Standish Library: Sustainability @ Standish: Resources...

Supporting Sustainability in Higher Education

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
To inspire and catalyze higher education to accelerate the transition towards a just & sustainable world.
National Sustainability Society (NSS)
A thriving and resilient future empowered by sustainability professionals leading transformative change.
Sustainability Education Accreditation Commission (SEAC)
SEAC is an independent third-party accreditor providing dynamic, context-sensitive guidance for Sustainability and Sustainability-Related degree and certificate programs in higher education.

From the SEAC site:

Key Competencies in Sustainability portal
- Learning module reviewing key competencies; "a tool for faculty teaching sustainability courses"
Resource Library

Global Council for Science and the Environment
To support the use of evidence-based science in public and private decision-making about health and the environment.

GCSE Student-led Sustainability Program Report

Sustainability is increasingly important both within and beyond the classroom. As the world continues to face compounding ecological and social crises, achieving a dynamic and resilient society will require a shift in paradigm as well as pedagogy. Sustainability education is fundamental to preparing graduates to be successful systems thinkers, skilled sustainability professionals, and effective change agents. Therefore, higher education institutions face growing pressure to evolve sustainability education to holistically meet these demands, both in the classroom and on-campus.

Supporting the Local Community

The Radix Ecological Sustainability Center
The mission of the Radix Center is to promote ecological literacy and environmental stewardship through educational programs based around demonstrations of sustainable technologies. At the Radix Center, we believe it is possible to meet human needs while simultaneously restoring ecosystems. Good environmental stewardship is rewarded by better health, wholesome food, and strong communities. The Radix Center teaches practical skills that can be applied to create environmental and economic sustainability. An emphasis is placed on issues of food security, health, and the remediation of contaminated soils.
City of Albany Office of Sustainability
At the City of Albany, sustainability isn't just a concept; it's a collaborative effort woven throughout all city departments to ensure a healthy and thriving environment for every resident. The City acknowledges the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change and is committed to the the development of collaborative efforts across departments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the impacts of Climate Change. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities, Albany centers its action through a climate justice lens to ensure equitable access to its sustainability initiatives.
Soul Fire Farm
"Soul Fire Farm is an Afro-Indigenous2 centered community farm and training center dedicated to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system."

Focused on the Climate Crisis

Climate Mental Health Network
"The Climate Mental Health Network is a collective of dedicated community advocates focused on fostering mental well-being by reshaping our national dialogue—and actions—about the emotional impacts of the climate crisis."
U.S. Climate Resilience Tooklit
"The U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit is a website designed to help people find and use tools, information, and subject matter expertise to build climate resilience. The Toolkit offers information from across the U.S. federal government in one location. The goal of the site is to improve people’s ability to understand and manage their climate-related risks and opportunities, and to help them make their communities and businesses more resilient to extreme events."
World Health Organization (WHO) Climate Change and Health Toolkit
"WHO has been working on climate change and health for over 25 years - advocating, collecting evidence and providing comprehensive support to countries in dealing with health effects of climate change."
The Climate Toolkit
"The Climate Toolkit is a collaborative opportunity for museums, gardens, zoos, science centers, nature centers, field stations and related institutions who want to learn how to aggressively address climate change within their own organizations and inspire the communities they serve to follow their lead."
New York State Climate Impacts Assessment: Understanding and Preparing for Our Changing Climate
A scientific investigation into how climate change is affecting the communities,
ecosystems, infrastructure, and industries of the Empire State.

Supporting Research

Sustainability Academic Network (SUSAN)
The Sustainability Academic Network (SUSAN) unites sustainability community, institutes, students, and organizations to join forces in combating climate change. Our platform allows users to post and share datasets, papers, conferences, job postings, local events, and grants related to sustainability. These resources are categorized across various themes—from solar energy and mining to circular economies.
Kaggle datasets
Lots of available datasets including those related to sustainability.

IBISWorld

Recording of IBISWorld webinar: Greening the Future: Unlocking IBISWorld's Sustainability Insights for Academics (requires registration to view, Google option works well)

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Division of Sustainable Development Goals, within the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) oversees the implementation of the 2030 Agenda which includes the 17 SDGs and the promise to "end poverty, protect the planet and leave no one behind." (from SDG website)
United Nations Tourism
"UN Tourism’s leadership vision acknowledges the most pressing challenges facing tourism and identifies the sector’s ability to overcome them and to drive wider positive change, including the opportunities responsible tourism offers for the advancement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."
The National Acadamies Press
Free resources from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. "NAP publishes more than 200 publications per year on a wide range of topics in science, engineering, and medicine, providing authoritative, independently researched information on important matters in science and health policy."
Kanopy Base Sustainability Films
All films available for immediate viewing. You can watch in class or share links for independent viewing. The Story of Plastics is one example of what is available.

Academic Video Online
Scholarly video material of virtually every type: documentaries, interviews, performances, news programs and more.
GreenFILE

Covers all aspects of human impact to the environment.

From New York State

OGS Division of Resiliency & Sustainability
In February 2022, OGS Commissioner Moy established the new Division of Resiliency and Sustainability (R&S). The team provides technical assistance and policy guidance to State agencies and authorities in order to meet New York's climate goals. R&S is working to support multiple State initiatives including the conversion of the light duty fleet to all zero emission vehicles by 2035, a statewide 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and adapting state assets and operations to the increasing impacts of climate change.
NYC Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice
We prepare New York City for the impacts of climate change and address remediation efforts from an equity and public health perspective.
Sustainable Development & Collaborative Governance Handbook
We're bringing together all levels of government and the private sector to address regional challenges and build a sustainable economic future for our state.

Comprehensive planning is the essential process of defining a community’s goals and directing resources, over time, to achieve them. Through comprehensive planning, public, private, and non-profit sectors can work together to promote sustainable development.
Climate Smart Communities
Program sponsored jointly by the following NYS agencies: DEC, NYSERDA, DPS, DOS, DOT, DOH, HCR and NYPA.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Overview information and connections to additional resources.
SUNY Climate and Sustainability Action Plan
The SUNY Climate and Sustainability Action Plan provides a framework for decarbonizing the SUNY system, encompassing 64 schools, 40% of state-owned buildings, and 1.3 million students. This Plan will strengthen SUNY's achievement of the State's goals in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and Executive Order 22 and consolidates and extends sustainability commitments already made by campuses. Its development was guided by the 53-person SUNY Sustainability Advisory Council, network of campus sustainability leaders, and public feedback.