1. Sustainability in the 21st Century:
A University’s Role in Addressing Global Issues
A Presentation To The
EARTH University Faculty
January 30, 2013
Rick Foster
Kellogg Professor of Food, Society and Sustainability
Michigan State University
Michigan State University
2. We seem to act
like we still
live in the 20th
Century
Abundance of
resources…..
Little regard for
nature.....
Single discipline
solution…..
Large margins for
error…..
Michigan State University
3. Build on the Past – Create the future
Yesterday is part of our history – worthy of knowing and
learning from, but not the place we will live;
Today is the current reality that is the knowledge
platform from which we consider future directions
and needed actions; and
Tomorrow is the unwritten story where all is possible –
built on innovation and creativity
Michigan State University
5. Our focus will go from Local to Global and back to
Connected Global Systems that have local impact
Michigan State University
6. Assumptions for Today’s Communities
Quality of life is influenced by global connections, but few
communities themselves are truly connected
Current formal systems are failing (i.e. health care, industrial
food systems, environment, education, economic frameworks,
etc.)
Issues are addressed in isolation, using primarily specialized
knowledge and approaches which are unique to the issue
Self-interests prevail around policy and funding ,and self-interests
are organized around specializations
Michigan State University
7. Assumptions for 21st Century Communities
o Local people and communities are linked globally for learning and
development
o Citizen participation in science, governance, global, social and
economic systems is the norm
o Innovation and creative solution-finding are widely accepted
approaches to difficult issues
o Natural Resources are social and economic drivers
o Greening and sustainability metrics are common indicators of
success
o Issues are addressed in an integrative manner for greater and more
durable change
o New knowledge comes from the connections of known knowledge
systems as well as from new discovery
Michigan State University
8. Assumptions for Today’s Universities
Largely disconnected in a connected world
Emphasis is on incremental advancement of specialized
knowledge within defined disciplines
Optimizes the individual rather than the institution
Limited collaboration with non-familiar partners
Rigid and formal support structures
Michigan State University
9. The Public University of the Future
Dynamic collaboration across boundaries
Work is accomplished in cross-disciplinary teams with deeply
connected knowledge platforms
Sustainability and engagement will be at the core of their
work
A sustainable framework for dynamic growth with a focus on
change and innovation
Optimizes the institution as part of a vast knowledge system
Michigan State University
10. Major Challenges of the 21st Century
Food
Energy
Water
Population
Climate
Michigan State University
12. What Do We
Believe
About?
Michigan State University
13. Sustainability lies
at the interface –
in the space
between
connections
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14. What Are Connected Knowledge Platforms?
Knowledge Platforms are the intellectual
underpinnings of disciplinary knowledge derived
from traditional and predictable sources over time
Connected Knowledge Platforms are the flexible
interface of one or more disciplinary platforms,
such that each significantly modifies or impacts
the expected outcome of the others
Michigan State University
18. Four Knowledge Platforms Coming Together
Natural
Urban
Resource
Convergence
Ceilings
New Definition
New Invention
New Knowledge
New Innovation
New Opportunity
Food Related Food
Chronic Insecurity
Health
Michigan State University
19. Major Challenges of the 21st Century
Energy
Water
Food
Urban Convergence
Michigan State University
20. Underpinning Assumption
How we choose to grow,
process, transport and
consume our food will have
the most dramatic impact on
the quality of life for you,
me - - and future generations
of the 21st Century……
Michigan State University
21. 2050 Global
Scenario:
o 9.3 billion people
o 70% live in cities
o Must double food
production
o Must use less
energy and less
water than today
Michigan State University
22. The 2050 Scenario
This Might Mean:
Calories from global agriculture
Nutrition from local agriculture/food systems
Reliance on food, water, energy integration
Reliance on indoor food growing systems
Pressures on climate change and water resources
Michigan State University
27. EARTH UNIVERSITY
Uniquely positioned as a global
leader in sustainability science,
education, and practice…...
Michigan State University
28. EARTH’s Mission
Prepare leaders with ethical values to
contribute to the sustainable
development of the humid tropics and
to construct a prosperous and just
society.
Michigan State University
29. EARTH’s Core Values
Ethical Values
Fairness and Honesty
Technical and Scientific Knowledge
Untiring Effort for Improvement
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Cooperation – Team Spirit
Social/Environmental Awareness
Contribution to Society
Green Innovation
Michigan State University
30. EARTH University Graduates
Common Characteristics
• Ethical and human interactions
• Academic excellence
• Leadership for the region/world
• Agricultural content expertise
• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Social commitment and responsibility
• Environmental activism
• Achievement through teamwork
Michigan State University
31. EARTH University’s Unique Approach to
Curriculum Integration
Work Experience
Entrepreneurial Venture
Course Projects
Community Engagement and Development
Internship Program
Professional Experience
Graduation Project
Michigan State University
34. Proposal in Brief
•The MetroFoodPlus Innovation Cluster @ Detroit will
develop an innovation infrastructure to support specific and
actionable innovation projects to design and commercialize
the new food, agriculture and integrated energy and water
systems to serve the global metropolitan regions of the
world, including Detroit.
• The systems needed to feed a 2050 world population of
over 9 billion—70% living in cities—do not exist today.
Michigan State University
36. The Detroit metropolitan region can become a leader in a network of global
metropolitan regions tackling the reinvention of metropolitan food, agriculture
and integrated resource systems. The ability to lead arises from a combination
of:
availability of natural resources, such as land, water and renewable energy;
current availability of urban space – blighted and abandoned land and
buildings;
Detroit’s legacy as an engineering and manufacturing city;
a multi-stakeholder coalition of business, government, societal/community
organizations and higher education/knowledge institutions willing to
partner; and
connection to a network of global cities for sharing knowledge, resources
and programs.
Michigan State University
38. o The outputs of the Innovation Cluster would be:
• New integrated systems of systems
• New technologies for growing, processing and exporting future food
• New business and commercial starts (new jobs)
• New organizational approaches to implementing systems,
technologies and enterprises
o As a result of producing these outputs
• Blighted areas will be rehabilitated to productive use
• Economic development will be stimulated
• Entrepreneurial food and food-related enterprises (large and small)
will be created and/or enhanced
• Food security and community empowerment will be dramatically
enhanced
Michigan State University
39. So What Is Our Role?
What is Our Responsibility?
Think Big
Connect Knowledge Platforms
Look For Game Changers
Make a Difference
Accept the Challenge
Be the Change
