Education for Sustainability

Active Learning Resources This short, annotated bibliography is a guide to help you understand more about the pedagogy behind the interactive learning methods that shape the Development Education Program's online learning modules and to help you make the most of these materials. Better yet, we hope that the information here will help you improve upon the work we have done! Use the following links to access the topics that interest you most: Definition and Theory of Active Learning Practical Application of Active Learning Active Learning Through the Eyes of Practitioners Active Learning and Technology Definition and Theory of Active Learning Bonwell, C.C., & Eison, J.A. (1991). "Active Learning: Creating Excitement in the Classroom." ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report No1. Washington, DC: The George Washington University, School of Education and Human Development. This text synthesizes research on active learning-focusing on the quality of the learning experience--and provides some suggestions on how to apply this technique. The article stresses that it is important for educational leadership and administration to support and encourage the use of these techniques. Jones, B., G. Valdez, J. Nowakowski, & C. Rasmussen. 1994. "Meaningful, Engaged Learning." Designing Learning and Technology for Educational Reform. North Central Regional Educational Laboratory, Oak Brook, IL. How do you know if you are using active-or engaged-learning? This article provides a description of 10 indicators to look for when creating and evaluating your own engaged classroom. Practical Application of Active Learning Solomon, G. (2002). "Project-Based Learning: A Primer." Technology and Learning Magazine. Project-based learning is a type of action learning. This very well organized, user-friendly site shows how engaging students in group projects which utilize real-life events and materials, enriches the learning and teaching experience. A special set of links provides guidelines on how to create and implement your own learning project. Harvard Graduate School of Education. 2002. ALPS (Active Learning Practice for Schools). Cambridge, Mass. This site presents ALPS, Active Learning Practice for Schools, whose mission is to create an on-line collaborative environment between teachers and administrators from around the world. There are three areas of concentration within the ALPS site, including Teaching for Understanding, The Thinking Classroom, and Education with New Technologies. Each area has resources for cultivating active learning practice in schools, as well as interviews with practicing teachers and examples of their work. Active Learning Through the Eyes of Practitioners Publiceducation.org. 2004. "FoCAL Points." Public Education Network. Washington, DC. This page contains links to a series of articles published over several years chronicling the Champions of Active Learning (C.A.L.) program. The articles include tips on active teaching as well as evaluation results. In addition, there are links to hands-on student activities. UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund). 2001. "Teacher's Forum." Shikha Chanda, a school teacher from Bangladesh, shares her experience with more child-centered, participatory and group-oriented methods. Active Learning and Technology Dodge, B. 2004. "The WebQuest Page". San Diego State University. San Diego. This site presents a wealth of resources on the use of WebQuests for active learning. WebQuests are inquiry-oriented activities in which most or all of the information used by learners is drawn from the World Wide Web. Learn how to build a WebQuest lesson yourself, or find out how to help your students develop their own WebQuests. Teacher-Developed Learning Units The DEP program had the privilege to work with a number of secondary school teachers from Ghana and Uganda who participated in our distance learning course entitled “Integrating Sustainable Development and Technology into the Curriculum.” During the course, the teachers learned about the concept of sustainable development and identified areas of their current curriculum where sustainable development could be integrated. Through a series of collaborative working sessions in multidisciplinary teams, teachers researched meaningful and recent resources (online and offline) in a wide range of media and developed learning activities that engage their students in learning about the social, economic, and environmental facets of sustainable development within their subject area. The following learning units are examples of some of the work produced by these teachers. Each unit engages students actively in their own discovery of the topic and encourages them to think critically about how what they learn and the way they live can have an impact on the development of their county now and in future generations. We invite you to use these units in your own classroom or use them as a guide to develop your own units that meet the specific needs of your curriculum and your students. Please send us your comments or your own teaching suggestions by using the feedback button available at the bottom of each page. Learning Units Learning Unit 1: Life Processes: Food and Nutrition (Integrated Science) Learning Unit 2: River Dam Development Projects (Geography) Learning Unit 3: Man and His Environment: Pollution (Biology) Note: Although the Curriculum Relevance reference for each unit pertains to Ghana's or Uganda's curriculum specificially, many of the objectives are relevant to other countries' curriculum. Learning Modules If you've completed our exercise on defining sustainable development, you will have started to see that this concept is quite complex. The learning modules on this web site give a variety of tools to help you explore some of the components and relationships of development and start to develop strategies for making decisions and taking action for your own sustainable future. Each module explores an indicator that measures an aspect of the economy, society, or environment--for example how much money people have, how long they live, or how clean is the water they have to drink. Through completing the module you learn more about what the indicator measures, what will cause it to change, what is its relationship with other indicators of sustainable development, and how your country "measures up" in comparison to others in your region and around the world. As a result, you will be better informed and prepared to take positive action--either through the activities suggested in the Research and Explore section, or on your own--and to move toward sustainable development. Social When we focus on the social aspects of sustainable development, we look at the issues that impact people directly and that either help or hinder the process of improving the quality of life. When you have finished reading this introduction, you can start exploring the Population Growth Rate and Life Expectancy learning modules. …more Population Growth Rate Life Expectancy at Birth Economic When we focus on the economic aspects of sustainable development, we look at the system that determines how the limited resources needed to improve peoples' lives are distributed. We also examine how these limited resources are used. When you have finished reading this introduction, you can start exploring the GNP per Capita learning module. …more GNP per Capita Environmental When we focus on the environmental aspects of sustainable development, we look at the natural resources--both renewable and non-renewable--that make up our surroundings and help us to sustain and better our lives. When you have finished reading this introduction, you can start exploring the Access to Safe Water learning module. …more Access to Safe Water Teaching Guides

These Teaching Guides offer exercises and suggested responses for the DEPweb Learning Modules. For additional teacher/facilitator materials and learning units, click here. Introduction Point of View Goals and Objectives Teaching the Learning Modules Population Growth Rate Teaching Activities With Answers Without Answers Life Expectancy Teaching Activities With Answers Without Answers GNP per Capita Teaching Activities With Answers Without Answers Access to Safe Water Teaching Activities With Answers Without Answers Bibliography of Active Learning Resources

Beyond Economic Growth (ebook, pdf)

An Introduction to Sustainable Development Second Edition

The completely revised and expanded second edition of Beyond Economic Growth book is available in two online versions: Browsing version: Click on the HTML links below to explore the book online. Print version: Click on the PDF links below for print-quality files. To open the PDF pages you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. We suggest that you start by learning more About This Book and How to Use This Book. Table of Contents PDF version HTML version PDF (12 MB) Entire book 226 Kb Cover, Title Page, Copyright Page, and Acknowledgements 161 Kb Introduction 302 Kb I. What is development? 791 Kb II. Comparing Levels of Development 909 Kb III. World Population Growth 921 Kb IV. Economic Growth Rates 292 Kb V. Income Inequality 1,081 Kb VI. Poverty and Hunger 1,136 Kb VII. Education 1,279 Kb VIII. Health and Longevity 828 Kb IX. Industrialization and Postindustrialization 869 Kb X. Urban Air Pollution 236 Kb XI. Public and Private Enterprises: Finding the Right Mix 1,105 Kb XII. Globalization: International Trade and Migration 243 Kb XIII. Globalization: Foreign Investment and Foreign Aid 1,073 Kb XIV. The Risk of Global Climate Change 186 Kb XV. Composite Indicators of Development 339 Kb XVI. Indicators of Development Sustainability 141 Kb XVII. Development Goals and Strategies 191 Kb Glossary 585 Kb Annexes: 38 Kb Annex 1. Classification of Economies by Income and Region Annex 2. Data Tables 88 Kb Table 1. Indicators to chapters 1-5 92 Kb Table 2. Indicators to chapters 6-7 94 Kb Table 3. Indicators to chapters 8-9 107 Kb Table 4. Indicators to chapters 10-13 85 Kb Table 5. Indicators to chapters 14-16 87 Kb Annex 3. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Earth 2100 - global project on reporting from one future!

http://earth2100.tv/

To change our future, first we must imagine it.

In an unprecedented television and internet event, ABC News is asking you to help answer perhaps the most important question of our time — What could our world look like over the next one hundred years if we don’t act now to save our troubled planet?

The world’s brightest minds agree that the “perfect storm” of population growth, resource depletion and climate change could converge with catastrophic results.

We need you to bring this story to life — to use your imagination to create short videos about what it would be like to live through the next century if we stay on our current path. Using predictions from top experts, we will feed you detailed briefings from the years 2015, 2050 and 2100 — and you will report back about the dangers that are unfolding before your eyes.

Your videos will be combined with the projections of top scientists, historians, and economists to form a powerful web–based narrative about the perils of our future. We will also select the most compelling reports to form the backbone of our two–hour primetime ABC News broadcast: Earth 2100.

------- Forwarded message follows -------

From: Luke Taylor

Subject: Fwd: ABC News, Earth 2100 - global project!

Date sent: Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:08:34 +1000

Hello,
I'm an associate producer with ABC News in New York City. We are producing a 2-hour documentary special called Earth 2100. It's a look at what some of the world's top scientists, economists, and historians say could happen to our planet if we maintain our present course. We will explore how the convergence of climate change, resource depletion and population growth could destabilize our world by the year 2100 if we don't act soon.

We have launched an interactive website at http://earth2100.tv , inviting people from around the world to help us shed light on what it's like to live in this future by submitting 1-3 long minute videos - from the years 2015, 2050, and 2100. We will choose submissions to include in an evolving web- based story about the dangers of our current path, and we will also select some of the most compelling videos to appear in our prime time ABC News special: Earth 2100, airing in early 2009.

I was looking at your website, and I am hoping you could spread the word to the Sustainable Living Foundation community and invite people to participate in our global project . We're looking for people to submit videos over the next several weeks ! This is a incredible opportunity to join others around the world in shedding light on issues facing our future.

Below is a summary that you can feel free to pass around. Many thanks! I look forward to hearing from you.
Best,

Sarah Namias
Associate Producer
ABC News, Long Form Unit
157 Columbus Ave, 4th fl
NY, NY 10023
(ph) 212-456-4687

ABC News wants YOU to report from the future
In an unprecedented television and internet event, ABC News is inviting you to help answer perhaps the most important question of our time- what will our world look like in one hundred years if we don't act now to save our troubled planet?

In an upcoming 2-hour special,Earth 2100, the world’s brightest minds will take us on a journey through the next century to reveal how the "perfect storm" of climate change, resource depletion, and population growth could destabilize our world - and they'll tell us what we can do to change course.

We have launched an interactive website inviting people across the globe to create short video reports depicting the future. Using predictions from top experts, we will post detailed scenarios from the years 2015, 2050 and 2100 – and we’re asking you to imagine your future world!

We will choose submissions to include in an evolving web-based story, and will also select some of the most compelling videos to appear in our prime time ABC News broadcast: Earth 2100, airing in early 2009.

This is a unique chance to join others around the world in shedding light on issues facing our future.
FOR MORE ABOUT HOW TO GET INVOLVED VISIT http://earth2100.tv

Luke Taylor

Sustainable Living Foundation

luke@slf.org.au

Level 2/140 Bourke St

Melbourne VIC 3000

Ph: 9249 1888

Fax: 9249 1899

40 steps on the personal path to green

by No Impact Man

A few weeks ago, I asked readers, "If a friend decided they wanted to do something about the environment, how would you tell him or her to start?"

So just in case you or a friend wants to start, here are 50 of the answers, in no particular order and boiled down to their essence. You can read the full versions here and follow the included links for further explanation (and thanks so much to all who contributed):

1. Don't buy food that comes in plastic or paper packaging.
2. Read the heartbreaking article "Plastic Ocean".
3. Buy fewer things. Don´t buy on impulse. Ask yourself if the thing you're buying is something that you really need.
4. Understand the impact of the products that you buy on the environment, from resource extraction through to disposal (watching The Story of Stuff will help).
5. Eat less meat (read here to understand why).
6. Getting your fingers dirty by growing your own food--even if it is just some basil on your windowsill--is the quickest way change your thought patterns about other green issues.
7. Stopped using my dryer and use a clothes line or drying rack--and enjoy saving the cash.
8. Drive less.
9. Fly less.
   
10. Organize your community to lobby state and local officials to pass a suite of laws increasing energy efficiency, clean-tech funding, and public education campaigns.
11. Walk more, and walk *to* places. Ideally, walk to the grocery store.
12. Start buying food and household products that are only made of things they can pronounce.
13. Make your own non-toxic household cleaning products.
14. Collect all of your trash each day and so you can see how much you produce.
15. Start with one or two things (take the bus one day a week, use cloth bags, etc) and make it a habit. Then move on to another and another.
16. Stop using your car for journeys of less than 2 miles--walk or bike.
17. Try to go a month without making any purchases other than food and energy.
18. An easy quick tip: stop using papertowels and paper napkins. Keep cloth towels on hand for cleaning and cloth napkins for mealtime (read why getting away from paper products is important here).
19. Find a "green" mentor. Someone whose actions and philosophy you admire. Have them recommend reading, start discussions, teach practices, and lend support. Doing this together is the best part!
20. THINK about how running the tap wastes water. THINK about how lights on in rooms not occupied wastes energy.
    
21. Avoid bottled water (read why here and here).
22. Join Freecycle, where you can give away what you don't need and get second-hand stuff for free.
23. Go to a good carbon footprint calculator so you can learn in what areas of your life you are using energy and carbon needlessly.
24. Don't waste.
25. Be mindful of how your actions affect others. Everything else stems from mindfulness.
26. Make a contribution of time or money to a green organization.
27. Tithe.
28. Recognize that happiness in life is related to relationships with other people, not shopping.
29. Reach within to determine what inside yourself doesn't feel right, what isn't working for you and start making changes from there.
30. Pray.
31. When the activity is fun, good for the environment, and also affects personal health (physically and also psychologically), it's much easier to maintain. So if you like biking, bike. If you like cooking, cook local.
32. Never use your car for a trip of less than two miles. Walk or bike. Notice the benefits to your physical fitness.
33. Swear off plastic bags.
34. Spend more time in nature, taking a class or reading about the environmentalist movement, whatever will make an impact deeper than the desire to be trendy in an era of greenwashing.
35. Skip sodas, juices, things that come in bottles and cans--for a week.
36. Bring your own mug to the cafe and carry your own water container (read about the ultra-cool reusable water bottle and coffee cup here and here).
37. Make a detailed budget and track spending habits (if you realize exactly how much your car costs you, you may choose a bike).
38. Switch to CFL lightbulbs, turn down your thermostat, and put a blanket on your water heater.
39. Stop your junk mail.
    
40. Join grassroots efforts to push the government to pass legislation that moves us quickly off fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

Designing and Building Healthy Communities

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/

Designing and Building Healthy Places

As the leading public health agency in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) scientifically considers all factors that affect the health of the nation. As we embark into the 21st century, the interaction between people and their environments, natural as well as human-made, continues to emerge as a major issue concerning public health.

Health and Healthy Places

According to the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of infirmity. A healthy community as described by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Healthy People 2010 report is one that continuously creates and improves both its physical and social environments, helping people to support one another in aspects of daily life and to develop to their fullest potential. Healthy places are those designed and built to improve the quality of life for all people who live, work, worship, learn, and play within their borders -- where every person is free to make choices amid a variety of healthy, available, accessible, and affordable options.

Health Issues as Related to Community Design

CDC recognizes several significant health issues that are related to land use, including--

• Accessibility
• Children's Health & the Built Environment
• Elders' Health & the Built Environment
• Gentrification
• Healthy Community Design
• Health Impact Assessment
• Injury
• Mental Health
• Physical Activity
• Respiratory Health & Air Pollution
• Social Capital
• Water Quality

by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.

Sky Scrapers, Highways, and Booming Communities, are all the results and benefits of Urban Sprawl; but, for all of its advantages there is a downside…congestion, pollution, and the expansion of waistlines.

Now, imagine communities where work, shops, schools, libraries, and churches are all within walking distance. These communities are no longer a fairy tale; they’re a reality.

Walkable communities are the wave of the future. Emerging health evidence reveals work/live communities are some of the healthiest places to live.

Why? They promote walking more and driving less. Vehicles contribute about a third of greenhouse gas emissions in this country. Physical activity reduces heart and respiratory disease, cancer and other health risks.

By design, these communities also encourage socialization; therefore, creating a close knit feel.
The future is here and the way communities are designed will not only affect our future, but future generations to come.

For the most accurate health information, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO, 24/7

Healthy Community Design Streaming Video
Dr. Howard Frumkin, Director of NCEH/ATSDR discusses the benefits of walkable communities as they relate to health, the environment, and social interaction.

• Streaming Video (15:46)

To download the video to your computer, RIGHT CLICK the appropriate file size below and select the "Save Target As..." option.

• Low [6 MB]
• Medium [19 MB]
• High [37 MB]

Additional Resources

Healthy Community Design Fact Sheet [PDF, 126 KB]
This fact sheet is an overview of Dr. Frumkin's Healthy Community Design discussion

Walkable Communities Podcast
This podcast discusses the benefits of walkable communities, as they relate to health, the environment, and social interaction.

Green Government Initiative Publications

http://www.naco.org/GreenTemplate.cfm?Section=Green_Government_Initiative_Publications&Template=/TaggedPage/TaggedPageDisplay.cfm&TPLID=88&ContentID=24883

Green Government Initiative

Launched in 2007, the NACo Green Government Initiative provides comprehensive resources for local governments on all things green, including energy, air quality, transportation, water quality, land use, purchasing and recycling. NACo serves as a catalyst between local governments and the private sector to facilitate green government best practices, products and policies that result in financial and environmental savings.

Through the Initiative, NACo will:

• Increase education and outreach on all things green;
• Help educate counties and help them educate the public;
• Promote environmentally-preferable purchasing;
• Facilitate an open dialogue with the private sector; and
• Reverse misinformed opinions that green techniques are too costly or of lesser quality

Publications and Presentations Greening County Fleets (PDF) This fact sheet explains how counties can implement green purchasing policies for their own buildings. Green Purchasing in County Offices (PDF) This fact sheet explains how counties can implement green purchasing policies for their own buildings. Improving Energy Efficiency in County Buildings (PDF) A guide on utilizing tools and resources through the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Program and NACo to improve the energy efficiency of county buildings. 10 Ways to Green Your County This fact sheet provides information on 10 ways for counties to use green practices. Solid Waste Management, Recycling and E-Waste This fact sheet provides an overview to the challenges and possible solutions of managing the growing problem of solid waste and also explores how to implement county programs for recycling, especially for e-waste. Workshop: High Water Marks- Tools for Rural Counties to Improve Water Quality Presentations from the 2008 NACo Annual Conference in Kansas City. Workshop: How to Implement County Green Policies-Innovative Codes and Ordinances Presentations from the 2008 NACo Annual Conference in Kansas City. Workshop: Does the Equation Add Up? Environment + Jobs = Strong Economy? Presentations from the 2008 NACo Annual Conference in Kansas City. Workshop: Climate Protection Tools Presentations from the 2008 NACo Annual Conference in Kansas City. Workshop: Food, Fuel and the Environment: Making Sense of the Ethanol Debate Presentations from the 2008 NACo Annual Conference in Kansas City. Workshop: Waste Not, Want Not: How to Prepare for New Challenges in Recycling Presentations from the 2008 NACo Annual Conference in Kansas City. County Green Programs Survey A report on a survey by NACo in June 2008 of county green government practices. Gas Prices, County Budgets and County Operations A report on a survey by NACo in June 2008 on the impacts of gas prices on county budgets and operations. Local Leaders in Sustainability: Green Counties A report by NACo and the American Institute of Architects that examines green building practices in the nation's 200 most populous counties. Advanced Water Management - IBM Presentation on water management by IBM at the 2008 NACo Legislative Conference. Video: Arlington County, Va. FreshAIRE Campaign Approximately a 30-minute video on the launch of Arlington County’s successful initiative to reduce emissions. Diesel Technology Forum – Energy Efficiency, Energy Independence, and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions A look at clean diesel and climate change. Diesel Technology Forum – Renewable Diesel Fuels Fact Sheet An overview of renewable diesel fuels. Diesel Technology Forum - Did You Know? Off-Road Equipment Embarks On Clean Diesel Revolution 2007 County Climate Protection Forum Presentations from the first-ever national forum for counties on climate protection. Blue Earth County courthouse 'goes green' Blue Earth County courthouse 'goes green', earns coveted ENERGY STAR rating. Counties and Residential Green Building Standards (PDF) This fact sheet provides a basic overview of green standards and certifications for residential buildings being implemented at a national and local level, and details resources available to help counties achieve those standards and certifications. Air Quality Improvement Guide for Local Governments This guide provides best practice examples on a range of activities local governments are undertaking to help achieve and maintain attainment status for ozone and particulate matter pollution. Clean Diesel Technology for County Operations This fact sheet provides a basic overview of clean diesel technology for county fleets, the 5 R’s of retrofit, funding and company resources, and best practice examples. Energy Efficient Lighting in County Facilities This fact sheet provides a basic overview of energy efficient lighting and its benefits, how it is used in county buildings, best practice examples, emerging technologies and company resources.

Creating a Green County Team (pdf) This fact sheet assists counties looking to advance green government practices across their agencies and communities with a team of staff members to help facilitate the effort

Geothermal Energy in County Facilities This fact sheet provides a basic overview of geothermal energy and its benefits, how it is used in county buildings, best practice examples, and company resources.

Fueling Your Fleet: The Future of Alternative Fuels Presentations from a workshop at the 2007 NACo Annual Conference on Tuesday, July 17, 2007.

Purchasing and Procurement: Go Green, Save Green, See Green Presentations from a workshop at the 2007 NACo Annual Conference on Monday, July 16, 2007.

Renewable Energy Forecast: What Will Fuel Your County? Presentations from a workshop at the 2007 NACo Annual Conference on Monday, July 16, 2007.

Green Standards and Certifications: How Green is Green? Presentations from a workshop at the 2007 NACo Annual Conference on Sunday, July 15, 2007.

Wind Energy Guide for County Commissioners This publication is designed to provide county commissioners, planners, and other local county government officials with a practical overview of information required to successfully implement commercial wind energy projects in their county.

Going “Green” in Your County: Diversified Power Sources and Renewable Energies Presentations from this workshop at NACo's 2006 Annual Conference.

County Buildings: Energy Efficiency and Performance Contracting A fact sheet on utilizing performance contracts for energy efficiency improvements of county buildings.

Webinar Presentations and Recordings - Cost free online trainings on green subjects for county officials and staff.

Green Counties 101 (Closed)
Wednesday, May 7 2008 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm Eastern
Green momentum is here, and counties have positioned themselves as leaders. With increasing momentum, green policies and programs have taken shape as counties hunt for the most effective targets, incentives and rewards to help affect behavioral change in their communities. Counties of all regions and compositions are helping us understand that green can be as much about doing the right thing for the environment as it is about being fiscally and socially responsible.
This webinar will utilize county best practices that will allow you to understand:

• How to begin a green government movement in your county
• Challenges to "going green" and how to overcome them
• How to engage key players

Presentations:

Audio Presentation Dane County, WI - Brett Hulsey Green Counties 101 Webinar Howard County MD - Joshua Feldmark La Plata County CO - Wally White Marin County CA - Dawn Weisz Green Purchasing 101 (Closed) Tuesday, May 13 2008 - 12:00pm – 2:00pm Eastern As the public demand for more environmentally sensitive purchasing increases, county officials are concerned about the added costs of buying green. Buying green is no longer more expensive, and in the long run, may be cheaper. In addition to county case studies, this webinar will cover: Components to green purchasing policies Implementing the policy and getting appropriate staff on board Available mechanisms for environmentally-friendly products Overview of green labels and certifications Dispel common myths that being green is expensive or sacrifices quality Presentations: Audio Presentation Green Government Initiative Overview LosAngeles County CA - Joe Sandoval Matanuska Susitna Borough AK - Emerson Krueger Office Depot - Yalmaz Siddiqui Sarasota County FL - Susan Scott US Communities Government Purchasing Alliance - Connie Kuranko Funding Options and Financial Incentives for On-Site Renewable Energy Projects (Closed) Thursday, May 22 2008 - 1:30pm – 3:30pm Eastern Public sector entities are helping meet their energy needs with on-site renewable energy facilities. One key to the long-term success of an on-site renewable project is financing: how will construction be funded and what incentives can be leveraged to ensure the financial feasibility of the project? In addition to county case studies, this webinar will cover: Financing options available to counties Performance contracting as a deal structure Government, utility and market incentives for on-site renewable energy projects Monetizing the attributes of renewable energy, such as renewable energy credits (REC's), Energy Efficiency Certificates (EECs) Presentations: Audio Presentation Butte County CA - Brian Haddix Catalyst Financial Group - Neil Zobler Derek Price - Johnson Controls Inc. Green Government Initiative - Onsite Renewables Funding Webinar National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Karlynn Cory Waste Management, Recycling and E-Waste 101 (Closed) Thursday, June 12 2008 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm Eastern We’ve all heard the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” but now hear how county governments are implementing policies and programs to help divert waste from overflowing landfills and prevent harmful effects on the environment. In addition to county case studies, this webinar will cover: Overview of waste collection and processing methods Proper disposal and successful methods of diverting aging electronics from landfills Presentations: Alameda County CA StopWaste - Debra Kaufman Audio Presentation Clackamas County OR Rick Winterhalter Green Government Initiative - Waste Management, Recycling and EWaste Webinar Logan CO OH – Alan Hale Waste Management Ecycling - Joe Aho Waste Management LampTracker - Mark Stennes Communicating Your County Climate Protection Message (Closed) Wednesday, June 18 2008 - 1:30pm – 3:30pm Eastern As more and more counties adopt community greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, how can they effectively communicate with the public and private sectors that are key in achieving these reductions? In addition to county case studies, this webinar will cover: Effective tools and messaging in communicating with the public and private sectors Innovative and interactive methods to mobilize the community Gaining internal staff support for your county's climate goals Presentations: American Institute of Architects - Stephen Loos Boulder County CO - Ann Livingston Digitized Audio Replay Green Government Initiative - Communicating Your County Climate Protection Message Webinar Pew Center on Global Climate Change - Tom Steinfeldt Sarasota County FL - Lee Hayes Byron Whatcom County WA - Christina Reeves LEED for Existing Buildings (Closed) Thursday, June 26 2008 - 2:00pm – 4:00pm Eastern The LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. In addition to county case studies, this webinar will cover: Costs and benefits of LEED-EB certification How to incorporate LEED-EB into strategic energy management or facility upgrade plans Tools and resources available to assist your county in the process Presentations: Ada County ID - Selena O'Neal Audio Presentation BOMA International - Transwestern - Al Skodowski Green Government Initiative - LEED EB State of California Department of General Services - Jeff Henninger US Green Building Council - Melissa Gallagher Rogers

http://www.naco.org/GreenTemplate.cfm?Section=Green_Government_Initiative_Sponsors&Template=/cffiles/ggi/webinars/webinars.cfm

Global Issues and Sustainable Solutions

Series of twenty biweekly articles

This ten-week series of articles first appeared in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Newspapers in Education series Skills for Everyday Living from April 9 to June 13, 2008.

Written for grades 5-10, the series can be used in full or in part to study specific topics. Each week features two articles on a particular topic. All articles include a student activity and "take action" idea. The articles complement specific Facing the Future lessons, many of which are available to download for free.

Click on the links below to download the complete articles and corresponding lessons.

Week 1: Sustainability & Climate Change Week 2: Environment & Ecological Footprint Week 3: Water Week 4: Resource Use Week 5: Population

Week 6: Food Week 7: Poverty Week 8: Health Week 9: Consumption & Media Literacy Week 10: Quality of Life

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Week 1: Sustainability & Climate Change

What Are Global Issues?
Read about climate change as a global issue that affects people locally all over the world. Use the "iceberg model" to look for patterns, underlying structures, and root causes. Download complete article.
Lesson link: Shopping Heats Up

The Seventh Generation
Is wind energy a sustainable solution to climate change? Learn how to determine whether a solution is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. Download complete article.
Lesson link: Is It Sustainable?

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Week 2: Environment & Ecological Footprint

People and the Planet
Everyone has an Ecological Footprint, but not everyone's footprint is the same size. What can we do to reduce our footprints and enhance Earth's carrying capacity? Download complete article.
Lesson link: Watch Where You Step!

Energy in the Sustainability Puzzle
Everything we do – from cooking to heating our homes to getting around – requires energy. Read about renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy, as well as steps we can take to conserve the energy we use. Download complete article.

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Week 3: Water

How Much Water Is Available?
Water is a renewable resource because it can be replaced as it is used – but there is a fixed amount of water on Earth. Learn about freshwater sources, causes of water stress, and conservation methods. Download complete article.
Lesson link: Every Drop Counts!

The Ocean Planet
The oceans are so big that it would seem like humans couldn’t significantly impact their health. Unfortunately, the facts tell a different story. The good news is that you have the power to protect our "blue planet." Download complete article.

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Week 4: Resource Use

The Source of Our Stuff
How we use a resource determines whether it will remain available for years and generations to come. Why is it especially important to protect common resources such as oceans? Download complete article.
Lesson link: Fishing for the Future

Earth's Resources
The health of the planet depends on the health of its many ecosystems. As humans, we can make personal choices that help the planet continue to meet our needs while sustaining its biodiversity. Download complete article.
Lesson link: Biodiversity Connections

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Week 5: Population

Populating the Planet
Without the pressure of population growth, perhaps none of the issues facing humanity today would be large enough to qualify as global. Explore historic and modern population trends. Download complete article.
Lesson link: Splash But Don't Crash

How Are We Growing?
Each year, the earth has to "carry" more and more people. Read about personal and structural solutions to increase Earth's carrying capacity. Download complete article.
Lesson link: How Big is a Billion?

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Week 6: Food

Food for All
Over the last half century, global food production has grown even faster than the earth’s rapidly growing population. Yet, people around the world are still going hungry and suffering from malnutrition. How can we ensure that all people have access to the basic food they need? Download complete article

A Growing Food Supply
Explore ways that people around the world are protecting the systems that support all life on Earth by growing and eating food with sustainability in mind. Download complete article.
Lesson link: Farming for the Future

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Week 7: Poverty

Poverty in Numbers
The effects of poverty are also often the causes of poverty. Governments, organizations, and individuals all have important roles in combating poverty. Download complete article.
Lesson link: Take a Step for Equity

It's Not Just About Money
One key to reducing poverty is improving people's quality of life. Structural solutions such as microcredit can work in tandem with personal solutions to alleviate global poverty. Download complete article.
Lesson link: Microcredit for Sustainable Development

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Week 8: Health

A Global Checkup
Even though we all want to be healthy and most people in the world are living longer lives, many continue to suffer from poor health. How are the health challenges facing people in poorer countries different from those facing people in wealthier countries? Download complete article.

What Is Good Health, Anyway?
Is health more than the absence of illness? Explore economic, environmental, and social challenges to health – and think of some solutions! Download complete article.
Lesson link: Partners for Health

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Week 9: Consumption & Media Literacy

Spending Spree
Everything we buy has an impact on the economy, environment, and society. How can consumers, producers, and governments make these impacts positive rather than negative? Download complete article.
Lesson link: Are You Buying This?!

Information Overload?
Thinking critically about the media messages we take in – and also the messages we give out – is essential to ensuring that the media plays a constructive role in society. Download complete article.
Lesson link: What's In the News?

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Week 10: Quality of Life

Defining Needs
One step to improving personal well-being is to think about what we need and how we want to spend our time and money to meet these needs. If each of us focused on meeting our basic needs, might quality of life improve for everyone? Download complete article.

The Right to a Good Life
Are there some things that all people should have the right to do? It is everyone’s responsibility to stand up for the rights we value and work toward the future we want to see. Download complete article.
Lesson link: Livin' the Good Life?

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