Environmental Awareness (Why Should We Care?) Environmental Awareness Nikki Kohly 8 February 2017

Ecosystem Limits A truly sustainable society lives within the limits of supporting ecosystems. BIOCAPACITY: productive area supplying natural resources (water, croplands, forests, fisheries, pastures, etc) and absorbing our waste… 1.7 global hectares per person. ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT: our impact in terms of amount of land required to sustain our use of natural resources 2.6 global hectares - worldwide average per person (1½ years for planet to regenerate what we use up in 1 year) SUPPLY DEMAND

Our planet: supplying natural resources and absorbing our waste Ecological Overshoot IF everyone lived the average American lifestyle, we’d need 5 planets! Our planet: supplying natural resources and absorbing our waste

This is a wonderful planet, and it is being completely destroyed by people who have too much money and power and no empathy. Alice Walker

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/human_development_index_graphic Norway Australia Lower than ideal: life expectancy, income per capita, education Major concern: INEQUALITY South Africa HDI 0.646; EF 2.46 UAE USA Ecological Overshoot Cuba HDI 0.819; EF 1.58 ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT 1.7 global hectares BIOCAPACITY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX HDI 0.8 EF 1.7

Inequality Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index Gini coefficient: measure of deviation of income distribution from a perfectly equal distribution (0 = absolute equality;100 = absolute inequality) South Africa: 65 Surpassed by Seychelles - 65.8. Figures not available for Zim! Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index http://hdr.undp.org/en/composite/IHDI

Just Sustainability There is NO hope of achieving sustainability IF only privileged people’s needs are addressed. There IS hope if the social needs & welfare of marginalized people are also addressed. Integrating social justice and sustainability: “…to ensure a better quality of life for all, now and into the future, in a just and equitable manner, whilst living within the limits of supporting ecosystems.” Julian Agyeman

Just Sustainability ... NOT Just a Privileged Person Concern There is NO hope of achieving sustainability IF only privileged people’s needs are addressed. There IS hope if the social needs & welfare of marginalized people are also addressed. LAGER

Constructive Action

www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals

Guiding Principles Environmental Sustainability Policy: Education & Research Water Energy Waste Biodiversity Travel Organisation Procurement Environmental Sustainability Policy: Sustainability Education & Research Water Sustainability Energy Sustainability Sustainable Waste Management Biodiversity Sustainable Travel Organisational Sustainability Sustainable Procurement www.ru.ac.za/environment/policy

RU Environmental Reps Two key projects or activities: Water Sustainability Sustainable Waste Management plus 3. One other project or activity of Choice: Energy Sustainability Biodiversity Sustainable Travel Sustainable Procurement www.ru.ac.za/environment/students/enviroreps

Constructive Action ENERGY WASTE WATER

Action: Water Sustainability Report leaks immediately Switch off taps when not in use Reduce toilet flush with full plastic bottle in cistern Shorter showers - 5 min or less, low pressure Only full load for laundry No chemicals down the drain Rainwater Monitor and maintain a tank Fundraise and donate a tank www.ru.ac.za/environment/resources/water

Constructive Action WASTE WATER

Action: Sustainable Waste Management REDUCE, Re-use, Recycle Shopping bags  – avoid plastic Biodegradable products – compost Worm farming – fun and fruitful! Hazardous waste Batteries, sharps, CFLs, body fluids, chemicals, etc Cigarettes – put in butt bins www.ru.ac.za/environment/resources/waste Complete Compost

www.ru.ac.za/safety/resources/smoking

Constructive Action ENERGY WASTE WATER

Action: Energy Sustainability Switch off when not in use LED – green & cost effective Air-dry washing – not tumble dry Cycling – green & cost effective Solar Promote Fundraise and donate www.ru.ac.za/environment/resources/energy

Constructive Action SUSTAINABILITY Education & Research Water Energy Waste Biodiversity Travel Organisation Procurement www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals www.ru.ac.za/environment/policy

Have Fun! 11 March 2017 www.ru.ac.za/environment/greenfunrun

Deadline for Nominations 2010 winner Environmental Awards 2014 winners 2016 winners 2011 winners Four categories considered: RU department or institute or section (within division) RU student society/residence RU individual (staff/student) Makana community (non-RU individual or organisation) www.ru.ac.za/environment/awards 2011 winner 26 September 2017 Deadline for Nominations 28 August 2014 winners 2009 winners 2012 winners 2013 winners www.ru.ac.za/environment/awards

Environmental Leadership Environmental Committee SRC Environmental Councillor Safety, Health & Environmental Officer www.ru.ac.za/environment/committee www.ru.ac.za/environment/students www.ru.ac.za/safety Student action, enthusiasm and innovation is the heartbeat of Rhodes University's campus life. As our future leaders, students carry the essence of learning and leading to a sustainable future Need more info? environment@ru.ac.za