Framingham State University continues to deepen its commitment to sustainability education. As part of this effort, Dr. Ruirui Zhang, professor in the Department of Fashion Design & Retailing and Director of Campus Sustainability has recently published a peer-reviewed research article in the International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education (IJSHE). The article — “Understanding Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Life Cycle Assessment of Clothing: Engaging Students’ Hands, Heads, and Hearts” — explores a teaching approach that allows students to connect climate education directly to their own daily lives.

A Learning Experience Rooted in Real Life

This study engaged over 100 students from both STEM and non-STEM majors across three different U.S. universities in different states (including Framingham State University, James Madison University, Louisiana State University). 

Rather than only learning about sustainability conceptually, students were asked to:

• Measure the real carbon footprint of clothing they personally wear
• Use digital tools to calculate emissions across a garment’s full life cycle
• Reflect weekly on what the data meant — environmentally, socially, and ethically

“The goal was to allow students to lead their own learning,” Dr. Zhang explains. “Rather than simply teaching concepts, we wanted to create space for discovery — for students to notice, question, reflect, and make meaning on their own terms.”

National-Level Collaboration with Deep Local Impact

The research is part of a growing national academic effort to advance sustainability pedagogy — bringing together universities and both STEM and non-STEM students to explore meaningful, applied, and transformative approaches to climate education.

Students in the project reported:

• Increased confidence in understanding sustainability
• Stronger belief that individual actions can contribute to climate solutions
• A new awareness of the environmental impact hidden in everyday life — starting with clothing

Aligned with Framingham State University’s Climate Action Plan

This work directly supports FSU’s Climate Action Plan and the university’s mission to foster a campus environment rooted in responsible actions.

Upcoming opportunities through FSU Campus Sustainability will include:

• Hands-on carbon footprint learning activities
• Real data projects using carbon and life cycle assessment tools
• Interdisciplinary student–faculty collaborations
• Sustainability workshops, field experiences, and pilot projects launching 

“Sustainability cannot move forward through awareness alone. It must be practiced, questioned, and experienced. FSU is creating an environment where every member of our community can grow through that process,” says Dr. Zhang.

Get Involved

Students and faculty from all majors are welcome.
Look out for upcoming Campus Sustainability announcements with opportunities to participate in:

• Projects and workshops
• Experiential learning pilots
• Climate and carbon innovation initiatives

FSU is building a sustainability culture rooted not just in knowledge, but in lived understanding and collective action.

Questions and suggestions please contact: Dr. Ruirui Zhang rzhang [at] framingham.edu (rzhang[at]framingham[dot]edu) 

Reference citation: Zhang, R., Lang, C., & Zhang, H. (2025). Understanding greenhouse gas emissions and life cycle assessment of clothing: engaging students’ hands, heads and hearts. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-10-2024-0705