Just before Christmas, I was asked if I'd write 400 words on\u00a0\"the link between education for sustainable development and behavior\" for an \"an international education for sustainable development project\". \u00a0This is not the sort of invitation I get all that often, and the 400 words (max) was a worthy\u00a0challenge. \u00a0So I gave it a go. \u00a0Here it is:<\/p>\n
Education for sustainable development: putting learning before behaviour<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
It\u2019s now clear that we shall need to learn how to live differently if the Earth is to enable everyone to live a life that, as Amartya Sen put it, they have reason to value.\u00a0 Optimists may think we have made a good start, pointing to the steady shift to renewable energy, the decoupling of economic growth from carbon emissions, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and the adoption of the sustainable development goals.\u00a0 Meanwhile, those of a more pessimistic (they\u2019d say realistic) turn of mind shake their heads and say: too little; too late.<\/p>\n
Whether we\u2019ll be able to change how we live through conventional socio-political processes characterised by consent and participation, or whether we shall be forced to change, will depend on how well and quickly we keep promises made on carbon and climate.\u00a0 Given that these are government commitments, what can individuals and families do?<\/p>\n
The need for such involvement has been acknowledged for over 40 years, usually in terms of behaviour change.\u00a0 In 1970, IUCN called for codes of behaviour about issues concerning environmental quality.\u00a0 In 1990, we were told that the ultimate aim of education was shaping human behaviour, and that the strategies were known and the tools available. \u00a0Fifteen years on, the ESD Decade encouraged changes in behaviour to create a more sustainable future.<\/p>\n
All this is well and good, but it privatises the problem by putting the onus on the individual, and there is much that individuals cannot achieve.\u00a0 Recycling illustrates the difficulties.\u00a0 If there are no local facilities for recycling the plastic packaging we\u2019re now surrounded by, what can we do?\u00a0 Acting individually to try to persuade a local council or supermarket to change their policies is useless, as social action and campaigning are needed. \u00a0People need to learn to work together to effect change so that everyone can participate.\u00a0 Thus it\u2019s fine if schools encourage students to create less waste, or get involved with fair trade, provided learning is prioritised.<\/p>\n
WWF\u2019s 2016 Living Planet report surely gets it right when it says:<\/p>\n
\u201cSustainability and resilience will be achieved much faster if the majority of the Earth\u2019s population understand the value and needs of our increasingly fragile Earth.\u00a0 A shared understanding of the link between humanity and nature could induce a profound change that will allow all life to thrive in the Anthropocene.\u201d<\/p>\n
That is, learning needs to come before behaviour.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
............................................<\/p>\n
It remains to be seen whether it gets published. \u00a0I'll report back.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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