With every flood, heat wave, storm, fire or drought, ecoliteracy gains in importance. Weather events are integral parts of natural systems. Unfortunately, the destruction and exploitation of the natural environment increase the appearance of extreme weather or climate events.  The issue lies in the word extreme.

The Earth’s natural systems depend on a balance to thrive. Destruction and exploitation of the natural environment diminish the Earth’s capabilities to sustain her life-supporting systems. Consequently, the importance of ecoliteracy is rising with every extreme weather event. 

Ecoliteracy in the 21st century should be a top priority. We cannot control the weather, but we can influence it or learn to live with the consequences. In this article, I will introduce you to the sustainability principle of ecoliteracy. What is the meaning of ecoliteracy? How can you promote ecoliteracy?

We depend on the natural world and the natural world depends on how we perceive her

What is ecoliteracy? My favourite approach to defining words is to look at their components: Eco-Literacy  According to the Oxford Dictionary, eco refers to not harming the environment. Eco derives from the word ecology which describes the relationship of organisms to one another and their physical environment.

Most often, you will find eco-friendly as the term to go for describing sustainable practices.  Literacy describes the ability to read and write. Moreover, literacy defines competence or knowledge in a specified area. Literacy helps to make sense of the world.

Candy-cotton sunset flair 😍

For example, computer literacy is essential in our business world to complete work tasks. Ecoliteracy is essential to understanding and making sense of the natural world about how life works and evolves. Synonyms for ecoliteracy are environmental literacy, ecological literacy and eco-wisdom. Let’s bring both words back together to define ecoliteracy.

The meaning of ecoliteracy goes beyond understanding the natural world

Ecoliteracy is the awareness of and concern about the environment and its associated challenges, as well as knowledge, skills and innovations. It is an essential sustainability principle to explore and develop solutions to current problems and prevent new ones.

In easy words, ecoliteracy refers to your understanding of the interconnectedness of natural systems and the impact your behaviour has on the environment. It helps you to understand your role in living within the planetary boundaries and create more sustainable futures. Although ecoliteracy refers to understanding the functions of the natural world, it also entails living within the natural world and becoming part of her wonders.

Do you belong to a community? Have you heard of ecological communities?

It is no secret that our current global systems are not in harmony with nature. All industries are based on social and environmental exploitation and destruction. Therefore, the importance of including ecoliteracy in education is crucial to make global decisions that benefit societies and the environment.

Neglecting our dependence on a thriving natural world is one of the many symptoms arising from greed. Although the natural environment has a high resilience level, human activities of destruction and exploitation push the planetary boundaries. 

Related:

Why We Need To Understand The Planetary Boundaries

We are part of nature. Nature does not exist to serve humankind. Nature provides the right environment and resources for life to thrive – including us. By diminishing nature’s capabilities to regenerate herself, we eradicate our opportunities to thrive. Of course, nature can easily exist without us, but we cannot exist without nature. 

Our Earth can continue without us, we cannot continue without her

Every time I see a sign or hear someone saying ‘Save the planet’ it reminds me that this message is misleading. We do not have to save the Earth – she will be totally fine without us – we are saving our existence.

Your initiative is required to become ecoliterate

What I know is that I did not receive the knowledge and skills to live within the natural community. My school education aimed at moulding me into becoming ‘an integral part of society’. In short, to be a replaceable part of the business world. Considering that ecoliteracy is not an integral part of most educational systems, it is up to you to learn about the importance of the natural world.

Is there a better combination than forests and archipelago? 😘

It is a frightening thought that although there are direct links between the global economic systems and the magnitude of the planetary challenges, the focus is to treat the symptoms and not rethink our role in this world. This reflection is an integral part of ecoliteracy.

Let ecoliteracy become part of your mindset

What are the elements of ecoliteracy? From the NAAEE’s Guidelines for Learning, seven components of ecoliteracy are important to look into:

1. Affect
2. Ecological knowledge
3. Socio-political knowledge
4. Knowledge of environmental issues
5. Cognitive skills
6. Environmentally responsible behaviour (ERB)
7. Additional determinants of ERB

Learn more about the seven key components of ecoliteracy in this article: Fostering Ecoliteracy: A Love That Keeps On Giving. 

Is it too late to create sustainable nature-human communities?

Do you believe that it is too late to enhance relationships? Enhancing human-nature relationships should be at the forefront of our endeavours. It is not easy to digest that we are the toxic part of the relationship. But imagine the benefits and opportunities for human civilisations to reconnect with nature.

In nature, everything is connected and interdependent. We are part of it. It comes down to what legacy we want to leave on a planet full of wonders. The first step to becoming ecoliterate is to acknowledge your knowledge gap. Information is passed on from generation to generation.

Unfortunately, our economic systems and communication technologies disrupted this crucial information flow. It is not your fault that you have not been brought up with the intention to be part of the natural world. Neither have I. 

My favourite forest in Sweden, Flogsta Skogen 🤩

I’ve always found it strange that we destroy so much of nature for short-term satisfaction. My awareness helped me understand that the way I live is having a negative impact. The second step I recommend is learning about natural systems. It is a truly fascinating world.

You can choose to learn about forests, oceans, lakes, rivers, deserts, mountains or any other part of the natural world. Dig deep into how nature evolved and developed the ability to sustain herself. I recommend this book: Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation (it is not an affiliate link, I simply recommend this book as it inspired me heaps to dive deeper into the subject of environmental protection) written by Paul Hawke.

Another step is to learn how to take care of nature. Our consumption behaviour is deeply linked to the well-being of our natural world. The more we start taking care of mother nature, the more she will regain strength and be able to continue taking care of us. I’m not surprised that so many people became plant-obsessed.

Reconnecting with nature is more than going into nature, it is the urge to become one with her again.

Humans – you and I –  are part of the web of life

Fostering ecoliteracy can happen in many beautiful ways. Interestingly, we speak a lot about saving humanity from the impacts of the climate crisis. But actually, we need to save ourselves from humanity.  Your worldview is crucial for the trajectory of our species on this planet. It is daunting, frightening and depressing. Nonetheless, you are not alone. As much as we are disconnected in a highly digitally connected world, we have the resources and capabilities to reconnect – preferably through nature 😉

Nature makes it easy to love her 🥰

My mission is to create a sustainable future worth looking forward to. I want to invite you to join me on this journey. In return, you will gain a friend who wants to make our world a better place with your help. 

Further reading:

The 10 Most Pressing Sustainability Challenges Of The 21st Century

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Reimagine the way we contribute to life, a lot can happen in a short amount of time – let’s make sure it will be for the better of all of us!