scholarly journals Towards inclusive education for environmental sustainability at a University of Technology

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 78-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Govender

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efforts of Durban University of Technology to provide a more inclusive education for the transition towards an economic and sustainable environment. The paper is centred on assessing the current general education programme implemented by Durban University of Technology by exploring the general education environmental knowledge domains. In 2009, the Durban University of Technology Senate accepted the general education guidelines for curriculum renewal and stipulated the aims of general education as building a student-centeredness experience, preparing students for the complex and changing globalized environment and to cultivate responsible citizenship. Documentary analysis was undertaken to assess the graduate attributes and its incorporation into the general education modules. The general education policy documents, thematic clustering, module descriptors and study guides were inspected to establish the scope of the knowledge that would aid students to engage in a transitional and transformational world. The study findings highlighted that while the general education modules related to environmental sustainability, there was little evidence of the green economy being included in the general education curricula. DUT needs to progress towards becoming a sustainable university to enrich the students’ experiences in education in sustainable development (ESD) through committed leadership, being lecturer focused and developing a participatory monitoring and evaluation system for ESD. The study is of value to higher education and governmental institutions engaged in transformative learning and education policy development in environmental management and green economy. Keywords: green economy, general education, sustainable development, evaluation. JEL Classification: Q56, Q01.

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francislene Angelotti ◽  
Diana Signor ◽  
Vanderlise Giongo

A comunidade científica, ao longo dos últimos anos, tem buscado soluções para o desenvolvimento sustentável do Semiárido. Os estudos dos impactos das mudanças climáticas subsidiam medidas de mitigação e adaptação frente às futuras alterações no clima. Adicionalmente, o desenvolvimento e adoção de processos e tecnologias voltados para o desenvolvimento sustentável, tendo em vista a viabilidade econômica, social e ambiental são fundamentais, para aumentar a segurança alimentar, gerenciar os recursos hídricos e erradicar a pobreza. O avanço do conhecimento obtido nos últimos anos e a interação entre as instituições de ensino e pesquisa assumem um papel importante na proposição e adoção de políticas públicas que visam aumentar a capacidade adaptativa da sociedade e da economia regional frente às mudanças climáticas, criando espaços de oportunidades e caminhos para a resiliência climática. Nesse sentido, a busca de soluções e oportunidades para o desenvolvimento do Semiárido brasileiro é estratégico, razão pela qual mantem-se um fórum de discussão permanente traduzido no Simpósio de Mudanças Climáticas e Desertificação no Semiárido Brasileiro, realizado bianualmente. A adoção de ações voltadas para o desenvolvimento sustentável é estratégica. A economia verde e o pagamento por serviços ambientais se tornaram oportunidades, pois atualmente o desenvolvimento econômico não pode estar dissociado das preocupações com relação às mudanças no clima e a preservação do ambiente. Para o Semiárido brasileiro é necessário fortalecer as ações em andamento e buscar soluções inovadoras para reduzir os impactos e riscos inerentes às mudanças climáticas, criar oportunidades na economia de baixo carbono e promover a inclusão social. The scientific community over the last few years has been sought solutions for sustainable development of the semiarid. The research about impacts of climate change is subsidizing mitigation and adaptation measures facing future changes, in semi-arid region. In addition, the development and adoption of processes and technologies for sustainable development, in view of economic, social and environmental sustainability are essential to increasing food security, manage water resources and eradicate poverty. The knowledge progress achieved in recent years and the interaction between education and research institutions play an important role on proposition and adopting public policies that aimed to increase the adaptive capacity of society and the regional economy to climate change, creating opportunities spaces and directions for climate resilience. In this sense, the search for solutions and opportunities for the development of the Brazilian semiarid is strategic, which is why keeping a permanent discussion forum translated at the Symposium on Climate Change and Desertification in the Brazilian semiarid carried out every two years. The adoption of actions for sustainable development, in view of economic, social and environmental viability is strategic. The green economy and payment for environmental services have become opportunities because currently the economic development cannot be dissociated from concerns about climate change. For the Brazilian semiarid is necessary to strengthen actions in progress and seek innovative solutions to reduce the impacts and risks posed by climate change, creating opportunities in the low carbon economy and promoting social inclusion. Key-words: adaptation, mitigation, environmental services, research.   


2016 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-42
Author(s):  
Jason Ellis ◽  
Paul Axelrod

Background/Context It is frequently assumed that changes in special education policies since 1945 have come mostly from “landmark research” or actions of a few “pioneers.” We argue in this article that there have been many different sources of change, including legislation, court rulings, activism, and even shifts in socially and historically constructed categories of ability. In contrast to the contention that there has been “a gradual but steady progression towards the present inclusive education,” we argue that remarkable continuity has characterized certain elements of policy as well. The article identifies general trends in special education policy development historically that can help to inform the most current thinking about policy change in special and inclusive education. Purpose How has special education policy developed historically? What factors have been involved? How can historical research help education researchers, policy makers, school personnel, and others to deepen their understanding of the development of policy? The Toronto public school system is examined. The developmental trajectory of special education policy in Canada's largest urban school board generally resembles the development of policy in other large American and Canadian cities. The period from 1945 to the present was selected because the shifting character of special education policy across this broadsweep of time is not well understood. Research Design This qualitative study employs historical analysis. It draws on archival documents, school board and provincial government records, and pertinent secondary sources. Conclusions/Recommendations There are a few identifiable general trends in special education policy development historically. Prior to 1970, local school officials were empowered to make many changes in special education policy; since 1970, this ability has been eroded in favor of centralized policy making, with parents and others possessing some ability to influence policy change. Today, policy makers must balance different contextual factors and stakeholder interests that have developed over time, not least of all the interests of teachers who have been important partners to policy implementation. The degree of “policy talk” about inclusion, and about a social model of disability, has exceeded the degree to which either has actually been implemented. Rather, a continuum of services model that hybridizes segregated and inclusive settings continues today to characterize special education policies, as it has since the 1970s. Money matters in special education policy, especially when it is tied to specific policy options and can therefore influence local policy decisions, but also depending on whether the power to raise and disburse funds is held locally or centrally.


Author(s):  
Fabrizio Striani

The concept of green economy has received significant international attention over the past few years as a tool to address the 2008 financial crisis. Governments today are seeking effective ways to lead their nations out of the crisis and the green economy (in its various forms) has been proposed as a means for catalyzing renewed national policy development and international cooperation and support for sustainable development. The aim of this article is to define and highlight the importance of the green (blue) economy and compare it with the so-called greed economy. This article is divided into different sections: after a brief introduction is a systematic literature review; the second section is about sustainable development and the green economy concept; the third is about the green economy and blue economy concept; and the fourth compares greed economy to green (blue) economy. Finally, the author will draw conclusions.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Ebrahim Hussien ◽  
Chamhuri Siwar ◽  
Rashidah Zainal Alam ◽  
Abdul Hamid Jafar ◽  
Norasikin Ahmad Ludin

<p>Since conventional energy resources are major source of CO<sub>2</sub> emission, over reliance on fossil fuels has raised questions on environmental sustainability. On way to address these multi-faceted issues of conventional energy sources, the sustainability of energy and environment is through the green economy approach. As such, this paper aims to discuss the concept of green economy in relation with renewable energy. The interdependence of green economy and environmental quality as well as the compatibility of green economy approach with the notion of sustainable development are demonstrated in the paper. Green economy approach fulfils the methodological gaps that exist in the growth models. It is believed that the best economic tool to attain sustainable development goals is by integrating social, economic and environmental elements. Furthermore, energy is believed to be a significant player in determining the greenness of the economy and sustainability as it has economic and environmental value. In addition, this study illustrates the significance of biomass energy resource and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions from fossil fuel combustion. The illustration framework justifies that biomass is the determinant renewable energy source to be a proxy for renewable energy resources. Similarly, it justifies that CO<sub>2</sub> emission of energy sector is considerably significant to represent the CO<sub>2</sub> emissions of the atmosphere.</p>


Author(s):  
P.S. Kamble

Industrial revolution turned India into a source of rare, raw materials for British industries as well as a market for their finished products. The British only concentrated on the use of production factors and mass production for earning profit and collecting wealth for selfish development and it has led to a depletion of certain natural resources, leaving the environment permanently damaged and injured. The environmental issues in India become more serious every day like that lack of environmental education, reducing fertility of agricultural land, declining water level on earth, mass deforestation, land degradation, excess use of fertilizers and chemical in food production and river contamination and pollution. Green economy is a design and remedy on sustainable development, sustainable environment and environmental balance. It is against this backdrop, the present research study analyses the state of green economy and its linkages with sustainable development, environmental sustainability with reference to India. The present study concludes that the depletion of natural resources in India was not over or excessive is a move towards a green economy in connection with the indicator of natural resource depletion. The state of sanitation facilities in India is not very much happy and satisfactory. Access to water shows for India it is good, but not better which reveals India has failed in providing drinking water, consequently economic transformation and green economy for sustainable development of India. The important and policy suggestions of the present study are; planned extensive and intensive efforts are very much necessary from India as well for the development of health, water supply and sanitation facilities. Government of India should be more active and dynamic in realizing their green economy. Participation and involvement of people should be obligatory and enhanced in undertaking various activities useful for attaining the green economy and there by sustainable development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-285
Author(s):  
Ahmed A Elgadi ◽  
Izudinshah Abd Wahab ◽  
Lokman Hakim Ismail ◽  
Fatma Abbas ◽  
Emedya Murniwaty Samsudin

The present sustainable metropolitan cities and the urban planning procedures in Libya are mainly aimed at reducing the impact on the environment due to the use of resources and improving life quality. Thus, the primary objective of this investigation is to create a model that focuses on reliable and valid urban planning of sustainable development, which highly reflects the Islamic way of live concerning the Libyan cities. The projected study model was tested experimentally using a review of 307 suitable samples, which included urban planning associated parties/industries, like the governmental institutions, academic research institutes, developer consultants, and planning and design engineers. Moreover, evaluations were done using the statistical software package Smart-PLS 2.0. The outcome shows that Libyan urban cities should comprise four major elements: social sustainability, environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and institutional markers. The indicators for every element are studied in detail later in this investigation, which contributed significantly to gaining a better insight into the model for urban planning of sustainable development concerning the Libyan cities. The results provide useful insights for the urban planning industry in order to introduce the UPSD (Urban Planning of Sustainable Development) model, which is helpful as a strategy for Libyan organizations, urban planning contribution, and development to improve Libyan cities. Also, UPSD can be used to assess developed urban areas to analyze the quality of those areas and finally indicate the areas of enhancement.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 495-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Carrington ◽  
Hitendra Pillay ◽  
Megan Tones ◽  
Julie Nickerson ◽  
Jennifer Duke ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-138
Author(s):  
Petr Kiryushin

The paper offers a comprehensive approach to analyzing the processes of environmentally sustainable development (ESD) and green economy (GE) through the prism of interaction between business, the state and the society. The authors grouped twelve factors of ESD and GE in Russia into four categories: those that relate more to the society (formation of an eco-friendly lifestyle, development of eco-activism, popularization of eco-volunteerism), the state ( need for modernization of economy, participation in international cooperation in the field of sustainable development, implementation of state projects of international importance, achievement of environmental sustainability in urban development) and business (development of environmental regulation of business, emergence of green business opportunities, proliferation of sustainable norms and standards of doing business), as well as background factors ( use of new technologies that promote ESD and GE, and actualization of environmental problems). The approach presented allows us to systemically evaluate the processes of ESD and GE and can be applied both for theoretical studies and for achieving practical results.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Mfon Solomon Jeremiah

There is a growing concern that voluntary CSR policy is almost incapable of enhancing the envisaged sustainable development in developing countries. The argument is about commitment to its implementation and its contribution to sustainable development, particularly in developing countries characterised by weak state institutions and governance. The present article examines the role which accountability could play in boosting CSR initiatives contribution to environmental sustainability in developing countries. It indicates when the need for accountability perspective of CSR (APCSR) arises, and its role in enhancing CSR contribution to environmental sustainability. The conceptual framework for applicability of APCSR is highlighted and discussed. The study provides the foundation for CSR policy development and empirical investigation of alternative approach to CSR practices in developing countries.


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