Houston, Texas. May 10, 2012
In 1992, Rice University and Shell Oil Company formed the Shell Center for Sustainability (SCS). As a research center on the Rice campus, SCS would include development of new technologies, processes, products and market mechanisms aimed at “green growth”, the Houston Business Journal reported from then Rice President, Malcom Gillis, on August 4, 2002. Then CEO of Shell Oil Company, Philip Watts, said, “We share with Rice University a commitment to finding innovative ways to meet the world’s present and future needs.” With a $3.5 million dollar term endowment from Shell and wise investment from Rice, the SCS began an interdisciplinary effort that would tie in the environment, economics and social issues. Today this research partnership has reached a 10-year milestone.
Background Initally, SCS counted on the Executive Direction of Chris Holmes, and the Academic Direction of Mark Wiesner, Ph.D., with interim leadership from Walter Chapman, Ph.D., both from the School of Engineering. (Continued on page 4)
Executive Summary The Shell Center for Sustainability (SCS) set out to find innovation to meet the world’s present and future demands. Leveraging the reputation of Rice University to engage experts and practioners to identify challenges, existing research, efforts underway, and needed research to base efforts and grow, SCS begain with a strong outreach agenda to gain the awareness of the sustainable development community in the region. Once established, the SCS focused on expansion of the interdisciplinary thrust of its funded research and activities. Today, the SCS enhances and expands the synergy of its support by focusing on Gulf Coast and regional sustainable development. The method used defined sustainable development as a broad component of environment, economic and social issues to enhance the quality of life of more people while protecting resources for the future. Looking back on the work of the last 10 years, we can see that a Shell Oil Company contribution of $3.5 million has produced a recognized center of research that has produced a partnership that delivered decade-long and wise stewardship to support 41 new research initiatives for a total of over $1.5 million and 159 researchers; support for new course initiatives, including the basis for the development of the Houston Indicators Project; support for 17 SCS Fellows; funded six SCS Internships, and more recently this year, supported the creation of new research opportunities for 28 students. Conferences, workshops, speakers, and lecture events have touched the Rice community, the local community, and a regional and national audience with local and international speakers. These events have included collaborations with other organizations and institutions, and on-campus centers to leverage resources and reach. Publications have included Atlas of Sustainable Strategies for Galveston Island, based on 2009 research project, Development of a Long-range Sustainability Plan for the Upper Texas Coast. Communications have enganged new and current audiences by sharing research reports, event videos, and activity reports through print, web and social media. Today, the SCS is on path to become the regional expert of Gulf Coast sustainable development by fostering academic research, outreach and education initiatives in interdisciplinary partnerships and through collaborations that extend outreach from the Florida Keys to the Yucatan Peninsula with strong focus in the Houston and Galveston Region. This destination will be reached through ongoing synergistic research, outreach and educaton activities, the expanded impact of the Gulf Coast Science Consortium, and the Houston Sustainability Indicators Project. 2
Shell Center for Sustainability
Table of Contents Background - 2003 to 2006 1 Outreach Events - 2003 to 2005 4 Funded Research - 2003 to 2006 4 Background - 2007 5 Sustainability Conferences - 2008 to 2010 6 Funded Research - 2008 to 2010 6 Outreach - 2008 to 2010 6 SCS Activities to Support Outreach - 2008 to 2010 2010 to 2015 9 Vision 2015 Strategies 10 Funded Research for 2010-2011 10 Funded Research for 2012 11 Web Performance (charts) 11 Current Outreach 2012 Activities 11 Strategy Implementation 12 Funding By Year (chart) 13 Leveraged Funds 13 Funding by Area (chart) 13 Operating Committee Members 14 A Vision For Tomorrow 14 Current List of Participants 15 Conclusion 15 Publications 16
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Housed in the School of Engineering, in the first five years, the SCS focused on outreach activities that included local and national leaders in the areas of environment, economics and society. A series of workshops, seminars and conferences that addressed salient environmental needs took place from 2003 to 2005. A far reaching event that took place in
Outreach Events - 2003 to 2005 Shell Center for Sustainability Inaugural Conference, March 3 -4, 2003. Air Quality in Houston: Fall 2003 Seminar Series, October 4, October 21, November 4, November 19, 2003. Energy & Nanotechnology Workshop: Prospects for Solar Energy in the 21st Century, October 15-17, 2004. Air Quality in Houston: Fall 2004 Seminar Series, Fall 2004. China & Sustainable Development Seminar, September 2004. Climate Change, Coastal Cities & Carbon Management Seminar, September 14, 2004. Houston Ozone Conference, October 6, 2004. Particulate Matter: Composition, Health Impacts, Regulatory Response, Seminar Series, November 9 -10 - 11, 2004. Climate Change, Extreme Events & Coastal Cities, February 24, 2004. Houston Air Quality: Meeting the New Ozone Requirements Conference Clean Air Act: Historical Implementation Report, February 29, 2005. Gender, Energy & Society, March 31, 2005. U.S. Energy Scenarios for the 21st Century, February 16, 2005. Climate Change, Extreme Events and Coastal Cities Conference, February 24, 2005. Houston Air Quality: Meeting the New Ozone Re quirements Conference-Lessons Learned, 1970-2004, February 29, 2005. Winning the Oil Endgame: Innovation for Profits, Jobs & Security, March 30, 2006. Gender, Energy & Society, March 31, 2005. Foreign Service Officer Training Program: Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association, July 27, 2005.
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December 2004 was the Scenarios for Houston’s Future. This four-day workshop brought together almost 70 individuals representing Houston’s governmental representatives, NGO’s, businesses, and the academic community to consider Houston’s development for the next 15-25 years. The objective of the workshop was to explore what might happen to the urban environment and to better position Houston to determine how it could be a more sustainable city. Three scenarios were developed which identified challenges, completed research, projects underway, and necessary research. As a result of the identified needs, two important projects have been implemented since that time. One is the creation of the Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center at Rice University. The other project is the Houston Sustainability Indicators Project (HSI) under SCS and led by SCS fellow, Lester King, Ph.D. (See page 12) Funded Research 2003 to 2006 A diverse group of research projects were funded from 2003 to 2006 to support the nacient focus on sustainable development. • Gas Hydrates • Business Case for Sustainable Development • Ozone Research • Rice University-Nankai University Partnership • U.S.-China Coastal Cities Project Shell Center for Sustainability
• Case Study in Sustainability • Nanotechnology & Energy • Energy & Conservation: Contingent Valuation Analysis • Carbon Capture and Sequestration • Water Membrane Technologies • Biodiversity-Forestry • Biolinguistic Diversity Of these projects two had direct international impact. The Rice and Nankai partnership created a long-term relationship of research and academic collaboration with Nankai China. The effort continues as the Center for Environment Remediation and Sustainable Development, co-directed by Drs. Mason Tomson, Wei Chen, and Amy Kan. The second project was the U.S.-China
Coastal Cities Project. The research team assessed the dimensions of the challenges that face major, low-lying estuary metropoles. The work of these researchers was featured in various national science media outlets, including The Edge, Autumn 2007.
took the helm of the SCS wrote the current definition of sustainable development in, What is sustainable development and what are the implications for the Shell Center for Sustainability. Lilibeth André was selected as the Associate Director to manage the SCS. During this phase, the focus of the SCS was redefined to primarily support faculty research in sustainable development. A standard call for proposals and process to generate greater interdisciplinary participation on campus was established. The Operating Committee was also structured to include representatives from every school on campus. Outreach activities included annual sustainability conferences and communications, such as a new Website, regular annual reports, and a new logo to reflect the SCS identity, and share research and event information.
Marie Cole was the winner of the logo competition held in partnership with the Art Institute of Houston to develop a logo that reflected the SCS image identity.
Background 2007 In 2007, SCS found a new home in the School of Social Sciences and developed a strong emphasis in social impacts. A new Academic Director was selected. Peter Hartley, Ph.D., a professor of economics, who 10-Year Report
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• Low-cost Solar Thermal Collectors for Absorption Refrigeration Systems Sustainability Conferences 2008-2010
• Genetic and Environmental Impacts on Lignin Accumulation
Houston's Air Research Conference: What we know. What has worked. Why it matters, October 16, 2008.
• Development of a Long-range Sustainability Plan for the Upper Texas Coast
Water in the Houston Metabolism: Water needs and water quality for this century, October 13, 2009. Sustainable Land Use: Creating A Better Future For The Houston Region, October 5, 2010.
Research during this phase focused on a broad definition of sustainable development. Teams were invited to include at least two different disciplines, create opportunities for student participation, and demonstrate how they would leverage SCS funds through partnerships and collaborations.
Funded Research 2008 to 2010 • Carbon Sequestration Through Biochar Soil Amendment • Sustainable Production and Development of Biodiesel in Texas • Integrated Economic Environmental and Reliable Modeling of Power Systems Growth • The Water Footprint of Biofuels • Monitoring Engineered Nanoparticles in the Environment
• Environmentally Benign Control of Biofouling • The Response of Native Plant Mating Systems to Climate Change • Installation, Implementation and Analysis of the Ze-Row Solar House • Reducing Energy Use & Carbon Dioxide While Producing Industrial Chemicals by Efficiently Engineered Mircobial Processes • Sustainable Water Infrastructure For Improving Public Health Protection Outreach 2008-2010 A number of co-sponsored events were also presented in 2008-2010. These events created opportunities for the SCS to collaborate with others within the Rice University community and with outside organizations as well. Two examples were: The Great Climate Change Debate: Global Climate Models and the Evidence January 27, 2010 Sustainability Pay$ - The Copenhagen Experience November 9, 2010
• Capteur Soleil and Social Enteprise
Other events included local, national and international speakers.
• Understanding Mercury Chemistry in the Atmosphere of Houston, Texas
2010 to 2015
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Shell Center for Sustainability
SCS Actvities to Support Outreach
2009
2008
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Sustainable Development Innovations: Japan’s Effort to Unite Against Climate Change by Masaru Yarime, University of Tokyo, with Consulate General of Japan, and the Baker Institute Student Forum.
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Water In The Houston Metabolism-Water Needs and Water Quality for This Century, with the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy Health Policy Forum, and Science & Technology Policy, the Visual Arts Program for the Student Center, Rice University, and Shell Oil Company. The conference offered over 20 speakers and moderators in an intense one-day event.
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Water Effects On Life Art Competition Awards and Exhibit opening. The art component of the annual sustainability conference featured the work of 16 regional artists to support local art. The Award recipients were Mila Schverak, First Place; Jackie Liddell, Second Place; and Mary Fuller, Third Place.
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Extensive national media interest, SCS biofuels, and biodiesel projects.
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ISWEEEP Rice Visit 2009, Over 250 international science students visited Rice University and Shell representatives.
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Energy for Sustainability Development in Africa, a lecture by Bryan Wilson, Ph.D. , with the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy.
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Green Pays: Environmental Responsibility In The Business World, Rice University Environmental Club’s 16th Annual Conference featured SCS Operating Committee member, Debra Marshall, Shell; and SCS researcher and Professor Jim Blackburn.
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CO2 Forum and Sustainability Fair, with the Center for the Study of Environment and Society (CSES).
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Beyond the Science: The Economics and Politics of Responding to Climate Change, with the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy.
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Sea Level Rise: What Does It Mean for Houston? with the James A. Baker Energy Forum, and CSES.
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Logo Design Competition, with the Art Institute of Houston.
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7th Annual Tuna Fest: Sus-TUNA-Bility, a campuswide event to foster collaboration and increase research awareness, with the Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology.
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Environmental Science and Engineering Ph.D. Program Student Visit, at University of Texas at El Paso and participating in the City of El Paso Sustainability Planning Committee.
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Green Living Festival Presentations, for First City of McAllen hosted by the McAllen Chamber of Commerce and Shell Oil Company. Rice University Visit, for 650 middle and high school international students, with the first International Sustainability World (Energy, Engineering, & Environment) Project ISWEEEP. Over 50 countries were represented. Speakers including the Deans of the George R. Brown School of Engineering and Wiess School of Natural Sciences, CSES, and the Rice University Biofuels Initiative (RUBI) project which was initially funded by SCS. Visits from France and Latin America, Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management and students from the Rice Student Environmental Club.
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CSES Board Membership to support ongoing collaboration to present public lectures and colloquiums on climate change.
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Advisor to Engineers without Borders, the Rice Bicycle Committee, and The Rice Thresher.
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Quality of Place Report and Symposium, with the Center for Houston’s Future, on Air Quality, Parks & Trails, and Trees.
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The Great Climate Change Debate: Global Climate Models and the Evidence, with CSES, featuring Dr. Richard Lindzen, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Dr. Jerry North of Texas A&M University.
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SCS Communictions, discussion to share SCS communications at Shell.
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Ongoing Lectures with CSES including Dr. Bina Agarwal, Director of the Institute of Economic Growth, at Delhi University, who presented, Gender and Forest Conservation.
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Shell Eco-Marathon, to share SCS information and feature the Capteur Soleil project tested in Haiti.
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Bringing Nature Home , with Dr. Douglas Tallamy, with Houston Audubon.
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SCS Participant and Host, for various Consul Offices, government agencies, the National Corrosive Center, Port of Houston, Rice Alliance, the Houston-Galveston Area Council, and the Aberdeen City Council representative for Economic and Business Development.
Quality of Place Report and Symposium, with the Center for Houston’s Future.
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SCS Research Workshop, featuring 5 SCS project leaders. Lila Holzman, SCS intern, organized the event.
SCS Collaboration with other centers and institutes on the Rice University campus to expand communication and identify potential opportunities to work together. SCS Participation, with the Greater Houston Partnership, the Galveston Houston Association for Smog Prevention, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Houston-Galveston Area Council Natural Resources Advisory Committee, and the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Development.
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SCS Host, for visitor and delegations from France and Australia.
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Monitoring Engineered Nanoparticles In The Environment Project Video.
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SCS Collaborator, with Rice Centers quarterly brown bag sessions
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SCS Website Redesign and ongoing maintenance.
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Solar Energy in Israel, with the Energy and Environment Systems Institute.
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SCS Web Redesigned and ongoing maintenace.
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SCS Advisor, for the Rice solar car project initiative. Shell Center for Sustainability
In early 2010, SCS partnered with the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business to work with their MBA and Executive MBA students to help develop a new strategic plan for SCS. Three teams interviewed staff, faculty and Shell representatives to assess what the best options might be for the future of SCS. In summary, recommended strategies helped identify a need for further discussion by SCS representatives to reconsider focus and direction to reassess what more could be achieved by the SCS. In the fall of 2010, and using the MBA reports as a basis, the Operating Committee, and representatives from Rice University Office of Resource Development participated in the first SCS planning retreat. The event was hosted and facilitated by Shell. The retreat was to prepare SCS for 2015. It was not only to discuss a five-year plan but to take the opportunity to discuss the projected end of the Shell term endowment. The retreat helped to shape the SCS Vision for 2015 which includes direction to consequently develop strategies to achieve that vision. The team also identified three funding scenarios for SCS. These scenarios were: 1. 2. 3.
No further funding. Continued funding by Shell. Combined funding by Shell, Rice, and others.
Based on the investment of resources, the established output and reputation derived from the partnership, the team elected Scenarios 2 and 3. To carry out these potential scenarios, SCS would need to become, as 10-Year Report
the Vision states, ‌ the regional expert in Gulf Coast sustainable development by fostering academic research, outreach and education initiatives in interdisciplinary partnerships and through collaborations that extend outreach from the Florida Keys to the Yucatan Peninsula with strong focus in the Houston and Galveston Region. With the results from the planning retreat, SCS set out in a direction that would enable greater synergy in the SCS investment and gain advantage of its Gulf of Mexico and Houston region presence utilizing the region as a model laboratory. This defined focus began at the time of the installation of the new Academic Director, Professor John Anderson, the W. Maurice Ewing Professor in Oceanography, who for more than 30 years has conducted research in the Gulf of Mexico and its coastal environments. Five objectives were identified to meet the Vision 2015: 1. Regional Expertise 2. Research 3. Outreach 4. Education 5. Partnerships These objectives helped develop strategies to achieve the objectives and metrics to measure results. (See page 10) In the fall of 2010, 14 SCS Fellows were funded under the annual Request for Proposal process. These students would conduct research under the guidance of faculty Project Investigators. 9
Vision 2015 Strategies
D. Education
A. Become the regional expert in Gulf coast sustainable development.
1. External Metric: Sustainability Management Certificate Program
1. Create a directory of sustainable development Rice experts Metric: Web-based online directory using the Rice Experts Study.
2. Internal Metric: SCS Fellowships, Post-doc commitment
2. Reiterate the commitment to the SCS SD Indicators Project Metric: Approve and Designate longrange funds for the project based on our proposal.
E. Partnerships and Collaborations
B. Research
2. Rice/Shell Metric: Draft a communications plan for internal communications
1. Relevance and synergy of funded research Metric: Focus the RFP requirements on a select SCS SD indicator each year. 2. Attract Interdisciplinary Researchers in all areas of study Metric: Conduct brainstorming sessions with interdisciplinary representatives to draft a compelling RFP.
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1. Shell Metric: Add sustainability and research advisors to the Management Committee
3. External Metric: Form Advisors Board, Technical Review Board, & Consortium
Funded Research for 2010-2011:
C. Outreach
• Urbanization and Carbon In Waterways
1. Events Metric: National Academies Workshop
• Efficient Solar Cell
2. Conference Metric: Theme based on SCS SD Indicators formatted to produce results
• Reduce and Fix CO2
3. Speakers Metric: Collaborate with other Rice centers to leverage resources and reach
SCS partnered with America’s WETLAND Foundation to present the Blue Ribbon Resilient Communities: Envisioning the Future of America’s Energy Coast forum in Houston.
• Coastal Flood Warning System • Religion and the Environment • Consequences of Climate Change on Ecosystems
Shell Center for Sustainability
Funded Research for 2012 Current Outreach 2012 Activities For 2012, SCS funded seven new projects in a diverse area of study while continuing to search for teams that inlcude multiple disciplines, create opportunities for students, and collaborate in and off the Rice campus to leverage SCS support: • Self-sustained Portable Capacitative Deionization Device for Water Purification • Solar-thermal Powered Autoclave for Rural Health Services • Developing Performance Metrics and Methods for Evaluating Social Impacts • Measurement of Atmospheric Particle Number Concentrations in Houston • The Petropolis of Tomorrow • Effects of Anthropogenic Nutrient Enrichment and Climate Change on Invasion Success and Impacts on Native Freshwater Communities • High Performance Polymer Photovoltaics Web Performance
Pathways to Urban Sustainability: A focus on the Houston Metropolitan Region. A workshop with the National Academies to help chart a pathway to sustainability in Houston. Society’s Growing Vulnerability to Natural Hazards and Implications for Weather and Climate Research, with Dr. Julia Slingo of the Met Office. This event was presented with the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, and the Center for the Study of Environment and Society. SCS continued to support the Center for Houston’s Future and the 2012 Community Indicators Symposium to present, Human Capital Development and Education: Early Childhood, K-12, Workforce Preparedness. A partnershp with Houston Audubon and friends to welcome David Sibley for a talk, The Art of Identification. Sibley is the author and illustrator of the Sibley Guide to Birds. SCS joined the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy Energy Forum and the Cultures of Energy Faculty Working Group to present Amory B. Lovins, Co-founder, Chairman and Chief Scientist of the Rocky Mountain Institute, with a talk, Reinventing Fire: The Business-led Transition Beyond Oil and Coal. Dr. Julienne Stoeve, Research Scientist from the National Snow and Ice Data Center, in Colorado, with a talk on The Arctic on the Fast Pace of Change. This event was presented with the Center for the Study of Envornment and Society, and Green Team America.
Google Analytics
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SCS also participated in the Rice Undergraduate Research Symposium (RURS) 2012 to create the SCS Sustainable Development Award for top student research in sustainable development.
signment to continue the Houston Sustainability Indicators project. The Houston Sustainability Indicators (HSI) project was approved by the SCS as a long-range effort to lead Phase II.
The SCS Award was presented to Jason Grider (First Place), for Role of Surfactants in Synthesis of CdSe Hollow Nanoparticles; Richard Latimer, Kevin Beale, Adam Samaniego, and Minhee Park (Second Place), for Mobilevision: the Portable Eye Clinic; and Chi Zhao (Third Place), for Purification, Crystallization and Structural Analysis of PKG IB (219-369). This collaboration with the Rice Provost’s Office and RURS expanded the SCS student research paper award first presented in 2010.
Phase I, of the project, was completed by Jim Blackbrun and Stephen Klineberg, Ph.D. (Measuring City Sustainability: Project Houston).
New Course Initiatives Environmental Health (2) Environmental Battles in the 21st Century (2) Energy and Water Sustainability Measuring Sustainability:Project Houston
Strategy Implementation The SCS advanced the implementation of strategies on the path to reach the established Vision for 2015. Developed as an internship project, SCS hired two students to research and create an online experts directory. Featured on the SCS main Web page, the directory includes over 30 faculty members working on sustainable development research. Ongoing expansion and maintenance of the Sustainability Experts Directory provides an up-to-date resource of experts to the sustainability community. A post-docotoral SCS Fellow was selected from national candidates for a two-year as12
The first step under this fellowship was to establish a two year plan of action. The preliminary work developed a draft list of Sustainability Indicators and data collection and analysis for selected metrics. Advisors in the pillar areas of environment, economics, and sociology include Jim Blackburn, Ronald Soligo, Ph.D., and Stephen Klineberg, Ph.D respectively. The HSI set was chosen to measure and characterize the sustainability of Houston. Twenty seven sustainability indicators have been chosen. The indicators were selected to equally cover the three pillars of sustainability. The Request for Proposals for 2012 research was modified to reflect six additional areas of focus to increase relevance and synergy of funded research, while attracting greater interdisciplinary research. Outreach included the National Academies workshop, Pathways to Urban Sustainability: A focus on the Houston Metropolitan Region. A summary of the event will be published by the National Academies this year. This year’s fall conference will be an extensive workshop to further the work under the HSI project. Shell Center for Sustainability
SCS continues collaboration to bring relevant speakers and events to the Rice community and our Houston friends. Work with the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies to identify a sustainability course has resulted in the offering of a certificate course for facilities managers due to begin in fall 2012. Three bodies have been formed to expand the SCS partnerships and collaborations: The SCS Advisors Board is a group of high-level executives in the field of sustainable development or who oversee the implementation of sustainability plans and processes for their organization. As important representatives of the sustainability community in business, government, NGO’s, and academia, the board reviews objectives and advises on the best strategies to achieve SCS goals under the strategic plan. The SCS Technical Review Board (TRB) is made up of technical experts in the field of sustainability, science, environment, economics, and society. This group provides advise in regard to technical direction, project proposals and reports to gauge progress and achieve the established goals and objectives. They also review and comment on general technical matters for the Center.
Leveraged Funds Initial investment by Shell $3.5 million The SCS annual budget is projected through 2015. Since 2002, SCS funded 41 projects with a total of $1.5 million for research, and a total of 159 researchers. Seed funding leveraged additional Federal and foundation funds on numerous projects. Sponsored over 50 events on the Rice campus. Four new course initiatives were funded. SCS funded 17 fellowships and six internships. In 2012 alone, SCS funded research by 28 students.
The Gulf Coast Science Consortium (GCSC)was formed to create an scientific body of experts on Gulf Coast issues. The GCSC is dedicated to assessing the state of scientific knowledge about impacts of Global Change on the Gulf Coast and conveying this information to policy makers, the media and the general public thereby encouraging a Gulf-wide coastal sustainability plan. The GCSC will have it’s first meeting in summer 2012. 10-Year Report
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Operating Committee Members
Robin Abramowitz, Rice, Development John Anderson, Rice, Earth Sciences Lilibeth AndrĂŠ, Rice, SCS William Arnold, Rice, Business Sharon Beshouri, Shell Katie Cervenka, Rice, Development Walter Chapman, Rice, Engineering Kimberly Corley, Shell Michael Emmerson, Rice, Sociology Reto Geiser, Rice. Architecture
A Vision for Tomorrow As the SCS considers potential next steps in the synergistic growth of the last ten years, one vision that encompasses past work and creates an expanded service to the sustainability of the Gulf Coast region is:
Sustainability of Gulf Coast Cities Approximately 12 million people live on or near the Gulf Coast and the estimated value of residential, commercial and industrial assets is estimated to be two trillion dollars (America’s Wetlands Foundation).
Claude Griffin, Shell Mary Margaret Hamilton, Shell Deborah Harter, Rice, Humanities Peter Hartley, Rice, Economics Christopher Hight, Rice, Architecture Kevin Ilges, Shell Richard Johnson, Rice, CSES Lester King, Rice, SCS Stephen Klineberg, Rice, Sociology Sean Lally, Rice, Architecture Debra Marshall, Shell Darvin Mayo, Shell Ann McAdam-Griffin, Rice, Development Don Morrison, Rice, Humanities Kirsten Ostherr, Rice. Humanities Lyn Ragsdale, Rice, Dean Social Sciences Marybeth Savicki, Rice, Development Doug Schuler, Rice, Business Evan Siemann, Rice, Ecology & Evol. Biology Ronald Soligo, Rice, Economics Robert Stein, Rice, Political Sciences Frazier Wilson, Shell Kyriacos Zygourakis, Rice, Engineering
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The Gulf Coast is currently experiencing unprecedented change due to accelerated sea-level rise (six times the pre-historic rate of rise), diminished sediment supply and hurricane impacts. Toward the end of this century our children and grand children will have to deal with a radically changing coast unless we become better stewards of the coast. The level of awareness and response to coastal change varies widely across the region. Louisiana leads the way in public awareness and action, but there the problem is more acute (State Coastal Master Plan 2012). Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida essentially lack any kind of concerted effort in public education about coastal change or programs designed to prepare for change. Part of the problem is that science is being largely ignored and the battle to preserve our coast is too often waged at the city and county level where it is least likely to be successful. Shell Center for Sustainability
The SCS at Rice University proposes to embark on a long-range program that focuses on addressing sustainability of Gulf Coast cities. The objectives of this program are as follows. 1. Provide scientific framework for evaluating sustainability of Gulf Coast cities and for evaluating the vulnerability of these cities to climate change and associated accelerated sea-level rise, diminished sediment supply to coasts and catastrophic events (floods, hurricanes etc). 2. Use that information to develop sustainable strategies for these cities. 3. Improve public education and adaptation to a changing coast.
This is an interdisciplinary program that would involve faculty from the Natural Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, Humanities and the School of Architecture, working in collaboration with faculty and students at other universities and agencies engaged in Gulf Coast research. This work will build on experiences gained from a recently completed study of Galveston Island (Sustainability Strategies for Galveston Island) with the aim of publishing a series of similar atlases on other Gulf Coast cities, including the greater Houston metropolitan area, also currently underway. It is a labor-intensive project that will rely heavily on the strength of Rice students working in and outside the classroom and across disciplines.
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Current List of Participants Dr. John Anderson and Dr. Carrie Masiello, Earth Sciences. Dr. Phil Bedient and Mr. Jim Blackburn Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and SSPEED Center. Dr. Stephen Klineberg, Sociology Departmen and Kinder Institute. Mr. William Arnold (Jones School). Dr. Reto Geiser, School of Architecture. Dr. Evan Siemann, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. This effort builds on current SCS collaborations with other universities (Gulf Coast Science Consortium) including the University of Texas, Louisiana State University, Tulane University, University of New Orleans, the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCOM), Florida State University, University of Miami, and the University of North Carolina. Conclusion In the last 10 years, the SCS has proven a successful partnership between top industry and recognized academia. The strength of interdisciplinary research under a broad definition of sustainable development has allowed for transparent selection of projects to seed greater efforts that have benefited Rice University and the sustainability community while recognizing Shell’s participation and contribution. Shell has participated equally in the support, creation, and implementation of research, outreach and education initiatives to find innovative ways to meet the world’s present and future needs. This partnership has highlighted the Gulf Coast and the Houston region niche as models for research that can be applied in many other coastal communities across the world. 15
Publications Measuring City ty Sustainability: y: Project Houston on
by Jim Jim mB B Blackburn by Bl Black Blackburn llaac ack cck ckburn kkburn bu bur b u ur urn rn
For further information on the items listed in this report, contact the Shelll Center for Sustainability at: la4@rice.edu or at (713) 348-2796 http://shellcenter.rice.edu
Rice University, School of Social Sciences, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 (713) 348-2796 www.facebook.com/ShellCenterForSustainability www.shellcenter.rice.edu