Compartmentalizing Sustainability

Hi Nick,

Please who say sustainable is "that program over there" do not understand the concept of a system. They live in a mechanical universe world view, in which what happens in one part of the system (either physically or intellectually) can be ignored if dealing with the topic is not "convenient" or "comfortable" for them to deal with. I highly recommend you find a way to build an understanding of systems thinking into the work you're doing. Feel free to contact me off-line if you want further help.

Best regards,
Steve

 Dear Nick and Colleagues--

It happens because either people don't care or they aren't motivated to care. It can be overcome by a strong leadership committed to sustainability. At Cornell our President has signed the Presidents Climate Change agreement and the entire institution is committed to eventually becoming carbon neutral. Our Senior VP is seriously committed to sustainability and all aspects of the institution are being looked at and evaluated for long-term impact on the sustainability of the organization, GHG emissions, etc. Practical means include various topical focus groups, education at departmental meetings, the establishment of employee sustainabiltiy committees, heavy involvement of the students in sustainability efforts, the formation of an academically oriented, well-funded Sustainability Institute to study sustainability issues, etc. For more information see: http://www.sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/

Take care.
Tom

Tom Shelley
118 E. Court St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607 342-0864
[email protected]

I think the same thing happens with issues of "cultural diversity" or on a smaller scale (in that only selected researchers are involved) the rights of experimental subjects, or even simple things like cleaning out the communal microwave in a departmental lunch room. There are folks who take some issues very seriously and are willing to invest time and energy in the "cause." Others have different interests, and may be willing to incorporate some of the ideally desired actions into their everyday behavior, but put definite limits on how much they are willing to alter their own actions to do what others see as so clearly "the right thing to do."

Hi Nick

I think others have identified that top-down commitment is really key to getting change to permeate the organization, but that commitment really needs to extend to a commitment not to compartmentalize as well. The real shift happens when people in all departments, not just the "sustainability folks" can see both how this connects to their jobs/depts and why it should be important. Part of the skill is finding what buttons to press to have the issues resonate with people across the organization. Maybe taking a potential project being considered on campus and examining the interfaces with different departments might help - they could see how issues they normally deal with intersect with a "sustainability" project which might provide greater comfort. I've seen this struggle with a number of organizations we are working with as well, and there are some good ideas out there.

Best of luck!
Wendy Rudder

Project Manager -
Environmental Earth Tech (Canada) Inc.
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Burnaby, BC V5C 6S3
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All:

I share this concern about compartmentalizing sustainability. Coming from the climate research and education side of the equation, I am concerned that often "climate solutions" and "sustainability" efforts or "new energy economy" may totally bypass basic climate science. Without our own University there are plans to reduce carbon, to push renewables, but including essential climate literacy principles or highlighting climate research (which we do plenty of here) isn't included. For a while it was because the climate piece was too "controversial" and now perhaps its because climate dynamics are so complex. But there is some research suggesting that knowing what causes climate change, and what does not, is the most powerful predictor of whether behavioral changes will occur or not (though sometimes people mistake knowing the causes for action). And while I'm on my rant... it's also important to be climate smart because climate is far more than carbon, and part of true sustainable practices must be building communities that are resilient to drought, coastal storms and other variabilities.