Environment Citizenship and Public Ethics

Strategies for including e.l. and s. in Gen. Ed. revisions: 

Strategies for including e.l. and s. in Gen. Ed. revisions Introduce the Concept Environmental Scanning Strategic Planning Futuring Session Put in their language Imbed within highly acceptable ideas Share scanning results in multiple forums Administrative Councils Academic Senate

Implementation tips to build a critical mass: 

Implementation tips to build a critical mass If you aren’t the chair, talk to the chair about agendas, strategies, building support Use the phone & don’t vote until you have the numbers you need Diffuse resistance - ask the “old guard” if they can help - legacy Manage the emotional climate - 3 comments from 3 sources usually “takes the day” Get the innovators and the obedients = majority

2. Infuse sustainability literacy throughout the college and the disciplines: 

2. Infuse sustainability literacy throughout the college and the disciplines Wesleyan mission Emory Northern Arizona University Profiles at www.secondnature.org

Part of Illinois Wesleyan’s Mission Statement:: 

Part of Illinois Wesleyan’s Mission Statement: "The University through its policies, programs and practices is committed to diversity, social justice and environmental sustainability." (After some conservation and recycling through Green Task Force and Committee for a Sustainable Campus.)

3. Start an energy and/or environmental committee : 

3. Start an energy and/or environmental committee Save energy and $$$$$$$ for the school and report it to the Senate and the President Include faculty and rotate them often Send reports/newsletter to the faculty and educate them as you update them Conduct an environmental or sustainability audit and involve faculty (www.ulsf.org/programs_saq.html) Sign a sustainability declaration (e.g.Talloires Declaration –www.ulsf.org/programs_talloires.html)

4.Students as change agents: 

4.Students as change agents Campus Ecology www.nwf.org/campusecology/index.html Students interview/educate/assess faculty re: integrating e.l. into all disciplines Students conduct energy/sustainability audits on the institution and report to administration Penn State’s climate change story

Implications for Educators:: 

Implications for Educators: 1) Teach energy and sustainable development literacy 2) Teach optimism skills (Seligman) 3) Teach efficacy; tell stories of “normal” people making a difference 4) Teach interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences 5) Teach futuring skills and change agent skills

Slide37: 

Preventing Burnout - The ABCs Ask for help - Build Support Systems - Celebrate the Baby Steps of Success Dream big! - Eliminate Griping & Move to Problem Solving Foster Self-care, Physical & Mental Health Get Flexible and Take a Multi-pronged Long-term Approach Humor those who participate - Involve everyone affected by decisions Jazz up meetings with creativity - Keep on keepin’ on to get energy Laugh a lot - Make light of problems - Nature is renewing: connect with it! Open your eyes and heart to the beauty around you Picture your joy when the tide starts to turn Quit worrying! - Re-live past successes to renew commitment Say the kind things every time you think of one - Thank all who helped Understand that slow beats stop - Visualize the joy of success Wait with confidence that your ship will come in Xerox a joke of the day with your logo to hand out Yell a little, just for fun Zealously assure yourself a good night’s rest every night! Thanks to Norma T Bauer

5. Use the media strategically: 

5. Use the media strategically As often as possible Create new angles Multiple avenues for multiple audiences Message: “Environmental literacy and sustainability is happening now. Don’t be left behind.”

What can we do about it?: 

What can we do about it? Teach energy/sustainability literacy Train technicians,designers,marketers,and policymakers in cleaner and cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energies Provide upgrade training to existing professionals in architecture, construction, landscaping, HVAC, building inspectors, community planners and more

www.ateec.org/energy: 

www.ateec.org/energy Careers report Energy curriculum development modules Sample syllabi Model degree/certificates

www.ateec.org/energy: 

www.ateec.org/energy National Renewable Energy Labs power point presentations on: Solar Wind Hydrogen Biomass…

Some programs are decades old:: 

Some programs are decades old: Lane Community College Oakland Community College Solar Energy Institute (private at http://www.solarenergy.org/) Stand alone degrees, also integrated into other degrees (e.g. HVAC, construction, architecture, landscaping, manufacturing, business)

Many colleges have started courses/programs/initiatives:: 

Many colleges have started courses/programs/initiatives: University of Puerto Rico – curriculum proposal to prepare students for the Association of Energy Engineers’ Certified Energy Manager exam (for credit and as continuing ed) Barton Community College – offering a renewable energy course Nicolet – Environmental and Sustainability Initiative plus PV and Wind Demonstrations

Many colleges have started courses/programs/initiatives:: 

Many colleges have started courses/programs/initiatives: Madison Area Technical College – Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technologies - NSF grant – http://ceret.us Lansing Community College – NEXT ENERGY and DOE line item Cape Cod Community College – partnering with Voc Tech High Schools and local energy non-profit Bronx Community College – Center for Sustainable Energy And more...

Many colleges are starting programs-Lakeshore Community College:: 

Many colleges are starting programs- Lakeshore Community College: 4 energy courses based on www.ateec.org/energy 5 environmental courses for builders, remodelers and inspectors one day course for plant operators on energy bill reduction co-sponsored energy/sustainability conference for all state technical colleges $100,000 grant to install a wind turbine and tracking photovoltaic system working with other Wisconsin colleges to develop courses and degrees and write grants

Online courses available for your use!!: 

Online courses available for your use!! Energy management Intro to Renewable Energies Alternative Transportation Fuels Online Course Cartridges – Easy to Use – Contact me

What can we do about it?: 

What can we do about it? Teach energy/sustainability literacy Train technicians,designers,marketers,and policymakers in cleaner and cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energies Provide upgrade training to existing professionals in architecture, construction, landscaping, HVAC, building inspectors, community planners and more

Slide48: 

Outreach and offer customized training to professional groups (builders, architects, engineers, facilities managers, HVAC, plumbers and electricians etc.) Make training relevant and complete so behavior will change. Then make them part of your advisory committee.

Slide49: 

Midwest Green Building Conference and Expo Co-sponsored events with state energy office and local renewable energy associations or chapters of AEE or USGBC

Example of good customized training for builders:1. Definition/need for sustainability.2. Principles of sustainable design.3. Redesign of existing models.4. Development of new marketing materials.5. Brainstorm and address builders’ concerns and hesitancy.6. Follow up to encourage behaviors.: 

Example of good customized training for builders: 1. Definition/need for sustainability. 2. Principles of sustainable design. 3. Redesign of existing models. 4. Development of new marketing materials. 5. Brainstorm and address builders’ concerns and hesitancy. 6. Follow up to encourage behaviors.

We can choose our energy future: 

We can choose our energy future or

The Power of What You Do: 

The Power of What You Do We are leaders in the world We can choose a sustainable future

For all educators, the following web sites are recommended:: 

For all educators, the following web sites are recommended: We Can Afford to Solve the World’s Problems - The World Game Institute - 18 strategies for confronting the major systemic problems confronting humanity-www.osearth.com/resources/wwwproject/index.shtml National Council for Science and the Environment’s Education for a Sustainable Future – www.ncseonline.org/EFS Socially Conscious Investing http://www.goodmoney.com/whocares. htm

For all educators, the following web sites are recommended:: 

For all educators, the following web sites are recommended: Ecological Footprint Quiz – www.myfootprint.org Teaching and Learning for a Sustainable Future (A UNESCO site) http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/ Center for a New American Dream – www.turnthetide.org How to be a green and socially responsible consumer – www.coopamerica.org Heroes at The Giraffe Project -www.giraffe.org University Leaders for a Sustainable Future - www.ulsf.org Sustainability Education Handbook - www.urbanoptions.org/SustainEdHandbook

A Few of the Many Energy Resources:: 

A Few of the Many Energy Resources: US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy home page - www.eere.energy.gov Association of Energy Engineers – www.aeecenter.org U.S. Green Building Council - http://www.usgbc.org/ Florida Solar Energy Center - http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/ North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners – Solar electricity technician certification – www.nabcep.org American Solar Energy Society – www.ases.org American Wind Energy Society – www.awea.org

Slide56: 

Copies of this presentation at http://www.hmtri.org/ncpete/ncpete.htm

Conclusions: 

Conclusions The U.S. public is not educated enough about the energy and sustainability issues before us. Public education can produce better decisions and behaviors by infusing the paradigm of sustainable development into all courses. We need energy and sustainability literacy for ALL graduates. We need to train new technicians and upgrade existing professionals. Successful precedents/materials can assist you.

Congratulations for all you have done. Take and give away the credit.: 

Congratulations for all you have done. Take and give away the credit. Congratulations for all you will do in the future. Let our enthusiasm show!