RCE Greater Portland - 2018

PCC, Sustain Me! A Higher Education Sustainability & Environmental Justice Podcast
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
PCC, Sustain Me! A Higher Education Sustainability & Environmental Justice Podcast
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Greater Portland
Contributing organization(s) : 
RCE Greater Portland and Portland Community College
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Joe Culhane
Organizational Affiliation: 
Portland Community College
E-mail: 
joe.culhane@pcc.edu
Format of project: 
Audio
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Web link: 
https://www.pcc.edu/sustainability/pcc-sustain-me-a-higher-education-sustainability-environmental-justice-podcast/
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
Yes
Portland Community College's Sustainability Commitment and Strategic Plan
At what level is the policy operating?: 
Local
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Americas
Country: 
United States
Location(s): 
Portland, Oregon
Address of focal point institution for project: 
12000 SW 49th Ave. Portland, OR 97219
Ecosystem(s):
Urban/Peri-urban
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Secondary, Teacher Ed.
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Greater Portland is known as one of the greenest metropolitan areas in the United States. Yet our green reputation does not mean the region is free of challenges. In fact, we struggle in at least four major areas of sustainable development: environment, education, economics, and equity. With water and air pollution, struggling schools facing tightening budgets, unemployment, and racial discrimination and inequities, we recognize the need to collaborate to address these challenges.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
The project has limited boundaries and a part of its intention is to address sustainable development challenges through anecdotal, educational, and lived experiences via storytelling. A primary focus is social justice and the framework of looking at all the Sustainable Development Goals through an equity lens.
Contents
Period: 
January, 2018 to October, 2018
Rationale: 
The rationale for this project is that humans are connected through storytelling and prior to written words, oral storytelling and communication is how we connected. This is still something humanity is deeply connected to and so through sharing about educational practices and connecting real life experiences to a very accessible medium (digital radio/podcasting), this is a very unique way to convey the messages and movements that are taking place in the USA and across the world.
Objectives: 
The objective is simple though broad. To provide an outlet and platform for people at varying levels of education and along the professional spectrum to share what they are doing to address our serious issues we face in today's world. Especially the marginalized and oppressed voices that have not traditionally been heard.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
To engage in conversations (interviews) with people who are taking action and making a difference in the world on local, national, and international levels. To create a program with music and good conversations that people can easily relate to and access.
Size of academic audience: 
500
Results: 
This is a unique project and the results are challenging to quantify. So far the results are very encouraging. And by presenting at 2 national conferences about the project, and how to start your own, this has already blossomed into many other communities (institutions of higher education who are creating their own podcast) so that the academic reach will continue to grow exponentially. The inspiration for individuals who's lives have been positively impacted is a part of this as well. A few of the episodes have reached audiences that aren't typically associated with sustainability or the SDG's. This has provided that connection and this will ripple out bringing additional value.
Lessons learned: 
I have learned a great deal through the trials and tribulations of creating this podcast. That is being reflected in each new episode that comes out. The success of the show and the wider audiences it will continue to reach are a reflection of that. The quality of the program continues to improve and the opportunities to make this even more successful moving forward are encouraging.
Key messages: 
PCC, Sustain Me! is a podcast that has something for nearly anyone in higher education (and beyond) to connect with and learn more about how environmental sustainability and social justice are connected. Through this program you can find ways that it connects to all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
The podcast has provided an outlet to highlight and showcase current and ongoing events and activities for RCE Greater Portland, it also is beginning to connect with the City of Portland, the local indigenous communities, and regional government agencies to explore the work they are doing.
Funding: 
The funding for this project is relatively nominal. The fixed and ongoing expenses are under $500 annually. This does not include the production time though this work falls into the roles and responsibilities of the Sustainability Communications Coordinator position at PCC.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon Sustain Me!.JPG (80.04 KB) Logo/Image for advertising on websites/blog with link to download and listen to the podcast Joe Culhane
Image icon Sustain Me 2.JPG (152.98 KB) Logo for the Podcast (seen on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, etc) Joe Culhane
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Direct
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Direct
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Direct
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
Direct
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Direct
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Direct
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Direct
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Direct
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Direct
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
SDG 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 
Direct
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Traditional Knowledge  
Direct
Agriculture 
Direct
Arts 
Direct
Curriculum Development 
Direct
Forests/Trees 
Direct
Plants & Animals 
Direct
Waste 
Direct
Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development – Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Building capacities of educators and trainers 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Empowering and mobilizing youth 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
Direct
Update: 
No