How to use the site

The value of case studies
Structure of the site
Selecting the case studies
Reading the case studies
Making practical use of the case studies
Using for education
Using as a change agent

The value of case studies
Case studies, as example of current practice, showcase what has been achieved. As narratives they can be considered as ‘portraits of people’, or as in these examples as ‘environmental vignettes’. Their value is that they provide a sense of social realism as to how individuals and groups have, often within various unidentified constraints, created novel solutions to common environmental problems and issues. They do not necessarily provide a ‘recipe’ of what to do, or how it can be achieved because contexts differ; however, case studies can give each of us numerous opportunities to reflect on the achievements of others. This is a worthy exercise in itself.

Each case study, as it is written here is our interpretation of what happened as we understand it. Nevertheless, we recognize that readers, as they come to understand and appreciate each case study in relation to their context, will reflect on their ideas about how these ‘truths’ relate to their local context. This reflection is a process of self-validation. Each case study was written is such a way that readers can develop, through self-reflection, a sense of local ownership (Can we do this in our school? Can we do this in our community?). This will encourage and motivate inspired innovation at the local level as new groups feel empowered to undertake their environmentally sustainable action.

These case studies are stories of what has been achieved. Similar to all narratives they will inspire readers to take action to achieve greater awareness of the environment and sustainability issues across the community and will therefore act as catalysts for other projects.

Structure of the site
This site showcases environmentally sustainable practices being adopted around Australia. These practices have been presented here to educate and promote participation in environmentally sustainable activities. Two devices are used:

1. Case studies
Businesses, schools and local councils using environmentally sustainable practices were chosen around Australia according to themes and sectors. These practices have been researched and presented as 25 case studies.

2. BASIC! Worksheets
Accompanying each case study is a 'Be A Sustainable Individual and Community' Worksheet, BASIC! for short. This is an activity sheet that is designed to support schools in educating about environmental sustainability.

Selecting the case studies
The site includes 25 case studies that can be selected from three pages: Case-by-Theme Page, Case-by-Location page, and Case-by-Case Page. Each page shows the title of the case, the theme, location, a brief description, and a link to the supporting BASIC!

1. Case-by-Theme Page: The case studies are arranged in themes suited to what the case is about. Click on a theme and view the cases within that theme. Most cases can be found in more than one theme.
2. Case-by-Location Page: Click the stars on the map of Australia to select cases by location. This may be helpful if you are looking for cases relevant to your geographical area.
3. Case-by-Case Page: All case studies are listed by number and can be selected by clicking on the Case Study Number. The BASIC! worksheets can be selected from this page.

Reading the case studies
Each case has a table of contents that can be used to navigate quickly to sections f the case studies.

Most of the cases contain links to objects, such as videos or photo presentations. Follow the prompts in the case study to views these objects.

Making practical use of the case studies
The case studies are designed to be used by a wide range of sectors, including schools, local government, businesses, as well as individuals in the community. The case studies provide a “photo album” of critical moments that can be used in a number of ways, such as:

•  for educating what it may mean and look like to adopt environmentally sustainable practices or lifestyle; or
•  for promoting and supporting change in any context, such as your school, business, local council, or as individuals wanting to make a change where you are.

Using for Education
In schools the case studies can be used in any subject area and at most year levels. They may be added to the curriculum for the purpose of providing exemplars of:

•   what environmentally sustainable practices look like;
•   different aspects of environmental sustainability;
•   what processes are involved in moving towards practices that are environmentally sustainable; and
•   promoting participation in environmentally sustainable practices as a possible vision and reality for all, including individuals, schools, local governments, and businesses.

The use of the themes should assist in locating cases that are appropriate to your particular topic. In particular, the BASIC! worksheets provide practical resources that can be used to support teachers in planning for engaging classroom and school based activities. They can also be used by individuals of any age to provide a starting point for understanding how they fit into the picture of ecological sustainability.

Using as a change agent
Each case study represents a successful change that has occurred due to the actions of “charismatic” individuals or groups in response to an identified need for change. Change is represented differently within each case to reflect the uniqueness of the processes, and to show that a change process is dependent on the social, political and economic context. The process is dependent on who is involved, what resources are available, and what the context requires, such as people, management or the system being resistant to change or unwilling to recognise a need for change. These case studies provide snapshots of, in most cases, a complex process. They attempt to capture the process in the following way:

1. They begin with an historical perspective, “In the beginning…” that pinpoints a time, place, event or people in history that has in some way contributed to the need for change. The previous practice or situation is described to illustrate why there was a need to develop practices that could be considered environmentally sustainable. Acknowledging the need for change could be considered the first step in any change process. The next is developing a vision.
   
2. How the change was brought about is described by acknowledging the role of individuals, resources, particular chain of events or imposing forces, and particular documents that initiated or contributed to the change process. This emphasis is important in informing readers of the variety and complexity of mechanisms that are involved in change.
   
3. An important part of the case study is the description of how the case models environmentally sustainable “best practice”. In some cases, the best practice is the actual process, in others it is the end result. Some or all of the elements of the best practice reported in the cases can be used to support change elsewhere.

A variety of sectors have been represented in the cases studies to illustrate that a vision of environmentally sustainable practice is achievable by all.