Review
The best book on sustainability for many years. This book comprises 33 well-written chapters by experts in the areas of education and sustainability. Superbly edited, the collection challenges most of the assumptions of the current educational establishment in a refreshing way. If we are to have a sustainable future we need to rethink what education is and how we set about it. The book is truly a handbook which will inform and inspire anyone who cares about learners and their future. As someone who runs a masters degree in education for sustainable development I make it mandatory reading for all my students. --James Pitt, University of York
There are many things to like about this book, not least that the text focuses on the how, that is, on what we can do, and importantly, is written with a tone of hope. For these reasons, this book offers grounds for optimism and as well as concrete strategies for achieving sustainability. --The Australian Journal of Environment Education
An important collection of essays. . . Although . . . to promote a way of life that is in touch with the Earth demands critical awareness . . . it has to be understood in a much wider and deeper sense. Sustainability Literacy helps us to do just that, and in doing so equips us to confront the unprecedented challenges to come. --Times Higher Education
There are many things to like about this book, not least that the text focuses on the how, that is, on what we can do, and importantly, is written with a tone of hope. For these reasons, this book offers grounds for optimism and as well as concrete strategies for achieving sustainability. --The Australian Journal of Environment Education
An important collection of essays. . . Although . . . to promote a way of life that is in touch with the Earth demands critical awareness . . . it has to be understood in a much wider and deeper sense. Sustainability Literacy helps us to do just that, and in doing so equips us to confront the unprecedented challenges to come. --Times Higher Education
Product Description
A vital resource for sustainability educators and decision-makers. In this ground-breaking book, leading sustainability educators are joined by permaculturists, literary critics, ecologists, artists, journalists, engineers, mathematicians and philosophers in a deep reflection on the skills that people need to survive and thrive in the challenging conditions of the 21st century. Responding to the threats of climate change, peak oil, resource deletion, economic uncertainty and energy insecurity demands the utmost in creativity, ingenuity and new ways of thinking in order to reinvent self and society. Among the many skills, attributes and values described in this volume are values reflection, coping with complexity, permaculture design, transition skills, advertising awareness, effortless action, and ecological intelligence, each accompanied by ideas for active learning exercises to help develop the skill. Far from being a rigid or definitive statement of the ‘one right way’ however, the handbook is exploratory, aiming to open up new, unthought-of paths, possibilities and choices. It is intended primarily for educators across the spectrum from higher education to informal education, but is also suitable for learners themselves and anyone interested in the literally ‘vital’ issue of the skills we need to survive and thrive in the 21st century and build a more sustainable future. Contributors include John Naish, Satish Kumar, Patrick Whitefield, John Blewitt, Stephan Harding and Stephen Sterling.
