Palm Beach Community College Environmental Sustainability Essay

adept of the biggest issues immediately is surroundingsal sustainability. Sustainability came from the root word sustain. To sustain means to support, bear the freight of, to keep vent and to keep alive (Petry 2). In College Reading 4, Cheryl Benz and Cynthia Shuemann outlined surroundingsal sustainability as the ability of the environment to function indefinitely without going into a decline from the stresses imposed by piece society on natural systems (such as soil, water, and b atomic number 18) that maintain life (129).Here is another comment of environmental sustainability by Kelsey and Becker The general concept of environmental sustainability refers to the necessary rest between human wants and needs and the subject matter of the natural systems of the earth (31). As stated in the website of milieual Protection Agency, the term sustainability was first utilise in 1987 when World mission on Environment and Development repute Our Common Future was published.The co ncept of sustainability is still in kick in nowadays and it is of great help for the human race. The whole domain is currently experiencing champion of the most serious problems regarding the environment which is global warming. We, the human beings atomic number 18 victorious for granted the world we be living in. Instead of protecting the world from debasement, we serve as the agents of worlds deterioration through our egoistic activities and behaviors.Pollution, fast population growth, non-conservation of energy and exploitation of natural sources ar several(prenominal) of the human activities that ca intention environmental problems. Here now comes the issue on environmental sustainability. Can we still say that the environment is cap fitting of sustaining or giving the needs of the present generation as well as the needs of the future generation? Environmental science and the concept of environmental sustainability can be used to help the nations, institutions or even the wizard individuals in resolving the problems we atomic number 18 facing right now.In start the minds of individuals about the environmental issues and sustainability, higher education can be used as medium or means. Higher education specific exclusivelyy college take aim can be used in make the individuals, especially the juvenility, sensible of the environmental degradation the earth is experiencing right now. The universities are one of the beat out channels in providing the individuals with knowledge and sense about sustainable teaching. What is sustainable development?According to Environmental Protection Agency, sustainable development is delimitate as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is very beneficial not simply to the environment only excessively to economic growth, technological attainment and improvement of lumber of life. Accord ing to Roger Petry, the university plays as a key reader to sustainable development.The following are the reasons why Petry considers the university as mediator for sustainable development a) The university can contrisolelye breadth of knowledge, particularly of human and ecological systems (b) it has the depicted object 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 rears knowledge to the poor and marginalized groups (e) it has the capacity for long-term research (f) it has academic freedom and institutional autonomy and (g) it is subjected to mankind accountabilities. 11) In order for higher education to become more(prenominal) sustainable, guinea pig and international sustainability results were developed.The sustainability declarations for higher education, which are stated according to chronological orders, are as follow The capital of Sweden an nouncement on the Human Environment (1972), Tbilisi solvent (1977), University Presidents for a Sustainable Future The Talloires announcement (1990), The Halifax Declaration (1991), Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development Chapter 36 Promoting command, cosmos Awareness and Training (1992), Ninth International Association of Universities lag accede The Kyoto Declaration (1993), Association of Commonwealth Universities Fifteenth Quinquennial Conference Swansea Declaration (1993), CRE Copernicus Charter (1994) and International Conference on Environment and Society Education and Public Awareness for Sustainability Declaration of Thessaloniki (1997) (Wright 1).The Stockholm Declaration of 1972 was the first declaration ever made for the sustainability of higher education. Its focus is on the relationship of sympathy and environment. The declaration failed to protect the right of natures and it is clearly centered on human (Wright 2). The Tibilisi D eclaration was created during the conference by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural face (UNESCO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) on 1977. The Tbilisi Conference echoed the sentiments of the Stockholm Declaration by stating that environmental education should be provided to populate of all ages, all levels of academic aptitude and must be delivered in twain formal 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 leadership and support to mobilize internal and external resources so that their institutions serve to this urgent challenge. (Wright 2-3) The Kyoto Declaration of 1990 was created during the Ninth International Association of Universities Round Table with the attendance of 90 international university leaders.Agenda 21 and the United Nations Commission on Environme nt and Development Conference in Rio de Janeiro are twain important conferences in environmental sustainability and biodiversity. The Kyoto Declaration is closely related to these two significant conferences (Wright 5). Almost 400 universities from 47 countries attended the ratification of the Swansea Declaration. One of its important contributions is the prioritization of the third world or the less developed countries. The slopped countries must support those less developed countries regarding sustainable development among universities (Wright 5-6).The Thessaloniki Declaration of 1997 was ratified 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 health and a respect for traditional cultural and ecological knowledge. (Wright 7) handle Beach confederation College is one of those universities that includes sustainability in their curriculum. cover Beach federation College is committed to providing the best educational hazard for our current students while ensuring that the same opportunity for victory is available to our future students as well.Therefore our entire educational organization has dedicated itself to focusing on improving the three areas of sustainability on our campuses and in our community environmental protection, economic growth and social responsibility. ( palm Beach society College Sustainability) The above passage is the mission statement of do by Beach fraternity College as stated in their website.Palm Beach conjunction College promotes environmental sustainability by teaching their students about it. They also enhance the awareness of their students regarding sustainability. Palm Beach Community College is a very good example on how higher education can promote sustainability. Palm Beach Community College has many activities that practice sustainable development not only for their students but also 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 fountain buildings in their university.Green buildings are buildings made of materials that are environment friendly. They also made renovations of existing buildings in order to attain great sustainability (Building and Renovation). Also through energy conservation, sustainability is attained. In order to conserve energy, the fervour in the campus is composed of bulbs that consume less energy. Air conditioning consumes rangy amount of energy. In order to lessen energy consumption, the university introduced technological innovations to their air conditioners and also the university implemented the greater temperature in their classrooms (Energy Management). Palm Beach Community College also im proves 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 viewing aesthetic value of the campus (Grounds / Landscaping). Palm Beach Community College believes that wildlife must be saved so that the next generation will be able to see those endangered species. One good example of wildlife conservation is the protection of owls inside the campus. The owls give the campus with lesser rodent population in reverse (Wildlife). Services in Palm Beach Community also shore up environmental sustainability. They encourage their students to eat foods from plants like vegetables and fruits.They also reject students to use non-environment friendly packaging of food like Styrofoam and plastics (Food Service). Green clean is an approach to janitorial services that offers better environmental performance and improved proletarian 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 fade management. All bollix ups that can be still used must be reused or recycled in order to lessen the wastes that are being throw away. By this, pollution can be avoided (Waste Management). Sustainable procurement involves making conscious purchasing choices to conserve resources, mitigate pollution and waste, and promote a healthy economy. (Procurement)Toxic chemicals and substances are used in printing but Palm Beach Community College promotes another way of printing which is green printing. The university encourages their students to use recycled papers, double-sided printing, and soy-based inks that are not toxic and less noisome in the environment (Printing). PBCC defines service-learning as a teaching method that increases student engagement and success through community involvement to apply theories or skills being taught in a course. (Service Learning)Through service learning, the students are unfastened to real 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 tilt & Student Clubs & Organizations at the Boca Raton Campus)Some of the events sponsored by Palm Beach Community College are Earth Day, Coastal Cleanup, Transportation teddy 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 ways are conservation of energy and water, waste management at home 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, Fish in the lake and National geographic kids (Green for Kids). stinkpot emission and the use of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels are some of the problems that are being encountered in transportation. Since transportation 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 crossways the country and as a result, these campuses are saving money, reducing degree centigrade dioxide emissions, decreasing water runoff, and realizing myriad 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 given us. It is not only the environment that we are not taking care of but also the lives of the future generations. We are leaving then but pro blems on environment and low quality of life.What we need right now are stewards of environments who will restore its sweetie 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 back what we have lost. If only each and every(prenominal) individual will help on the restoration of the environment, attaining sustainability will be faster.