Role of Schools In Sustainable Development

Role of SchoolsIn Sustainable Development:

Working Locally,Collaborating Globally

Rebecca Timson, DirectorEducation for a Sustainable Future

Case Study:Phosphates and Water Quality

Phosphates as pollutants:

• In storm-water run-off

• Via airborne pathway

Environmental Sources:

DetergentsFertilizersPesticides

Phosphates Nourish Cyanobacteria

Anabaena species Microcystis species

Working Locally:Green Lake Sampling Site

SOIL QUALITY STUDY:

• Yeasts aid in binding phosphates to soil

• With low yeast biomass, yeasts may “wash through” soil into lake

• Yeast biomass is highest at native plant site

• Shade offers protection from UV light which may inactivate yeasts

Soil-Air Connection:Airborne Pathway for Phosphates

AIR QUALITY STUDY:

Phosphates levels in lake water covary with atmospheric particulate peaks

Particulate peaks also covarywith:

• peaks of SO2, NOX, CO, and ozone

• temperature, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity

Air-Water Connection:Water Quality Monitoring

Cyanobacteria bloom closed Green Lake in 2003

Students began monitoring water quality, reporting to City of Seattle & working with scientists

Database now includes data from years with El Nino, La Nina, and Long-Term Average weather conditions

Students manage educational outreach to inform public about alternatives to phosphate products

Collaborating Globally:Base Camp for Antarctica “Control” Site

Partnerships in the United States

St. John’s River, Florida:

• Phosphate industry in Florida affects water quality

• Students are writing a bill to regulate the industry

Lake Ponchartrain, Louisiana:

• Hurricane Katrina contributed to phosphate water pollution

• Students are working on post-Katrina water improvements

Partnerships in the United States

Livestock Pond, Missouri:

• Cyanobacterial neurotoxins have killed livestock

• Students have developed “best practice” guidelines for livestock pond construction

Lake Neahtawanta, New York:

• Cyanobacteria bloom threatens to close lake

• Students are field-testing a macroinvertebrate index for assessment of water quality

Partnerships in East Asia:Fulbright Memorial Fund Master Teacher Program

Golden Temple, Japan:

• Airborne phosphates nourish growth of cyanobacteria

• Students are tracking particulate plumes from mainland Asia to Japan and across the Pacific Ocean

• Students are working with experts at three universities

Partnerships in East Asia

Grand View Park, China:

• Particulate pollution “rains”phosphates into temple pond

• Students are monitoring covariance of phosphate levels with industrial particulates

Ider River, Mongolia:

• River water is contaminated by point and non-point sources of phosphates

• Students are studying covariance of phosphate and nitrate pollution

Partnerships in South Asia:CPR Environmental Education Centre

Emerald Lake, India:

• Phosphate levels are under control in Emerald Lake

• Students are educating the community about alternatives to phosphate use

Kodai Lake, India:

• Kodai Lake is very similar to Green Lake in Seattle

• Students are investigating the impact of recreational use of the lake

Partnerships in South Asia: Nilgiri Mountains

• Students learned that a well near Ooty (left) was unsafe due to neurotoxins produced by cyanobacteria

• Students are working with villagers to replant a sacred grove for watershed protection (right)

• To reduce particulate pollution, villagers are learning how to build smokeless ovens in community schools

Partnerships in Southeast Asia

• In Vietnam (left) and Thailand (right), women in the floating markets are helping students collect water samples

• Cyanobacteria blooms may pose health risks to marketers and their customers

Partnerships in Southeast Asia

Nam Ngum Lake, Laos: Students are investigating the uses of cyanobacteria as a nitrogen-fixing fertilizer, and as a source of anti-mitotic substances for treatment of cancer

Partnerships in Africa: World Affairs Council

Hartebeesport Reservoir, South Africa:

• Students are investigating seasonal changes in the cyanobacteria bloom

Lake Malawi, Malawi:

• Students are investigating urban versus rural sources of phosphate pollution

Other Partnerships:International Education & Resource Network

• Students monitoring Bedetti Lake in Argentina (left) are developing a microcredit project to help small farmers switch to non-phosphate fertilizers and pesticides

• Students monitoring Lake Mokoan in Australia (right) are building solar water circulation units to improve dissolved oxygen levels

Partnerships in Europe: Luxembourg & Norway

Future File:Opportunities for Collaborative Efforts

• Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation• David and Lucile Packard Foundation• Environmental Research and Education Foundation• Ford Foundation Community and Resource Development Program• Global Greengrants Fund• International Development Research Centre• Investing in Women in Development• Milagro Foundation• National Geographic Conservation Trust• Toyota Environmental Activities Program• Turner Foundation Grants• UNDP GEF/CCF Small Grants Programme• Wallace Global Fund