Field Guide to Sustainable Living in Davis

Course Description

What does a theoretical understanding of climate change accomplish if you don’t know
how to compost or recycle? What does composting or recycling accomplish if you are the
only one doing it? Through this class, students will not only learn the mechanics of
sustainable behaviors in Davis (and the major concepts behind sustainable living), but
also learn how to engage those around them in these same behaviors. This class will be
co-led by the instructor and undergraduate students with experience in sustainable living
on and around campus.  Students will learn the basics of sustainability from those who
practice them every day. Students will keep a journal to record experiences with
sustainability practices in their daily lives, for example the challenges and feasibility of
reducing one’s carbon footprint by 5000 lbs annually. The practical “how-to”
demonstrations of sustainable practices will act as an introduction to each aspect of
sustainability, with an ensuing discussion of the implications of these behavior changes
on society’s environmental footprint. By the end of the quarter, students will have a
comprehensive introduction to the behavior change strategy of environmental policy,
from which students will then be able to critique in comparison with the more top-down
environmental policy approaches. The overarching effect will be an increased
environmental consciousness.

Learning Objectives
3 Main Tasks:
-How to do the basics of sustainability- recycling, composting, food, consumerism,
gardening, resource conservation, transportation in Davis, and Natural Contact
-Thinking critically about sustainability practices with a goal of teaching and engaging
others in these behaviors
- Challenge participants to think beyond the short term interests that currently drive
global systems; examine how our present decisions and action affect future generations;
apply a cross disciplinary systems level analysis to our community decisions and consider
their regional and global effects.