Sustainability implies meeting present societal needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a comprehensive term that finds applicability in several forms including green technology, renewable energy, green building, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable individual lifestyles via changes that help conserve natural resources.
Universities serve as effective platforms where a vast amount of knowledge related to sustainability, and the conception and application of feasible sustainable measures, can take place. This is particularly important given the growth of green jobs over the past 15 years. From 1995 to 2008, core green economy employment in California grew 36 percent. This is almost triple California’s total employment growth over the same period, only 13 percent.
As a leading university system with 23 campuses and the ability and responsibility to positively enhance the lives of students, the CSU serves as a guardian of the state’s natural resources and green economy. This section provides a comprehensive picture of how the CSU has integrated sustainability across all 23 campuses. It also provides examples of on-the-ground initiatives being taken to achieve sustainability goals as well as how the CSU is preparing the environmental professionals of tomorrow by offering sustainability focused degree programs.
CSU students are active participants in many campus initiatives and examples of their projects are provided. Green community outreach programs also are presented as community education and action is an integral component of the CSU’s approach to sustained environmental awareness.