http://www.jmu.edu/stewardship/

James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Magazine - Summer 2009 - Index

SPECIALREPORT
Christie-Joy “C.J.” Brodrick Hartman,
director of the Institute for Stewardship of
the Natural World, is interviewed in this
issue on Page 29. She describes in depth
what the university hopes to accomplish
with the institute. But one of the important
distinctions to make in this report is
the difference between stewardship and
sustainability. The diagram on this page
shows that true sustainability is achieved
where ecological, techno-economic and
social concerns overlap and do not conflict.
In other words, if a technological solution
has a negative effect on the environment,
it’s not considered sustainable. Likewise, if
a social solution creates a negative impact
on economies, it also cannot be considered
sustainable. Solutions that satisfy the concerns
of all three areas are truly sustainable
by this model.
The Institute for Stewardship of the
Natural World is focusing its efforts mainly
on ecological concerns. “The institute will
focus on the environmental dimensions of
sustainability. The other dimensions are
handled by multiple groups at the university
with whom the institute will collaborate,”
says Hartman. “In terms of our role
as an educational institution, JMU’s mission
statement clearly addresses preparing
students to become educated and enlightened
citizens. Given our urgent energy and
environmental issues, we need to assure that
‘enlightened’ includes our graduates being
environmentally literate, thinking critically
about a personal role in the long-term prosperity
of our society, and if they chose, being
equipped to professionally solve our environmental
issues,” she adds. “Our campus
of course needs to lead by example. To me
it is a moral imperative that we make certain
our students graduate Madison possessing a
‘While its mission is diverse, one of the institute’s
main goals is to create among students a sense
of individual responsibility for the health of our
planet, or a new citizenship.’
The “Three Dimensions of Sustainability” diagram above shows where true sustainability
goals are achieved. When ecological, techno-economic and social concerns overlap,
and do not conflict with one another, true sustainability solutions are created.
set of knowledge, skills and abilities that will
help this generation solve the issues that will
face them and subsequent generations.”
Friedman writes that what lies before us
is like no undertaking we’ve ever faced as a
country. Every part of our national infrastructure
— from transportation to utilities
— must undergo a transformation.
Really, it’s nothing short of nation building,
but in this case it’s our nation and not
a developing one we’re working to help on
the other side of this precious planet. M
THE INSTITUTE FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE NATURAL WORLD
Are you living the “new citizenship?”
Learn more about the JMU students, alumni, professors and administrators
who are leading the way to embrace a new global citizenship.
And learn how you can be a better steward for planet Earth.
www.jmu.edu/stewardship
18 MADISON MAGAZINE
DIAGRAM COURTESY OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING AND PREPARED
BY CRANE ENVIRONMENTAL LTD. AFTER AN ORIGINAL IDEA BY ROLAND CLIFT