Leaders in higher education and sustainability speak about quality of life and sustainable living. "[T]he notion that economics is the lens through which the world should be viewed… is very, very badly flawed,” says Peter Mercer, President of Ramapo College. "To live within the means of nature is the most productive economic proposition,” claims sustainability leader Mathis Wackernagel.  Jaimie Cloud, President of The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education declares, "The new paradigm is a regenerative and healthy and sustainable future.”
 
Additional speakers include Michael Zavada, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall University, and Judith Stark, Co-Director of Seton Hall’s Environmental Studies Program.

SHIFTING PARADIGMS: ECONOMY

The Village Green in Summit, NJ is home to "10,000 Reasons," a 14-foot-high sculpture created by internationally renowned contemporary artist Willie Cole. The sculpture took two days to install, and is made up of thousands of used water bottles. "I often use recycled objects. Water and life are so related to recycling," explains Willie Cole, a NJ resident whose works are in museums around the world. "I think it brings a whole lot of discussion to the community," says Estelle Fournier, co-chair of the Selection Committee for Summit Public Art, a volunteer organization that commissioned Cole to create the sculpture. "10,000 Reasons" will be on display in Summit through May 2015. 

10,000 Water Bottles Transform NJ Village Green

The Princeton Girlchoir's annual Children Making a Difference concert teaches young girls about service and community while raising funds for a local nonprofit. The Princeton choir is joined by the newly- formed Philadelphia Girls Choir. "Singing has the mission of creating great citizens," says Philadelphia Girls Choir director Nathan Wadley. Melissa Malvar-Keylock, Associate Director of the Princeton Girlchoir, explains, “Learning perseverance, learning discipline, all these things are above and beyond just singing beautiful music.”

More than Singing: Girls Choirs Build Community, Character

Restaurant owners on Halsey Street in Newark are witnessing change and development in the downtown cultural district. Surrounded by three colleges and universities (Rutgers-Newark, NJIT, and Essex County College), and within walking distance of NJPAC and the newly-restored 6-acre Military Park, the Halsey Street district is attracting students and business professionals. “I’ve never seen development happen as quickly as it’s happening now,” says Newark writer Felicia Walker Benson. “I like to walk the long way to Penn station, just to be energized by the environment.” Cathy Scalera, Assistant Manager of 27 Mix, explains how the area’s restaurants form a supportive community. “We have wonderful neighbors. If one of us runs out of something and we can help each other out, we sure do.”

Restaurants Build Community in Newark's Halsey District

Industrial arts, gallery exhibitions, photo shoots, special events. These are typical activities at Paterson's Art Factory. Once a busy manufacturing site for textiles and ship rigging, this 400,000 square foot complex houses studios and work spaces for a growing number of artists and builders.  Architectural designer and artist Matt Gosser curates an exhibit entitled "The Big Show," featuring art works of “found” and recycled materials.

Industrial-Sized Art Factory Signals Creative Renewal in Paterson

AUDIO CLIPS: TOIYA; JEFF; STEPHEN; AYANA

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