Module 10: Ecoliteracy

Presented By: Jurado,Juliana Marie

Cruz, John kervin
Esteban, Angelyn
 What is
Ecoliteracy?

Ecological literacy (also referred to as

ecoliteracy) is the ability to understand the
natural systems that make life on earth
possible. To be ecoliterate means
understanding the principles of organization
of ecological communities (i.e. ecosystems) and
using those principles for creating
sustainable human communities.
ecoliteracy and sustainable
development

ecoliteracy considers ecological systems and

awareness of how the society operates within
natural aspects as an educational imperative.

the basic principles of ecoliteracy are

good starting points to explore
fundamental points that can be learned
by nature for the reform of the society (
Wahl 2017).
 David Orr(1992) posited that by failing to include ecological
perspective in education , students are taught that ecology is
unimportant. Orr and Capra(1990) coined the idea of ecological
literacy as creating new emphasis on the need for education to
integrate understanding of the interdependence between
natural processes and human ways of life.

therefore , ecoliteracy is the ability to understand the

organization of natural systems and the process that
maintain the healthy functioning of living systems and
sustain life on earth.
 in another perspective, ecological literacy is an
understanding of the principles of the
organization that ecosystem has evolved to
sustain the web of life , which is the first step on
the road of sustainability.

the second step is the move towards ecodesign , of which there is a

need to apply the ecological knowledge to the fundamental
redesign of technologies and social institutions , to bridge the
current gap between human design and the ecological sustainable
systems of nature ( Capra , 2003)
 Sustainability
sustainability is a qualitative and quantitative condition
that demonstrates the human capacity to survive
overtime . it is qualitative in a way that we want well-
being although, it is difficult to measure .

but it is also qualitative in that natural capital and ecological

carrying capacity can be measured with foot printing tools. it is a
biological and ecological imperative for human society to exist within
the carrying capacity of the ecosystems. ecological literacy therefore
,provides the basis for integrated thinking about sustainability . it
supports the frame of mind, ethics , and the type of practice that will
support the kind of thinking that prioritizes ecological imperatives.
 to achieve sustainability , we must trace
the roots of our cultural assumptions and
work on ecological illiteracy . our
society has created industries , process ,
programs and institutions that are
destroying the ecosystem 's ability to
support life.

this unsustainable and reckless action is a

direct result of lack of ecological
understanding and lack of sense of urgency.
with this in mind ; ecological literacy aims to
replace fragmented thinking with new
cognitive and social capacities necessary for
the design of sustainable ways of living .
Ecologically Literate
Person and Society
For Wahl (2017 ), an ecologically literate person can
apply such understanding to the design and organizations
of communities and the creation of a regenerative culture.
to be ecoliterate means to understand the principles of

organization of ecological communities (i.e ecosystem) and

to use those principles for creating sustainable human
communities .

an ecologically literate person understands

the essence of interdependence and
interconnectedness and that we are all part
of a living system .
 an ecologically literate person translates this understanding into
actions that demonstrate conscious efforts to maximize negative
impacts on our life sustaining system and maximize value contribution
our collective well being , now and for future generations.

on the other hand, an ecologically literate society would

be a sustainable society, which does not destroy the
natural environment on which they depend. thus,
ecological literacy is a powerful concept as it create
foundation for an integrated approach to environmental
problems. advocates and catalysts champion ecoliteracy
as a new educational reform emerging from holism ,
system thinking , sustainability and complexity.
Ways to Develop Ecoliteracy in Schools

1. Develop Empathy for all

forms of life.
by recognizing the common needs we share with all
organisms, we can extend our empathy to consider
the quality of life of other life forms , feel genuine
concern about their well-being and act on that
concern .
 2. Embrace sustainability
as a community practice
by learning the wondrous ways that plants ,
animals , and other living things are interdependent
, students are inspired to consider the role of
interconnectedness within their communities and
see the value in strengthening those relationships
by thinking and acting cooperatively.
 3. make the invisible visible

if we strived to develop ways of living that are

more life affirming , we must find ways to make
visible the things that seem invisible by using
web -based tools such as Google Earth, Good
Guide and Fooducate Apps.
 4. anticipate unintended
consequences
teachers can teach students strategies for
anticipating unintended consequences . these include
precautionary principles , that when an activity
threatens to have a damaging impact on the
environment or human health , precautionary actions
should be taken.
another strategy is to shift from analyzing a problem by
reducing it to it's isolated components , to adapting a
systems thinking perspective that examines connections and
relationships among various components of the problems .
 5. understand how nature sustains
life.
ecoliterate people recognize that nature has sustained
life for long that resulted to turning the nature when
their teachers imbibe three crucial tenets to
ecoliterate living. (1) ecoliterate people learn from
nature that all living organisms are complex and inter
connected that inhabit a particular place for survival.

(2) ecoliterate people tend to be more aware that

systems exist, on various level of scale and (3),
ecoliterate people collectively practice a way of life
that fulfills the needs of the present generation while
simultaneously supporting nature's inherent ability to
sustain life in the future.
 Seven Environmental Principles of Nature
1. nature knows best
people need to understand nature and have to abide the
rules it imposes . in essence, one must not go against the
natural process if he /she would like to ensure a
continuous and steady supplies of resources .
2. all forms of life are important
each organism plays a fundamental role in nature
therefore , all living things must be considered as
invaluable instruments in maintaining balance in
the ecosystems
 3. everything is connected to
everything else .
in an ecosystem, all components interact with each
other to ensure that the system is sustainable, of
which any outside interference may result in an
imbalance and deterioration of the system.

4. everything changes

people must rethink their relationship with the

environment through relevant technologies for
positive changes.
 5. everything must go
somewhere
since wastes may go back to one's own backyard in
some other forms , it is important to become aware
of the different types of waste, classify and
segregate those that are toxic and potentially
hazardous.
6. ours is a finite earth
awareness of the earth's limited resources
leads to a conscious effort to change
one's attitude and initiative to recycle
them.
 7. nature is beautiful and we are
stewards of God's creation

being the most intelligent and being gifted with

reason, humans are capable of controlling and
taking care of the creation to their own
advanatage.
 Towards a Green School and
Education for Sustainable
Development
Schools plays a great role in the development of
academics but also environmental ethics and care for
nature among students .
the school environment, therefore, should encourage , support
and nurture student's capacities on green environment as
integrated in the curriculum and instruction . this allow them
to connect with their surroundings and attend to their health
and safety needs , while motivating them to learn and imbibe a
sense of belongingness and sensitivity towards the school,
society even the planet .
 environmental issues and concerns can be effectively
addressed when all efforts of staffs and students are
geared toward adopting environmentally sustainable
principles at all levels, from planning and decision
making up to their execution in the school's
functioning as part of the daily routine , such creating
a green school.
 Green School: The Concept and
Background
the concept of green school was introduced
in Europe in the 1990's while the Rio Earth
Summit of 1992 took cognizance of the need to
take action in every area in which human
impacts on the environment. the World Summit
on sustainable development (WSSD). in
Johannesburg in 2002 catalyzed the efforts
to bring about a shift in educating about the
environment to educating for sustainability.
this shift reflected the international climate of
thinking about sustainable developments that
meets the needs of the present without
compromising future generations to meet their
own needs .

there was a continuous misuse and abuse of

natural resources in quest for development
that would tend the future to be at stake.
hence, we need a deeper understanding and
action to respond to environmental issues and
challenges that our earth is confronted with.
 recognizing education as a critical means to achieve
sustainability , the United Nations launched the ' Decade of
Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) in 2005, to
integrate principles , values and practices of sustainable
development into all aspects of education sustainable
future in terms of environmental integrity , economic
viability and a just society for present and future
generations (UNESCO ,2005). a key objective of the UNDESD is
to foster better quality teaching and learning for ESD. this
calls for reorientation of thinking and practice of formal
education , including teaching- learning approaches and
assessement.
 Green Schools and ESD.
The Green School is visualized as a
school guided by the principles of environmental
sustainability. It seeks to create a conducive
environment to fully utilize all resources and
opportunities inside and outside the school and
orient teachers and students on environmental
sustainability through active involvement of the
community. It demands on-going, continuous and
synergistic efforts of all stakeholders toward
improving the environment of the school and its
surroundings.
Students'
learning experiences outside school
help them to consolidate and apply knowledge,
gain understanding of environmentd
processes, interrelationships and issues,
acquire, life skills and help
foster attitudes, values and sensitivity
toward environmental concerns.

A green school is identified with those elements and

practices that inculcate environmental sensitivity to
promote environmental sustainability through
various environment- friendly means and encourage
judicious use of resources .

it also caters to the physical , mental and

emotional needs of a child by ensuring a school
environment that is physically safe, emotionally
secure ,and psychologically enabling .
Essential Aspects of Green School
Environment
the greenness of a school finds expression in various
aspects of the environment . the green school has clean ,
healthy , protective and green surroundings . it promotes
both the physical and psycho social health of learners and
others in school; ensures a healthy ( provisions of health

services such as nutritional supplementation and

counseling), hygienic( safe drinking water, neat and clean
classrooms, playground and parks), safe learning
environment with healthy practices (e.g a school free of
drugs, corporal punishments, and harassments); and brings
children closer to nature and involves them in taking care
of it.
thus, a green school is a school that engages the
school community , especially children, in critical
thinking and learning by adopting participatory,
practical ,and collaborative approaches to work
together and make the school environment
healthier for students and staff by involving the
whole community to work towards a sustainable
future.


A Green School adheres to the following precepts:

1. Learning about the environment. It focuses mainly on

acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the
surroundings and related issues.

2. Learning through the environment. It refers to the

processes of learning while being engaged with environment

the classroom.
inside and outside

3. Learning for the environment. It aims at developing

an informed response and responsibility towards the
environment beyond acquisition of skills and knowledge.
Understanding Green Curriculum. For a curriculum to be
'Green', it must include the following aspects

1. Environment is encompassing, multidisciplinary and

dynamic, has scientific, social, economic, political and
technological dimensions.

2. Being holistic, a Green Curriculum views environment

as all that IS around and

aims to give a better
understanding of the way the world functions its
operations, its alteration because of the
actions of human race and its consequences.

3. It holistically addresses sustainability concerns,

such as protection and conservation of natural
resources, traditions, Culture and heritage, safety and
security, physical and emotional assurance
 health and sanitation issues, concern for equity
and justice, and interconnection between and among
natural , social, physical and cultural environment
.
4. this requires a teaching - learning approach were
students are provided time and space to explore
different facets of environment and interconnect
them.

5.a green curriculum is a mutual concern of

teachers and students.
 Creating a Green School
Environment
a green school is a school that creates a
healthy environment conducive to learning ,
while saving energy , environmental resources
and money .

therefore , a green school (1) reduces

environmental impacts and cost (2) improve
occupants health and performance(3) increases
environmental and sustainability literacy.
 Characteristics of a Green
School

Green, healthy, and high.

performing are the characteristics of a green
school that provides many benefits to students,
teachers, parents and the community, at large.

1. it protects health. Schools, built

with more daylignting, better
ventilation, and healthy green
building materials and paints are
healthier for students and staff.
 2. It increases student performance. Student test
scores can improve up to 20% when students learn
in green classrooms
3. it saves energy and money. Operating costs for
energy and water in a green school can be reduced
by 20%
to 40%.

4. it reduces carbon emissions. Green schools

significantily reduce
carbon dioxide emissions.


5. it reduces water usage.

On an average, a green
school reduces water usage by 32% that has direct
savings for the building.

6. It improves teacher retention. A green school can

reduce teacher turnover by.as much as 5%, which
improves student learning and school community, and
can result in financial savings for the
school.

7. It improves daily attendance. It reduces absenteeism

by 15%.


8.It provides a unique educational opportunity. Schools can

become teaching tools and important features of science,
math, and environmental curriculum when green features,
advanced technology and design in schools are used to
motivate students about learning real world applications
of green technologies and using schools and schoolyards
as living laboratories.

9. it creates green jobs- Investing in creating green

schools is an investment in green jobs, including green
construction, building product manufacturing, and green
architecture.

10. It improves equity. Greening public schools

creates an opportunity.

Dark -Green School Program

a dark green school (DGS) is a school that delivers
environmental education through assimiliation of
the environmental philosophy by the students in

formal lessons , as well as in activities outside the

classroom.
according , schools must :
a. be clean and neat as
evidence of good
management.


b. call for green spaces , appropriate land use ,

planning, conservation of materials and energy,
proper waste management, segregation , use of
appropriate materials and avoidance of harmful ones,
and respect to others rights, to make a smoke free air.

c. have management policies and policies that would

create a healthful and ecological campus.

d. have a well planned environmental curriculum for

all levels, adequately oriented and trained faculty
and administrative , library and financial support.


e. have faculty and students who are aware of

and appreciate the environmental program of
the school.

F. reach to an outside community to spread

concern for mother earth and facilitates
projects and programs that improve the
environment.

g. engage in research that adds knowledge in

the ways of nature and the impact of human
activities.
 ecological living practices
Sustainable ecological living is based on different sets of
principles.
To assess the impact of our choices and actions, we
need criteria from studying the basic facts of life as follows
(Capra,2005) (1) Matter cycles continually through the web of

life; (2) Most of the energy that drives the ecological cycles
flow from the sun; (3)diversity assures resilience; (4) One
species' waste is another species food and (5) Life does not
take over the planet by combat but by networking .
the dimensions of sustainability describe the environmental
impacts of our activities , the causes of which come from
the socio economic and political systems of the society.
sustainable development entails three different three
dimensions : environmental, economic and social.

ecological living gives larger

understanding of how things
connect and are interdependent that begins with
addressing the causes of negative impacts on the
environment. ecological living and literacy , therefore,
provide people with the tools , knowledge and wisdom for
taking concrete answers on their immense desire to
contribute to a better world and future. ( capra ,2003)
therefore,
ecological living means to live in a way that
it: (1) respects and replenishes the carrying capacity of
our planet. (2) honors our interrelatedness with all
expressions of life. (3) enhances the qualitative aspects
of our relationships, and (4) brings forth the best of
our human capacities for the co creation of an
ecologically sustainable and caring world.

smithmans (2014) mentioned practical suggestions on how

we can support the change for sustainability through
ecological living . in order to sustain outer actions for
ecological living, it is helpful to remember and draw
inspirations from the inner or personal development
dimensions of ecological living . the following are inner
and outer ecological perspective, to wit:
A. inner ecology ( smithman, 2014)

1. Become a catalyst of change to help co-create a better world

2. Care for and relate with non-human beings while spending time
with nature future.

3. Make the most of sustainability crisis that forces us to leam

dream, think, design, act and relate in new ways.

4. join the rest around the world in becoming agents of

sustainability,

5. Nurture nature by taking care of our body and become aware of

our natural body rhythms.

6. Become more energy efficient and learn to recycle our

own energy.

7. Learn.to compost our own waste and no need to dump

this unto others.

8. Become aware of rights, needs and well-being of

future generations and explore how we can support
this in our actions.
outer ecology( smithman ,2014)
1. Educate ourselves about the resources that we, our family and /
or organizations utilize to fulfill and sustain our needs.

2. Reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle. Be aware of the real price

of goods and services that we use

costs (e.g. the cost of child-
3.Cheap products often have hidden
labor, animal cruelty, or degradation of ecosystems). Find out any
child labor practices or natural resources that were

4.sacrificed in the process of producing products and services. 5.

5. Recycle grey-water.


6. Collect and use rainwater.

7. create an organic vegetable garden

8. compost organic waste and use the compost in the garden .

9. create a garden ( with a balance of endemic/ indigenous plants ) to

support local wildlife ( animals , insects , trees and plants).

10. create a roof garden ( garden roof) as a natural air conditioning

alternative to increase garden space.

11. buy organic and local products as much as possible.

12. support local businesses and organizations that cares for our
planet.
integrating ecological literacy
into curriculum

1. place based learning

It is an experiential leaning that
engages students in their own environments and a strategy
that captures their imagination and advances environmental

stewardship and civic engagement. Activities include mapping

the local environment to learn key ecological and cultural
principles, studying the interplay between local society and
the environment, supporting habitat restoration projects, and
working with local citizens tò improve the quality of life in their
communities. Learning takes students out of the classroom and
into the community and natural environment. It adheres to the
following principles:


1.1 Place-based projects are integrated back into classroom

lessons.

1.2 Students want to learn in order to apply their knowledge to

solving real problems.

1.3 Students play an active role in redefining and recreating

projects.

1.4 Students collaborate with local citizens, organizations,

agencies, businesses and government.

1.5 Students help make plans that shape the future of their social, physical
and economic environments.

1.6 Students are encouraged to view their community as an ecosystem and to

understand the relationships and processes necessary to support healthy
living.

 research reveals the benefits of place-based learning, such

aS (1) higher test scores; (2) better grade-point averages,
(3)improved classroom behavior; (4) increase self-esteem and
problem-solving abilities; and (5) higher-level thinking Skills (sly,
2015).

2. project based learning

it is a strategy that involves students in project

that use a variety of resources , including the

community, technology , outside experts, written
resources and the web. while the teacher usually
serves as facilitator of learning.
 3. socratic inquiry
This is named after the Greek philosopher

believed that questions (not answers)stimulate
Socrates, who|
learning. Therefore, rather than teaching facts and information
teachers encourage students to ask questions about their
assumptions, values, and preconceptions. Therefore, the role of
teachers shifts from direct instruction to facilitating discussion .

4. experiential learning
It promotes students' involvement in
the real world and defines the teacher's role as a facilitator of

learning. The process of learning leads to behavioral outcomes

It is based on the premise that learning is an active and a
continuous process, with experience at its foundation
It goes along with principles of learning associated with
environmental literacy.
4.1 Experiential learning is vitalto schooling for sustainability.
4.2 Only through direct contact with the natural world will
students develop an in-depth understanding of fundamental
ecological principles.
4.3 By working with others to solve real-world problems, they
also develop skills at the heart of sustainable living.
4.4 When students participate in experiential learning, they
frequently follow the learning cycle.

4.5 This is a process that starts with unstructured exploratio

followed by concept formation and application.

5. interdisciplinary learning
it emphasizes the connection between
traditionally discrete disciplines such as math ,
science , history, and language arts , rather than
limiting learning one content area at a time .
 the following are advantages of interdisciplinary
learning:

5.1 When teaching and learning are organized around themes, problems,
or issues, students seek knowledge and skills from a variety of
disciplines to provide an expanded and more complex understanding of
the topics.
5.2 When done well, interdisciplinary approach eliminates

of isolated skills.
fragmentation and learning
5.3 It allows students to access a particular theme from different
entry points as they work with a range of sources of
information and perspectives.

5.4 it also allows teachers to better differentiate

instruction and
create more interesting and rich methods of
assessment.
5.5 It increases students' motivation for learning, as well as
their level of active engagement.

5.6 Students recognize the value of their learning and

become more involved in it.

5.7 Students learn more when they apply a variety of skills to

what they are studying and when they interact with their
classmates, teachers, and members of the community.

5.8 Interdisciplinary teaching and learning adheres to the

principles that help define sustainable living.
thank you for listening!