Dr. Miguel Karian

Experiential Learning in ‘Sustainable Global

Stewardship’

A Costa Rican Case-Study

www.EarthEdIntl.org

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

About Us

Description: An experiential learning organization providing interdisciplinary course and program offerings in sustainability. We work in partnership with academic institutions globally, and support and promote sustainable initiatives locally.

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Offerings:

Condensed Semester abroad in ‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’

Thematic short courses

Customized ‘study tours’ with partner institutions (program provider) Field Study, Service, & Cultural Immersion

Environmental

Factors

Socio-PersonalFactors

EconomicFactors

‘Sustainable Global Stewardship’

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

EconomicFactors

Sustainability: Economics

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Direct economic costs vs.

Personal & societal benefits

Participant Costs

Housing

Food

Tuition

Commuting

Travel

Insurance

Other Community Orchid Garden Visit

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

$1,800

$1,200

$3,800

$400

$400

$200

$200

Sample 3 Month Costs

($600)

($400)

Economic costs compared to: 1. Similar other programs

2. Staying at home

Participant Benefits

Academic credit

Cultural immersion

Improved skills & self-confidence Classification of Tropical Rainforest Plant Diversity

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Substantial ‘class’ time in the field

Integrated service- learning

Comparative educational travel

GOALS:

Cost: Accessibility & value

Local Community Benefits

GOALS:

Provide economic support to sustainable initiatives

Direct payment for services, widest distribution possible

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Local Economic Benefits

Faculty & staff salaries Transportation costs

Host university fees Entrance & visit fees

Hotels & meals Copy center services

Student homestay fees

Direct Local Expenditures: 92%

International travel

Non-Local

Academic credit

Travel insurance

Socio-PersonalFactors

Sustainability: Socio-Personal

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Student & host community effortvs.

Benefit to student, local & home communities

1. Relationship between provider & local community Well-established Mutually-beneficial

Community Integration/Outreach

Field Site Presentation: Community Ecotourism

& Solar Energy

2. Local outreach of provider Setting an example Informal education Formal presentations

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Local Partner Universities University of San José University of Costa Rica

Past Spring Semester Group at the University of Costa Rica

Field & Volunteer Sites Government agencies Community initiatives Sustainable businesses

Lodging Homestay families Locally-owned (eco-) hotels

Support Services Local cafeteria & copy center

Community PartnersEarth Education International, Costa Rica

GOALS: Educate, facilitate, support

Skills development: Hands-onlearning, cultural competence, language acquisition/ improvement

Demonstrate importanceof community/volunteerism

Provide motivational experiences

Preparation, guidance, personal assistance &re-entry facilitation (logistical & motivational)

Community Volunteer Work

Participant Benefits

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Local Community Benefits

Service-Learning Work at a Local Organic Farm

Motivational for hosts (as well as participants)

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Partner/field sites selection:

Support local efforts

Community-based

Socially & gender-equitable

GOALS: Socio-personal support & community integration with local socially-responsible initiatives & businesses

Environmental

Factors

Sustainability: Environmental

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Immediate environmental impact vs.

Long-term benefit for environment & society

A. Program design & operation

Materials: 3 R’s

Electricity: Source & use

Fuel: Transportation

Pedestrian-Friendly Program Design in San Ramón

EEI

X

X

X XX

X

X

XX

Environmental: Program DesignEarth Education International, Costa Rica

Environmental costs compared to: 1. Similar other programs

2. Staying at home

B. Participant lifestyle Accommodation (shared vs. individual) Food, water, goods consumed Personal transport (amount & type)

“Think Globally, Eat Locally”

Participant LifestyleEarth Education International, Costa Rica

Earth Education International, Costa RicaSustainability Assessment Inventory

Sustainability Assessment Inventory

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

4. Buildings Office, classrooms

2. Transportation Vehicles, mass transit

3. Community Integration Lodging & food, partners

1. Office Resources Paper, electricity, other

5. Special Initiatives Carbon & Community program, other

6. Education & Outreach Program design, community, participants

Sources: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/carbon-emissions-per-person-capita; http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx; http://www.chooseclimate.org/flying/mapcalc.html

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

EMISSION COMPONENT

10 DAY COURSE

2 WEEK COURSESEMESTER PROGRAM

Flight (KC-SJO) .75 tonnes .75 tonnes .75 tonnes

Ground Transport

.07 tonnes .10 tonnes .21 tonnes

Daily Activities .039 tonnes .054 tonnes .24 tonnes

TOTAL 0.86 tonnes 0.91 tonnes 1.21 tonnes

EQUIV U.S. STUDENT RATE(14.25 tonnes/yr)

0.39 tonnes 0.55 tonnes 2.97 tonnes

CONCLUSION: An EEI semester participant will cut their CO2 emissions BY MORE THAN half compared to staying in the U.S.

Carbon Emissions/Person by Offering

Reforestation Activity

Carbon & Community ProgramEarth Education International, Costa Rica

One tree per person planted will offset emissions in:

Short course: 1-2 years

Semester: 3-4 years

EEI’s emissions to date = 15 tonnes, 6 tonnes sequestered At current rates, EEI carbon-neutral between 2016 & 2019

Based on conservative estimate of 22Kg (50lbs) CO2/tree/year absorption rate for tropical trees(http://www.carbonify.com/carbon-calculator.htm;http://greenworld.org/what-we-do/our-practices)

Tree-Planting in community conservation project (2005)

Tree-Planting in local community conservation project

Carbon offset Watershed conservation Biological corridor improvement Community participation Motivational: Sharing a common vision for the future

Carbon & Community ProgramEarth Education International, Costa Rica

Reforestation Activity

Local (& Global) Community Benefits

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

GOALS: Environmental protection & mitigation, support for environmentally-friendly initiatives & businesses

Reforestation Activity & Ceremony

Accessibility & value to participants Economic support for local community

Participants: Facilitate & support Socially-responsible community integration

Educate & motivate participants Direct & indirect ‘glocal’ action

Economic Factors

Environmental Factors

Socio-Personal Factors

Summary: Sustainability Factors

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Summary: Our MissionEarth Education International, Costa Rica

To empower individuals and communities to take action

in their personal and collective lives in helping to contribute to a sustainable,

equitable, and peaceful future

For More Information…

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Field Study & Service-Learning MediaBlog

Sustainability Assessment Inventory

Sustainable Living Links

Offerings & Sample Customized ‘Study Tours’ (partner provider services)

Dr. Miguel Karianmkarian@EarthEdIntl.org

www.EarthEdIntl.org

For More Information…

Earth Education International, Costa Rica

Dr. Miguel Karianmkarian@EarthEdIntl.org

www.EarthEdIntl.org

Questions?