My Twitter and IHEC Blog's Facebook posts in support of Earth Day

Last Friday I went on a Twitter and Facebook posting binge in support of Earth Day.  Below are my posts that contain some excellent resources and information that I hope you find helpful:


GlobaLinks Learning Abroad's Green Initiative at http://tinyurl.com/3z9l7sk


"Sustainability in Study Abroad" resource on @NAFSA website at http://bit.ly/f3qELf


Many of the study abroad offices/programs/providers are posting about their Green Initiatives today! What are the Int'l Ed. orgs doing?


Tips For Going Green Abroad via the IES Go Green Initiative at http://bit.ly/hRvPnT


Sustainable Study Abroad Grants at Middlebury College at http://bit.ly/fSKAQH


NAFSA 2011 Annual Conference Green Initiatives at http://acsearch.nafsa.org/ac11green.html


"20 Steps to Sustainable Study Abroad" by @GoGreenTraveler at http://bit.ly/dTQr3V


@ForumEA I'm having a hard time finding your Standards of Good Practice related to Sustainability & Education Abroad on your website. Help!!


‎"Sustaining Study Abroad" a March 12, 2009 article by Inside Higher Ed at http://bit.ly/g8QJrS


http://www.earthday.org/


Are you subscribed to Sustainabilityabroad -- Sustainability in Study Abroad listserv at http://bit.ly/eYlyhF


Just What is in API’s Carbon Reduction Project Portfolio Anyway? at http://bit.ly/eJgI5u


‎"5 Ways to Design Sustainable Study Abroad Programs" via Sustainability Education Blog at http://bit.ly/dScuWS


International Higher Education Consulting and Bury Book International Education Library & Archive are Greener and now "Save as WWF". More about this on IHEC Blog at http://bit.ly/eNk9Hb


Going Green: Sustainability in Study Abroad & Responsible Travel: Articles, Multi-Media, Websites, Books, Organisations via Abroad View at http://www.abroadview.org/green/


I think all international education programs should get involved with the Green Passport Program at http://greenpassport.ning.com/


Check out all the green things happening in international education from this Oct. 2009 IHEC Blog post "Internaitonal Education Exchange and Climate Change" at http://bit.ly/ajgGoi


Study abroad related tweet of the day: "Happy Earth Day! Do you have your Green Passport for #studyabroad? http://fb.me/tbiTWfIp"

Study Abroad, Service-Learning, and Sustainability International Conference at South Dakota State University, May 12-14, 2011

South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota will be hosting this conference from May 12-14, 2011.  According to the conference website “the three intertwined themes of the conference—study abroad, service-learning, and sustainability—are a unique way of thinking about the inter-relationships between learning abroad, personal action, and the state of the planet.  Keynote speakers for the conference are:

Daniel Greenberg, the founder and director of Living Routes, a 3rd-party non-profit educational provider that partners with the University of Massachusetts to offer study abroad programs based in ‘ecovillages’. 

Ed Wells, Chair/Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. 

Lucia Legan, a native of Australia, is co-founder of both Ecocentro IPEC and the Mollison School for Sustainable Studies in Pirenópolis, Brazil, where she remains as Executive Director. 

André Jaeger Soares, a native of Brazil, is cofounder of Ecocentro IPEC, trilingual teacher, natural builder and permaculture designer.

 

You can access the conference website and schedule here.

Photo credit: SWYOUSEF

International Higher Education Consulting and Bury Book International Education Library & Archive are Greener and will now "Save as WWF"

International Higher Education Consulting and all of my side activities such as Bury Book International Education Library & Archive are going green and will now "Save as WWF"!  Actually, I've always been as Green as possible. Moving forward from today, all documents that I would typically save and distribute in PDF format will be saved in WWF format!  What is WWF format?  Simply put, the WWF format is similar to a PDF but it cannot be printed!  You can save documents (including websites and e-mail messages) in WWF format.  As time permits, I will also begin to reformat current Bury Book resources that are in PDF and Word formats into the new WWF format.  This, however, will take a bit of time...

I encourage all international education organizations, programs, professionals, students and others to make the switch to "Save as WWF" and at the very least to "Think Before You Print".  Learn more about WWF format at http://www.saveaswwf.com/en/.

Many thanks to Weidong Zhang (@Ahjim on Twitter) for posting about this to Twitter as this is where I first learned of WWF format!

Related IHEC Blog posts:
International Educational Exchange and Climate Change
Greening the Field of International Education

U.S. Students Heading to Copenhagen and their Public Opinion Poll relating to the United Nations Climate Change Conference

In an effort to help spread the word I’m posting the following message from the Green Passport Program network that comes from an Ithaca College student who will be traveling to the United Nations Climate Change Conference this weekend and who is asking for assistance in answering some daily poll questions.

"We want the delegates and the press to know how we and our fellow citizens feel about climate change and the policies surrounding it. Together with Dickinson College we have planned a daily Public Opinion Poll to do just that. Every day we will have one simple yes/no question to be answered by as many people globally as possible. We are hoping to gather 1 MILLION VOTES PER DAY.

For daily poll reminders– and to help spread awareness– please join our Facebook Group at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=126410380508

Further information for connecting to the poll and its results is located at the following website:
http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/envstudies/climatechange/

At this site you can read about our participation at the UN-FCCC, Meet the Delegates (and read our bios), link to our Facebook Fan Page and/or Twitter page, and link to the Public Opinion Poll where you can VOTE and see the daily results! We will also results at our Exhibit Space in Copenhagen that we were graciously given by the UN.

We are sure to get media attention so look for us in the news!"

Here is a different message Stustainabiltyabroad mailing list (actually, the message was posted to the mailing list by Astrid Jirka, the Green Passport Director) from the faculty member at Ithaca College who will be leading this group of students to Copenhagen.

“My International Environmental Policy class and I are leaving Friday to attend the climate change talks in Copenhagen. One of our goals is to bring to voice of the people to the delegates and the press. Together with Dickinson College, we have planned a daily public opinion poll - one simple yes/no question - to be answered by as many people globally as possible and then we will display the votes at our exhibit space. Our goal is 1 million votes per day - which means we need to go viral and reach out to everyone we know (you) and everyone you know and so on.

The relevant information for connecting to the poll and its results is:
http://www.popcop15.com

This site is our hub site that shows how the poll looks, and will be where the results are available. People can get connected via twitter or facebook right from this site from where they can get daily reminders to answer the poll questions.

I would very much appreciate whatever you could do to publicize the poll! Through your email contacts, facebook friends, any one you can reach out to - anywhere! Many thanks - Susan Allen Gil"

Please participate in the poll if you can and help spread the word!

If you are interested in the Global Passport Program you can link to and join at http://greenpassport.ning.com/

If you are interested in subscribing to the Sustanabilityabroad mailing list you can do so at http://lists.livingroutes.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabilityabroad

Check out this Oct. 15th IHEC Blog post entitled “International Educational Exchange and Climate Change” here.

International Day of Climate Action ~ October 24th

http://www.350.org/studyabroad

Next up for International Educators is October 24th ~ International Day of Climate Action so be sure to check out http://www.350.org/studyabroad and follow them on Twitter at @350.

http://www.350.org/studyabroad

International Educational Exchange and Climate Change

This is my second IHEC Blog post today in support of Blog Action Day 2009 (actually my third if you count my introduction post earlier this morning). In this IHEC Blog post I’m highlighting some of the efforts in the field of international education and exchange that bring awareness to climate change as well as the efforts to green the field in the development of more environmentally and socially responsible study abroad programs.

Causes & Social Networks & Listservs

- 350 Study Abroad (http://www.350.org/studyabroad)
- The Green Passport Program (http://greenpassport.ning.com/)
- Sustainabilityabroad -- Sustainability in Study Abroad (http://lists.livingroutes.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabilityabroad)

Standards of Good Practice

- Forum on Education Abroad Sustainability Standards (http://forumea.org/standards-index.cfm)

Institutional Efforts/Programs

-Tulane University’s Carbon Offset Program (http://global.tulane.edu/studyabroad/green.html). Starting in the fall of 2009, Tulane University students studying abroad, as well as foreign students studying at Tulane, will have the option of purchasing carbon offsets for their air travel to and from their study abroad destination. These carbon offsets will take the form of installing energy-saving light bulbs in small towns throughout Louisiana in partnership with the environmental organization Green Light New Orleans (GLNO). A trip will be organized each semester for students who wish to volunteer to personally install light bulbs to offset their air travel to their study abroad destination.

- Connecticut State University System (http://web.ccsu.edu/csuiec/) will be hosting an international education conference (Tomorrow!) entitled “International Perspectives: What Do We Mean by Green”. The conference is designed to provide participants with opportunities to: “Make connections important to raising awareness about global concerns and inter-national issues; Provide opportunities for CSU colleagues to compare curricular strategies among CSU campuses and with the international partners we have in common; and, Learn about promising instructional strategies that help CSU students gain the knowledge and skills required for participation and leadership in a greening economy.

- Middlebury's Sustainable Study Abroad initiatives
1. Sustainable Study Abroad Grant program (www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap/sustainable/grants.htm)
2. Carbon Offset Program (www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap/sustainable/Carbon_Offsets.htm)
3. Green Passport (www.greenpassport.us/)
4. 350.org (www.350.org/studyabroad)
5. Going Green Guide for Directors Abroad (www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap/sustainable/Going_Green_Guide.htm)
6. resources for students on sustainable travel

More info on all of these programs/initiatives can be found here:http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/sap/sustainable/ or by contacting Stacey Thebodo at sthebodo@middlebury.edu

- Clemson University offers a summer program in Trier, Germany, teaching "Sustainable Energy & the Environment" (http://www.clemson.edu/ces/students/global/studyabroad/summer/germany.html). For more info, contact Jessica Pelfrey (pelfrey@clemson.edu) - Program Coordinator, College of Engineering & Science.

- Brandeis University launched a new “Brandeis Forum on Environmental Crisis” in late September with a blogging-type website (http://www.brandeis.edu/environment/index.html). It is not specifically study abroad, but attempts to include student overseas experiences and global perspectives.

Organizational Efforts/Programs

- GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Sustainable Study Abroad initiatives
1. GlobaLinks NewsWire Participating in Blog Action Day (http://globalinksnewswire.com/?p=1258)
2. GlobaLinks Partners With Colorado Carbon Fund, Nation’s First Statewide Carbon Offsetting Program (http://globalinksnewswire.com/?p=351)
3. GlobaLinks Now Official Green Passport Program Sponsor

- Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Environmental Justice Exchange Program (http://tinyurl.com/yg3xmdh)
Funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State, the educational and cultural exchange will provide leadership training opportunities to 18 Chinese and American women and men, particularly members of minority groups, who are active in environmental justice efforts. Participants in the program will jointly examine the environmental burdens, including climate change impacts, on minority communities and low-income populations in the U.S. and China and will be mentored in designing projects to advance environmental justice for those communities. Applications available now via the link above. (Thanks to @EducationUSAhk for posting to Twitter about this!)

- The Foundation for International Education (FIE) has a Mission for Environmental Responsibly (http://www.fie.org.uk/fie/home/mission) that informs its decisions and strategy both inside and outside the classroom. FIE has a standing committee that meets regularly to ensure that environmental sustainability is embedded in all aspects of operational delivery and in all departments within the company

- IES Abroad’s Go Green Initiative (https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/About_IES/GoGreenInitiative.html)

- Academic Programs International (API) (http://www.academicintl.com/)
1. API offer several academic and volunteer/experiential options for students who are environmentally minded. All of their programs in Costa Rica have at least one course dedicated to environmental or ecological studies. One program in particular at the International Center for Development Studies focuses on environment and sustainability as its main academic theme. There are a number of volunteer and service opportunities for API students in Costa Rica that work towards improving the environment, such as a sea turtle rescue program, and environmental conservation efforts.
2. API also has instituted a project across all of our sites called API Gives Back. The API Gives Back Project in each site may consist of an ongoing volunteer opportunity or a one-day commitment. The goal of the project is to help API students express their thanks for the welcome they received by the local community. Many of these projects also focus on the environment, such as a recent effort by their students in Cadiz, Spain to restore marshlands in the area (here is a link to some of these photos on their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/APIstudyabroad#/album.php?aid=107436&id=31469379342).
3. API's Office Green-Over (talk about serious commitment! – my editorial)
From API:
The inside of our ‘new’ building was completely gutted and rebuilt just for us. It’s all built to code for
today’s standards.
⁂ The new insulation is much more efficient than in older buildings – less energy waste.
⁂ Programmable thermostat - for automated control of the office temperature. No need to waste electricity
while heating or cooling the building at night or during the weekend.
⁂ Motion activated lights - automatically turn off if there is no movement after awhile.
⁂ Window blinds – we can close them when the sun gets too hot to keep the rooms from heating up.
⁂ The ‘new’ cubicles are actually old cubes that were refurbished… we gave the landfill some extra room to breathe!
⁂ Water fountains with fresh, tasty H2O! No more plastic bottles!
⁂ No more plastic cups, plates, knives, forks or spoons. It’s all reusable utensils now.
⁂ When disposable cups are necessary, we now have Eco-Products (check out ecoproducts.com) which are
fully compostable hot cups and were engineered using compostable PLA corn plastic from renewable
resources.
⁂ Individual recycling bins at each desk and a larger one in the kitchen - no excuses for not recycling.
⁂ Don’t forget about our new green technology - the online application and forms system saves lots of
energy, paper, and postage. The new student pens were made from recycled newspaper. We’ll also be
printing fewer catalogs next year to save a ton of paper.
Other initiatives have included printing fewer catalogs and materials (and enhancing their capabilities to do so on demand rather than printing more than what they need and may not use). They also limit the amount of paper materials (brochures) that they send out to general requests, and direct students to their website for online versions and pdfs of their applications, catalogs, etc. They have made a concerted effort to give preference to online applications rather than paper ones, including offering a scholarship as an incentive for applying online. In the near future the vast majority of their forms and communication will be electronic as opposed to paper.

Many thanks to all who e-mailed me and left comments on my announcement that IHEC Blog would participate in Blog Action Day 2009. Very much appreciated!

Please see my earlier Blog Action Day 2009 post entitled “The Human Face of Climate Change” to learn more about what CARE is doing in this area.

If you are aware of other initiatives that should be added to this list please leave a comment about the program/initiative and provide more information and/or a link on where more detailed information can be obtained.

IHEC Blog will Participate in Blog Action Day 2009 Focusing on Climate Change

October 15th will be Blog Action Day 2009 and IHEC Blog has registered and will participate. The theme of Blog Action Day 2009 is Climate Change and my plan is to highlight the various efforts and resources in the field of international education that focus on climate change. Examples of what might be included in my Blog Action Day post are:

- Social networks/listservs for international educators that focus on sustainability and greening the field

- study abroad/exchange programs with significant course content focused on the environment

- Standards of Good Practice

- Study Abroad Programs/Providers mission statements and/or efforts in this area

In order to produce a good resource I need your assistance! Please take a moment to leave a comment below with information (preferably links) on what your study abroad program, institution, or organization is doing in this area and I will gladly list and provide a link. Additionally, if you know of any resources I should list please leave a brief description with any links in the comment section. An example of what I'm looking for can be found in the great work of GlobaLinks Learning Abroad in their efforts to go Green which you can read about here.

Thank you in advance and I look forward to reading your suggestions in the comments section!

Additionally, you can follow Blog Action Day on Twitter here.

GlobaLinks NewsWire

As many colleagues and IHEC Blog readers may know, I’m all over the internet looking for news about new projects and developments in the field, interesting links and research related to U.S. students studying abroad and, more broadly, international education. The new media tools of today have made it easier than ever for me to follow the trends of this field (and any field or topic for that matter) and I spend less time searching and more time reading and sifting through all of the information I have fed to my Gmail inbox and Google Reader. Additionally, IHEC Blog now attracts enough attention that I frequently receive news pieces from colleagues/organizations that I can further learn and blog about.

One site that I’ve really come to appreciate is GlobaLinks NewsWire. GlobaLinks NewsWire, edited by Stacey Hartmann, reports on interesting study abroad topics as well as interesting news pieces from participants and partners of GlobaLinks Learning Abroad programs AustraLearn, AsiaLearn and EuroLearn. While I really like the content that GlobaLinks NewsWire publishes I’m most impressed with how GlobaLinks Learning Abroad has taken advantage of the new media tools available and have used them to their advantage and in my opinion they are leading the field of education abroad in this area. To be sure, there are other third-party study abroad providers who are doing some really great things but GlobaLinks Newswire has captured and retained my attention. You can link to GlobaLinks NewsWire here and be sure to subscribe via e-mail or RSS feeds here. Additionally, IHEC Blog readers will want to follow GlobaLinks NewsWire on Twitter at @GlobaLinksNews.

I would also like to note that GlobaLinks Learning Abroad is a leader in greening the field of education abroad. You can read more about their efforts in this area here.