WorldCanvass: The History of Sustainability

Piece Description

Sustainability is one of the watchwords of our era. It’s been described as the capacity to endure, and it speaks to the inter-relationships between humans and nature and what it takes to exist in harmony, both in the present time and long into the future.

Although it may feel like a contemporary concept, the idea of sustainability as the proper balance between what we take from the earth and what we safeguard for the benefit of ourselves and future generations has been around for a long time.

WorldCanvass guests discuss the history and concept of sustainability from varied vantage points and disparate disciplines, ranging from law and engineering to business, art, film and literary studies.

We reflect on the rise of global environmental concerns in centuries past; learn about the Americas and how climate and weather patterns have affected population growth and expansion; explore water resource issues, global climate change, and Iowa’s efforts toward a sustainable future; and take a look at ways in which art and film have addressed the environment and changing landscapes.

We hear how University of Iowa (UI) professors and students are creating new business models based on sustainability strategies, and see how a hands-on sustainability effort in Africa has expanded the world view of UI students while improving the living conditions of village residents.

Guests are:

Jonathan Carlson, UI professor of Law
Barbara Eckstein, UI professor of English
Jonathan Finley, UI student
Craig Just, UI professor of Engineering
Sarah Kanouse, UI professor of Art and Intermedia
Roland Racevskis, UI professor of French
Sara Rynes-Weller, UI professor of Business and Management
Jerry Schnoor, UI professor of Engineering
Kyle Stine, UI student
Chad Vollrath, UI student
Gillen Wood, University of Illinois, professor of English and Sustainability Studies