The Big Picture of Sustainability - Why Schools are a good place to start

The need for whole of school and whole community engagement with sustainability including social, economic and environmental issues is evident when faced with such global issues as climate change, water shortage, rising cost of resources and the direct impact of human activity on the ecosystem. Within Catholic Mission, this also includes social justice, indigenous perspective and the call for Christian stewardship of God’s creation. There are many interpretations, approaches to practice and base principles for Education for Sustainability (EfS). EfS can easily be seen as ~ • Education about the environment Focuses on students’ understanding of important facts, concepts and theories. • Education in the environment Involves students in direct contact with the natural world to develop awareness, affinity and care for the environment. • Education for the environment Aims to promote a willingness and ability to adopt life styles that are compatible with the wise use of environmental resources and minimising impacts on the natural and social world.