Environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability ABSTRACT Universities, as centres for training responsible and knowledgeable humans, prepare students to respond to the intellectual, social, and personal challenges that they will face in community. To this end, universities will take use of various resources. In this regard, the question which rises is to what extent the world leading universities take their environmental responsibility into consideration and how committed they are to environmental sustainability. This paper aimed to explore this issue by studying the world top 10 ranked universities. The study sample included Harvard University (US), University of Cambridge (UK), Yale University (US), University College London (UK), Imperial College London (UK), University of Oxford (UK), University of Chicago (US), Princeton University (US), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US), and California Institute of Technology (US). The required data was collected through the content analysis of the websites and annual reports of the mentione d universities. Findings of the paper showed that all the studied universities were involved in a number of various environmental activities and were committed to their environmental responsibilities. The findings of the paper can be a benchmark for other universities. Since the environment is an important pillar of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and vital part of sustainability, the findings have important implications for CSR policy of universities. INTRODUCTION All humans have a moral obligation to preserve the planet and there is no excuse for doing nothing to improve the environmental state of the globe. This also applies to institutions of higher education (Christensen et al., 2009). Organizations such as companies or universities are usually responsible for the severe environmental degradation we have witnessed (Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar, 2008; Hoffman and Woody, 2008; Haden et al., 2009). Nowadays, higher education institutions can cause significant environmental impacts (Jabbour, 2010). Many of them, due to their large size, expressive movement of people and vehicles, high consumption of materials, and strong development of complex activities, may be considered as small towns (Alshuwaikhat and Abubakar, 2008). Therefore higher education institutes have a great environmental responsibility toward society. This could be through training graduates with suitable environmental knowledge as well as environmental plans and programs to reduce waste and preserve environment. Now, the question which arises is how aware universities are toward their environmental responsibilities toward society. To answer this question, this study will investigate the issue among world top 10 universities through reviewing their website content and annual reports. Although previous studies have been conducted in this area, they are mainly case studies considering only one university. This study, however, considers 10 International universities at the same time and tries to provide a general picture of how aware and responsible world top universities are toward environment. Since the environment is an important pillar of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and vital part of sustainability, the findings of this study have important implications for CSR policy of universities. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN UNIVERSITIES Sustainability is a pattern of resource use which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The main idea of sustainable development is to achieve the lasting satisfaction of human needs. Environmental management may be defined as the study of all technical and organizational activities aimed at reducing the environmental impact caused by a companys business operations (Cramer, 1998, p. 162). Although initially targeted for companies, this definition can also be applied to service sector and universities. Universities apply various resources to provide quality education for students. This, in turn, will cause impacts on the environment. Several simple examples of these impacts are electricity consumption, production of waste and CO2 emission caused by daily printing of large numbers of papers. A number of dimensions define environmental management practices (Aragà Ã…’n-Correa, 1998; Klassen Angell, 1998; Klassen W hybark, 1999). As Cà ©spedes-Lorente et al. (2003) mention, Peattie and Ringler (1994) drew a distinction between software and hardware environmental activities. Software activities are those focused on organizational issues such us systems, procedures, audits and manuals, whereas hardware activities are concerned with technological change to reduce the environmental impact of the firm. Environmental sustainability refers to the environmental actions or impacts of what we do. There are a number of studies considering the issues of sustainability and environment in higher education. A study by Wright (2010), examined how a cohort of university presidents and vice-presidents in Canadian universities conceptualize sustainable development, sustainable universities, the role universities play in achieving a sustainable future, key issues facing the university, and the barriers to implementing sustainability initiatives on campus. They showed that although the majority of participants we re well versed in the concept of sustainable development, they were less familiar with the concept of a sustainable university. However, majority of them were dedicated to having their university become more sustainable. The participants also listed financial predicaments, lack of understanding and awareness of sustainability issues amongst the university population, and a resistance to change as the main barriers in the path of sustainability. Pollock et al. (2009) also insisted that complex and ineffective governance, traditional disciplinary boundaries, and the lack of a shared vision at academic institutions often hinder universitys progress toward leading the world to a more sustainable and desirable future. Furthermore, a study by Rauch and Newman (2009) in Yale University explored how an institutional target can lead to greater community action and long-term commitment than if no specific target is established. METHODOLOGY Similar to a related study by Capriotti and Moreno (2007), this paper used a content analysis methodology to analyze the websites of the top 10 world universities ranked by Times Higher Education (THE, 2009). This research studied the content of the university official websites and tried to identify universities environmental practices, procedures and plans. To this end, we have reviewed all the related web pages of the universities (including news, media, department web pages, etc.) and not just direct links from the homepage. The study sample included Harvard University (US), University of Cambridge (UK), Yale University (US), University College London (UK), Imperial College London (UK), University of Oxford (UK), University of Chicago (US), Princeton University (US), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US), and California Institute of Technology (US). FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION The findings of this research shows that world leading universities are in some way or another involved in environmental practices and committed to their environmental responsibility. Table 1 summarizes the diversity of the areas which these universities are involved in. Table 1 Environmental practices of studied universities Environmental Practice 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions a a a a a a a a a a Reduction in the use of fossil fuels and increase in the use of renewable resources a a a a a a a a a a Waste recycle and management a a a a a a a a Reduction of water use a a a a a a Green buildings and environmentally responsible architecture a a a a a a a Running an specialized environmental centre/ network a a a a a a a a a a Reduction of the environmental impact due to the use of paper a a a a Increase of environmental awareness among staff students a a a a a a a a a a Minimisation of environmental impact due to materials and services used by the university a a a a a a a a Minimisation of environmental impact due to travel a a a Maintenance of university sites in an environmentally sensitive way a a a a a a Green purchasing for university procurement a a a a a 1: Harvard University (US), 2: University of Cambridge (UK), 3: Yale University (US), 4: University College London (UK), 5: Imperial College London (UK), 6: University of Oxford (UK), 7: University of Chicago (US), 8: Princeton University (US), 9: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US), 10: California Institute of Technology (US). With the growing concern on climate change around the globe, most of the universities are taking this issue into consideration. For instance, Harvard University monitors and publishes its greenhouse gas emissions statistics across its various schools in North America campus. As shown in their report (Harvard, 2008), the university managed to totally decrease its greenhouse gas emission to the amount of -2.3% in year 2008 compared to year 2006 in their North America campus. At Harvard, they also notice the issue of green buildings through defining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) projects. As mentioned in their environmental report (ibid.), LEED is a rating system for green buildings and provides a nationally accepted third-party verification that a building project meets the highest performance standards. Similarly, in University of Cambridge, a student network named Architecture sans Frontià ©res (ASF) considers the possibilities of a new socially and environmen tally responsible architecture. Through lectures and exhibitions, this network aims to get people thinking about how buildings can respond to the needs of society and the environment (Cambridge, 2007). Yale University also has an office of sustainability where they run various projects such as LEED rating. Similarly, California Institute of Technology utilizes the LEED standard to ensure its buildings meet and maintain a high level of energy, water and resource efficiency. In another instance, Imperial College London was recognised by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) for the efforts of the Facilities Management department to reduce its carbon production. Interestingly, University of Chicago has an interesting website called green guide where they provide information related to health and environmental topics at the University of Chicago and share tips with visitors on how to live a greener life (Chicago, 2006). The university also provided eco-tip of the month in its website. Overall, all the studied universities take their environmental responsibility seriously and are involved in this regard. CONCLUSION This study showed that world leading universities are aware of their environmental impacts and have taken necessary steps toward sustainability. Many of them have defined annual plans with objectives to achieve. This can be considered as a benchmark for other universities around the globe. However, the key to success of such plans is commitment from all levels of management specially top leaders. As discussed by Wickenberg (2006) and cited by Axelsson et al. (2008), the norm support given by the leaders of the universities is necessary and crucial to success in local implementation of sustainability plans. This is supported by the research of Christensen et al. (2009) who showed that in spite of adopting an environmental policy and signing an agreement to work for sustainable universities, Aalborg University (Denmark) failed to reach its objectives due to the lack of commitment from top management, the missing acceptance from technical staff, and a narrow understanding of the univers itys environmental impacts. Other universities and their leaders can benchmark these plans and culture to organize their own sustainability and environmental plans. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The first author would like to thank Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for supporting this research through providing Vice-Chancellor Award. REFERENCES Alshuwaikhat, HM and Abubakar, I 2008, An integrated approach to achieving campus sustainability: assessment of the current campus environmental management practices, Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 16, pp. 1777-85. Aragà Ã…’n-Correa, J A 1998, Strategic proactivity and firm approach to the natural environment, Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 556-567. Axelsson, H, Sonesson, K, and Wickenberg, P 2008, Why and how do universities work for sustainability in higher education (HE)?, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 469-478. Cambridge, 2007, Resources: Volunteering opportunities, Retrieved on February 22, 2010 from http://webservices.admin.cam.ac.uk/outreach/pages/activities.jsp?category=50. Capriotti, P, and Morenob, A 2007, Corporate citizenship and public relations: The importance and interactivity of social responsibility issues on corporate websites, Public Relations Review, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 84-91. Cà ©spedes-Lorente, J, Burgos-Jimà ©ne, J D, and Alvarez-Gil, M J 2003, Stakeholders environmental influence. An empirical analysis in the Spanish hotel industry, Scandinavian Journal of Management, Vol. 19, No. 3, pp. 333-358. Chicago, 2006, Green Guide, Retrieved on February 22, 2010 from http://greenguide.uchicago.edu. Christensen, P, Thrane, M, Jà ¸rgensen, T H, and Lehmann, M 2009, Sustainable development: assessing the gap between preaching and practice at Aalborg University, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 4-20. Cramer, J 1998, Environmental management: From fit to stretch, Business Strategy and the Environment, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 162-172. Haden, SS, Oyler, PH and Humphreys, JH 2009, Historical, practical and theoretical perspectives on green management: an exploratory analysis, Management Decision, Vol. 47, No. 7, pp. 1041-55. Harvard, 2008, Summary of Environmental Performance at Harvard, Retrieved on February 22, 2010 from http://www.provost.harvard.edu/institutional_research/Provost_-_09_36_39Green.pdf. Hoffman, AJ and Woody, JG 2008, Climate Change? Whats Your Business Strategy?, Harvard Business School Press, Boston, MA. Jabbour, C J C 2010, Greening of business schools: a systemic view, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 49-60. Klassen, R D, and Angell, L C 1998, An international comparison of environmental management in operations: The impact of manufacturing flexibility in the US and Germany, Journal of Operations Management, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 177-194. Klassen, R D, and Whybark, D C 1999, Environmental management in operations: The selection of environmental technologies, Decisions Sciences, Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 601-630. Peattie, K, and Ringler, A 1994, Management and the environment in the United Kingdom and Germany: A comparison, European Management Journal, Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 216-225. Rauch, J N and Newman, J, 2009, Institutionalizing a greenhouse gas emission reduction target at Yale, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 390-400. THE 2009, Times Higher Education, online, retrieved 09 December 2009, from http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/Rankings2009-Top200.html, Accessed on: December 09, 2009. Wickenberg, P. (2006), Norm supporting actors and structures at the very local level of implementation of sustainable development, in Holmberg and Samuelsson (Eds), Higher Education, in Drivers and Barriers for Implementing Sustainable Development in Higher Education. Education for Sustainable Development in Action (Technical Paper No 3), UNESCO Education. Wright, T 2010, University presidents conceptualizations of sustainability in higher education, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 61-73. 2

Lord of the Rings :: essays research papers

In the The Lord of the Rings, by J. Tolken, there are many things that make the story symbolic of a Christian influence. The constant emphasis of good vs. evil brings forth reason to suspect that this novel has a Christian basis. In this paper I will prove and backup my personal opinion through sighting specific examples of the influences from the book. Iluvatar is similar to a Christian god and the Valar are something in the middle of Christian angels and the gods of pagan myth. The highest of the Valar was Morgoth, who led a satanic rebellion; Sauron was the lieutenant of Morgoth. The Lord of the Rings is only one chapter of that mythology; it continues the fight of good (Iluvatar) vs. evil (Morgoth). One of the people in the book that particularly stood out was Tom Bombadil. Tom says one of his purposes is to "teach the right road, and keep your feet from wandering." In the bible it says, "...your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, this is the way; walk in it." (Is. 30:21). As the hobbits begin their journey, they fall into trouble with Old Man Willow and are rescued by Tom Bombadil, who possesses power over Nature. They don’t really understand who he is, all he will say is, â€Å"Eldest is what I am.† In Christian Philosophy the eldest are the wisest and best at making disicions it seems that Tom represtents that elderst wise man. Tom acts almost like an angel it seems, he will only help when worst comes too worst to intervene in outside affairs. This is what Tom Bombadil does in rescuing the hobbits from Old Man Willow. Another one of the big things is the black rider who is the servants of the enemy. Though all Free People oppose Sauron, the elves have been his greatest enemy, which is why the Black Rider immediately leaves when he hears the elves' voices. Elves are immortal (unless slain) In one of the scenes the Riders chase down Fro do at the Ford. As they wade their horses into the river, they are swept away in an enormous, magical flood. In the bible the story of Joshua, the waters of the river are "stacked up" in a similar manner, allowing God's people to cross into the promised land before the river resumes flood stage. And remember the deal with Moses and the Red Sea?

Convenience Store and Freedom Writers Assignment Essay

The character I’ve chosen is Eva Benitez , is a 18 year teenage Mexican American girl short wave hair , tan skin wears red lipstick and hoop earrings has that tomboyish look . Life changes during her childhood. The first day of school for Eva she was waiting for her dad to take her to school , when it turn out to be the day she saw a friend die right in front of her eyes . Eva’s dad got arrested for the death of Roberto that was a crime he didn’t commit . A while after the situation with her dad she had an initiation to join a gang and be part of what they called â€Å"familia†. Then after that she fighted for her life , but in the inside she was scared and terrified of what could of happened. One night Eva and girl named Sindy go to a convenience store , when all of a student a drive by happens , it was Eva’s boyfriend Paco intending to kill a student named Grant rice . Accidently misses killing Sindy ’s boyfriend . Eva has to testify in court what happened since she was the only witness . During time passes and she goes to school and learns that there is still hope and decides what to do if right or wrong. Eva goes through a lot , trying to figure what to do ether protect her own skin or save a person that didn’t commit a crime . Eva is a girl who has taken a lot of abuse over the years , and has a rough life , she repeatedly goes through violence everyday to get what she needs , whether that is simply going to school or going into a convenient store. She sorts out her problems with anger and hate she’s a very strong , pretty , independent , scared , confused teenaged Mexican American girl.

Why is Religious Fundamentalism spreading so far as of 2004 Essays

Why is Religious Fundamentalism spreading so far as of 2004 Essays Why is Religious Fundamentalism spreading so far as of 2004 Essay Why is Religious Fundamentalism spreading so far as of 2004 Essay Religion no longer plays a leading part in the lives of most of the inhabitants of the industrialized west. We can define religious fundamentalism by looking at Professor Scruton, who identifies two components to religion. The first is belief in spiritual, non corporeal beings who may have created the universe and the living beings which inhabit it, and have the power to intervene in the affairs of the world, for good or bad, and to hand out rewards or punishments to mortals after they die; these rewards or punishments may include being sent to a Heaven or Hell or whatever that particular faiths equivalent may be, or being reincarnated into this world with higher or lower status.The second is piety, which means belief that such beings are morally superior to mortals, have set out codes of conduct for humans to follow, and that one must abide by these codes in order to lead a good life in this existence and be rewarded in the afterlife; piety, therefore, covers obligations that are no t covered by contracts or any kind of secular law it means abiding by the laws of God, or the Gods, rather than the laws of man.Fundamentalism places piety at the heart of politics. In terms of religion, it demands that any religion should abide by the fundamental doctrine out of which it has grown, and a complete rejection of any attempt to accommodate that religion with social, moral or historical changes; consequently, a fundamentalist Christian would be opposed to such things as the marriage of divorcees or homosexuals, the baptism of illegitimate children or giving alms to the undeserving poor. Politically, however, fundamentalism has become the basis of entire politico-religious movements which demand that piety should be the core basis of political and social life.Religious fundamentalism is very much seen as the creation of the modern world. Although typical fundamentalists reject technology, the ideology can be said to be evolving as it has incorporated it as with the Tali ban and www.taliban.com. Religious fundamentalism has seemed to arisen in societies suffering from a deep sense of crisis, particularly identity.The question is whether religious fundamentalism is destined to survive throughout the twenty-first century, or ultimately be viewed as a temporary phenomenon, linked to the conjunction of particular historical circumstances. The question of the future of fundamentalism raises two starkly different scenarios. The first questions the long-term viability of any religiously-based political creed in the modern world, and highlights the particular limitations of fundamentalism as a political project. According to this view, fundamentalist religion is essentially a symptom of the difficult adjustments that modernization brings about, but it is ultimately doomed because it is out of step with the principal thrust of the modernization process. Modernization as westernization is destined to prevail because it is supported by the trend towards econom ic globalization and the spread of liberal democracy. Religion will therefore be restored to its proper private domain, and public affairs will once again be contested by secular political creeds.This analysis suggests that the theo-political project that lies at the heart of fundamentalism will gradually fade, with religious groups becoming mere components of broader nationalist movements. The emergence of a western-dominated global system may allow for the survival of civic nationalism, orientated around the goal of self-determination, but it suggests that there is little future for militant ethnic nationalisms, especially when they are based upon religious distinctiveness. The limitations of fundamentalism will thus become particularly apparent if fundamentalists succeed in winning power and are confronted with the complex tasks of government. Lacking a clear political programme or a coherent economic philosophy, fundamentalism as an ideology of protest will survive, if it surviv es at all, only as rhetoric or as the founding myth of a regime.The rival view holds that religious fundamentalism offers a glimpse of the postmodern future. From this perspective, it is secularism and liberal culture that are in crisis. Their weakness, dramatically exposed by fundamentalism, is their failure to address deeper human needs and their inability to establish authoritative values that give social order a moral foundation. Far from the emerging global system fostering uniformity modeled on western liberal democracy, this view suggests that a more likely scenario is that the twentieth-century battle between capitalism and communism will give way to some form of clash of civilizations.Competing transnational power blocs will emerge, and religion is likely to provide them with a distinctive politico-cultural identity. Fundamentalism, in this version, is seen to have strengths rather than weaknesses. Religious fundamentalists have already demonstrated their adaptability by em bracing the weapons and spirit of the modern world, and the very fact that they are not encumbered by tradition but travel fast and light enables them to reinvent their creeds in response to the challenges of post modernity.