UW-Madison ‘Gaia Project’ creates environmental learning, action project for faculty and staff

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Gaia Project, a program devoted to helping faculty and staff get involved in topics related to climate, energy and sustainability, has launched this semester with more than 100 subscribers already on board.

The project, led by UW–Madison consumer science Professor Ann Hoyt and engineering Professor Thatcher Root, was created in response to a Spring 2006 University Committee survey in which faculty expressed great interest in becoming more connected with staff from other departments and getting involved in sustainability issues.

Faculty and staff can sign up for a topic of interest and discuss initial meeting plans with other group members. The groups are small, self-directed and informal to fit the busy lifestyles of university employees.

Also a University Committee chair member, Hoyt says she believes the learning-action group — named after Gaia, a mythological Greek goddess personifying the earth — will efficiently meet the concerns of the faculty.

"We want groups to be about 10-15 people. The idea is that people will read about a particular issue and then consider taking action. It’s great because each group decides when they meet and how much time and effort will be dedicated to their topic," says Hoyt.

"For example," Hoyt adds, "I’m in a group on sustainable consumerism and we’ve decided to read a book and make a personal change in our lives by the next time we meet."

The learning-action group is designed for people who are concerned, but are not necessarily experts, on topics ranging from the basic science of climate change to the sustainability of the water supply.

"We want people to realize there’s a lot of information out there," says Root. "Once we become educated, we try to drum up some ideas for high-impact projects with quick turnaround."

With more than 100 subscribers in the first week, Hoyt says she believes this is just the beginning: "In my mind, it’s already taken off. The faculty has a sincere interest in this project and we’re looking forward to seeing more ideas and participants."

Adds Root: "Any sort of action we can provoke we consider a success."