Ecoliteracy

"Definition and Importance"

What is Ecoliteracy?

Ecoliteracy is the capacity to comprehend natural system organization and processes that ensure the healthy functioning of living systems and the sustainability of life on Earth.

Ecoliteracy is knowing how nature's living systems work. Eco-literacy implies learning the concepts of ecological community organization, constructive cooperation, and implementing these ideas to create sustainable human communities. Ecoliteracy is when humans let nature educate them and establish an ecoliterate legacy by passing on the knowledge and worldview.

Numerous scholars have argued that the word environmental literacy, ecological literacy, and ecoliteracy have been misused and/or are so broad that they have little useful meaning. Despite the apparent arbitrariness and, at times, indiscriminate use of these terms, significant efforts have been made to explicitly define and delineate the essential components of environmental literacy, ecological literacy, and ecoliteracy, and to anchor their characterizations in deep theoretical and philosophical foundations firmly. Moreover, it is the ability to comprehend the natural systems that enable life on Earth.

To be ecoliterate means understanding the principles of ecological community organization (i.e. ecosystems) and applying those principles to create sustainable human communities. The term was coined by American educator David W. Orr and physicist Fritjof Capra in the 1990s. Therefore, a new value entered education; the “well-being of the earth”.An ecologically literate society would be a sustainable society that does not destroy the natural environment on which they depend. Ecological literacy is a powerful concept because it lays the groundwork for an integrated approach to environmental issues. Eco-literacy advocates see it as a new educational paradigm emerging from the intersections of holism, systems thinking, sustainability, and complexity.

Importance of Ecoliteracy

We understand that ethics and values are developed early in life, thus we support holistic approaches to education that involve understanding the natural world and human impact on Earth. We want an ecoliterate, greater-good-focused society. Empathy, emotional intelligence, and relationships create positive acts. Interdisciplinary education gives learners a broader perspective. Long-term repercussions need teachers to create an emotional or value-based connection between students and information. We want children to be worried about the environment, and that worry should push them to act. Affective learning is emotional knowledge. Adults' environmental attitudes are often founded on affective learning, formative childhood experiences with nature or its devastation, and role models like parents or teachers. Encouraging students to appreciate and preserve the environment helps create an environmental ethic. Long-term repercussions need teachers to create an emotional or value-based connection between students and information.

We think that the new integration of intelligences it represents will have significant educational, social, and ecological benefits. It relies on the results of the recent educational initiative to promote social and emotional learning, which has resulted in fewer behavioral issues and greater academic achievement. It also fosters the knowledge, empathy, and action that are necessary for living a sustainable lifestyle.

More About Ecoliteracy

References:

Ecoliteracy — Planet bee Foundation. (n.d.). Planet Bee Foundation. https://www.planetbee.org/ecoliteracy?fbclid=IwAR1e1gZBLjiYxNJj2u5Tuh6AWCLxjZzAdoRjRfOX6RTcuPNUGJ8WQkk6mkM

McBride,B., Brewer, C., Berkowitz, A., & Borrie, W. (2013). Environmental literacy, ecological literacy, ecoliteracy: What do we mean and how did we get here? Wiley online libray. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1890/ES13-00075.1?fbclid=IwAR0mHeCV5k7buQhn1CEr_yv9U8g-PAn8UqfLQYyz-enzHXpzfYet7UujfZE

The importance of improving ecological literacy. (2013, January 23). Utne. https://www.utne.com/environment/ecological-literacy-ze0z1301zgar/

Wahl, D. C. (2020, April 21). Ecoliteracy: Learning from living systems. Medium. https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/ecoliteracy-learning-from-living-systems-e162df608981#:~:text=Ecoliteracy%20is%20the%20ability%20to,and%20sustain%20life%20on%20Earth

What is Ecoliteracy ? (2020, December 8). Nature's Web Of Life. https://www.freshvista.com/2018/what_is_ecoliteracy/

Photos from:

https://thusmenla.org/p/interconnection-and-interdependence-an-introduction-to-menla-s-onsite-eco-literacy-series

https://mobile.twitter.com/arbordubai/status/1285768338703081474?lang=ar

http://www.freshvista.com/2018/what_is_ecoliteracy/