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Iowa State’s Live Green! The Iowa State University’s Live Green initiative focuses on the intersectionality and impacts of climate change and offers students, faculty, and staff economic, social, and environmental sustainability opportunities.
A doctoral student from Iowa State co-authored a new book on the intersectionality and holistic approaches required to address the global crisis.
Andreas Miles Novelo, fifth-year doctoral candidate, co-authored the book Climate Change and Human Behavior: The Impacts of a Rapidly Shifting Climate on Human Aggression, Violence and Other Human BehaviorWith Dr. Craig A. Anderson, a psychology professor.
Miles-Novelo’s research focuses on the physiological reactions of the human body to heat and how these changes affect human behavior. Numerous studies have shown that increased heat can lead to aggressive behavior.
“And because you’re trying to cool your body down, and try to regulate yourself,” [a poor]Miles-Novelo stated that this is a job that evaluates your emotions and makes your behavior more reactive.
Researchers can use heat to understand how the body reacts to heat to gain insight into how people might respond to severe weather conditions resulting from climate change.
Miles-Novelo continues to research beyond the hard facts, examining how media affects people’s attitudes toward climate change. He focuses on in-groups as well as out-groups that reflect the political, economic, and social systems that harbor inequality.
The infrastructure perspective is often used to view climate change. Improved water quality, better waste management solutions, designing for gridlock prevention, etc. Miles-Novelo however studies climate change in a sociological context.
Miles-Novelo stated that “We are constantly thinking about our environments, or social settings, and how is this influencing how we behave. “And so [my advisor]Really started to think about climate changes in that way.”
Miles-Novelo’s research elicits a dialogue about a holistic approach for climate change, emphasizing interconnectedness.
Miles-Novelo stressed in his book the importance of hard changes, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but also the need for fair and humane treatment of all persons involved in policy changes.
Miles-Novelo stated, “That’s why in special, in our book we talk a lot about Green New Deal as an ensemble of policy ideas because it tries t think about these things holistically.”
Miles-Novelo cites New Orleans as an example when he discusses the intersection between social behavior and infrastructure.
“What happens to a neighborhood if a levee in New Orleans breaks during a hurricane? Miles-Novelo said. “It’s a neighborhood right next the levee that actually tends be a less racially diverse neighborhood.
Miles-Novelo, as he prepares to defend this summer’s dissertation, acknowledges that the work he has done is far from complete. Understanding the complexity of the intersectional approach to climate changes requires nuanced understanding. Miles-Novelo hopes his book will help others understand this understanding and encourage them into the conversation.
“This is going be a global coordinated effort. [we]Miles-Novelo stated that she wanted to “save our species from extinction”.
However, not everyone who is concerned about climate change is interested in reading a book based on research.
Merry Rankin, Iowa State’s director of sustainability, stated that “the most important part of moving forward towards a sustainable future” is to identify what resonates with your heart and to make that commitment.
Miles-Novelo and Rankin can all agree that sustainability is a lifetime commitment because of its intersectional effects; economically, socially and environmentally.
Live GreenMany opportunities for sustainability, Iowa State’s sustainability program and Rankin’s main line of work. Rankin also works closely with Ames, which is currently working on a sustainability plan. Climate action planThere are many activities that students can take part in.
Rankin stated, “I don’t want sustainability be that thing that we did at Iowa State or the thing that we did in college.”
Live Green! The Iowa State’s Live Green initiative was established 14 years ago. Since then, significant progress has been made in reducing Iowa State’s emissions, shifting towards renewable energy sources, and reducing waste landfills.
“There is a benchmark against which we can compare ourselves, that we are evaluated against in relation to our commitment towards sustainability. That is the international certification called STARSRankin said. “And I’ve been so thrilled that we have been in a position to achieve a Gold certificationFor three consecutive certification periods.”
Live Green! Not only has it made significant progress in operational objectives, but it also raised social awareness through events like Sustainapalooza or Earth Day, as well as social media presence, sustainability courses, and career opportunities. Sustainapalooza, an event, a newsletter, increased social media presence, education campaigns, and other spring break options are just a few of the social advancements.
The Live Green! initiative is to increase awareness of environmental, economic and social sustainability among students, faculty and staff. The goal of the Live Green! initiative is to raise awareness about environmental, economic, and social sustainability among students and faculty through education, engagement, and empowerment.
“We hope everyone is also empowered, to find their connection with sustainability in their own lives and in the opportunities and resources that they have,” Rankin stated.
Live Green! The Live Green! team is aware that people have different interests. Therefore, they emphasize personalized sustainability. Their top priority is to make sustainability understandable and accessible.
Valentine Chenus, a campus engagement intern at Live Green!, said that there is a lot going on. “So it can seem like a huge burden to try and live sustainably and help combat climate change. We want students to feel empowered and educated to live sustainably.
A way to get empowered and educated is to join an Club for environmental, economic and social sustainability
Ashley Kleve, a fellow campus intern for Live Green! and community engagement intern, agreed to share multiple ways to get involved, both high- and low-commitment.
Kleve stated, “So just showing up at our events and learning through our social media presence are another way.” “And then there’s the sustainability minor and lots and tons of other classes that are related to sustainability.
Live Green! Many events are coming up, including Earth DayApril (updates to be posted on the website). Kleve and Chenus are responsible for the Earth Month calendar. It lists many campus and community events that relate to sustainability. The calendar has already reached 50 pages.
If commitments outside of school are too much, consider sustainability-related courses listed on the Live Green! Directory website.
