Bringing Environmental Activism to the Field of International Education

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Bringing Environmental Activism to the Field of
International Education
Carbon offsetting
Tree-Planting Initiatives
Smart Building
Education and Awareness
Sustainable Efforts
Car-pooling and Alternative Transportation
Recycling Programs
Waste Reduction
Phantom Power
Energy Efficiency
Lori Eiserman Office for Study Abroad University
of Iowa International Programs
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THINK GLOBALACT LOCAL!
We must take responsibility and demand more
sustainable practices in our homes, our place of
work, our institutions, communities, cities,
states and nations.
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University of Iowa International Programs
Environmental Committee
Stemmed from staff concern of lack of
programs and inefficiencies
Motivation to bring about change and
further connect personal values to work
environment

• Open to all staff, faculty, and student
  workers from Study Abroad, Intl Students and
  Scholars, Intl Studies Department, K-12
  Community Outreach, UIHRC
• Brown bag lunch meetings, voluntary
  participation

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University of Iowa International Programs
Environmental Committee
Main areas of focus Education Activism
Recycling Energy Efficiency

• Successful Projects
• Recycling program in staff kitchen Power strip
  installation
• Reduced lighting Growing collaboration with
  Facilities Mgmt
• Tree-planting project / Make A Difference Day /
  Step It Up
• Education Series/ Green Events Calendar/ Iowa
  Ecosystems
• Actively involved in the conception of the new
  UI Initiative

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Prochaska and DiClementes Stage of Change Model

• Transition Towns Project Plan

Enrich the Soil (Initial Engagement) Plant the
Seed (Official Unleashing) Grow Deep Roots
(Planning) Create a Canopy (Growth) Transformati
on (Succession and Evolution) Establishment
(Self Regulation) Expansion (Affect the broader
system)
Pre-contemplation Contemplation Preparation Act
ion Maintenance Relapse Depicts
change as a process, a cycle, a spiral Lasting
change requires several visits to each stage
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Going Deeper
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Creating a greener field of International
Education

• Enrich the Soil (Initial Engagement)
  engage fire souls, raise awareness, vision,
  planning, leadership
• Plant the Seed (Official Unleashing)
  find support across units, form groups, unleash
  the initiative
• Grow Deep Roots (Planning)
  create plans, take visible actions, support
  skill development
• Create a Canopy (Growth)
  involvement at higher levels, local
  government, larger Uni, consult
  cross-generations, let it go
• Transformation (Succession and Evolution)
• Establishment (Self Regulation)
• Expansion (Affect the broader system)

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IP Environmental Committee Upcoming
Projects
Waste characterization study Transportation
survey Energy audit with Facilities
Management Carbon offsetting for International
Programs staff University Capitol Centre-wide
coalition Environmental film series Petition to
opt-out of paper mailings Purchase of reusable
items for staff kitchen Expansion of recycling
program to shared breakroom Tree planting program
in the spring for Earth Day
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Motivation and First Steps

• Recognize and cater to different motives for
  getting involved
• connection to nature politically driven
  financial benefits
• spiritual connection social justice and
  human rights animal rights
• environmental and human health concerns
  joining the band wagon
• Make it easy and convenient
• Make personal connections with your fire souls
• Make note of interests and capitalize on
  individual strengths
• Break down projects into small efforts and
  achievable goals
• Dont get discouraged, but do get the ball
  rolling

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Be the change you wish to see in the world!
Lori Eiserman, Founder and Chair IP
Environmental Committee University of
Iowa lori-eiserman_at_uiowa.edu