The Sustainability and Resiliency Council (SRC), formerly known as the Environmental Sustainability Committee, is responsible for ensuring that the university maintains goals (with associated action plans) for promoting environmental sustainability that are included in the university's strategic plan.
If you have an interest in serving on one of the SRC committees, please contact Kathleen Crawford, Sustainability Coordinator, at kcrawfor@fgcu.edu for more information.
FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY
DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
The Florida Gulf Coast University definition of environmental sustainability flows from the University Mission to “practice and promote environmental sustainability.” [1] Building on the classic definition of sustainable development, this means operating in a way that “meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” [2][2]
A broad understanding of environmental sustainability is considered in FGCU’s teaching, in learning, in curriculum, in scholarship, in research, in service, and in operations. The University is an Affiliate of Earth Charter International and draws inspiration from the Earth Charter vision. The Florida Gulf Coast University Guiding Principles illustrate the aim to instill “in students an environmental consciousness that balances their economic and social aspirations with the imperative for ecological sustainability.” [3] The issues related to “economic, social and ecological sustainability” [4] are embedded in Florida Gulf Coast University’s history and mission This understanding of environmental sustainability is a broad, multifaceted concept that cultivates, in the words of the Earth Charter, “respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace.” [5]
The Florida Gulf Coast University definition of environmental sustainability establishes goals of climate neutrality, renewable resource use, and preservation of habitat while recognizing the limitations imposed on the University by procurement practices and fiduciary responsibilities. Achieving this definition of environmental sustainability is a participatory process requiring collective engagement of the University community members.
Approved by the FGCU Planning and Budget Council on October 27, 2011
[1] Florida Gulf Coast University Mission. Available online at http://www.fgcu.edu/info/mission.asp
[2] World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our Common Future. London: Oxford University Press. p. 43.
[3] Florida Gulf Coast University Guiding Principles. Available online at http://www.fgcu.edu/info/mission.asp
[4] Florida Gulf Coast University Guiding Principles. Available online at http://www.fgcu.edu/info/mission.asp
[5] Earth Charter Initiative. The Earth Charter. San Jose, Costa Rica. 2000. Available online at http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/pages/Read-the-Charter.html
