Journal of College & Character Cultivating an Ethic of Environmental Sustainability: Integrating Insights From Aristotelian Virtue Ethics and Pragmatist Cognitive Development Theory Travis York, The Pennsylvania State University Christian Becker, The Pennsylvania State University 1 Abstract Despite increased attention for environmental sustainability programming, large-scale adoption of pro-environmental behaviors has been slow and largely short-term. This article analyzes the crucial role of ethics in this respect. The authors utilize an interdisciplinary approach drawing on virtue ethics and cognitive development theory to construct an ethic of environmental sustainability and discuss its implementation in higher education. A meta-review of research on sustainability initia- tives indicates that long-term adoption of pro-environmental behaviors requires the cultivation of sustainable persons. The authors argue that colleges and universities have a unique ability to cultivate sustainable persons through practices and policies that embody a sustainable campus. 1 Travis York is an advanced candidate for PhD and graduate research assistant for the Center for the Study of Higher Education at Pennsylvania State University (PSU) as well as the editor of Higher Education in Review. Christian Becker is a professor of sci- ence, technology and society and philosophy at PSU. http://journals.naspa.org/jcc/ doi:10.1515/jcc-2012-1884 JCC © NASPA 2012 Peer Reviewed Article VOLUME 13, No. 4, November 2012 Over the past several decades the topic of sustainability has risen in importance throughout the world. As awareness of the possible harmful effects of human actions has increased, issues of environmental sus- tainability have shown up in every aspect of society from popular children’s cartoons like Captain Planet (1990–1996) to presidential platforms. In a recent public address on government funding for renewable energy, President Barack Obama issued the following remarks: Now, I know that in a diffcult fscal climate like the one we’re in, it’s tempting for some to try and cut back our investments in clean energy. And I absolutely agree that the only way we’ll be able to afford the things we need is by cutting the things we don’t and living within our means. But I refuse to cut investments like clean energy that will help us out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. (The White House, 2011) Arne Duncan, U.S. secretary of education, has also emphasized Obama’s messages about renewable energy and extended the topic of sustainability as a priority for the Department of Education, which held its frst Sustainability Summit in 2010 (Reeves, 2010). With its growing proliferation and wide application of use, Brought to you by | Penn State - The Pennsylvania State University Authenticated Download Date | 5/25/15 6:35 AM