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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX
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

6. 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 Figures not available for Zim!
Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index

7. 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

8. 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

9. Constructive Action

11. 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

12. 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

13. Constructive Action
ENERGY
WASTE
WATER

14. 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

15. Constructive Action
WASTE
WATER

16. 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
Complete Compost

18. Constructive Action
ENERGY
WASTE
WATER

19. 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

20. Constructive Action
SUSTAINABILITY
Education & Research
Water
Energy
Waste
Biodiversity
Travel
Organisation
Procurement

21. Have Fun!
11 March 2017

22. 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)
2011 winner
26 September 2017
Deadline for Nominations
28 August
2014 winners
2009 winners
2012 winners
2013 winners

23. Environmental Leadership
Environmental Committee
SRC Environmental Councillor
Safety, Health & Environmental Officer
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
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