Conference Results - Participant Commitments

Each conference participant was asked to identify one or more commitments that he or she was willing to make regarding sustainability.  The list of these commitments is summarized below:

• Walk to work more.
• As a student, I will become involved with the City of Moscow, volunteer to serve on a committee, commission, etc, related to promotion of sustainability.
• Maintain awareness of sustainable transportation issues and goals while participating with the Moscow Transportation Commission.
• Would help coordinate efforts between University of Idaho students, city of Moscow, Latah county, and any other groups for communication efforts.
• Before I eat dinner tonight I am going to think about sustainability, about sustaining sustainability.  Tonight I am going to dream about sustainability.  Next week I am going to contact at least three student clubs, and find out what they think about sustainability.
• Investigate the feasibility of developing a small biodiesel facility for the Treasure Valley.
• Continue to look for ways to encourage the production and use of biofuels.
• I plan to reduce energy use by or up to ten percent by using high efficiency lights and possibly use geothermal heat pump with existing well used for drinking.
• I will focus my graduate thesis project towards ideas of sustainable architecture and how it affects people, psychologically, physically, and socially.  I can thus further educate my fellow designers.
• I will attend Moscow Transportation Commission meetings.
• I will work on University of Idaho biodiesel commercial demonstration facility.
• Develop bicycle education program in the community.
• Commute colleagues to work.
• Work towards revising comprehensive plan to create non-car oriented development.  Also work towards revising zoning/building codes to achieve vision.
• Conduct at least one service learning project with my students focused on sustainable transportation.
• Promote sustainability concepts within my program.  Practice sustainability concepts within my life.  Take an active role in helping develop a curriculum focused on sustainability.
• Participate in the group that will continue discussion of the ring road concept/sustainable transportation planning.
• I commit to using sustainability issues in my courses (I already do).  I also commit to participating in a sustainability commission if asked and introducing more sustainability concepts in my writing.
• Attempt to find out more about the campus commission and what I can do to help.
• I will commit myself to think about the environmental impact of all the decisions I make in my life, whether it be a simple daily decision or that of more important matters.
• I will ride my bike to work whenever I can.  I will install water activity sensors in my lawn.  I will educate people on how to address the desire to have sustainable transportation.
• I will proselytize at least twice city of Moscow officials to participate in sustainable forums.  I will clarify the issue of sustainability in my urban class.
• Over the next year I will use Valley Transit more for trips I can’t make on my bicycle.
• I will do my utmost to ensure use of biodiesel in Valley Transit vehicles.
• Teach six courses and one summer study abroad class on sustainable architecture.  Network with colleagues world wide on sustainable architecture issues.  Participate in UI sustainability commission.  Write papers and book chapters about sustainability.  Give a talk about sustainable at SV sustainable conference next week.  Give tool day workshops to professional and academics.
• Get on sustainability commission and regularly attend meetings.
• I will volunteer my time in the community to advocate sustainable design practices by attending community planning meetings as often as possible.
• I will serve as an advocate for sustainable transportation at the Idaho National Laboratory.
• Walk to work, buy a Prius, buy my wife a bike.
• I’m already doing it.  I joined the Parks and Recreation commission an am actively involved in New Cities and City Repair.  I n my official capacity with the ARS, I hope I can play a part in the development of biodiesel in the Palouse.
• Personal: walk more, drive less.  Community: be proactive in neighborhood planning for sustainability.  Global: read more, share information more.
• Further educate myself on issues of sustainability as well as try to attend more community meetings discussing issues of sustainability.
• Walk everywhere.  Cars are now only viable for my use for travel to destinations outside of Moscow/Pullman.
• I will avoid attending superfluous meetings, thus saving at least 100 gallons of fuel in my effort to promote sustainability at UI and the outlying community.
• Learn more and pass it on.
• Continue expanding my “sustainability at Idaho” website with all the links and information people keep looking for: www.class.uidaho.edu/sustainability.
• Become more knowledgeable about opportunities for energy crops in Idaho and Washington.
• Decrease reliability on motor vehicle and increase use alternative transport methods by ten percent.
• Push for sustainability coordinator.  Work with like minded groups and organizations on campus to gain ammunition for administrative support.
• Look for funding so UI can host a sustainability conference inviting experienced speakers, state government agencies, university officials and all interested parties to build on this one.  Also, I’ll join and attend the sustainability commission meetings.
• Provide support for sustainable transportation to the Transportation Commission of Moscow.
• Link with other UI staff/faculty to plan October 2005 sustainability event (linked with national webcast).
• I will propose one way to introduce sustainability into the UI curriculum and work to see it is implemented.
• I will consume less (non-transportation related) products with fossil fuels.
• Talk to each of my civic groups about sustainability and planning for sustainability.
• I will and I am helping a group of students start a club whose purpose is to produce biodiesel for the diesel engine fleet at UI.