RCE Greater Atlanta - 2024

Sustainable Development Research Seminar
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Sustainable Development Research Seminar
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Greater Atlanta
Contributing organization(s) : 
Georgia Institute of Technology

Kennesaw State University

Georgia State University

Emory University

University of Georgia
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Michael Black
Organizational Affiliation: 
Georgia State University
E-mail: 
seawater@gsu.edu
Format of project: 
Audiovisual 
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Web link: 
https://atlantaglobalstudies.gatech.edu/RCEATL-HELC#seminars
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Americas
Country: 
United States
Location(s): 
Greater Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Ecosystem(s):
Urban/Peri-urban
Target Audience:
Community, Teacher Ed.
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Atlanta is currently a city riddled with wealth and income inequality, particularly affecting communities of color, where 80% of African-American children reside in high-poverty areas compared to only 6% of their white peers. Historical divisions in housing, schools, and zoning perpetuate these disparities. The city's rapid development can also affect the environment, causing potential issues with reduced greenery, increased pollution, flooding, and soil erosion. Despite being an economic hub, Atlanta is marked by racial segregation, concentrated poverty, gentrification, and displacement, and has one of the lowest social mobility rates for its poorest population. It also ranks poorly in terms of income inequality, energy burden, gentrification, traffic, and air quality.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
The Sustainable Development Research Seminar highlights several key challenges, including the impact of climate change on urban and rural communities, transportation disruptions affecting poverty and employment, and the need for effective communication and community engagement in climate resilience and adaptation. Addressing these challenges involves enhancing public transit, mitigating climate change effects, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and developing localized climate action plans that cater to the diverse needs and vulnerabilities of different regions.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Rationale: 
The sustainable development initiatives described in the seminar series address critical global and local challenges such as climate change, sanitation, and infrastructure development. These issues impact both urban and rural communities, affecting public health, environmental justice, and economic stability. The activities and policies are needed to advance technology, improve human conditions, and promote social and environmental justice. For example, the Reinventing the Toilet project aims to provide off-grid sanitation solutions to over 3.6 billion people lacking improved sanitation, thereby reducing disease transmission and environmental contamination. Additionally, climate resilience efforts focus on mitigating extreme weather impacts, enhancing food security, and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. By developing innovative solutions and fostering community engagement, these initiatives strive to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly clean water and sanitation (Goal 6) and climate action (Goal 13), ensuring a sustainable future for all.
Objectives: 
- Innovative Sanitation Solutions: Develop and deploy off-grid sanitation technologies to improve public health, reduce environmental contamination, and promote equity in sanitation access globally.

- Climate Resilience and Adaptation: Enhance the resilience of urban and rural communities to climate change impacts through improved infrastructure, policy implementation, and community engagement.

- Sustainable Development Education: Educate and empower students and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to implement sustainable practices, fostering a culture of sustainability and innovation.

- Cross-Sector Collaboration: Foster partnerships among academic institutions, governments, businesses, and communities to co-create solutions for sustainable development challenges.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
Fall 2023

Session 1, 09/08/2023

"The New York Climate Exchange and Sustainable Sanitation: Global Collaboration and the Reinvented Toilet"

-Shannon Yee, Associate Professor at the G.W.W. School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology.



Session 2, 10/13/2023

"Sustaining Hope: Building Collaborative Resilience in Post-Conflict Societies"

-Volker Franke, Professor of Conflict Management in the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development at Kennesaw State University



Session 3, 11/10/2023

"Sustain the Lifeline: How transit disruptions affect poverty and unemployment"

-Fei Li, Assistant Professor in the Urban Studies Institute at Georgia State University


Spring 2024

Session 1, 01/19/2024

"Climate Justice and Our Children's Health"

-Rebecca Philipsborn, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, General Pediatrics and Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Emory University School of Medicine and Rollins School of Public Health



Session 2, 02/09/2024

"The Georgia Climate Project: Scaling up from Individual Voices to a Statewide Climate Hub"

-Patricia Yager, Professor of Marine Science, University of Georgia
Results: 
The Sustainable Development Research Seminar series has achieved significant results in addressing global challenges. The Reinvented Toilet project successfully developed off-grid sanitation technologies, tested effectively in South Africa and India, improving public health and reducing environmental contamination. Educational initiatives empowered students and community members with practical sustainable practices, enhancing project implementation. Climate resilience efforts tailored to urban and rural needs engaged communities, leading to increased awareness and adaptation strategies. Collaborative efforts among universities, businesses, and government entities fostered innovative solutions, creating a unified approach to sustainable development challenges and driving impactful progress.
Lessons learned: 
Key lessons from the Sustainable Development Research Seminar series include the importance of community engagement and collaboration across sectors to address complex sustainability challenges. Successes were driven by innovative technologies like off-grid sanitation, while challenges included high implementation costs and resistance to change. Opportunities emerged through partnerships, highlighting the need for localized solutions and continuous dialogue with affected communities to ensure relevant and impactful outcomes. Additionally, integrating climate resilience education and practical training proved essential in preparing students and communities for sustainable futures.
Key messages: 
The Sustainable Development Research Seminar series addresses global challenges by sharing cutting-edge research with a broad audience of researchers from universities throughout Greater Atlanta.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
A project of the Higher Education Learning Community

Pictures:

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes