Program Outline
I. Introduction to Sustainability
Goal: The goal of this module is to introduce you to the definition of sustainability and its many themes.
Objectives: At completion of this learning module, you
will be able to:
- Define sustainability
- List at least five common themes of sustainability
- Define the term "ecological footprint"
- Calculate your ecological footprint and list ways in which you can reduce your footprint
- Summarize a sustainable business case study and explain the benefits of sustainable practices
- Provide convincing arguments as to why businesses should be sustainable
Goal: The goal of this module is to provide basic information about hydrology, water ecology and water issues. In addition, this module will highlight important water use issues and help you to understand HOW to apply water conservation techniques at home and in a business. Finally, you will learn how to conduct a water audit.
Objectives: At completion of this learning module, you will be able to:
- Diagram the water cycle
- Discuss threats to your watershed
- Explain the importance of water to living systems
- Summarize the importance of water conservation
- List behavioral and equipment based water conservation practices
- Conduct a water audit
Goal: The goal of this module is to provide basic information about energy sources, uses, issues, and efficiency and conservation practices. In addition, this module will help you to understand HOW to improve energy efficiency and conservation techniques at home and in a business. Finally, you will learn how to conduct a basic energy audit.
Objectives: At completion of this learning module, you will be able to:
- Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable energy sources
- Give examples of the environmental implications of each energy source
- List the top three users of electricity in a typical office building
- Differentiate between energy efficiency and energy conservation
- Demonstrate energy-conserving behaviors
- Conduct an energy audit
Goal: The goal of this module is to provide basic information about waste, its sources and methods of reducing waster. In addition, this module will help you to understand HOW to apply waste reduction techniques at home and in a business. Finally, you will learn how to conduct a waste audit.
Objectives: At completion of this learning module, you will be able to:
- Define waste and give several examples
- Describe the top three material that make up the waste stream
- Define a landfill and describe its function
- Describe the remediation, contingent, social and environmental costs of waste management
- List three ways in which waste can be reduced
- Define recycling
- Develop a three-step plan by which you can reduce the waste stream in your work place
Goal: The goal of this module is to provide basic information about sustainable building design. In addition, this module will highlight major rating systems for sustainable buildings. Finally, you will learn how evaluate whether a building is sustainable and how you can improve it efficiency.
Objectives: At completion of this learning module, you will be able to:
- Explain why well-designed buildings are so important to conserving energy and protecting natural resources
- Describe the basic principles that make a building more or less sustainable
- Identify the major rating systems for sustainable buildings costs of waste management
- Interpret the output of programs that assist in designing a sustainable building
- Franklyn R. D’Arcangelo, AIA, LEED AP, partner in the Statesboro, Georgia based architecture firm, Martin Rule and Associates (Module 5).
- • Dr. Nathan Hensley, EDD, Post Doctoral Fellow at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama (Modules 2 and 3).
- Matthew Schacht, MS in Biology, Biology Instructor at Manhattan Area Technical College, Manhattan, Kansas (Module 4).
