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History The idea of global sustainability, which focuses on the human relationship to the environment, has been evolving through history. Some experts have traced its origins back 4000 years to the beginnings of agriculture and irrigation. Go to related links... Other references of the idea of sustainability, include the industrial revolution (1750 and onwards) and more recently, the United Nations Environmental Program(UNEP) and the National Environmental Protection Act (which was the catalyst for the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency). The idea grew further through the UN Earth Summit in 1997 and the Sustainability Summit in 2002. The idea of sustainability has been around for centuries. It is being manifested, redefined and implemented in modern practices, and colleges are leading the way. What Is Sustainability? According to Webster’s dictionary, sustainability can be defined as follows: Main Entry: sus tain able 1. capable of being
sustained
2. a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged <sustainable techniques> <sustainable agriculture> b : of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods <sustainable society> The definition from Webster’s is the foundation of the general meaning of sustainability. The idea of sustainability has taken on many forms and has been interpreted and implemented from many perspectives. College Sustainability Overview 
College campuses are becoming the garden of sustainable practices. Solid waste and recycling issues have been the foot in the door for campuses to evolve into other sustainable campus practices such as resource conservation, composting, sustainable building, environmentally preferable purchasing and environmental studies. Many college recycling programs have been evolving to define and implement sustainable campus practices. College recycling coordinators are being brought in to the discussion on extended campus environmental responsibility. As a result, many college solid waste and recycling coordinators are evolving to become campus sustainability coordinators. As the outside world evolves on the issue of sustainability,
higher education is finding unique opportunities to be involved in the
global discussion and modeling of sustainable practices. Governments,
industry, business, academia and local communities are embracing key elements
of sustainable practices and are instituting policies, practices and theories
on how sustainability works. The Natural Step is one such organization.
The Natural Step has been one of the most outspoken leaders in the discussion and implementation of sustainable practices globally. The Natural Step is an international organization that uses “a science based framework to help organizations and communities understand and move towards sustainability. The Natural Step engages in training and consulting, research and development and community outreach.” The Natural Step has defined a technical framework
for organizations to follow. The basic premise is to recognize human impact on the environment while identifying practices to reduce
this impact and establish systems that result in continuous cycles, which
are renewable. Many colleges, businesses, industry and government agencies
are embracing The Natural Step. As a result, these agencies are working to implement
sustainable systems in all areas of business, commercial, government,
industry, school and home environments. The Natural Step offers workshops and shorter presentations,
all over the world.
These are just a few examples of the exciting
sustainability projects that colleges are implementing. These practices
save resources, create continuous systems and renewable resources. Sustainable
college practices provide an opportunity for students to be involved in
real world issues. This has been manifesting impressive results as students
leave campuses and continue work on sustainability, to help alleviate
some of the worlds problems. Truly, the goal of higher education. Colleges are managing to incorporate the sustainability agenda by integrating practices into existing campus operations and academia. One of the greatest challenges of sustainability, is finding the funding to create new programs and projects. As the world becomes more environmentally educated, there is more interest from donors to support campus environmental practices. With the plethora of students demanding environmentally focused academics, there is a new generation of alumnus who are interested in contributing to campus sustainability. With this in mind, there is an opportunity for fundraising. Colleges are beginning to build funding opportunities to
support existing sustainable programs and work towards a sustainable future. Though not covered here, there are grant and foundation
opportunities as well. A good example of this is through Harvard University. Harvard
has a Green Campus Initiative which includes a $3 million Green Campus
Loan Fund for capital and non-capital projects. This endowment is just one of the opportunities for developing green/sustainable campus projects. Resources Alternative Fuels Data Center Blueprint for a Sustainable College Campus EPA New England's College and University Home Page Global Ecovillage Network Good Company Green Campus Loan Fund Harvard Green Campus Initiative Vision HSU Campus Center for Appropriate Technology Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED™)
The Natural Step Second Nature
South Carolina Sustainable University Initiative Sustainability on a College Campus: A Tool Kit (College Env. Policy Bank) University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF) University of Tennessee's Energy, Environment and Resources Center Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit
U.S. Department of Energy's Smart Communities Network World Energy Yale University |
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