Presentation at the 2014 Massachusetts Sustainable Communities and Campuses Conference

1. Sustainability
Curricula and Careers
Dr. Keith A. Ratner
Geography
Salem State University
COMMUNITY & CAMPUS SUSTAINABILTY
SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS
April 17, 2014

2. Sustainability vs. Environmentalism
• Environmentalism
– Advocacy of the preservation, restoration, or improvement
of the natural environment; especially : the movement to
control pollution
• Sustainability
– To meet the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs

3. Sustainability and
Geospatial Technology
Sustainovation, April 2014

4. Sustainability in the curricula at
Salem State University
Current Programs
• B.S. Geography –
– Environmental Sustainability concentration
– Sustainable Tourism Development certificate (United Nations WTO certified)
• B.S. Biology
– Environmental Science concentration (ecology)
• B.S. Geology
– Environmental Geology concentration
Proposed Programs
– Master’s Geography
• Focusing on environmental sustainability and tourism development utilizing geo-spatial
technologies
– Master’s Environmental Science

5. B.S. Geography
Environmental Sustainability Concentration
• Requirements
– Geography core
• Intro/World
• Weather & Climate/Physical I
• Intro Mapping/Cartography
• Quantitative Analysis
• Research Methods
– Environmental Sustainability core
• Environmental Global Issues
• Environmental Sustainability and Society
• Food, Drink, and the Environment
• Energy and the Environment

6. B.S. Geography
Environmental Sustainability Concentration
• Requirements (continued)
– Techniques courses (take 1)
• Geographic information Systems
• Remote Sensing
– Environmental Sustainability electives (take 4)
• Environmental problems (Bio)
• Native American Lands and Environment (Geog)
• Globalization (Geog)
• Conservation of Natural Resources (Geog)
• Environmental Justice (Geog)
• Economic Geology (Geol)
• Environmental Ethics (Phil)
• Environmental Politics (Pol Sci)
• Others …
– Total – 14 classes, 43 credits

7. Class Projects

10. Sustainability Internships
• City of Salem Energy Office (yearly)
– Climate Action Planning and Energy Use Audit and
Inventory
– Green Community Act Compliance Program
– Assist Solar Coordinator with Solarize Mass grant
• Our students are always looking!!
– Paid (maybe)
– Unpaid (credit)

11. Earth Days 2014
Salem State University

12. Earth Day 2014

13. Colloquiums

14. Careers in Sustainability
• Corporate-
– Beginning to look for sustainability internally, hire
sustainability coordinator and staff to cut costs
and better protect the environment
– Also helps a company’s image
– Dell, Nike, Coca Cola, Wal-Mart

15. Careers in Sustainability
• Government
– Promote sustainable practices and social responsibility
– Do research and develop policies
– Leadership and communication skills important
– Often involved in community organization
– City, town, regional or national levels (EPA)

16. Careers in Sustainability
• Conservation
– Primarily work outdoors protecting natural resources
– Often help with conservation land development
projects
– Ensure all federal and state regulations are followed
– Some social advocacy involved
– National or State Parks or Forests, BLM, FDA

17. Careers in Sustainability
• Non-profit
– Organization designed to serve the “public interest”
– Educate and market the most pressing environmental
and sustainable issues
– Fund raise
– Greenpeace, MassPirg, Environmental Defense Fund,
Peace Corps, Land Trusts