In a world where people are so set in their ways, how does one go about motivating behavior change? I face this question all the time, having two jobs on campus that are related to sustainability. Sometimes it feels like the odds are too great – people seem disinterested, distrusting, and are often misinformed about environmental issues and the impact that individual actions have. So what can we do?

My last assignment of the school year was a literature review for Karen Berger’s capstone course, EES 320: Sustainable Systems. I wanted to focus on a topic that would help me to better ...]]> Motivating Sustainable Behavior

In a world where people are so set in their ways, how does one go about motivating behavior change? I face this question all the time, having two jobs on campus that are related to sustainability. Sometimes it feels like the odds are too great – people seem disinterested, distrusting, and are often misinformed about environmental issues and the impact that individual actions have. So what can we do?

My last assignment of the school year was a literature review for Karen Berger’s capstone course, EES 320: Sustainable Systems. I wanted to focus on a topic that would help me to better understand how to effectively motivate others to take an interest in environmental issues and to act accordingly. I became familiar with a surprisingly long list of fields of study that focus on varying combinations of environmental science and psychology.

Unfortunately, there was no perfect answer to my questions. Rather, I found a lot of information on what makes behavior change so difficult. Some interesting points include:

• Humans are remarkably irrational. Very rarely do we act based on logic; we are driven by emotions. The example I kept coming across was going grocery shopping on an empty stomach – the hunger we feel is much more influential on how much food we’ll buy than the logical need. Part of the reason that we don’t often think logically is due to time constraints. Considering the positives and negatives of every single decision would take up virtually all of our time.

• Our values determine our attitudes which determine our behavior. Values are very deeply rooted, are shaped by experience, and are solidified relatively early on in life. Our attitudes, essentially whether or not we view concepts positively or negatively, are determined by our values. However, to further complicate things, our attitudes and behavior do not often align (for example, believing that lying is wrong, but then telling a lie). When our attitudes and values conflict, we experience cognitive dissonance, a discomfort felt through anxiety, guilt, etc. Often, this discomfort will drive us to make allowances for our behaviors rather than to change them (i.e. “The lie I told wasn’t that bad, and other people lie more than I do. So it’s okay).

• Our brains create mental shortcuts so that we can make room for new information. This type of cognitive processing is called heuristic processing. We don’t think about actions once they become automatic, like stopping at a stop sign or opening a door. This lack of awareness surrounding our everyday behavior makes it harder to be conscious of automatic habits.

• Social norms are extremely powerful. People have a natural desire, even a need, to be “normal” and accepted by others. Making something a social norm guarantees behavior change, even in individualistic societies.

Though these facts don’t seem to bode well for motivating sustainability, it doesn’t mean that influencing behavior change is impossible. Ecopsychologists emphasize the effectiveness of practiced mindfulness, or self-awareness, surrounding values, attitudes, and behaviors. Ecotherapy has also been shown to augment sustainable behavior. This essentially involves spending time in restorative natural environments. For more information about ecopsychology, check out this link: http://members.shaw.ca/jscull/ecopsych.htm

There is also much research surrounding effective social marketing, which is marketing that focuses on achieving behavioral goals for a given social good. A great report on that is linked below.

http://sustainability.berkeley.edu/os/pages/talkinglouder/docs/Promoting_Sustain_Behavior_Primer.pdf.

Written by Melissa Kullman, class of 2014

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The Ayame Garden, located in the Bausch and Lomb Riverside Park, was created as a collaborative effort formed over many years involving the Pacific Flora 2004/Iris Friendship Garden Project and the University of Rochester Horticulture and Grounds department. University of Rochester alumna and project leader for the Iris Friendship Garden of Highland Park, Edna Claunch, was instrumental in creating the Ayame Garden. After being introduced to Manager of Horticulture and Grounds, Dan Schied, together the two worked with Japanese representatives from Hamamtsu, Japan, and many others to create an intercultural friendship garden. The garden serves to celebrate the cultural diversity of the University of ...]]>

The Ayame Garden, located in the Bausch and Lomb Riverside Park, was created as a collaborative effort formed over many years involving the Pacific Flora 2004/Iris Friendship Garden Project and the University of Rochester Horticulture and Grounds department. University of Rochester alumna and project leader for the Iris Friendship Garden of Highland Park, Edna Claunch, was instrumental in creating the Ayame Garden.  After being introduced to Manager of Horticulture and Grounds, Dan Schied, together the two worked with Japanese representatives from Hamamtsu, Japan, and many others to create an intercultural friendship garden. The garden serves to celebrate the cultural diversity of the University of Rochester student population.

Louisiana Iris

The selection of plantings in the Ayame Garden was chosen to show the connection between Hamamatsu, Japan and Rochester. Since 2006, Rochester has been “sister cities” with Hamamatsu. By definition of Sister Cities International, a “sister city”, is a broad-based, officially approved, long-term partnership between two municipalities in two countries. A sister city is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement. Sister city relationships offer the flexibility to allow connections to form between communities that are mutually beneficial and take on issues that are most relevant for the partners. All elements of the Ayame Garden’s design (the name for the garden, the logo, and structural elements) were careful decisions that would reflect the University’s cultural understanding of their Japanese friends and Asian students.The two main plantings of the Ayame Garden are Japanese irises and Louisiana irises. Along with a gift of a yukimi ata, or snow viewing lantern, the Japanese irises were brought by a Japanese delegation from Hamamatsu. The Louisiana Irises were donated from all over the country – California, Arkansas, Florida, New York, and Arizona.

The garden is located at the current canoe launch on the Genesee River, bordering the University’s River Campus. The Japanese irises are featured on the peninsula on the left facing the river, and the Louisiana irises are on the right within the large swamp area. A few select maple trees complete the design.

The Ayame Garden name was carefully chosen with the Japanese word for iris (ayame) and the English word “garden” to further show the connection between the two cultures. The logo shown at left was carefully chosen to include the depiction of the snow lantern, the kanji version of ‘Ayame Garden’, and so the title would be incorporated into the design to reflect elements of the warmth of friendship between Hamamatsu and Rochester, and would identify the garden as an iris garden.

Eventually, the project hopes to construct a small tea house behind the Ayame Garden. It will be for special events only, will be handicapped accessible, and provide the history of the Sister City relationship, the Genesee River, and botanical descriptions of the plantings.

For more information about the University of Rochester Arboretum including a River Campus Arboretum Video Tour, visit http://www.facilities.rochester.edu/arboretum/.

By Alanna Scheinerman, Class of 2013

Graduation is approaching (Sunday!) and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been noticing some changes to your computer. I received my computer the summer before freshman year of college, and it is approaching its fourth birthday in August. Like all electronics, it grows slower and more incompetent with age. At the moment, it functions adequately, but as the screen continues to flicker and die without warning, and the USB ports similarly ending their functionality, it comes time to think about buying new computer – and how to responsibly dispose of the old.

If you are going to be around in October, there’s always ...]]>  

Graduation is approaching (Sunday!) and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been noticing some changes to your computer. I received my computer the summer before
freshman year of college, and it is approaching its fourth birthday in August. Like all electronics, it grows slower and more incompetent with age. At the moment, it functions adequately, but as the screen continues to flicker and die without warning, and the USB ports similarly ending their functionality, it comes time to think about buying new computer – and how to responsibly dispose of the old.

If you are going to be around in October, there’s always University of Rochester’s E-Cycle Day. This convenient event accepts all electronic devices and safely, securely, and responsibly recycles them.

Monroe County provides the Eco-Park which has drop off times for safe and secure disposal of your electronic waste. The Eco Park also accepts clothing, curbside recyclables, scrap metal, and bulky plastics. The New York State Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act requires manufacturers to provide a free and convenient way for consumers to recycle certain types of e-waste, so there are always options for your e-waste needs. For more places to recycle your e-waste in Monroe County, click here.

So when it comes time to finally lay your computer to rest, take care of it responsibly.

By Alanna Scheinerman, Class of 2013

You’re invited to attend the Finger Lakes Project Workshop to be held on May 23-24, 2013 at Ithaca College (Clark Lounge). This year’s workshop will explore “silent sustainability”, or the ways that sustainable behavior is invisibly embedded in the educational goals and operations at Ithaca College and in regional endeavors. If you’re interested in sustainability education and want to hear from other faculty that have integrated sustainability into their courses, please join us!

More information and a schedule can be found on the FLP website. If you’d ...]]> You’re Invited! Finger Lakes Project Workshop – May 23-24, 2013

This year’s Workshop will focus on “Silent Sustainability”

You’re invited to attend the Finger Lakes Project Workshop to be held on May 23-24, 2013 at Ithaca College (Clark Lounge).  This year’s workshop will explore “silent sustainability”, or the ways that sustainable behavior is invisibly embedded in the educational goals and operations at Ithaca College and in regional endeavors.  If you’re interested in sustainability education and want to hear from other faculty that have integrated sustainability into their courses, please join us!

More information and a schedule can be found on the FLP website. If you’d like to join us for part, or all of the event please send an email to sswensen@ithaca.edu. IC faculty may attend all events, including meals, for free.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences at 274-3511. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.This year’s workshop will explore “silent sustainability”, or the ways that sustainable behavior is invisibly embedded in the educational goals and operations at Ithaca College and in regional endeavors.  If you’re interested in sustainability education and want to hear from other faculty that have integrated sustainability into their courses, please join us!

The process began with a number of measurements that were used to create a CAD drawing of what the new mailboxes would look like. Ian then began breaking down an old “sleigh bed”, which had been replaced by newer ...]]> In February of this year, Facilities Student Helper Ian Gauger embarked on a project to redo the Facilities for Residential Life office’s mail system. New mailboxes needed to be added to accommodate new additions to facilities staff. Furthermore, all of the flimsy metal mailboxes were in desperate need of improvement in order to accommodate holding tools and other large items which they were often required to.

The process began with a number of measurements that were used to create a CAD drawing of what the new mailboxes would look like. Ian then began breaking down an old “sleigh bed”,  which had been replaced by newer style beds system wide. With the help of the Operations Manager, Randy Poole, and the Building Mechanic, Chris Vath, he cut, planed, sanded, and stained the bed birch plywood backing. Ian then assembled the mailbox unit and attached a veneer made of oak from the bed’s side rails.

In total the project took two weeks to complete and provided a stylish addition and much needed organization to the office.

Sleigh Bed

New Mail Boxes

Did you know that 40% of food waste in the United States ends up in a landfill? Rochester residents can now do their part to divert some of this waste, as there have been developments in waste pickup. The Rochester area is now offering curbside compost if you sign up through the business Community Composting, which was started by locals Brent Arnold and Steve Kraft. Compost, which is rich in nutrients, allows food waste to break down into material that can be used in gardens and other agricultural purposes. It can even act as a natural pesticide. The company takes materials ranging from dairy, ...]]>  

Did you know that 40% of food waste in the United States ends up in a landfill? Rochester residents can now do their part to divert some of this waste, as there have been developments in waste pickup. The Rochester area is now offering curbside compost if you sign up through the business Community Composting, which was started by locals Brent Arnold and Steve Kraft. Compost, which is rich in nutrients, allows food waste to break down into material that can be used in gardens and other agricultural purposes. It can even act as a natural pesticide. The company takes materials ranging from dairy, meats, tea bags and more, and will replace your compost bucket with a new one every week. You can then get the compost back to use, if you choose!

The zipcodes that are eligible for this pickup are 14604, 14605, 14608, 14614, 14607, and 14620. To sign up, visit https://www.communitycomposting.org/

Written by Leslie Wolf, Class of 2015

You can help stop unsolicited mail by registering on the Mail Preference Service on the https://www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference/

This program is managed by direct marketers who know don’t want to waste their money sending mail to people who don’t want to receive it.

See related articles for additional ways to reduce your junk mail.

http://www.salon.com/2013/04/28/is_michael_pollan_a_sexist_pig/

As a self-proclaimed feminist with aspirations to be an organic farmer, a farmer’s market frequenter, and an English major finishing up a thesis on the inherent patriarchal power of language, the title “Is Michael Pollan a Sexist Pig?” really caught my eye.

The article by Emily Matchar came out this week, and addresses a recent surge in a new kind of domesticity–a domesticity which has been cited as one of the most significant contributors to female oppression since the 1970s. In line with writers like Betty Friedan and Andrea Dworkin, women realized their boredom in their main roles as homemakers and many ...]]>  

http://www.salon.com/2013/04/28/is_michael_pollan_a_sexist_pig/

As a self-proclaimed feminist with aspirations to be an organic farmer, a farmer’s market frequenter, and an English major finishing up a thesis on the inherent patriarchal power of language, the title “Is Michael Pollan a Sexist Pig?” really caught my eye.

The article by Emily Matchar came out this week, and addresses a recent surge in a new kind of domesticity–a domesticity which has been cited as one of the most significant contributors to female oppression since the 1970s. In line with writers like Betty Friedan and Andrea Dworkin, women realized their boredom in their main roles as homemakers and many empowered themselves to go work jobs of their own, like their breadwinning husbands. This move, of course, meant women were often more absent from the kitchen and when men didn’t replace them, health problems today like childhood obesity and the rise of the fast food industry came to be–at least, according to upper-middle class food critics, right-wing journalists, and other celebrity-status writers. To them, women are to blame for widespread American health problems.

This more recent kind of domesticity has seen a return to what is deemed “wholesome” foods–that which is organic, home-canned, picked fresh, or best yet, grown in the backyard. Matchar points out that sales in bestselling books and brand new magazines on DIY agriculture and cooking have risen immensely within the last several years and Whole Foods had its best quarter ever in its 32 year history just in the beginning of 2012.

In a return to domesticity and the home, are women allowing themselves to be oppressed in this sphere all over again? Or are they finding ways to empower themselves through their domestic work in ways that women of past generations could not? Personally, my own mother has told me horror stories of her childhood dinners served by her stay-at-home mom, although not much changed as a result. Dinners such as boxed macaroni and cheese and canned green beans were not only considered fully acceptable in my own childhood home, but were served frequently, by my own stay-at-home mom.

This is not a cry for bygone health opportunities (nor pointing fingers at my past generations), but rather a point that it was the food industry corporations and commercialism that corrupted American perceptions of food and health–not the suburban women who were subjected to their influences in the grocery store aisles. As much as Pollan’s work has inspired me, I disagree whole-heartedly with his finger-pointing at women for America’s health problems.

Graduating within a few short weeks, I am fully aware that I am from now on responsible for my own food and health decisions. Unfortunately, however, my budget probably won’t allow for farmer’s market shopping for a few years. For those who aren’t of the upper middle class demographic, such health options may never be feasible. Education and options for healthy lifestyles should not be limited to the few. And women most certainly cannot be blamed for society’s health problems. In fact, according to this article, they may very well be the fuel for their solutions.

By Kathleen Shannon, Class of 2013

- Where in Rochester? Goodwill, Salvation Army, Second Season Clothing, Godiva’s, Art’s

Used Furniture, Volunteers of America, Play It Again Sports, Rick’s Recycled Books

2. Shop local! Support local businesses and cooperatives (co-ops), which keeps more ...]]> 1. Purchase used as opposed to new items, or items made from recycled materials. Used items, available at antique or thrift stores as well as private sales, are often very affordable and will last just as long as new materials. This is especially true of toys, lamps, and other furniture that is often thrown away because it is outgrown or not needed, rather than because it is old.

- Where in Rochester? Goodwill, Salvation Army, Second Season Clothing, Godiva’s, Art’s

Used Furniture, Volunteers of America, Play It Again Sports, Rick’s Recycled Books

2. Shop local! Support local businesses and cooperatives (co-ops), which keeps more money in the local economy, and avoid spending money at large/national chain outlets that may outsource business and profit. Smaller stores usually pay better wages and are more responsive to the local community’s concerns and needs.

- Where in Rochester? Click here to find local businesses in Rochester!

3. Go organic! Organic in the produce world means food was grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and processed without additives or radiation. For animal products, it means no hormones or regular antibiotics were used, and the animal was fed organic feed. Many non-organic practices could be harmful to you, the farm workers, or the environment. Because of the price of certification many small farmers can’t afford to get USDA certified, but if they use the practices they are still organic farmers. When shopping for organic food items make sure to look for the certification “USDA Certified Organic” or ask to make sure the food was grown with organic standards.

- Where in Rochester? Lori’s Natural Foods, Natural Oasis Market & Café, most Farmers

Markets (South Wedge, Westside), and some vendors at the Public Market (always ask!).

4. Avoid excess packaging. Most items that you buy in stores are packaged not because they need to be packaged, but primarily because the packaging is a point-of-sale advertisement. Do brussel sprouts really need their own foam tray? Think of what you’ll be throwing in the landfill the moment you get your product home, and try to find items that come packed lightly.

5. Choose products that are made with sustainable materials, and avoid plastics and other petroleum-based products. Not only are they not renewable, but they use a lot of energy in the manufacturing process. Plastics are also less biodegradable than other products such as wood and most metals. While the plastics industry has improved upon the recycling of plastics in recent years, reducing production is always more efficient than recycling afterward. Try to avoid plastic and foam products you know have more sustainable alternatives, like thick paper plates over plastic. Remember, there is always a better option than plastic!

6. Buy energy efficient. When you buy something, try to see the “indirect costs,” rather than just the direct ones. Consider these two questions;

1) How much energy does it take to make a product?

2) How much energy will it take to use this product?

When you buy a car for example, you are not only signing up to use the energy and fuel it takes to fill the gas tank, but you’re also purchasing the energy used to mine the ore, make the steel, assemble and ship the car, and build the roads the car drives on. This is an example of what it really means to be aware of your energy footprint – what matters is not just how you use it, but how it was made and where it will go when you’re done with it!

Looking for Energy Star products when buying new appliances is a great first step, but remember to ask these questions before purchasing a product and you will save yourself – and the world – a lot of unnecessary cost!

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