Dr. Miguel Karian Experiential Learning in ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’ A Costa Rican...
Transcript of Dr. Miguel Karian Experiential Learning in ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’ A Costa Rican...
Dr. Miguel Karian
Experiential Learning in ‘Sustainable Global
Stewardship’
A Costa Rican Case-Study
www.EarthEdIntl.org
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
About Us
Description: An experiential learning organization providing interdisciplinary course and program offerings in sustainability. We work in partnership with academic institutions globally, and support and promote sustainable initiatives locally.
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Offerings:
Condensed Semester abroad in ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’
Thematic short courses
Customized ‘study tours’ with partner institutions (program provider) Field Study, Service, & Cultural Immersion
Environmental
Factors
Socio-PersonalFactors
EconomicFactors
‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
EconomicFactors
Sustainability: Economics
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Direct economic costs vs.
Personal & societal benefits
Participant Costs
Housing
Food
Tuition
Commuting
Travel
Insurance
Other Community Orchid Garden Visit
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
$1,800
$1,200
$3,800
$400
$400
$200
$200
Sample 3 Month Costs
($600)
($400)
Economic costs compared to: 1. Similar other programs
2. Staying at home
Participant Benefits
Academic credit
Cultural immersion
Improved skills & self-confidence Classification of Tropical Rainforest Plant Diversity
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Substantial ‘class’ time in the field
Integrated service- learning
Comparative educational travel
GOALS:
Cost: Accessibility & value
Local Community Benefits
GOALS:
Provide economic support to sustainable initiatives
Direct payment for services, widest distribution possible
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Local Economic Benefits
Faculty & staff salaries Transportation costs
Host university fees Entrance & visit fees
Hotels & meals Copy center services
Student homestay fees
Direct Local Expenditures: 92%
International travel
Non-Local
Academic credit
Travel insurance
Socio-PersonalFactors
Sustainability: Socio-Personal
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Student & host community effortvs.
Benefit to student, local & home communities
1. Relationship between provider & local community Well-established Mutually-beneficial
Community Integration/Outreach
Field Site Presentation: Community Ecotourism
& Solar Energy
2. Local outreach of provider Setting an example Informal education Formal presentations
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Local Partner Universities University of San José University of Costa Rica
Past Spring Semester Group at the University of Costa Rica
Field & Volunteer Sites Government agencies Community initiatives Sustainable businesses
Lodging Homestay families Locally-owned (eco-) hotels
Support Services Local cafeteria & copy center
Community PartnersEarth Education International, Costa Rica
GOALS: Educate, facilitate, support
Skills development: Hands-onlearning, cultural competence, language acquisition/ improvement
Demonstrate importanceof community/volunteerism
Provide motivational experiences
Preparation, guidance, personal assistance &re-entry facilitation (logistical & motivational)
Community Volunteer Work
Participant Benefits
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Local Community Benefits
Service-Learning Work at a Local Organic Farm
Motivational for hosts (as well as participants)
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Partner/field sites selection:
Support local efforts
Community-based
Socially & gender-equitable
GOALS: Socio-personal support & community integration with local socially-responsible initiatives & businesses
Environmental
Factors
Sustainability: Environmental
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Immediate environmental impact vs.
Long-term benefit for environment & society
A. Program design & operation
Materials: 3 R’s
Electricity: Source & use
Fuel: Transportation
Pedestrian-Friendly Program Design in San Ramón
EEI
X
X
X XX
X
X
XX
Environmental: Program DesignEarth Education International, Costa Rica
Environmental costs compared to: 1. Similar other programs
2. Staying at home
B. Participant lifestyle Accommodation (shared vs. individual) Food, water, goods consumed Personal transport (amount & type)
“Think Globally, Eat Locally”
Participant LifestyleEarth Education International, Costa Rica
Earth Education International, Costa RicaSustainability Assessment Inventory
Sustainability Assessment Inventory
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
4. Buildings Office, classrooms
2. Transportation Vehicles, mass transit
3. Community Integration Lodging & food, partners
1. Office Resources Paper, electricity, other
5. Special Initiatives Carbon & Community program, other
6. Education & Outreach Program design, community, participants
Sources: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/carbon-emissions-per-person-capita; http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx; http://www.chooseclimate.org/flying/mapcalc.html
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
EMISSION COMPONENT
10 DAY COURSE
2 WEEK COURSESEMESTER PROGRAM
Flight (KC-SJO) .75 tonnes .75 tonnes .75 tonnes
Ground Transport
.07 tonnes .10 tonnes .21 tonnes
Daily Activities .039 tonnes .054 tonnes .24 tonnes
TOTAL 0.86 tonnes 0.91 tonnes 1.21 tonnes
EQUIV U.S. STUDENT RATE(14.25 tonnes/yr)
0.39 tonnes 0.55 tonnes 2.97 tonnes
CONCLUSION: An EEI semester participant will cut their CO2 emissions BY MORE THAN half compared to staying in the U.S.
Carbon Emissions/Person by Offering
Reforestation Activity
Carbon & Community ProgramEarth Education International, Costa Rica
One tree per person planted will offset emissions in:
Short course: 1-2 years
Semester: 3-4 years
EEI’s emissions to date = 15 tonnes, 6 tonnes sequestered At current rates, EEI carbon-neutral between 2016 & 2019
Based on conservative estimate of 22Kg (50lbs) CO2/tree/year absorption rate for tropical trees(http://www.carbonify.com/carbon-calculator.htm;http://greenworld.org/what-we-do/our-practices)
Tree-Planting in community conservation project (2005)
Tree-Planting in local community conservation project
Carbon offset Watershed conservation Biological corridor improvement Community participation Motivational: Sharing a common vision for the future
Carbon & Community ProgramEarth Education International, Costa Rica
Reforestation Activity
Local (& Global) Community Benefits
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
GOALS: Environmental protection & mitigation, support for environmentally-friendly initiatives & businesses
Reforestation Activity & Ceremony
Accessibility & value to participants Economic support for local community
Participants: Facilitate & support Socially-responsible community integration
Educate & motivate participants Direct & indirect ‘glocal’ action
Economic Factors
Environmental Factors
Socio-Personal Factors
Summary: Sustainability Factors
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Summary: Our MissionEarth Education International, Costa Rica
To empower individuals and communities to take action
in their personal and collective lives in helping to contribute to a sustainable,
equitable, and peaceful future
For More Information…
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Field Study & Service-Learning MediaBlog
Sustainability Assessment Inventory
Sustainable Living Links
Offerings & Sample Customized ‘Study Tours’ (partner provider services)
Dr. Miguel [email protected]
www.EarthEdIntl.org
For More Information…
Earth Education International, Costa Rica
Dr. Miguel [email protected]
www.EarthEdIntl.org
Questions?