Goals set on international sustainability

Jeffrey R. White’s research is beyond Indiana’s level of sustainability. In fact, White’s research is at a more international level and raises questions about the impacts of humans on ecosystems.

As a professor of environmental science in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, White has brought a lot of research to IU. His leading research was a key factor in his recent appointment to the position of academic co-chairman for the IU Sustainability Advisory Board.

“He’s someone who has the leadership and has had experience at IU for a long time and will help us make connections across campus,” said William Brown, the director of sustainability at IU’s Office of Sustainability. “He’ll help bring a lot of people into the initiatives that we’re working on.”

White’s former role was co-director of the Campus Sustainability of Advisory Committee. Now White will lead a board that has expanded to 38 members who represent students, faculty, staff and all walks of campus life.

“The advisory board is structured by different working groups in particular areas of interests,” White said. “It’s all contributing to an overall moving forward on sustainability on campus.”

The office has created what it calls the “2020 Vision,” which is a list of 20 goals to be completed by 2020. These goals are set up by seven working groups that include anything related to energy, transportation, food, sustainable computing, resource issues and recycling. Other goals are having internship programs, campus green teams, energy challenges and a Student Sustainability Council.

White said he sees his co-chairman role primarily about helping to bring focus to some of the activities that are well underway.

“I think my challenge is to help refocus on attainable goals and have everyone who is involved constantly think about ways to measure progress and constantly set achievable and obtainable goals in the near term as well as the long term,” White said.

White said a good segue for student sustainability involvement is the Student Sustainability Council. The council brings together representatives of many student organizations to advance issues of sustainability on the IU campus.