Palm Beach Community College Environmental Sustainability Essay

One of the biggest issues instanteradays is environmental sustainability. Sustainability came from the solvent word sustain. To sustain means to support, bear the weight of, to obligate going and to keep alive (Petry 2). In College Reading 4, Cheryl Benz and Cynthia Shuemann defined environmental sustainability as the ability of the environment to function indefinitely without going into a decline from the stresses imposed by man society on essential systems (such as soil, water, and air) that maintain life (129).Here is a nonher definition of environmental sustainability by Kelsey and Becker The general concept of environmental sustainability refers to the necessary balance among human wants and ask and the depicted object of the natural systems of the earth (31). As verbalise in the website of Environmental Protection Agency, the term sustainability was first theatrical roled in 1987 when World Commission on Environment and Development report Our mutual Future was publis hed.The concept of sustainability is still in used nowadays and it is of gravid serving for the human race. The whole world is flowingly experiencing whizz of the nearly serious problems regarding the environment which is spherical warming. We, the human beings argon taking for tending(p) the world we are living in. Instead of protecting the world from degradation, we table service as the agents of worlds deterioration through our selfish activities and behaviors.Pollution, sporting population growth, non-conservation of energy and exploitation of natural sources are some of the human activities that cause environmental problems. Here now comes the issue on environmental sustainability. poop we still say that the environment is capable of sustaining or grown the needs of the present generation as well as the needs of the future generation? Environmental science and the concept of environmental sustainability mint be used to help the nations, organizations or even the s ingle individuals in resolving the problems we are facing right now.In opening the minds of individuals somewhat the environmental issues and sustainability, higher(prenominal) education underside be used as medium or means. Higher education specific ally college level laughingstock be used in making the individuals, especially the youth, aware of the environmental degradation the earth is experiencing right now. The universities are one of the best impart in providing the individuals with knowledge and awareness about sustainable culture. What is sustainable discipline?According to Environmental Protection Agency, sustainable emergence is defined as development that adjoins the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is actually(prenominal) beneficial not single to the environment notwithstanding too to economic growth, technological advancement and cash advance of quality of life. Ac cording to Roger Petry, the university plays as a key contributor to sustainable development.The following are the reasons why Petry considers the university as mediator for sustainable development a) The university arouse contribute breadth of knowledge, particularly of human and ecological systems (b) it has the readiness to integrate knowledge regarding ecological, economic, and social issues, including local knowledge (c) it has the capacity for global and local sharing of knowledge (d) it provides knowledge to the poor and marginalized groups (e) it has the capacity for semipermanent research (f) it has academic freedom and institutional autonomy and (g) it is subjected to public accountabilities. 11) In order for higher education to buzz off more sustainable, national and internationalist sustainability promulgations were developed.The sustainability declarations for higher education, which are stated according to chronological orders, are as follow The Stockholm resolut eness on the Human Environment (1972), capital of Georgia result (1977), University Presidents for a Sustainable Future The Talloires Declaration (1990), The Halifax Declaration (1991), wrap up of the get together Nations Conference on Environment and Development Chapter 36 Promoting Education, in the public eye(predicate) ken and Training (1992), Ninth International Association of Universities Round evade The Kyoto Declaration (1993), Association of Commonwealth Universities Fifteenth Quinquennial Conference Swansea Declaration (1993), CRE Copernicus lead (1994) and International Conference on Environment and Society Education and humans Awareness for Sustainability Declaration of Thessaloniki (1997) (Wright 1).The Stockholm Declaration of 1972 was the first declaration ever so made for the sustainability of higher education. Its focus is on the relationship of humanity and environment. The declaration failed to protect the right of natures and it is intelligibly center ed on human (Wright 2). The Tibilisi Declaration was created during the conference by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) on 1977. The Tbilisi Conference echoed the sen cartridge clipnts of the Stockholm Declaration by stating that environmental education should be provided to people of all ages, all levels of academic aptitude and essential be delivered in both glob and non formal environments. (Wright 2)The Talloires Declaration was the first statement made by university administrators of a commitment to sustainability in higher education. It stated that university heads must provide leading and support to mobilize internal and external resources so that their institutions respond to this imperative challenge. (Wright 2-3) The Kyoto Declaration of 1990 was created during the Ninth International Association of Universities Round Table with the attention of 90 international university lea ders.Agenda 21 and the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development Conference in Rio de Janeiro are two central conferences in environmental sustainability and biodiversity. The Kyoto Declaration is closely related to these two epochal conferences (Wright 5). Almost 400 universities from 47 countries attended the ratification of the Swansea Declaration. One of its grievous contributions is the prioritization of the third world or the less developed countries. The wealthy countries must support those less developed countries regarding sustainable development among universities (Wright 5-6).The Thessaloniki Declaration of 1997 was sign during the UNESCO Conference on Environment and Society Education and Public Awareness For Sustainability that was held in Thessaloniki, Greece. The declaration argued that the concept of environmental sustainability must be clearly linked with poverty, population, food security, democracy, human rights, peace and wellness and a compli ance for traditional cultural and ecological knowledge. (Wright 7) handle bound conjunction College is one of those universities that includes sustainability in their curriculum. laurel Beach Community College is committed to providing the best educational opportunity for our current students while ensuring that the same opportunity for success is accessible to our future students as well.Therefore our entire educational organization has commit itself to focusing on improving the three areas of sustainability on our campuses and in our confederacy environmental protection, economic growth and social responsibility. (Palm Beach Community College Sustainability) The preceding(prenominal) passage is the mission statement of Palm Beach Community College as stated in their website.Palm Beach Community College promotes environmental sustainability by teaching their students about it. They in addition enhance the awareness of their students regarding sustainability. Palm Beach Co mmunity College is a very candid example on how higher education can promote sustainability. Palm Beach Community College has many an separate(prenominal) activities that practice sustainable development not only for their students but to a fault for the whole community. Palm Beach Community College is indeed a very great model for promoting sustainability. A good example for this is the use of spurt buildings in their university.Green buildings are buildings made of materials that are environment friendly. They besides made renovations of existing buildings in order to attain greater sustainability (Building and Renovation). overly through energy conservation, sustainability is attained. In order to conserve energy, the lighting in the campus is composed of bulbs that consume less energy. Air conditioning consumes large make out of energy. In order to lessen energy consumption, the university introduced technological innovations to their air conditioners and similarly the un iversity implemented the greater temperature in their classrooms (Energy Management). Palm Beach Community College also improves their landscaping and grounds.Improvement on landscape and grounds that were mentioned in the website are reducing pesticide use, planting native vegetation, minimizing lawn space, removing pavement, or designing wildlife habitat areas. These activities not only promote environmental sustainability but also display esthetical value of the campus (Grounds / Landscaping). Palm Beach Community College believes that wildlife must be protected so that the next generation will be able to ensure those endangered species. One good example of wildlife conservation is the protection of owls inwardly the campus. The owls give the campus with lesser rodent population in return (Wildlife). service in Palm Beach Community also prop up environmental sustainability. They encourage their students to eat foods from plants bid vegetables and fruits.They also discourage s tudents to use non-environment friendly packaging of food like Styrofoam and plastics (Food Service). Green Cleaning is an greet to janitorial services that offers better environmental performance and improved worker health and safety, while retaining the same sanitation quality as traditional, more chemical-intensive methods. (Housekeeping) The university also pushes the use of environment-friendly cleaning products. Recycling is the best way for waste management. each wastes that can be still used must be reused or recycled in order to lessen the wastes that are being thrown away. By this, pollution can be avoided (Waste Management). Sustainable procurement involves making witting purchasing choices to conserve resources, mitigate pollution and waste, and promote a good economy. (Procurement)Toxic chemicals and substances are used in belief but Palm Beach Community College promotes another way of printing which is green printing. The university encourages their students to u se recycled papers, double-sided printing, and soy-based inks that are not toxic and less harmful in the environment (Printing). PBCC defines service-learning as a teaching method that increases student fight and success through community involvement to apply theories or skills being taught in a course. (Service Learning)Through service learning, the students are exposed to realistic life social issues and by that the students can learn how to apply sustainability in order to improve the environment, economy and quality of life. PBCC encourages students to join Ecology clubs in order for them to join co-curricular activities regarding the environment. Palm Beach Community College offers students the opportunity to become actively involved with award winning clubs and organizations, by promoting the development of leadership skills, challenging special interests and encouraging interaction with other students. (Mission Statement & savant Clubs & Organizations at the Boca Raton Ca mpus)Some of the events sponsored by Palm Beach Community College are Earth Day, Coastal Cleanup, Transportation transformation and Green Expo. These events are very important to the environment since it is when environmental sustainability is practiced. It is also a very good time for PBCC to educate other people about sustainable development of the environment. As an individual, what can we do to our environment? Palm Beach Community College suggests some shipway that we can do for the welfare of the environment. Some of these slipway are conservation of energy and water, waste management at position and at work and living a green lifestyle (What Can I Do).Not only the youth and the adults can serve as stewards of environmental rehabilitation, the kids can also help. Palm Beach Community College offers activities for kids that can enhance their awareness on environmental sustainability and at the same time they are enjoying and learning. Some of these activities are Gorilla in the green house, seek in the lake and National geographic kids (Green for Kids). Smoke emission and the use of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels are some of the problems that are being encountered in expatriate. Since delightation is a necessity inside the campus, Palm Beach Community College implements ways and means in minimizing environmental degradation due to waste by-products of transport vehicles.Alternative fuels, such as ethanol and electricity, carpooling incentives, increased bike accessibility, and other solutions are being explored on campuses across the country and as a result, these campuses are saving money, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, decreasing water runoff, and realizing numberless other benefits. (Transportation) In the world we are living right now, we can say that the environment is not that sustainable and it has now less capacity to support life. The people nowadays are destroying the nature that God had abandoned us. It is not only the e nvironment that we are not taking vex of but also the lives of the future generations. We are leaving then but problems on environment and low quality of life.What we need right now are stewards of environments who will restore its beauty and sustainability. Through higher education, agents of environmental sustainability were being created. One example of the universities that produces individuals that are concerned to the environment is the Palm Beach Community College. It not only opens the eyes of students on current issues regarding the environment but it also brings-up the awareness and sense of responsibilities of students. By that, environmental sustainability is attained. Also, in our own little ways we can bring O.K. what we have lost. If only each and every individual will help on the restoration of the environment, attaining sustainability will be faster.