Sustainability in Higher Education: How Universities Affect the Future
Quick Answer
Sustainability in higher education highlights the inseparability between environmental concerns, economic factors and social issues. By developing and adopting sustainable practices, universities contribute to fostering responsible global citizenship and shaping a healthier planet that will support future generations.
As universities integrate sustainability into their campuses, it’s important to understand its meaning in education. Sustainability is not just a buzzword; it’s a comprehensive approach to education that focuses on understanding the intricate connections between human society and our planet, said Michael Weinstein, the director of the Office of Sustainability at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).
Higher education institutions explore these links across social, economic and environmental systems. The goal is to develop a mindset of stewardship and care for all life on Earth, he said. By studying these principles, students are preparing for the future and contributing to shaping a sustainable world for generations to come.
Defining Sustainability in Education
When considering what sustainability means within education, it is critical to help students see how this concept applies to them.
“At a minimum, a student in any course or program that incorporates sustainability principles should come away understanding the inseparability of our planet and human society,” Weinstein said.
He said these courses illustrate how “sustainability teaching and learning purposefully explores the interconnection among social, economic, and environmental systems.”
This approach is inclusive and relevant in the global community as well, he said, to foster mindsets and actions that promote the stewardship of the Earth.
Through this perspective, he said sustainability extends beyond environmental to issues such as:
- Efficient resource use
- Renewable energy investment
- Equitable education
- Community involvement
The Role of Sustainability on College Campuses
On college campuses, the role of sustainability goes beyond just the environmental science courses and spreads across the entire campus. Weinstein said,
“Students can look for sustainable practices in every aspect of campus life,” Weinstein said, pointing to efforts such as reducing waste by using central collection stations, and diverting as many items as possible from landfills.
All of these efforts, he said, aim to reduce climate change-causing CO2 emissions by leveraging renewable energy sources and promoting more efficient institutional projects and individual behaviors.
These strategies also aim to decrease operational expenses, increase resiliency and uphold universities’ missions in an unstable world. Campus sustainability provides a real-world framework for students, ensuring that “even if students aren’t taking a course on sustainability, they are directly benefiting from sustainability practices,” Weinstein said.
This approach not only fosters a sustainable environment but also educates and involves the university community in sustainable practices, preparing students for responsible citizenship in a global community.
The commitment to sustainability Weinstein said, doesn’t end with immediate improvements. A broad spectrum of efforts are integrated within comprehensive sustainability and climate action plans, such as:
- Risk Management
- Digital Assets
- Purchasing
- Partnerships
- Financial Investments
The Importance of Education for Sustainability
Understanding education’s role is important for students, as it reveals the connections that shape our society and the environment. According to UNESCO, education for sustainable development provides “learners of all ages the knowledge, skills, values and agency to address interconnected global challenges” like climate change, biodiversity loss and resource inequality.
Weinstein said this understanding is crucial because sustainable action relies on a broad knowledge base spanning ecology, economics and social psychology. He said education bridges these seemingly disparate fields, fostering a shared understanding of sustainability principles and making it easier for students to collaborate across traditional boundaries.
“Education helps us see the often-invisible connections between human society, how we govern and do business with ourselves and the functioning of the planet we all live on,” said Weinstein.
Credit: DeLarge77 – Own work
Sustainability Education’s Impact on Future Generations
The impact of sustainability education on future generations cannot be overstated. According to National Geographic, “sustainability education informs students about the importance of conserving resources,” emphasizing that “planting seedlings in deforested areas and reducing the number of trees cut down are practical examples of sustainable forestry practices that balance current needs with the preservation of ecosystems for future use.”
Weinstein said, “the quality of life for future generations depends almost entirely on the sustainable actions we take today.” Through such education, institutions are not just passing on knowledge but actively shaping the social institutions necessary for a sustainable future.
This process involves creating a shared understanding essential for maintaining sustainable practices across various sectors of society. By engaging in sustainability education, students can:
- Help support sustainable transformations in their communities.
- Commit to ensuring a viable planet for future generations.
- Develop leadership qualities to drive sustainability initiatives.
Sustainability Literacy in Curricula
Incorporating sustainability into curricula is necessary to develop a comprehensive understanding of our interconnected world. Weinstein said that many institutions ensure that “sustainability teaching and learning purposefully explores the interconnection among social, economic and environmental systems.”
He also said this educational approach goes beyond ecological awareness to include economic and social dimensions, making sustainability education inclusive and meaningful to a global community.
Visibility and Individual Contributions to Sustainability
Many higher education institutions prioritize the visibility of sustainability initiatives. Weinstein said, “Students can look for sustainable practices in every aspect of campus life.” This visibility is crucial as it fosters constant awareness and participation among students and staff in sustainability efforts.
Moreover, individual contributions are highly valued and encouraged. Weinstein said institutions support this engagement through various programs, such as employing Eco-Reps—students committed to leading sustainability efforts.
These efforts reach beyond physical locations to online platforms, ensuring that “any community member anywhere on Earth can find their level of involvement with sustainability,” Weinstein said. This inclusive approach helps cultivate a culture of sustainability that benefits and can include everyone.
Sustainability in higher education goes beyond just being aware of environmental issues; it forms a way of thinking for developing responsible global citizens and future leaders. Weinstein said, that through initiatives like the Guiding Framework for Sustainability Education, academic institutions ensure that students understand the connections between society and the environment.
This not only educates them about these links but also actively involves students in sustainable practices. By embedding such principles in the curriculum, universities can help face current and future challenges. The efforts invested now in sustainability in higher education are important for our planet’s future well-being and sustainability, helping to ensure that our actions today help build a just and peaceful world for future generations.
Credit: Steve Lux, Jr. – Own work
Ollie Burkett is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University. You can connect with him on LinkedIn. SNHU does not endorse or sponsor any commercial product, service, or activity offered on this website.