Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
AC-6: Sustainability Literacy Assessment

1. Which of the following dimensions are included in the definition of sustainability? a. Democracy, Economy, Environment b. Individualism, Meritocracy, Society c. Environment, Economy, Society d. Ecology, Environment, Biomimicry 2. The wealthiest 20% of people in the United States own approximately what percent of the nation’s privately held wealth? a. 20% b. 35% c. 50% d. 85% 3. The Urban Heat Island Effect is: a. An increased desire to live in rural areas b. An increased number of islands being discovered in tropical zones c. An increase in the number of cities that cut off exports and imports during hot summer months d. A rising of temperature in urban areas due to the density of buildings and other human structures and the sparseness of sunlight-absorbing greenery 4. Carbon monoxide is a major contributor to air pollution in the United States. Which of the following is the biggest source of carbon monoxide? a. Factories and businesses b. People breathing c. Motor vehicles d. Trees 5. Which of the following best defines social justice? a. The concept of creating an inclusive society that is based on principles of equality b. Laws that have been created on a national level to guide appropriate social behaviors c. Appropriate punishment for those who commit hate crimes d. Fighting crime in tights 6. What is the primary benefit of wetlands? a. Promote flooding b. Clean the water before it enters lakes, streams, rivers, or oceans c. Keep the number of undesirable plants and animals low d. Provide good sites for landfills 7. How many people in the world live on less than $1.25 a day? a. Less than 1 Million b. 150 Million c. 500 Million d. Over 1 Billion 8. The term for products nature provides such as clean water, clean air, productive soils, habitat for diverse species and pollination of plants is: a. Natural capital b. Ecosystem services c. Environmental economics d. Environmental conservation 9. Which of the following is the most common source for generating electricity in the United States? a. Coal b. Nuclear c. Solar d. Hydroelectric 10. Approximately, what percentage of children in the United States live in poverty (a household annual income below $23,000 for a family of four)? a. 1% b. 5% c. 20% d. 50% 11. A technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product’s life from cradle to grave (resource extraction through usage and disposal or reuse) is called: a. An energy audit b. A cost-benefit analysis c. A life cycle assessment d. A thermal system analysis 12. Which is the most common cause of pollution in streams and rivers? a. Dumping of garbage by cities b. Surface water running off yards, city streets, paved lots, and farm fields c. Litter near streams and rivers d. Waste dumped by factories 13. Corporate social responsibility implies a commitment to triple bottom line reporting, which includes: a. Three forms of financial reporting b. Ecological, social, and financial performance c. Multiple employee performance d. A formal act of legislation 14. The best way to support our local economy is to buy goods (groceries, clothing, etc.) where? a. At large chain stores that may employ workers from the local community b. Online from discount retailers c. From locally-owned stores that sell locally-produced goods d. From second-hand/thrift stores 15. Living in St. Louis region, we hear about the “Muddy Mississippi.” Which of the following is the greatest polluter of the Mississippi River? a. Litter that flows from streams and rivers into lakes b. Oil run-off from Wisconsin c. Application of fertilizer on lawns and farms d. Gas-powered boats e. Do not know 16. Please indicate your gender. a. Female b. Male 17. Please indicate your race. a. Caucasian b. African American/Black c. Hispanic d. Asian e. Pacific Islander f. Native American g. Other 18. Which of the following best describes your hometown? a. Rural (farm/country, small town with population less than 25,000) b. Urban/Suburban (population between 25,001 to 100,000) c. Metropolitan (population more than 100,000) 19. In the past year, how often did you engage in outdoor activities? a. Frequently b. Sometimes c. Rarely d. Never 20. Please write in your intended or declared major.

After reviewing several assessments the sustainability graduate assistant, sustainability faculty fellow, and sustainability officer, developed 20 questions which encapsulated all three legs of sustainability and several questions regarding demographics.

Springboard to Success is a mandatory freshman orientation and enrollment program for admitted freshmen (and family members) that will jump-start your university experience. This program includes academic advisement and course registration, but also assists you in learning about the resources for success at SIUE. The assessment was part of the office for sustainability's presentation. All seniors are required to complete a capstone project. The assessment was administered to a representative sample.

This university found that race and gender remained constant predictors of sustainability literacy. The overall % of correct answers was 75. SIUE is satisfied with the instrument and will continue to improve the method in which the knowledge based assessment is administered.