Abstract
Humanity is at the precipice of change. Illustrations found in dystopian literature and film such as The Day the Earth Stood Still, give a sense of what precarious times humanity is now facing. This chapter will note a range of trends from history and literature that include overpopulation, soil degradation, pollution, war, corruption, and unjust government policies and governance. It is important that we recognise these trends and build active citizenship through relevant education programs to overcome these threats. Initiatives are needed to educate and inspire students about sustainable living practices and develop leadership capability in environmentalism that can protect all life forms and reduce the damage to the Earth. The reinvigoration of human values and principles that underpin a healthy society will enable humanity to effectively work together to build a sustainable future. Case Studies from successful education initiatives provide examples that demonstrate how curriculum and project-based learning can invigorate learning about sustainability, build commitments to active citizenship and bring about meaningful action.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2014). Sustainability. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities/Sustainability
Boardman, P. H., Goodman, G., Stoff, E. (Producers), & Derrickson, S. (Director). (2008). The day the earth stood still [Moton picture]. Los Angeles: 20th Century Fox.
Cockell, C. S. (2007). Space on earth: Saving our world by seeking others. London: Macmillan.
De Vore, E., Oliver, C., Wilmoth, K., & Vozzo, L. (2004). Science education in partnership: The 2002 Australian-American Fulbright symposium. Advances in Space Research, 34(10), 2116–2120. doi:10.1016/j.asr.2003.09.066.
Diamond, J. (2005). Collapse. New York: Viking.
Gerlich, T. (2011). Volcanic versus anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Earth & Space Science News, 92(24), 201–202. doi:10.1029/2011EO240001.
Goldberg, J., Myers, J. (Producers), & Nolan, C. (Director). (2014). Interstellar [Motion picture]. Los Angeles: Warner Bros & Paramount Pictures.
Guillebaud, J. (2014). There are not enough resources to support the world’s population. Retrieved from http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/ockhamsrazor/there-are-not-enough-resources-to-support-the-worlds-population/5511900
Hixson, N. K., Ravitz, J., & Whisman, A. (2012). Extended professional development in project-based learning: Impacts on 21st century teaching and student achievement. Charleston, West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Education, Division of Teaching and Learning, Office of Research.
Innovations Unit. (2012). Work that matters: The teacher’s guide to project-based learning. London: Innovations Unit.
Kelly, F. S., McCain, T., & Jukes, I. (2008). Teaching the digital generation: No more cookie cutter high schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Lloro-Bidart, T. (2015). A political ecology of education in/for the Anthropocene. Environment and Society: Advances in Research, 6, 128–148.
New South Wales Department of Education and Training (NSWDET). (2001). Environmental education policy for schools. Sydney, Australia: NSWDET.
New South Wales Department of Education and Training (NSWDET). (2003). Quality teaching in New South Wales public schools. Sydney, Australia: Professional Support and Curriculum Directorate.
NOVA Public Broadcasting Service. (2006). Population growth over human history. Retrieved from http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/human_pop/human_pop.html
Rorty, R. (2007). Philosophy as cultural politics. London: Cambridge University Press.
Smith, P., & Naji, M. (2011). Purpose of education: Australian and Slovenian perspectives in education for sustainability. Envigogika, 8(4), 1–8. doi:10.14712/18023061.407.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer Science+Business Media Singapore
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Vozzo, L., Smith, P. (2017). Caretakers or Undertakers: How Can Education Support Humanity to Build a Sustainable Future?. In: Malone, K., Truong, S., Gray, T. (eds) Reimagining Sustainability in Precarious Times. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2550-1_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-2550-1_20
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-10-2548-8
Online ISBN: 978-981-10-2550-1
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)