University of Arizona
PAE-24: Sustainability Policy Advocacy

Advocacy of sustainability is very important for the University of Arizona. Through the work of UA's research centers, UA has advocated for sustainability by presenting and publishing research, assisting in monitoring functions in the community, directing conferences and speaking on topics of sustainability to public policy makers and to the community. Sustainability topics that UA advocates for span across the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability. The University of Arizona hosts synposiums and lecture series open to the public on various topics including global climate change, psychology, astronomy and more. Usually around Earth Day, lectures on sustainability of food production as well as on the role of sustainability in business and theology are open to the public for attendance. Additionally, professors and researchers at the University of Arizona are called upon by Congress to give expert opinion on topics relating to sustainability. As of May 6, 2010, Lisa Graumlich enlightened the Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warning regarding energy's connection to global warming trends. Lastly, the UA has publicly pushed for greater diversity in its student body even during times of difficult financial times. Specifically the creation of the Arizona Assurance Scholarship program essentially has advocated for greater access to the university system helping to promote education for all students irregardless of income. A list of UA's research centers can be found at the following website. http://www.arizona.edu/research-centers Brief examples include: The Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy which focuses on native nation self-governance, the environment, and immigration topics. The center has hosted conferences for the public and government officials on these matters in addition to publishing quality research to help policy makers. For more information please visit: http://udallcenter.arizona.edu/ The Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy (AZRISE) focuses on all things solar with the goal of making solar energy a viable and marketable energy source that public policy can promote. For more information please visit: http://azrise.org/about The Institute for the Environment which collaborates across the U of A campus to understand, communicate, and solve the environmental challenges facing our world, nation, and state, as well as to help the people of Arizona seize opportunities created by these challenges. http://environment.arizona.edu