ECO

LITERACY
Motivation:

The reporters will you the class 5

pictures and the class will
identify what is the picture all
about.
What are
These?
DEFORESTATION
ILLEGAL
LOGGING
STREET
GARBAGE
QUARRY
 LAND
CONVERSION
WHAT IS ECO
LITERACY?
 Ecological Literacy or eco literacy is the knowledge and understanding of how
nature’s systems work, and how all living beings are dependent on and
interconnected with each other. Taking its roots from ecology and whole systems
thinking, ecological literacy is an awareness-building course that provides necessary
information on the principles and processes of natural systems, how they make life
on earth possible and how we can live in more harmony and integrity with these
systems.  
Characterizing an
Eco-literate Person
Dr. Tom Puk (2002) of Lakehead University characterized an ecologically literate person
of the 21st century as “the responsible, lifelong learner who strives to improve the human
condition and the environment within the context of self, human groups, the biosphere,
and the ecosphere.” The ecologically literate person in order to achieve the
aforementioned ultimate goal should become:
 A reflective learner, Intelligently self-
An inquirer, who
who understands the directed, who
actively secures the
value and limitations engages in self-
basic skills and
of human appraisal, sets new
knowledge in order
knowledge, the learning objectives,
to carry out
power and develops plan to
ecological
limitations of the achieve this
responsibilities. This
natural world, the objectives, carries
also enables her to
role of intuition in out those plans in a
reach her own
real life pursuits, and flexible inquiry-
potential and place
the role of self as it directed manner,
in the physical and
is manifested in and reflects on the
natural environment
one’s personal whole process
narrative
 Ecologically Seek self-
Morally responsible,
responsible, who transcendence, who
who governs actions
embodies ecological moves beyond the
with precepts
ideals in daily life limitations of
(responsibility,
personal ego by
seeking justice and
identifying with
equality for all) that
human groups (past
maintain harmonious
and future), flora and
relationship
fauna, ecosphere,
that transcend the
individual life in
scope and time.
The ecologically literate person of the 21st century has a positive
view of life, grounded in the faith of interconnectedness, and has
capacity to competently perform significant life work and relate
tasks. Such a view enables her to look upon the human
experience positively and all living things compassionately.
The Seven
Environmental
Principles
 1. Nature knows best
We humans have to understand nature and follow its rules,
because if we want to ensure a continuous and steady supply
of resources, we must not go against natural processes. If
we, as humans, cause any disruption in the cycle of nature,
this can bring imbalance to our ecosystem. Always remember
that the earth can leave without humans, but humans can’t
leave without the earth.
 2. All forms of life are important
Each organism plays a fundamental role in nature. It is easy to
appreciate the beautiful organisms like butterflies, especially if one
knows their important role in pollination. The giant ones like
elephants, the whales, the alligators – are the ones we respect
mixed with fear or wonder and the products they produce. But
when it comes to unlovely, squirmy, and troublesome creatures,
this principle is unusually overlooked.
 3. Everything is connected to
everything else

In an ecosystem, all biotic and abiotic

components interact with each other to ensure that the
system is sustained. Any intrusion from outside may
cause an imbalance and collapsing of the system.
 4. Everything changes
The environment is constantly changing. Organisms also
develop through time. However, with our current technology,
we have affected these natural changes that these changes
now causes problematic events to us. Humans should rethink
their relationship with the environment. Because what we
believe that is beneficial to the environment often turn out to
be catastrophic.
 5. Everything must go somewhere
Everything ends up elsewhere. It doesn’t just disappear. For
example, if you throw a piece of candy wrapper away, it disappears
from sight but does not cease to exist. It ends up elsewhere. Gases
released in the atmosphere may spread but it will end up a
component of the atmosphere and can be brought down by rains.
Any particular type of waste should always be a concern to us. It
may be a pollutant or a resource depending on certain factors. Be
a responsible person and throw your trash in a proper place.
 6. Ours is a finite earth
Earth’s resources can be classified as either
renewable or non-renewable. Renewable resources are those
that can be easily replenished by natural cycles (e.g. water,
air, plants, animals) while non-renewable resources are those that cannot
be replenished through natural cycles. Although renewable resources can
be replenished, it is important to understand that these are renewable only
if they are not overused and not destroyed from factors such as pollution.
7. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God’s
creation
Among all creatures, humans are the only ones made in God’s
image and have been given the right to have dominion over all His
creations. Being the most intelligent and gifted with reason, humans
are capable of manipulating creation to their own advantage. Yet,
creation exists not to be ravaged or abused but to be taken care of.
Humans cannot exist without nature. They are co-natural with the
environment they live in. If the environment they live in is destroyed,
with it will go Homo Sapiens.
Ten Simple Things You Can
Do to Help Protect the Earth
Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on
what you throw away. Follow the three
"R's" to conserve natural resources and
landfill space.
 Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in
your community. You can get involved
in protecting your watershed, too.
 Educate. When you further your own
education, you can help others understand
the importance and value of our natural
resources.
 Conserve water. The less water you
use, the less runoff and wastewater that
eventually end up in the ocean.
 Choose sustainable. Learn how to
make smart seafood choices and other
products that cause less carbon
footprints.
Shop wisely. Buy less plastic and bring
a reusable shopping bag.
 Use long-lasting light bulbs. Energy
efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. Also flip the light switch off
when you leave the room!
 Plant a tree. Trees provide food and
oxygen. They help save energy, clean
the air, and help combat climate change.
 Don't send chemicals into our
waterways. Choose non-toxic
chemicals in the home and office.
Bike more.
Drive less.
Greening Initiatives in Colleges and Universities
 
Increased awareness of environmental degradation and concern for its rehabilitation have
prompted colleges and universities to green their campuses. A green campus is “a place where
environmentally responsible practice and education go hand-in-hand and where environmentally
responsible tenets are borne out by example” (NEIWPCC n.d.). The green campus institution is a
model environmental community where operational functions, business practices, academic
programs, and people are interlinked, providing educational and practical value to the institution,
the region, and the world.
 
Greening initiatives, although challenging and demanding, yield significant benefits in the long run:
 
Environmental and economic sustainability. A system-wide culture of sustainability helps preserve
and enhance what the institution values today as well as for the future.
Reputation as a leader through example. As colleges and universities offer
courses in environmental management, engineering, laws and regulations, and
assessment, greening initiatives provide them opportunities to practice what they
preach and make their mark as environmental leaders. Colleges and universities
need to examine their own organizations and implement on their own campuses
what they and the public expect their industry to do.
 
Economic benefits. A routine, curriculum-based, environmental audit program that
reveals waste and inefficiency associated with campus activities, coupled with the
identification of environment- friendly alternatives, can yield significant cost
savings for the institution.
“Real-life”work experience for your students. Environmental audits and
pollution prevention evaluations can be integrated into the curriculum,
providing students with hands-on investigative and problem-solving
experience that they can take with them when they enter the workforce.
This experience not only makes your students more marketable, it also
provides them with the kinds of broad- thinking skills that allow them to
succeed and thrive once they are employed.
 
Improved quality of life in the campus. A Green Campus is a cleaner,
safer, and healthier place to live and work.
 
 Ecological literacy is a form of transformative education
that requires shifts in three related areas: (1) perception
(seeing), (2) conception (knowing), and (3) action (doing)
 
In schools, teachers are also required to shift emphasis
through the following: 
From parts to whole – Subjects are to be taught as integrated, not as
isolated units in the curriculum.
 
From objects to relationships – An ecosystem is a community.
Communities are characterized by sets, networks, or relationships. Schools
put premium on relationship-based processes such as cooperation,
collaboration, and decision-making by consensus.
 
From objective knowledge to contextual knowledge – this shift requires
ones to explain properties of the parts within the context of the whole or in
terms of environments and system.
 From quantity to quality – assessments have traditionally emphasized standardized testing in
terms of quantities, numeric scores, and measurements. Schools are challenged to design
assessment more adequate that the standardized tests if they are to practice this principles.
 
From structure to process – systems are dynamic and evolving. Thus, the understanding of
living structures is linked to understanding renewal, change, and transformation. This shift is
embodied in project-based learning, which highlights the application of knowledge within evolving
real-life contexts.
 
From contents to patterns – when we draw maps of relationships, we discover certain
configurations of relationships that appear again and again. We call these configurations patterns.
Instead of focusing on what a living system I made of, we study its patterns. Pedagogically, the
shift reminds us of the importance of integrating art into programs of study. This enables children
even at young age to recognize and express patterns whether we talk about poetry, literature,
visual arts, performing arts, and music.
 
Ecology is the scientific study of the interactions
between organisms and their environment. SUMMARY
 
Ecological literacy refers to an individual’s understanding
not only of ecological concepts, but also of his or her
place in the ecosystem.
 
Ecological literacy is a form of transformative education
that requires shifts in three related areas: (1) perception
(seeing), (2) conception (knowing), and (3) action
(doing).
 
Three pillars of sustainability include economic, social,
and environmental sustainability.
 
The ecologically literate person of the 21st century has a
positive view of life, grounded on the faith of
interconnectedness, and has the capacity to competently
perform significant life, work, and related tasks.