As our world becomes more globalized, we see the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in all academic disciplines.  The Program on the Environment (PoE) at the University of Washington takes this approach to environmental education.  Environmental issues are becoming the center of international efforts because it takes the collective whole to solve these problems, not just individual nations.  The Earth will not be able to sustain the lifestyles many of us have become accustomed to unless advancements in environmental issues are made on an international scale.  PoE provides the framework for these advancements to take place and develop.  
PoE is very unique in that it spans across many academic disciplines and connects the resources of all three UW campuses. Their role in uniting academics and the community through their multi-dimensional forums and lectures has helped spread awareness and knowledge on environmental issues.  
The program was initially established in 1997, as recommended by the Task Force on Environmental Education.  The following quarter both a B.A. degree and minor in Environmental Studies were first offered.  Now, 11 years later, there are 202 majors and 55 minors in Environmental Studies. The capstone project is a major component to this degree, providing students the opportunity through internships, group projects, research projects, or study abroad programs to use their skills in a real-world setting.
Additionally PoE offers two Graduate Certificate Programs, Environmental Management and Interdisciplinary and Policy Dimensions of the Earth Sciences.  Students work in groups to incorporate aspects of business, economics, policy, and values into environmental studies. PoE continues to add and innovate classes, as well as provide funding to appoint new professors across all disciplines, including history and anthropology.  These appointments benefit the PoE by adding new perspectives, of which could not have otherwise been obtained. 
Maria Rodriguez, a graduate of the Environmental Department, used her skills gained through the PoE to research small-scale organic farming in Sicily.  As stated in her abstract at the Environmental Studies Capstone Conference this past spring, Sicilians have reverted back to a more traditional form of farming in order to reduce their strain on the environment.  As a result of eliminating chemical-based fertilizers and pesticides, community ties and bonds have been strengthened through traditional open-air markets, selling locally and exchanging food.  Her research discussed these evolving relationships and how they played a pivotal role in improving the markets of locally grown food.   Many farmers however did discuss the pressures of competing with large-scale farms and the international export industry. (More information on this issue can be found in our Feature Book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma.) This conference hosted many other participants of the PoE, with environmental research conducted both in Washington state and abroad. 
Ultimately, the objective of the PoE is to provide students with “high-quality, relevant, and rigorous” environmental education.  This means creating a networking system that connects both faculty and students to allow for the exchange of ideas.  As you can see in the “Change Makers” article below, the importance and understanding of environmental issues is crucial to the future of our planet.  This is an issue that is not bound by borders or nations, but affects us all.