This is the 30th post in this blog series, Sustainability Case Studies, that is based on the book The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability: Case Studies and Practical Solutions edited by Robert Brinkmann (yours truly) and Sandra Garren and published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2018. Each post in the series will comment on the content of the chapter as well as some general take-aways or practical teaching or personal/organizational initiatives that could be gleaned from the chapter. Links to previous posts on the series (including the post that introduced the series) follow after the review.

Today's chapter is titled Green Universities:  The Example of Western Kentucky University by Leslie A. North and Christian A Ryan from Western Kentucky University.

Everyone I talk to lately seems to be planning their summer vacations. As a result, I thought it was time for an On the Brink Quiz focused around the US National Parks! If you recall, I completed a series that featured photos of the US National Parks and you can see links to all those posts here. In addition, there are links to previous On the Brink quizzes at the end of this post. 

This quiz focuses on how much you know about the US National Parks.
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The New York Times reported this week that greenhouse gas emissions increased in the U.S. by 6% in 2021 over 2020 levels. As the article notes, this isn't a major surprise since greenhouse gas emissions dropped 10% in 2020 due to the pandemic. We just didn't travel that much or use as much stuff in 2020 which led to reductions in transportation and energy emissions. Things started to get back to a bit of normal which caused greenhouse gas emissions to increase last year.

Here in the Midwest, winter is settling in very nicely. Snow is on the ground, the air is crisp, and daylight hours are limited. It's hard to imagine spring given the distance to March. Yet, it is worth thinking how you can add some green to your winter. Here are five ways to do just that.

1. Plan your spring garden. I don't know about you, but I love a spring garden. Early radishes, lettuces, and peas are my favorite. Start ordering seeds and planning the varieties you will grow.

This is the 29th post in this blog series, Sustainability Case Studies, that is based on the book The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability: Case Studies and Practical Solutions edited by Robert Brinkmann (yours truly) and Sandra Garren and published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2018. Each post in the series will comment on the content of the chapter as well as some general take-aways or practical teaching or personal/organizational initiatives that could be gleaned from the chapter.

One of the more interesting international developments this year is that Chile, a South American Country of about 19 million people, is rewriting its constitution to focus on social issues and climate change. Read about it here in this fascinating New York Times piece. The reason that this is interesting from a sustainability perspective is that for much of Chile's history, the nation focused on mining as a main primary activity.

As promised in my blog resolutions this year, I am kicking off my sustainable flood blogging series with a recipe for Meatless Monday:  Vegan Chili.

I know that many On the Brink readers are actively involved with trying to make the world a better place. I often get emails or notes from you about things that you are doing in the realm of sustainability, the environment, or higher education. To encourage more of this and to help us all get inspired by your actions, I am hosting a contest focused on actions that you are planning for 2022 that will make a difference in sustainability, environment, or higher education.
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My new series on Midwestern parks kicks off today with Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area in Kendall County, Illinois. The park has great hiking, two humanly created lakes, a natural spring, and extensive frontage along the Fox River. There are also restored prairies, playgrounds, riding trails, and lots of other great things to explore.

This is the 28th post in this blog series, Sustainability Case Studies, that is based on the book The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability: Case Studies and Practical Solutions edited by Robert Brinkmann (yours truly) and Sandra Garren and published by Palgrave Macmillan in 2018. Each post in the series will comment on the content of the chapter as well as some general take-aways or practical teaching or personal/organizational initiatives that could be gleaned from the chapter.
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