Prof to Speak on Sustainability at YCP

David Fyfe, assistant professor of geography (Department of History and Political Science), will be a guest on this week's Sundays with Sonnewald radio show Sept. 12 at 12:30 pm on WHVR 1280 AM. He will be discussing the College's new minor in sustainability and environmental studies (SES) that began this fall. Fyfe is a member of the SES advisory committee.

The SES minor allows students in all majors to examine environmental issues related to their fields of study. "For example, in the SES minor, students will obtain a historical perspective of the circumstances creating the issues," said Keith Peterman, PhD, SES minor coordinator. "As a history major, you can use this information in your major and future career. Every environmental issue has a tangible link to a multitude of academic disciplines."

The SES minor is based on two key principles: meeting (equitably) the biophysical needs of the contemporary global society and maintaining the integrity of life-supporting ecosystems for future generations. A committee of professors, that includes Peterman, worked hard over the last year to develop the minor because these principles are playing an increasingly prominent role in daily life in the 21st century.

"It is truly a global issue," he said. "Our new SES minor seeks to weave various topics into a coherent global fabric such that students can recognize the momentous challenge, as well as the stewardship required of us, as the planet's trustees, to provide a habitable world for future generations."

The committee strongly believes humans can prevent or lessen the negative impact made on natural resources and the environment based on decisions in their respective career fields.

"York College will continue to educate its students as to how they can make a positive impact on the environment in their own lives," said Peterman.

Members of the SES advisory committee are Peterman, Physical Sciences Department; Fyfe, PhD, History and Political Science Department; Rory Kraft, PhD, English and Humanities Department; Peter Levy, PhD, History and Political Science Department; Perri Druen, PhD, Behavioral Sciences Department; Karl Kleiner, PhD, Biological Sciences Department; Madeline Yonker, English and Humanities Department; Jessica Nolan, Biological Sciences Department; Amy Propen, PhD, English and Humanities Department and Deborah Vause, PhD, English and Humanities Department.

Check out the YCP Sustainability and Environmental Studies Minor  page on Facebook to learn more about the minor and how you can make a positive impact on the environment.