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No two sustainability policies are the same, but they can be adapted

In Office

No two sustainability policies are the same, but they can be adapted

Karen Kao

Karen, a 2013 graduate of the program, wanted to apply her psychology and sustainability degrees in a real-world setting. To do so, she traveled to Washington, D.C. and London last summer as part of the Global Sustainability Studies Program to compare the respective sustainability policymaking processes. While taking in the sights, Kao learned that while policies may differ, you can always adapt them to suit your region’s needs.

What in particular drew you to the Washington, D.C. and London program?
As a policy and administration track in the Masters in Sustainable Solutions degree, I was really interested in how governance could effectively make or break the impact and success of sustainability initiatives and programs. In particular, I was interested in how governance styles could impact the culture of acceptance surrounding sustainability and subsequently how that effected advancements in areas such as civic engagement, urban planning, water conservation, etc. The D.C./London program offered those experiences and also focused on a comparative viewpoint, which allowed for a more in-depth analysis of what works where and why.

Capitol Hill provided an excellent backdrop to study U.S. energy policy.
Capitol Hill provided an excellent backdrop to study U.S. energy policy.

How did you use your education in psychology and sustainable solutions during your trip to Washington, D.C. and London?
My background in psychology and sustainable solutions was particularly useful in recognizing the subtleties of human behavior and action as it pertains to what makes sustainability polices effective. By understanding how people think, act and adopt new information, I could infer why strategies for policy and governance often differ in various countries and how those differences essentially optimize how information and ideas are learned, shared and implemented within the values and beliefs of the local culture.

What did you learn from comparing sustainability policies and implementation in both places?
Given that the US and UK differ in their approaches to sustainability policy and implementation, it was interesting to listen to speakers from both countries explain their perspectives of how the respective other was handling sustainability. In the end, it became clear that being different was not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, different countries have a diversity of perspectives because certain styles of governance are more effective with some cultures than they are with others. Policies that work in London may not necessarily work in D.C., but that does not lessen their value. The takeaway here is to learn how to successfully adapt these strategies to work elsewhere.

London calling!
London calling!

How are you using your study abroad experience in your new job as a sustainability program coordinator for GreenerU?
My study abroad experience taught me to think on my feet and be readily adaptable to completely new situations, people and perspectives. As a Sustainability Program Coordinator for GreenerU, quite a bit of my work is client-facing, so I need to constantly be ready to handle anything. I often facilitate group discussions on sustainability with key decision-makers and effectively communicate the critical importance of sustainability on college campuses, all while understanding and playing to group dynamics in order to run the most effective meetings as possible.

Any advice you can give to future world travelers?
Step one: just simply be. It’s amazing what you can learn from other cultures by just observing your surroundings and taking it all in. Be open to trying the local food, acting as the locals do, and truly being accepting of everyone around you. Step two: enjoy yourself!

What was your favorite memory from the trip?
That’s a tough question! Our group had such a great experience together, from engaging in energizing conversations about sustainability to navigating the London

Karen and fellow students watched traditional punts, or flat-bottomed boats used on small rivers, on the River Cam in Cambridge.
Karen and fellow students watched traditional punts, or flat-bottomed boats used on small rivers, on the River Cam in Cambridge.

Underground to dancing at the silent disco at the British Museum Lates. One moment that did make me laugh was when we were knee-deep in discussion with a speaker during our DC portion and after a very complex, well-spoken question by one of my classmates, someone must’ve been accidentally sitting on their iPhone because without a beat, Siri responded with “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite understand your question.” It had everyone in the room laughing for quite a while.

Photos by Karen Kao.