Moving to the Next Level: Are we preaching to the choir?

Linda K. Ramey, PhDAssoc. Dir. Office of Sustainability

Wright State UniversityPresentation at 2011 AASHE

Series of Wings Polls to increase awareness of Sustainability on campus

Poll 1. What does sustainability mean to you?

> Living in ways that allow for survival of all life around the world - 569 responses> Balancing the natural resources used with what can be replenished - 697 responses> Trying to do all I can (recycle, reduce, reuse) and help others to, too - 199 responses> Having gas in my car, clean fresh water from my tap & electricity when I flip the switch – 462 responses

Total responses = 1927

Positive responses = 1465/1927=0.76 (76%) vs. 462 negative responses

Polls were vetted by several folks

Poll 2. How have you learned about sustainability in terms of global economic, social and environmental issues?

> I’ve known for many years -- 920 responses> I know from my classes -- 591 responses> I know from the media -- 533 responses> Never learned but am interested in learning -- 305 responses

> Never learned and am too occupied with other activities to learn now -- 644 responses (=21.5% responses)Total responses = 2993

78.5 % respondents know about sustainability from a variety of sources or they are interested in learning about it.

Polls were run over a two month period

Poll 3. Have you discovered the WSU Sustainability Website at http://www.wright.edu/sustainability?

> A Sustainability Website? I'll check it out -- 658 responses> Yes, it’s informative and I check it several times a week -- 20 responses> Yes, but I've only looked at it a couple of times -- 138 responses> I haven't gone there yet -- 1875 responses

Total responses = 2691

Nearly 70% have not gone to the Sustainability Website but 25% will check it out.

Nearly 6% know about the website and have checked it out.

Total of 17,572 responses, high response rate

Poll 4. Are you personally concerned about the need for a more sustainable world?

> I am very concerned and committed to sustainable actions-- 535 responses> I’m concerned because I know it is important -- 883 responses> I’m concerned but don’t know what to do -- 361 responses> I'm not sure I know what sustainability really is -- 304 responses> I’m not really concerned right now -- 587 responses

Total responses = 2670

22% not really concerned about sustainability right now

11% unsure what sustainability is

Nearly 67% (2/3rds) responded that they are concerned about sustainability with 53% concerned, committed and know that sustainability is important

A trend is emerging . . .

Poll 5. Do you think that the WSU community (faculty, staff, students) should be more committed to sustainability?

> Yes - 2417 responses = 64%> No - 537 responses = 14%> Undecided - 821 responses = 22%

Total responses = 3775

Linking sustainability with campus recycling efforts

Poll 6. Did you know WSU is competing in RecycleMania?

> I didn't know but I will help out by recycling more, it's not hard to

do 1254 responses = 61.9%

> I am tossing every recycle item in to the Greenspot bins to increase our totals 177 responses = 8.7%

> I know and am even bringing recycle materials to campus

49 responses = 2.4%

> I didn't know but have no interest

547 responses = 27.0%

Total responses: 2027

Many ways to look at the picture

Poll 7. What is the most important thing the WSU Sustainability Website can do to help you to learn more about sustainability?

> Tell me how to get involved in activities on campus and in the community - 388 responses (26%)

> Keep me informed about what is happening locally, nationally and globally - 320 responses (21.5%)

> Become a voice in promoting sustainability for the University - 135 responses (9.1%)

> Provide me with information and tips so I can live more sustainably - 646 responses (43.4%)

Total responses = 1489

Overall trends

Overall 17,572 responses

= 62% (ok with sustainability)

+ 11% (++ very positive, receptive)

= 73% yes but pretty consistent

Which leaves 27% don’t care or are not interested

How do we move the needle?

How do you reach out to engage others in sustainability efforts?

Thank you

Thank you for attending and for sharing what you think and what you do to move sustainability forward on your campus.