Learning to Realize a More Sustainable World

Abstract

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (2015) àestablished 17 targets ââ¬â such as ââ¬Åno hunger,ââ¬Â ââ¬Åclean waterââ¬Â and ââ¬Åclimate actionââ¬Â ââ¬â to unite humanity in pursuit of a shared, prosperous future. These diverse global goals provide a universal agenda to enlist todayââ¬â¢s learners in creatively ensuring our collective well-bring throughout their careers. How can higher education foster effective, intentional learning across courses and curricula to prepare our students to realize these global goals? George Mason University has established a diverse set of over 130 ââ¬Ågreen leafââ¬Â courses, along with regular co-curricular activities, to help our students develop their sustainability skills and practical expertise. These span a new 18-credit ââ¬Åsustainability pathwayââ¬Â through our Mason Core general education requirements and a score of undergraduate and graduate academic programs. Together, these curricula ââ¬â and others Mason faculty might opt to deliver ââ¬â permit students to move from first year through accelerated graduate programs while continuously building their sustainability understanding, reflection and intentionality. Meanwhile, co-curricular activities like Mason Earth Month, organic food gardening and Patriot Green Fund projects provide students opportunities to develop and apply ââ¬Åcritical doingââ¬Â skills far beyond the classroom as well.

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