Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Through a novel survey instrument, we examined traits and characteristics that various scholars and observers have averred promote or hinder proenvironmental behaviors. We found that those who hold anthropocentric and monotheistic religious views, and express low levels of environmental, religious, and cosmic humility, are less likely to engage in proenvironmental behaviors than those who maintain views, or express affinity with affective traits, values, and spiritual understandings, that are ecocentric, Organicist/Gaian, pantheistic, animistic, and that in general reflect humility about the human place in the world.

The 2013 Minamata Convention seeks to reduce anthropogenic emissions of mercury (Hg) and enhance public awareness of Hg exposure and impacts. The treaty also requires countries to increase monitoring of Hg in the environment in order to reduce human exposure and examine the efficacy of the treaty over time. Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil, is located in a watershed with a history of significant Hg deposition from gold mining and sugarcane farming. This study provides previously unpublished data on the presence of Hg in certain fish in Campos and the awareness of mercury contamination among the local population. We analyzed Hg concentrations in five commonly consumed fish species by the residents of Campos and found concentrations to be elevated in some species, to vary significantly among species, and to correlate with trophic levels likely due to biomagnification. A sample survey of people in Campos found that education levels negatively correlated with knowledge of the presence of Hg in fish and the negative health effects of both Hg and heavy metal contamination in general. These findings have potential importance for understanding Hg levels in the environment, underscore the necessity for public awareness and education efforts regarding Hg contamination (as called for in the new Convention), and provide baseline measures for the presence of Hg in fish in Campos and public awareness related to this presence. These data can be compared to future studies to examine the efficacy of the Convention and other efforts to reduce Hg emissions and exposure to Hg in this part of Brazil.

While both international and national efforts are being made to assess climate change and mitigate effects, primary impacts will likely be regional. The US Great Plains region is home to a mosaic of unique ecosystems which are at risk from climate change. An exploratory survey of over 900 Great Plains government officials shows concerns for specific natural resources but not global climate change. Local government decision-makers are important sources of initiation for environmental policy; however, less than 20 % of jurisdictions surveyed have developed plans for adapting to or mitigating potential climate change impacts. The continental extremes of seasonal and annual climate variability of the Great Plains can mask the effects of global climate change and likely influences its’ residents lack of concern. The study findings indicate a need to reframe the discussion away from climate change skepticism, toward a focus on possible impacts within current resource management priorities such as drought, so that proactive planning can be addressed.

This paper draws from data provided by the Indiana University of Pennsylvania 2012 Ethnographic Field School to accomplish two goals: to open questions about the impacts of hydraulic fracturing on people’s relationships to the environment in western PA and to explore the pedagogical possibilities and limitations of teaching through publically engaged projects rooted in political ecology. The history of local land use, whether coal mining and its consequences or the creation of conservation zones, captures the imagination of differing publics and influences their interpretation of energy extraction, particularly its acceptability and risks. At the same time, the encounter with Marcellus Shale has prompted people to explore, question, and redefine their relationships to place and to the legacy of coal in the community. This paper details the possibilities and pitfalls encountered in ethnographic projects by student researchers designed to explore and prompt public dialogue about people’s changing relationships to land and water. Despite theoretical and methodological challenges, this paper argues for the value of community-based ethnographic field schools and publically engaged political ecology research in creating a context for productive dialogue between stakeholders on a controversial issue.

The sustainable economic development of Latin America depends in great part on a workforce that is equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote sustainability practices, including effective management of water and energy resources and minimization of carbon emissions and water pollution. Such a skilled workforce is necessary for the successful operation of industries so that they contribute to the development of societal and environmental well-being in these societies. The “Pathways to Cleaner Production in the Americas” (Pathways) partnership focused on offering practical training in cleaner production to engineering and business students at seven universities in Latin America. Experiential learning was a key feature of this partnership, as student teams worked with small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) in each host country. The students analyzed the companies’ operations and then developed relevant cleaner production recommendations for them. They conducted water and energy audits, along with mass balances, waste and carbon emissions accounting, as well as return on investment calculations. After vetting these recommendations, project advisors helped companies implement priority projects, and monitor the financial and environmental benefits realized. The students were expected to gain the expertise and capabilities during their practice to guide companies on a sustainable development path. In turn, the companies were expected to improve their environmental and economic performance by implementing the recommendations. The article asks whether the “Pathways” educational model has been effective in improving the environmental and economic performance of the SMEs, by helping them to reduce their water and energy consumption, along with other measures. To address this question the authors first focused on the student cleaner production recommendations in order to analyze their potential impact on the SMEs, and then quantified the companies’ water and energy savings post-implementation of the student recommendations. The analysis also looks at key factors that have influenced the success of the educational model in the various countries. When successful, the model helps the companies with water and energy savings, and in the aggregate, leads to a lower carbon footprint and improved water sustainability in the countries engaged through this initiative. Implications for longer-term impacts of the educational model are also discussed.

Business administration and biology seniors at Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT, worked together to develop environmentally oriented business plans as part of collaborating capstone seminars for their majors. Students prepared start-up business proposals for the Enterprise Plan Competition, a business plan contest at Saint Michael’s College founded and funded by alumni. In this collaboration, biology students taught concepts from environmental science and presented information on environmental problems to the business seniors; business seniors taught the biology seniors about the fundamental areas of business and economics. After a process of ideation, students formed mixed teams consisting of biologists and business students. The teams generated complete business plans. Biology students wrote literature review papers on the science and technology related to their groups’ plans. Outcomes of the work included one team winning the Enterprise Plan Competition, with a plan for an industrial composting facility, and others being selected for the finals. More importantly, most students enrolled in both classes reported that they gained confidence in their knowledge and skills related to their major field of study from participating in the collaboration.

This paper discusses William R. Freudenburg as a teacher and mentor.