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Title: Five Micro-Actions to make Mega-Impact View count: 391 Rating: 0 (0 ratings) Description: Five (5) Small Steps: This short clip is a culmination of a few weeks worth of research into ideas that could lessen the impact of the Arizona State College of Design. In this project we were looking for more non-conformist ideas about sustainability, we were looking for ideas outside of water conservation, higher efficiency lighting, or HVAC improvements. These ideas instead are much more tangible and people can feel the results as opposed to see them on a reduced energy or water bill. This is very important in any sustainability improvements made to any facility as the users want to see results of the changes to stay encouraged to modify their lifestyles. I had only three solid weeks to work on this project that was to originally result in a lengthy paper. With the guidance of Prof. Jacques Giard we decided that a short video clip might be a more effective option to display the findings. Throughout this process I was able to converse with many innovators within the realm of Sustainability both at The Arizona State University and throughout the academic world. These simple ideas were meant to create the largest impact with the least amount of input. I would argue that all these steps proposed in the video do much to lessen our ecological footprint as a college with very little changes. I understand that some of these would take approvals throughout the college and might not be feasible. The water re-fill station would need to be funded by an outside source and ASU does have a contract with Pepsi and Armark to sell certain bottled goods. I doubt they would be too keen on allowing reusable bottles, as it would cut down their sales. The Micro-Farm idea would also take approval from many bodies throughout the college to plant and maintain certain plants in those spaces. I really enjoyed working on this project as I have learned that you don't have always make big changes for big results. I am sure if we were to implement the water re-fill or the community exchange for studio supplies we would see a drastic decrease in excess bottles and materials strewn about the college. The other lesson is that its not always about changing a process but more of a mindset. I don't think the garden would have a big impact on our use of outside catering for events, but people that visit or even walk by the college would be encouraged to plant in their open spaces. I feel that starting a dialogue and creating a new mindset is equally important as saving gallons of water and Kilowatt-hours of electricity. I would like to thank Anna West who helped make this project a possibility. I would like to show my gratitude to Prof. Jacques Giard who guided me through the project even though he already had a full load with a lecture class and publishing a book. I would also like to thank Prof. Pijawka who arranged time so we could discuss ideas about sustainability. I would like to show my appreciation to Mr. David Pulson the associate Director of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism at Michigan State University who corresponded with me about some ideas included in this project. Lastly I would like to thank Mr. Chiu-Chu Ting who is a Master Student in the school of art who had proposed the idea of re-screening shirts (which I believe is one of the more brilliant ideas proposed throughout this project). Tags: sustainability, Author: dollagone |
