Drill, Baby, Drill!

Earth Policy InstituteNews ReleaseFor Immediate ReleaseSeptember 18, 2008
DRILLING FOR OIL IS NOT THE ANSWER
With attention turning to the second round of the energy debate in the U.S. Senate, the Earth Policy Institute thought you might find useful a brief summary of the facts behind drilling, gasoline prices and America’s energy future.
Geological and economic realities make clear that drilling for oil cannot make the U.S. energy independent or reduce gasoline prices. Drilling is an expensive and dangerous red herring, especially because far better options exist. A new Earth Policy Institute analysis finds that powering a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle fleet with clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar would have a seismic price impact: instead of paying $4 per gallon at the gasoline pump, we could plug in at home for the wind-generated-electricity equivalent of less than $1 per gallon. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the wind resources in just three states--North Dakota, Kansas, and Texas--are sufficient to meet national electricity needs.
We hope you find the information below useful. It is also posted on-line with references at www.earthpolicy.org/Bulletins/2008/Bulletin3.htm.

Natural Gas Drilling in NEPA

A special Web page specific to the Marcellus Shale that features resources for industry and information for landowners and the public on drilling has been created by DEP and is available at www.depweb.state.pa.us. Type "Oil and Gas" in the keyword box and click on the link to that page. Once you arrive at the "Oil and Gas" page, click on "Marcellus Page." For a map of the permits issued and wells drilled in the Marcellus Shale, scroll down to the "Maps" section at the bottom of the page.

Airline's Environmental Educational Campaign

Here's another example of businesses getting into green discourse. The question is whether it's "greenwashing" or really a positive environmental change. http://www.airlines.org/NR/rdonlyres/770B5715-5C6F-44AA-AA8C-DC9AEB4E7E12/0/2008AnnualReport.pdf

Tragedy of the Commons Conference

Len Champney shares the following information on an upcoming conference:
In 1968, biologist Garrett Hardin published the seminal article “The Tragedy of the Commons,” in the journal Science, arguing that the Earth is a global commons threatened by overpopulation. On Friday, November 21, 2008, the Adrian College Policy Institute hosts “The Tragedy of the Commons” 40th Anniversary Symposium, bringing together scholars from biology, economics, political science, mathematics, philosophy, public policy and law to discuss Hardin’s article and the state of commons research today.

The Symposium will begin with lunch at 12:00, and after the panels will conclude with a dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Registration is $45, which includes lunch and dinner. Also included in the fee are transportation to and from Detroit Metro Airport and one night’s lodging at the Carlton Lodge (http://www.carltonlodge.com) if needed. Each attendee will receive a commemorative item with the Symposium logo.

To register, please go to the Symposium website to access the registration form. Return the completed form to Symposium organizer James Hanley by either:Email: jhanley@adrian.edu Fax: 517.264.3181, Attention James Hanley USPS: James Hanley, Jones Hall, Adrian College, 110 S. Madison St. Adrian, MI. 49221. The Symposium website and registration form can be accessed at: http://www.adrian.edu/academics/policy_institute/commons.php

Symposium Panelists:

• Elinor Ostrom (Political Science): Co-Director, Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis.Elinor Ostrom is author of Governing the Commons, and one of the world’s leading experts in analyzing the commons. She is a past president of the American Political Science Association, a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has earned the Johan Skytte Prize in Political Science, the James Madison Award of the American Political Science Association, and the William H. Riker Prize in political science.
• John Baden (Economics): Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment.John Baden is the founder and chair of the Foundation for Research on Economics and the Environment in Bozeman, Montana. He has received a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Environmental Policy, co-authored Managing the Commons with Garrett Hardin, served on the National Petroleum Council, and has served as president of the Association for Private Enterprise Education,
• Carl Bajema (Biology): Grand Valley State University.Carl Bajema is professor of evolution and environmental history at Grand Valley State University. He co-authored Biology: Their Birth, Life and Death with Garrett Hardin, and researches the environmental history of Michigan, focusing, inter alia, on deforestation and reforestation practices and the exploitation of terrestrial and aquatic animals.
• Esther Mwangi (Public Policy): Kennedy School of Government, Center for International Development, Harvard University. Esther Mwangi is a Giorgio Ruffolo Post-doctoral Fellow in Sustainability Science and a Ziff Environmental Fellow at Harvard’s Center for International Development. A winner of the 2005 Harold D. Lasswell Award, she has also been a Post-doctoral fellow with the International Food Policy Research Group working with the CGIAR System-Wide program on Collective Action and Property Rights, and was previously a consultant to the World Agroforesty Center and to OXFAM’s pastoralism program in East Africa, and was a Research Scientist with the Kenya Wildlife Service. Her research focuses on the effects of forest governance reforms on local economies and forest sustainability in East Africa and Latin America.
• Marty Anderies (Mathematics): Arizona State University.J. Marty Anderies is a mathematician with a joint appointment in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change and the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University. His research focuses on robust institutional design for coupled social-ecological systems, using mathematical modeling to analyze the factors that generate vulnerability or enhance resilience in such systems.
• Christopher Knapp (Philosophy): Binghamton University (SUNY).Christopher Knapp is assistant professor of philosophy at Binghamton University (SUNY). His research focuses on environmental ethics, metaethics, and philosophy of psychology. His latest publication is “Species Inegalitarianism as a Matter of Principle” forthcoming in the Journal of Applied Philosophy.
• Harlan Wilson (Political Science): Oberlin College.Harlan Wilson is professor of political science at Oberlin College. His research focuses on the intersection of environmental politics and theory with postmodern thought.
• Dan Cole (Law): Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. Daniel H. Cole is the R. Bruce Townsend Professor of Law at the Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis. He has been a Visiting Scholar in the Faculty of Law and Department of Land Economy at the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on the law and economics of property, natural resources, and environmental protection, and his publications include Pollution and Property: Comparing Institutions for Environmental Protection.

Methods for Infusing Sustainability into Courses

1.(Re)cast central questions of the course in terms of sustainability (e.g. Meagher, Pang-White, Voltzow)
2.Thread questions/issues throughout (e.g. Maria Squire, Alan Brumagim; Parsons, Friedrichs)
3.Specific reading, discussion and/or writing assignments on sustainability (e.g., Barbara Cozza, Gloria Wenze; Farrell, Kraus, Harris)
4. Add or re-focus service or experiential learning projects (e.g., Dan West, Rich Larsen)
5. Introduce sustainability as parts of lectures (e.g., Maria Squire; R. Smith)
6. Add some directed lectures (e.g., Rich Larsen, Len Tischler)
7. Add a course project focused on sustainability (e.g., Len Tischler, Barbara Cozza, Dan West)
8. Through “hidden curriculum”
In courses that focus on methods rather than specific content, one can introduce sustainability through choices of examples that one uses
create student research projects that focus on sustainability issues (e.g., Gloria Wenze; Sabastianelli)
analyze existing problems and data sets that concern sustainability (e.g. Declan Mulhall; Karpiak, Baril, Sabastianelli)Reading/writing assignments (e.g., Kraus)

All of us can be think about examples we use in lectures, assignments, etc.
Teaching by example—our classroom practices:
–Minimizing paper use, recycling paper
–Asking students to deposit cans in recycling bins
--Providing copies on back-side of printed paper or on paper scraps
--Biking or walking to work
--Other ideas?

Resources from Cyndee Cann's presentation May 23, 2008

Video interview of Ray Anderson, CEO of Interface Carpet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcRDUIbT4gw&feature=related

Her references:

• Reed, Donald J., CFA (December 2001), “Stalking the Elusive Business Case for Corporate Sustainability, Sustainable Enterprise Perspectives, World Resources Institute.
• Paul Hawkin (2007), Blessed Unrest
• Russo, Michael V. and Paul A. Fouts (1997), “A Resources-Based Perspective on Corporate Environmental Performance and Profitability,” Academy of Management Journal, 40, 3, 534-559.
• Day, Robert M. (March 1998), “Beyond Eco-Efficiency: Sustainability as a Driver for Innovation,” Sustainable Enterprise Perspectives, World Resources Institute.
• Tachi Kiuchi, Managing Director, Mitsubishi Electric (May 3, 1999), The Next Bottom Line, Business Week.
• Esty and Winston, Green to Gold, 2006
• Beyond Grey Pinstripes (reports on business schools)

GE: http://ge.ecomagination.com/site/index.html?kw=ge%20ecomagination&c_id=ecomagination#home

Google's green campus commitment http://www.google.com/corporate/green/energy/

Nike on product life cycle
http://www.nikeresponsibility.com/pdfs/bw/4_Nike_CRR_Environment_BW.pdfi

on product life cycle, see also Patagonia

Readings for 2008-2009 Workshop--Day 1

Day 1: What is sustainability?
a) Definitions of sustainability: There are many definitions of “sustainability.” The most commonly used definition is from the UN Brundtland Report. Please read definitions at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/sustainability/more_defns.htm
b) Introduction to sustainability: please read “Introduction to Sustainability” at http://www.sustainablemeasures.com/Sustainability/ and then at bottom of this web page click on “An even Better Picture of a Sustainable Community,” or on this direct link: http://www.sustainablemeasures.com/Sustainability/ABetterView.html

OPTIONAL RESOURCE: For further exploration of sustainability definitions: The City of Philadelphia has a website that includes links to many more definitions and considerations of sustainability. If you wish to examine additional definitions, see: http://sustainablephiladelphia.com/html/whatis.html and scroll down to “definitions of sustainability on the web”; there you can trace the origins of many of the definitions.

Readings for 2008-2009 Workshop--Day 2

Day 2: Sustainability and the Environment. As you have seen from yesterday’s reading (Introduction to Sustainability), the environment, society and economics are intertwined. In the second, third, and fourth readings we will focus on each of these areas. Today’s readings primarily focus on the Environment. Human consumption of natural (particularly nonrenewable) resources and the concomitant production of waste (pollution) is a central issue of sustainability and how it relates to the environment. a) overview of environmental issues: Please read Chapter 1. Entering a New World (pdf), from Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (W.W. Norton & Company). http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/PB3/Contents.htm b) ecological footprint: To get an idea of how your lifestyle affects the environment, please calculate your ecological footprint at http://www.myfootprint.org/
OPTIONAL RESOURCES --Lester Brown’s 2008 entire book is available at: http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/PB3/Contents.htm (entire book) Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization (W.W. Norton & Company).
--Local environmental scorecard: This is a link to a website that provides an environmental scorecard for local areas by entering your zipcode; it’s useful for finding specific facts and figures about Scranton or wherever you live: http://www.scorecard.org/community/index.tcl?zip_code=18510&set_community_zipcode_cookie_p=t&x=45&y=7

Readings for 2008-2009 Workshop--Day 3

Day 3: Social Sustainability and Social Justice. The third readings focus on the issues of society and justice. a) “What is social sustainability?” (please see the attached articles)
b) The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility by Pope John Paul II on the World Day of Peace, 1990. http://www.marquette.edu/theology/interfacing/ChurchonEcologicalDegradation/documents/EcologicalCrisis-pope_000.pdf
OPTIONAL RESOURCES--on environmental justice: b) Definition and history of environmental justice: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/basics/ejbackground.html--for a fuller history of the environmental justice movement, see R.D. Bullard’s article: http://www.ejrc.cau.edu/ejinthe21century.htm

Readings for 2008-2009 Workshop--Day 4

Day 4: Economics and Business. Today’s readings center on economics and business. Please read the following articles:Business Coalition for Climate Actionhttp://www.environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?contentID=5828MIT Launches Sustainable Business Labhttp://www.greenbiz.com/news/news_third.cfm?NewsID=34539
OPTIONAL RESOURCE: more on business and the environment: http://www.bsdglobal.com/sd_journey.asp; this webpage contains lots of resources for those wanting to explore more but the assigned reading focuses on the “big picture.” It is particularly helpful in showing how sustainable business requires more than just mere compliance with environmental regulations.

Readings for 2008-2009 Workshop--Day 5

Day 5: Health. The fifth readings focus on health issues related to air pollution and other environmental toxins.a) “Air Pollution Fatalities New Exceed Traffic Fatalities by 3 to 1” http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/Update17.htmb) Children's Environmental Health: http://www.who.int/ceh/en/ and then click on left link "risks" for further information
OPTIONAL RESOURCE --on environmental estrogens: http://www.envtox.ucdavis.edu/cehs/TOXINS/estrogens.htm

Readings for 2008-2009 Workshop Day 6

Day 6: Education. The UN has declared the years 2005-14 as the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. The infusion of sustainability into the curriculum at Scranton is in conjunction with a UN driven worldwide effort to bring attention to the issues of sustainability. The following readings should put our efforts into perspective:For the UN’s vision of education for sustainable development, please see: http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=27279&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.htmlThen follow links of greatest interest/use to you. Teacher educators might be interested in: http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=48712&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

Readings for 2008-2009 Workshop--Day 7

Day 7: Curriculum Infusion Models. The seventh readings also focus on Education—Emory University has been involved in infusing sustainability across their curriculum for seven years and has developed a terrific website detailing their activities. a) Please go to Emory University’s sustainability curriculum infusion project (The Piedmont Project) http://www.scienceandsociety.emory.edu/piedmont/index.htm and pay particular attention to the syllabi/course modules [click on the “curriculum” link], especially the ones most relevant to you.b) In addition, please review the University of Scranton’s Education for Justice: The Case for Sustainability project, on-line at: http://matrix.scranton.edu/sustainability/. If you go to the academic link (http://matrix.scranton.edu/sustainability/done-academics.shtml) you will then find a link to the 2005-06 Workshop on Sustainability (http://matrix.scranton.edu/sustainability/workshop-2005-2006.shtml). This page will provide you with examples of course statements and syllabi of courses at the University that have sustainability infused into them. A year from now we will be asking you for the same information to post on this site.

Readings for 2008-2009 workshop--Day 8

Day 8: Follow your interests. Finding additional resources for your own courses/disciplinary interests. As we hope the small sampling of readings we have done over the past several days shows, the internet provides us with a rich array of resources on sustainability (of course, so do good, old-fashioned books and articles). Please go to: http://www.sustainable.org/ and scroll down to the bottom of the page to find additional resources and links organized around major sustainability topics. Choose at least one link that you think will be helpful to you in redesigning your course, and come prepared to discuss it on Thursday, May 22-23th.

Climate Change: The Discovery of Global Warming

Climate Change: The Discovery of Global Warming

Website by science historian Spencer Wert (Director of the Center of History of Physics, American Institute of Physics) detailing his research on climate change. Discussion includes influences on climate, theory of climate change, public opinion, government involvement, and international cooperation.