Moving to the Next Level: Are we preaching to the choir? Linda K. Ramey, PhD Assoc. Dir. Office of Sustainability Wright State University Presentation at 2011 AASHE

Series of Wings Polls to increase awareness of Sustainability on campus  Poll 1. What does sustainability mean to you? > Living in ways that allow for survival of all life around the world responses > Balancing the natural resources used with what can be replenished responses > Trying to do all I can (recycle, reduce, reuse) and help others to, too responses > Having gas in my car, clean fresh water from my tap & electricity when I flip the switch – 462 responses  Total responses = 1927  Positive responses = 1465/1927=0.76 (76%) vs. 462 negative responses

Polls were vetted by several folks  Poll 2. How have you learned about sustainability in terms of global economic, social and environmental issues?  > I’ve known for many years responses > I know from my classes responses > I know from the media responses > Never learned but am interested in learning responses > Never learned and am too occupied with other activities to learn now responses (=21.5% responses) Total responses = 2993  78.5 % respondents know about sustainability from a variety of sources or they are interested in learning about it.

Polls were run over a two month period  Poll 3. Have you discovered the WSU Sustainability Website at  > A Sustainability Website? I'll check it out responses > Yes, it’s informative and I check it several times a week responses > Yes, but I've only looked at it a couple of times responses > I haven't gone there yet responses  Total responses = 2691  Nearly 70% have not gone to the Sustainability Website but 25% will check it out.  Nearly 6% know about the website and have checked it out.

Total of 17,572 responses, high response rate  Poll 4. Are you personally concerned about the need for a more sustainable world?  > I am very concerned and committed to sustainable actions responses > I’m concerned because I know it is important responses > I’m concerned but don’t know what to do responses > I'm not sure I know what sustainability really is responses > I’m not really concerned right now responses  Total responses = 2670  22% not really concerned about sustainability right now  11% unsure what sustainability is  Nearly 67% (2/3rds) responded that they are concerned about sustainability with 53% concerned, committed and know that sustainability is important

A trend is emerging...  Poll 5. Do you think that the WSU community (faculty, staff, students) should be more committed to sustainability?  > Yes responses = 64% > No responses = 14% > Undecided responses = 22%  Total responses = 3775

Linking sustainability with campus recycling efforts  Poll 6. Did you know WSU is competing in RecycleMania? > I didn't know but I will help out by recycling more, it's not hard to do 1254 responses = 61.9% > I am tossing every recycle item in to the Greenspot bins to increase our totals 177 responses = 8.7% > I know and am even bringing recycle materials to campus 49 responses = 2.4% > I didn't know but have no interest 547 responses = 27.0%  Total responses: 2027

Many ways to look at the picture  Poll 7. What is the most important thing the WSU Sustainability Website can do to help you to learn more about sustainability? > Tell me how to get involved in activities on campus and in the community responses (26%) > Keep me informed about what is happening locally, nationally and globally responses (21.5%) > Become a voice in promoting sustainability for the University responses (9.1%) > Provide me with information and tips so I can live more sustainably responses (43.4%)  Total responses = 1489

Overall trends  Overall 17,572 responses  = 62% (ok with sustainability)  + 11% (++ very positive, receptive)  = 73% yes but pretty consistent  Which leaves 27% don’t care or are not interested

How do we move the needle?  How do you reach out to engage others in sustainability efforts?

Thank you  Thank you for attending and for sharing what you think and what you do to move sustainability forward on your campus.