May News & Updates
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News, Highlights, & Opportunities
SoGES Webpage Highlights COVID-19 and Sustainability Connections
The COVID-19 pandemic illustrates the fundamental challenge of sustainability, which is that human well being, society, and prosperity are not separable from environmental conditions. Check the SoGES webpage, Together Apart, frequently for information about the vast and multifaceted sustainability aspects of this global pandemic including its relation to things like biodiversity, climate change, air quality, and more.
Soil Biodiversity Integrates Solutions for a Sustainable Future
A recent article in Sustainability shows how the latest empirical evidence from soil biological research can shape tangible actions around the world for a sustainable future. The paper was published by three former leaders of the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative (GSBI) - Elizabeth Bach, Tandra Fraser, and Kelly Ramirez; and GSBI Scientific Director, Diana Wall. Also check out this related GSBI blog post.
The Corrupted Scientist Archetype and Its Implications for Climate Change Communication and Public Perceptions of Science
Doug Cloud, former SoGES Resident Fellow and professor in the Department of English at CSU, recently published an article in Environmental Communication* that analyzes how arguers invoke the Corrupted Scientist archetype to make arguments, and the implications this has on both climate change communication and public perceptions of science. This work was supported by a Resident Fellowship from the School of Global Environmental Sustainability.
*This article is behind a paywall but you can access it via the CSU Library System with your CSU EID
Jakob Lindaas Named 2020-2021 AGI Congressional Fellow
Jakob Lindaas, 2019-20 SoGES Sustainability Leadership Fellow and Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Atmospheric Science at CSU, was recently named the 2020-21 American Geosciences Institute William L. Fisher Congressional Geoscience Fellow. The Fellowship offers geoscientists the unique opportunity to spend a year in Washington, D.C., working as a staff member in the office of a member of Congress or with a congressional committee.
Nature Index Accolade for CSU
CSU has been highlighted as a “rising star” in Earth and environmental sciences in Nature’s latest institutional Nature Index compilation. In the Nature Index, the category accounts for more than one-third of CSU’s total research output. CSU is the 11th fastest riser in the Earth and environmental sciences index and the only university from the U.S. in the top 25.
“And/also”, not “Either/or” — The need to restore nature AND cut emissions
It's time to act on climate change and biodiversity loss. SoGES Director Diana Wall joined more than 60 experts to come together with nature around four principles for nature-based solutions. She was part of a coalition of leaders who united to publish a joint statement on Medium.com calling on organizations to uphold "Four Principles for Nature-Based Solutions."
Future Earth Hosts Earth Day Webinar on Links Between Environmental and Health Crises
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Future Earth (housed in SoGES) held a webinar to discuss how population density and airline connections explain the rapid spread of COVID-19. The webinar also touched on the ways the global response to the pandemic is providing evidence that environmental interventions (such as climate or pollution mitigation efforts) can be effective when coordinated on on global scale.
Thomas Lovejoy Featured in Article About COVID-19 and Encroachment on Nature
Thomas Lovejoy, SoGES External Advisory Board member and professor at George Mason University, was featured in the recent Guardian article, "'We did it to ourselves': scientist says intrusion into nature led to pandemic." Lovejoy comments on the effects of illegal wildlife trade, saying, "This pandemic is the consequence of our persistent and excessive intrusion in nature and the vast illegal wildlife trade."
Earth Day: 50 Years of Continuity and Change in Environmentalism
Thomas Dietz, SoGES External Advisory Board member and professor at Michigan State University, wrote a essay for One Earth in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Among other topics, the commentary discusses the history and future of Earth Day activism, persistent themes across the decades, and the more recent political polarization of the environmental movement.
ICOSSE20 Call for Submissions
Submit an abstract to the 9th International Congress on Sustainability Science & Engineering (ICOSSE20) for oral and poster presentations at the conference in Denver August 3-5, 2020. Abstracts due June 15th.
Human Nature Blog
Wayne Chuang, 2019-2020 SoGES Sustainability Leadership Fellow and Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Atmospheric Science
Jocelyn Lavallee, 2019-2020 SoGES Sustainability Leadership Fellow and Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory
Philip Cafaro, Professor in the Department of Philosophy
Interdisciplinary Minors
Fall 2020 course registration is NOW OPEN! Online enrollment available - simply email the appropriate advisor.

The Global Environmental Sustainability (GES) Minor offers undergraduate students in every department at CSU a curriculum that enhances their major with the core knowledge to address real world sustainability challenges and the tools to bring sustainability into their careers. To enroll, students must meet with GES Advisor Dale Lockwood (virtual appointments available). Email GESadvising@colostate.edu for more information.

The Interdisciplinary Minor in Sustainable Energy (SEM) is jointly offered by the Energy Institute and SoGES. This minor offers undergraduate students, regardless of their major, an opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge of the many dimensions of sustainable energy. To enroll, students must meet with SEM advisor John Sheehan (virtual appointments available). Email Energy_Advising@colostate.edu for more information.

The Sustainable Water Interdisciplinary Minor (SWIM) is jointly offered by the CSU Water Center and SoGES. This minor focuses on water issues from social, political, economic, and ecological perspectives. Students gain knowledge of the complexities of water management and its use. To enroll, students must meet with SWIM advisor Julie Kallenberger (virtual appointments available). Email Julie.Kallenberger@colostate.edu for more information.

The Role of Sustainability in Peace and Reconciliation Studies (SPRS) Interdisciplinary Minor is open to students who want to understand more about the philosophical roots of peace and reconciliation and its expression within various academic disciplines, research, and service. To enroll, students must meet with advisor Dale Lockwood (virtual appointments available). Email GESadvising@colostate.edu for more information.

Visit sustainability.colostate.edu/education-and-training to learn more and download the minor course check sheets.
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