Environmental Studies: Ethics, Ideas and Nature: Environmental Education & Literature

In this article, three researchers in Indonesia surveyed the attitudes and opinions of environmental education among elementary school teachers. The study revealed that a high percentage of teachers strongly agreed that educating students about their environment, beginning in elementary school, was important. However, many disagreed that enough time was built into the curriculum to integrate it. Nearly every teacher agreed that special training is needed to teach environmental education to students.
These results emphasize the many disparities within teaching environmental education. In this course, the topic of environmental justice discussed the discrimination many minority groups experience, such as disproportionately facing environmental burdens and a lack of accessible education. One can appreciate the importance of requiring specific qualifications to teach environmental education, however, it also can be used as a method to delay the execution of environmental education in areas with less resources. Although this study was in Indonesia, the results are applicable in other countries, such as here in the United States. This source highlights the common beliefs in elementary educators, and can be used to advocate for the many benefits of teaching environmental education. - Annotation by Ava Cully, Fall 2023

In his article “Sacrifice Zones: A Geneology and Analysis of an Environmental Justice Concept” Ryan Juskus discusses the origins and the current usage of the term “Sacrifice Zones”. Used originally as an agricultural term “sacrifice zones” referred to the allotment of land farmers and herders would allocate to where they keep livestock who would make the land useless for farming. Juskus asserts that in 1973 Richard Nixon’s plan to improve America’s self-sufficiency in where they got their energy from instigated a shift in how that term is used. Juskus explains how Nixon’s plan to expand coal mining in the west riled up people who began to recognize the effect coal mining had in the Appalachian mountain range in the east, erecting the slogan “Don’t Appaliachanize the west” The effect this slogan had and the following spotlight on what had been going on the Appalachian range created more coverage and reports on the effects of coal mining in the area shedding light on the devastation sustained. The term was also picked up by the native American community who saw a moment of unification, with one leader enriching the concept “linking it to the sacrifice of entire peoples” (9). Juskus claims the major phase came in the 90’s linking environmental justice with the concerns of marginalized communities and predominantly minority communities who noticed their communities being disproportionately affected by toxic waste, dumping, etc. The movement adopted the term sacrifice zone as a result and the meaning of the term shifted to represent injustice in environmental aspects in which marginalized communities were harmed at an alarmingly higher rate than their counterparts.
This essay will provide its readers with a deep understanding of an incredibly important notion in environmental justice discussions. Understanding this term is so valuable for a class covering environmental ethics because it sheds light on the history of the movements as well as adds context to literature and other concepts which can be discussed and thought about in relation to sacrifice zones. It is paramount for anyone trying to better their understanding of environmental justice to attain a grasp of this concept and Juskus’ genealogy of the term provides not only current applications of the term but also the historical context in how the term originated. - Annotation by Anonymous Spring 2024

In this article, Isaac Darko argues that the Western-centric environmental education, which focuses on sustainability, is not globally or universally sustainable (180). He explains that there is often pushback from Western educators when trying to introduce Indigenous knowledge within the field of environmental education as environmental education is often led by Western and Eurocentric ideas. Darko specifically focuses on Indigenous African knowledge and explains that Indigenous knowledge largely represents “a unique type of knowledge that has its origin
outside Eurocentricity or among civilizations that had little, complex, or no contact with mainstream European knowledge” (183). Issac Darko concludes by explaining the many challenges to including and incorporating Indigenous knowledge into environmental education.
This article adds a much needed perspective regarding Indigenous knowledge within the field of Environmental Education. Not only does it explain what Indigenous knowledge is, it also explains the challenges associated with incorporating Indigenous knowledge into Environmental Education. Even within this course, there is a lack of Indigenous perspective. This article bridges that gap and encourages readers to acknowledge the differences between Indigenous and Western knowledge and consider how Indigenous knowledge can be incorporated into environmental education. Additionally, this article forces students to truly think about and consider why exactly environmental education and environmentalism is eurocentric and the dangers associated with this lack of diverse perspective within the field. - Annotation by Megan Tester, Fall 2024

In this bilingual children’s book, Gabi Garcia writes about the reasons why people should be accepting of differences and willing to work together in order to effectively make choices for the greater good of the world. Her story recognizes that connection, kindness, and progress stems from communication, sharing, and teamwork. By simply listing activities for children to do outside, she invites them to make connections with the outdoors and with each other to show the value of nature. Not only is the story itself inherently inclusive, but so too is its inclusion of two languages–English and Spanish–allowing English speaking, Spanish speaking, and bilingual parents the opportunity to teach their children why the world should be cared for and how to care for the Earth together.
I would recommend this source because it reinforces the idea of writing more hopeful stories in the world of nature writing. In the midst of a crisis, people, specially the younger generations, would benefit from a story that shows the joy in creating connections with the Earth and with each other. While the younger generations of this world are being born into a time of environmental crisis, it is important to equip them with a culture toolbox so that they can more readily solve the Earth’s problems together. - Annotation by Alyssa Andoyo Spring 2024

The main point from Gillette's argument is the relationship between childhood outdoor experiences and its effects on adult knowledge regarding the environment and human development. He finds that increased exposure to nature during middle childhood ages (6-11) positively impacts and influences an individual’s personal relationship with the environment, fostering understanding and appreciation in adulthood which is commonly lost. Nature-deficit disorder is the detachment of individuals from nature due to technological factors which is becoming an increasing issue with newer generations. Lack of outdoor physical activity has been linked to less creativity, less self-reliance, less independence, as well as several negative health consequences.(Gillette, 2014) Goals of this study were to understand connections between our environment and child development. Bringing attention to the effect of the lack of theses conversation within our education systems and how it affects the individual themselves and our future as a whole.
The class reading that connected best with this topic is Kathleen Dean Moore’s interview regarding her philosophical thoughts, and great achievements in the environmental world. Moore's work emphasizes the importance of our connection with nature, which when instilled within individuals during early childhood has great benefits. She also talks about the importance of community engagement and collective action to address climate change which is what Gillette is calling for within our education systems. Lastly, one of her more popular books, Great tide Rising, is a great example regarding our need for generations below us to feel a connection to nature. As the book cover states “another great tide is beginning to rise – a tide of outrage against the pillage of the planet … of moral responsibility to the future”(Moore, 2018) this quote calls for the rising of individuals after us to have a deeper care for the environment our current society couldn't foster. Moore's disappointment with the effectiveness of our current systems hints at the need to influence environmental responsibility from an early age, creating more environmental empowerment, activism and stewardship from within. Kathleen Dean Moore's work is recommended because it provides philosophical depth and practical insights into the importance of connecting with nature, and addressing environmental challenges holistically. - Annotation by Elliot Grotzinger Spring 2024

In this collection of poems, Bei Dao combines Chinese culture, nature writing, and some modern elements in order to draw readers closer to nature and create a powerful connection with it. The poems contain lots of imagery, many which describe situations in nature, then quickly moves to describing particularly traditional Chinese fantasy elements, such as palaces, journeys through kingdoms, and Daoist priests and ascension into heaven. Some of the poems are more intense and feature secretive actions and those who seek the truth about such things, which may be in reference to the censorship of the Chinese government. Putting it all together, Bei Dao attempts to move his audience to connecting nature to their culture while illuminating some of the problems present in society.
Born in 1949, Bei Dao is an acclaimed Chinese American writer. While a bit buried in context, readers of this source can glimpse into the life of Chinese people, engaging themselves in Chinese culture while also interpreting some of the problems that are ever present within Chinese society, such as the effects of accelerated development on local environments, and the disturbing extent of censorship in Chinese society and how it affects local environmentalists in China. - Annotation by Seth Pua, Fall 2024