| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.37 |
| Liaison | Olivia Herron |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2022 |
Miami University
AC-6: Sustainability Literacy Assessment
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Susan
Meikle University News writer and editor University Communications |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Does the institution conduct an assessment of the sustainability literacy of its students?:
Yes
Which of the following best describes the literacy assessment? The assessment is administered to::
The entire (or predominate) student body, directly or by representative sample
Which of the following best describes the structure of the assessment? The assessment is administered as a::
Pre- and post-assessment to the same cohort or to representative samples in both a pre- and post-test
A copy of the questions included in the sustainability literacy assessment(s):
A list or sample of the questions included in the sustainability literacy assessment or the website URL where the assessment tool may be found:
Sustainability Literacy Assessment
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
a. Environmental, Political, and Social
b. Education, Economic, and Political
c. Environmental, Social, and Economic
d. Social, Political, and Economic
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, average global temperatures have increased about
a. 1ºC (1.8ºF)
b. 3ºC (5.4ºF)
c. 5ºC (9.0ºF)
d. They have not increased at all
Anthropogenic (human-induced) activities utilizing fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal) significantly contribute to rising global temperatures.
a. True
b. False
According to the IPCC, scientific evidence suggests that anthropogenic (human-induced) climate change:
a. Is unlikely as human beings don’t have the capacity to change such a large and complex system
b. Might or might not happen; it’s too early to tell.
c. Is already happening on a global scale.
d. Is likely to begin in about 20 to 40 years
Which of the following represents greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emission, from greatest to least in the United States:
a. Transportation, electricity generation, agriculture, heating of homes and buildings
b. Agriculture, electricity generation, transportation, heating of homes and buildings
c. Electricity, agriculture, heating of homes and buildings, transportation
d. eating of homes and buildings, agriculture, transportation, electricity
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends we, as a global community, achieve carbon neutrality.
a. True
b. False
Which of the following statements about climate change is false?
a.It is likely to adversely and disproportionately affect low-income and minority populations across the U.S., as well as globally.
b.In the last 150 years, carbon dioxide levels rose from 280 parts per million to 414 parts per million.
c.Climate change is global and therefore affects all people equally.
d.If temperatures continue to rise, it is projected that impacts will increase and persist throughout this century and beyond.
e.Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and water vapor are examples of greenhouse gases contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Each person has a carbon footprint, or their contribution to climate change. What does not contribute to a person’s carbon footprint at Miami University?
a. Driving to campus
b. Recycling plastic waste
c. Using single-use items
d. Walking to campus
c. Generating food waste
d. Printing a course assignment
e. Leaving the lights on and windows open
f. Flying to study abroad
g. Charging electronics
h. All of the above
i. None of the above
Every academic discipline can have a role to play in addressing climate change
a. True
b. False
Which of the following statements is false?
a. Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions are BOTH controlled by an institution.
b. Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions BOTH emit onsite
c. Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions are NOT owned, nor directly controlled by an institution.
d. Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions emit both onsite and offsite an institution.
Which of the following has the lowest carbon footprint at Miami University?
a. Burning natural gas to heat buildings
b. Purchased electricity
c. Commuting by faculty, staff, and students
d. All directly financed air travel by Miami University
e. Fuel used by Miami’s vehicles and grounds equipment
Which of the following has the largest carbon footprint at Miami University?
a. Burning natural gas to heat buildings
b. Purchased electricity
c. Commuting from Faculty, Staff, and Students
e. All directly financed air travel by Miami University
f. Fuel used by Miami’s owned vehicles and grounds equipment
Over the past decade, Miami University’s Utility Master Plan prioritized energy efficiency and reduction of energy consumption over renewable energy first to maximize carbon reductions per dollar spent.
a. True
b. False
If an institution has achieved carbon neutrality, it means:
a. It generates all electricity onsite
b. Its contributions to carbon emissions are balanced by its contributions to carbon reductions.
c. It strictly uses electricity to heat and cool buildings.
d. It is using more natural gas than coal and oil.
Climate action efforts involve:
a. Only mitigation measures to reduce and eliminate emissions to reduce warming
b. Only resilience measures to adapt to current and future impacts of climate change
c. Both mitigation and resilience measures
d. Neither mitigation and adaptation measures
According to the EPA’s Waste Management Hierarchy, what is the preferred order of waste management?
a. Recycling/Composting, Treatment and Disposal, Energy Recovery, Source Reduction/Reuse
b. Source Reduction/Reuse, Energy Recovery, Recycling/Composting, Treatment and Disposal
c. Source Reduction/Reuse, Recycling/Composting, Energy Recovery, Treatment and Disposal
d. Recycling/Composting, Energy Recovery, Source Reduction/Reuse, Treatment and Disposal
Which of the following is an example of a zero waste initiative?
a. Recycling properly
b. Avoiding single-use items (bottles, utensils, bags etc.)
c. Buying products from a carbon-neutral company
d. Purchasing carbon offsets
Carbon offsetting refers to purchasing or producing credits that reduce emissions elsewhere (such as planting trees) while emissions continue to emit onsite. In doing so, an institution can become carbon neutral even if they still have a carbon impact on-site.
a. True
b. False
Which activity does not result in greenhouse gas emissions?
a. Burying waste in a landfill
b. Recycling products
c. Incinerating waste
d. Re-using products
In 2019, Miami University had reduced its energy-based carbon emissions on per gross foot by what percent compared to 2008?
a. 20%
b. 12%
c. 34%
d. 52%
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
a. Environmental, Political, and Social
b. Education, Economic, and Political
c. Environmental, Social, and Economic
d. Social, Political, and Economic
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, average global temperatures have increased about
a. 1ºC (1.8ºF)
b. 3ºC (5.4ºF)
c. 5ºC (9.0ºF)
d. They have not increased at all
Anthropogenic (human-induced) activities utilizing fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal) significantly contribute to rising global temperatures.
a. True
b. False
According to the IPCC, scientific evidence suggests that anthropogenic (human-induced) climate change:
a. Is unlikely as human beings don’t have the capacity to change such a large and complex system
b. Might or might not happen; it’s too early to tell.
c. Is already happening on a global scale.
d. Is likely to begin in about 20 to 40 years
Which of the following represents greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emission, from greatest to least in the United States:
a. Transportation, electricity generation, agriculture, heating of homes and buildings
b. Agriculture, electricity generation, transportation, heating of homes and buildings
c. Electricity, agriculture, heating of homes and buildings, transportation
d. eating of homes and buildings, agriculture, transportation, electricity
The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends we, as a global community, achieve carbon neutrality.
a. True
b. False
Which of the following statements about climate change is false?
a.It is likely to adversely and disproportionately affect low-income and minority populations across the U.S., as well as globally.
b.In the last 150 years, carbon dioxide levels rose from 280 parts per million to 414 parts per million.
c.Climate change is global and therefore affects all people equally.
d.If temperatures continue to rise, it is projected that impacts will increase and persist throughout this century and beyond.
e.Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and water vapor are examples of greenhouse gases contributing to the greenhouse effect.
Each person has a carbon footprint, or their contribution to climate change. What does not contribute to a person’s carbon footprint at Miami University?
a. Driving to campus
b. Recycling plastic waste
c. Using single-use items
d. Walking to campus
c. Generating food waste
d. Printing a course assignment
e. Leaving the lights on and windows open
f. Flying to study abroad
g. Charging electronics
h. All of the above
i. None of the above
Every academic discipline can have a role to play in addressing climate change
a. True
b. False
Which of the following statements is false?
a. Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions are BOTH controlled by an institution.
b. Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions BOTH emit onsite
c. Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions are NOT owned, nor directly controlled by an institution.
d. Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions emit both onsite and offsite an institution.
Which of the following has the lowest carbon footprint at Miami University?
a. Burning natural gas to heat buildings
b. Purchased electricity
c. Commuting by faculty, staff, and students
d. All directly financed air travel by Miami University
e. Fuel used by Miami’s vehicles and grounds equipment
Which of the following has the largest carbon footprint at Miami University?
a. Burning natural gas to heat buildings
b. Purchased electricity
c. Commuting from Faculty, Staff, and Students
e. All directly financed air travel by Miami University
f. Fuel used by Miami’s owned vehicles and grounds equipment
Over the past decade, Miami University’s Utility Master Plan prioritized energy efficiency and reduction of energy consumption over renewable energy first to maximize carbon reductions per dollar spent.
a. True
b. False
If an institution has achieved carbon neutrality, it means:
a. It generates all electricity onsite
b. Its contributions to carbon emissions are balanced by its contributions to carbon reductions.
c. It strictly uses electricity to heat and cool buildings.
d. It is using more natural gas than coal and oil.
Climate action efforts involve:
a. Only mitigation measures to reduce and eliminate emissions to reduce warming
b. Only resilience measures to adapt to current and future impacts of climate change
c. Both mitigation and resilience measures
d. Neither mitigation and adaptation measures
According to the EPA’s Waste Management Hierarchy, what is the preferred order of waste management?
a. Recycling/Composting, Treatment and Disposal, Energy Recovery, Source Reduction/Reuse
b. Source Reduction/Reuse, Energy Recovery, Recycling/Composting, Treatment and Disposal
c. Source Reduction/Reuse, Recycling/Composting, Energy Recovery, Treatment and Disposal
d. Recycling/Composting, Energy Recovery, Source Reduction/Reuse, Treatment and Disposal
Which of the following is an example of a zero waste initiative?
a. Recycling properly
b. Avoiding single-use items (bottles, utensils, bags etc.)
c. Buying products from a carbon-neutral company
d. Purchasing carbon offsets
Carbon offsetting refers to purchasing or producing credits that reduce emissions elsewhere (such as planting trees) while emissions continue to emit onsite. In doing so, an institution can become carbon neutral even if they still have a carbon impact on-site.
a. True
b. False
Which activity does not result in greenhouse gas emissions?
a. Burying waste in a landfill
b. Recycling products
c. Incinerating waste
d. Re-using products
In 2019, Miami University had reduced its energy-based carbon emissions on per gross foot by what percent compared to 2008?
a. 20%
b. 12%
c. 34%
d. 52%
A brief description of how the literacy assessment was developed and/or when it was adopted:
In 2021, the Sustainability Office and University Communications and Marketing partnered with the Regional E-Learning Department to create a campus-wide Sustainability Module for all students on the Oxford campus (for internal purposes it is called a module course). Topics covered include - (1) Climate Change, (2) The Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments, (3) STARS, and (4) Zero Waste and Recycling. As part of module, we included a pre and post-test sustainability literacy assessment with 20 questions. Answers to questions are included throughout the online module. We administered the module in Feb 2022 and plan to annually update it and administer it to the entire campus population. At this time, the module is not mandatory but highly encouraged.
A brief description of how a representative sample was reached (if applicable) and how the assessment(s) were administered :
We administered the online module by sending an email invitation to a listserv of all Miami Oxford and Regionals campus students from Miami University President Gregory Crawford and Sustainability Director Adam Sizemore in Feb. 2022. The invitation included a button/link for students to self-enroll in the module and assessments. It is hosted on Miami's Canvas platform.
A brief summary of results from the literacy assessment(s):
Based on the pre- and post-test sustainability literary assessment, of those students who completed the education module so far, 34% increased their knowledge of climate change and sustainability at Miami.
As of Feb. 25 (two weeks after the soft rollout of the Sustainability at Miami education module), 52 students have enrolled. The number will increase dramatically after a major rollout during EarthWeek.
As of Feb. 25 (two weeks after the soft rollout of the Sustainability at Miami education module), 52 students have enrolled. The number will increase dramatically after a major rollout during EarthWeek.
Optional Fields
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.