Educators in Sustainability Profiles
Dr. Siobhan Senier, Associate Professor of English, UNH, and Faculty Fellow at the Sustainability Institute at UNH
What does culture have to do with sustainability?
There is considerable evidence that some cultural practices and objects—languages, rituals, values, monuments—can help sustain ecosystems, and vice versa. Generally speaking, environmental upheaval has been bad for culture; and the traumatic ruptures of diverse local cultures (by globalization and colonialism, for instance) have been, in turn, bad for the planet.
Tell us a bit about your scholarship.
I’m a literary historian focused in Native American Studies, which means I try to figure out what kinds of writing indigenous people have produced, from pre-colonial times to the present, and why that writing is or is not more widely disseminated or understood. Right now I’m starting to build a digital archive of Native writing from New England, with the help of regional tribal historians, Native authors, local historical societies, and my students. I’ve been blogging about this project at indiginewenglandlit.wordpress.com/.
What motivates you personally to be involved in sustainability?
I was trained to deal with texts, often in isolation from the rest of the world. Years ago, though, I took a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) summer seminar with a group of Native American scholars who pressed me to start thinking about what my scholarship contributed to Native people. I mean really contributed—not some vague “improved understanding of the literature.” That experience forced me to get engaged with Native people, who have been teaching me a lot about how people can sustain local ecologies, cultural traditions, and each other.
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What does culture have to do with sustainability?
There is considerable evidence that some cultural practices and objects—languages, rituals, values, monuments—can help sustain ecosystems, and vice versa. Generally speaking, environmental upheaval has been bad for culture; and the traumatic ruptures of diverse local cultures (by globalization and colonialism, for instance) have been, in turn, bad for the planet.
Tell us a bit about your scholarship.
I’m a literary historian focused in Native American Studies, which means I try to figure out what kinds of writing indigenous people have produced, from pre-colonial times to the present, and why that writing is or is not more widely disseminated or understood. Right now I’m starting to build a digital archive of Native writing from New England, with the help of regional tribal historians, Native authors, local historical societies, and my students. I’ve been blogging about this project at indiginewenglandlit.wordpress.com/.
What motivates you personally to be involved in sustainability?
I was trained to deal with texts, often in isolation from the rest of the world. Years ago, though, I took a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) summer seminar with a group of Native American scholars who pressed me to start thinking about what my scholarship contributed to Native people. I mean really contributed—not some vague “improved understanding of the literature.” That experience forced me to get engaged with Native people, who have been teaching me a lot about how people can sustain local ecologies, cultural traditions, and each other.
More Info:
- http://indiginewenglandlit.wordpress.com/
- http://prezi.com/xn1cwcmg-j1l/mla-bcm/?auth_key=7766eb69399fe349111d568a5fd0a7540d3f9f56
- http://indiginewenglandlit.wordpress.com/tag/dawnland-voices/
- http://indiginewenglandlit.wordpress.com/archive/
- https://indnewengland.omeka.net
- www.sustainableunh.unh.edu/summerseminar
Dr. Joanne Burke, Ph.D., R.D., L.D., Clinical Associate Professor in Nutrition (UNH College of Life Sciences & Agriculture) and Director of the UNH Dietetic Internship Program
In 2013, Dr. Burke received the Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group’s prestigious Excellence in Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Award.
Why is nutrition an important part of sustainability?
Nutrition and sustainability are inextricably linked. Healthy soils and waterways and environmentally respectful food production give rise to wholesome foods, supporting our health and nutritional well-being. Social, economic, cultural and political factors impact food production, access, and health outcomes. As a profession, nutritionists are trained to view the health role that nutrients in food play in health promotion but have not historically considered the food system used to produce these foods. As we become more aware of how food production and dietary practices impact our environment, it becomes apparent that sustainability must be integrated into nutrition practices.
What role can all of us play in addressing the issue of food security?
There are a variety of interconnected ways to take action. Becoming involved in food and agriculture policy decisions has far reaching impacts. Joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program supports local farmers, builds capacity, and provides you with healthy foods. State, regional, and national policies and practices also are needed. Most of the US Farm Bill supports large agribusiness with few resources for small and mid-size producers. One out of eight Americans do not have access to healthy diets. Food banks provide short term food access, but were never intended to be a long term solution to failed economic and social policy. Long term system-wide strategies that promote healthy, accessible food systems and livable wages are needed.
What motivates you personally to be involved in sustainability?
I find it unacceptable that we live in a country that advertises itself as the world’s breadbasket yet far too many of our citizens go hungry. Growing up, I watched as my parents tried to make a difference. My dad worked on civil rights issues while my mom assisted Cuban refugees in our North Miami parish. Armed with the belief that individuals can and should make a difference, I find it ethically rewarding to be playing a role in advancing food security and sustainability. My husband and I hope our children, grandchildren and future generations benefit from the sustainability work we are collectively engaged in.
More Info:
Why is nutrition an important part of sustainability?
Nutrition and sustainability are inextricably linked. Healthy soils and waterways and environmentally respectful food production give rise to wholesome foods, supporting our health and nutritional well-being. Social, economic, cultural and political factors impact food production, access, and health outcomes. As a profession, nutritionists are trained to view the health role that nutrients in food play in health promotion but have not historically considered the food system used to produce these foods. As we become more aware of how food production and dietary practices impact our environment, it becomes apparent that sustainability must be integrated into nutrition practices.
What role can all of us play in addressing the issue of food security?
There are a variety of interconnected ways to take action. Becoming involved in food and agriculture policy decisions has far reaching impacts. Joining a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program supports local farmers, builds capacity, and provides you with healthy foods. State, regional, and national policies and practices also are needed. Most of the US Farm Bill supports large agribusiness with few resources for small and mid-size producers. One out of eight Americans do not have access to healthy diets. Food banks provide short term food access, but were never intended to be a long term solution to failed economic and social policy. Long term system-wide strategies that promote healthy, accessible food systems and livable wages are needed.
What motivates you personally to be involved in sustainability?
I find it unacceptable that we live in a country that advertises itself as the world’s breadbasket yet far too many of our citizens go hungry. Growing up, I watched as my parents tried to make a difference. My dad worked on civil rights issues while my mom assisted Cuban refugees in our North Miami parish. Armed with the belief that individuals can and should make a difference, I find it ethically rewarding to be playing a role in advancing food security and sustainability. My husband and I hope our children, grandchildren and future generations benefit from the sustainability work we are collectively engaged in.
More Info:
Dr. Cameron Wake
Dr. Cameron Wake is the Joanne A. Lamprey Fellow in Climate and Sustainability at UNHSI. In this role, he provides leadership to engage the University community in efforts to pursue a sustainable energy future through emissions reduction policies, practices, research, and education. Specifically, he:
A Research Associate Professor in Glaciology/Environmental Chemistry at the UNH Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space and the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences' Department of Earth Sciences, Dr. Wake directs an active research program investigating regional climate and environmental change through the analysis of ice cores, and instrumental and phonological records. Currently he is leading research programs to assess the impact of climate change in New England and to reconstruct climate change from ice cores recovered from glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau and in the Arctic. He is also an author on over 60 papers published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, including authorship on a series of papers and reports detailing the impact of climate change in the Northeast US.
Follow Dr. Wake on Twitter: @TheClimateDr
- See more at: http://www.sustainableunh.unh.edu/wake#sthash.AeLzQOzp.dpuf
- Serves as a faculty leader on the UNH Energy Task Force (ETF).
- Participates on the UNHSI Collaborative Council.
- Informs the further refinement and development of climate and broader sustainability indicators, such as the UNH greenhouse gas emissions inventory.
- Participates in updates to WildCAP, UNH’s climate action plan, as part of UNH’s obligations under the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).
- Directs Carbon Solutions New England (CSNE).
- Participates in the NH Energy & Climate Collaborative.
- Assists with the development of curriculum related to the forthcoming undergraduate Sustainability Dual Major.
A Research Associate Professor in Glaciology/Environmental Chemistry at the UNH Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans and Space and the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences' Department of Earth Sciences, Dr. Wake directs an active research program investigating regional climate and environmental change through the analysis of ice cores, and instrumental and phonological records. Currently he is leading research programs to assess the impact of climate change in New England and to reconstruct climate change from ice cores recovered from glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau and in the Arctic. He is also an author on over 60 papers published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature, including authorship on a series of papers and reports detailing the impact of climate change in the Northeast US.
Follow Dr. Wake on Twitter: @TheClimateDr
- See more at: http://www.sustainableunh.unh.edu/wake#sthash.AeLzQOzp.dpuf
Margaret McCabe
Margaret McCabe is a UNHSI Faculty Fellow in Food & Society (FAS). In this role, she provides leadership to engage the University community in efforts to advance sustainable agriculture, food choices, nutrition, and economic and social well-being on campus and beyond. Specifically, she:
More Information
- Serves as chairperson for the Sustainable Food System Task Force.
- Participates in meetings and activities of Food Solutions New England to advance state and region priorities.
- Participates in the UNHSI Collaborative Council to help guide the direction of FAS and the UNHSI as a whole.
- Represents UNH by attending and participate in regional food security and sustainability meetings as appropriate, including the NH Food Advisory Council.
- Assists with the development of curriculum related to the forthcoming undergraduate Sustainability Dual Major.
More Information
- UNH Sustainable Food System Task Force
- UNH Law School
- Food Solutions New England
- NH Food Advisory Council