What is Sustainability? Using Real-World Scenarios for Multidimensional Thinking and Personal Reflection (High School-College Undergraduates)

An introductory (100-level) environmental science lab was developed with an emphasis on reflection and application of sustainability concepts. Through a series of guided prompts, students were asked to use a multidisciplinary approach to examine the sustainability of the practices used in an applied agroecosystem scenario. Using their practiced skills in identifying and applying the three dimensions of sustainability, students were asked to reflect on one personal choice for each of eight aspects of daily consumption with the purpose of 1) devising a way to make each choice more sustainable, and 2) committing to one change utilizing SMART goal methodology.

Introduction to Sustainability Lab Handout (Acrobat (PDF) 145kB Jul6 21)

Introduction to Sustainability Lab Slides (Acrobat (PDF) 904kB Jul9 21)

Suggested Citation

Fischer, Joern, Robert Dyball, Ioan Fazey, Catherine Gross, Stephen Dovers, Paul R. Ehrlich, Robert J. Brulle, Carleton Christensen, and Richard J. Borden. 2012. Human Behavior and Sustainability. Frontiers in Ecology & the Environment 10(3):153–160.