Healing land, water and ourselves

Context:

The importance of nature-based learning in school education is increasingly recognized worldwide for its positive impact on children's well-being and environmental stewardship. However, implementing such pedagogies faces challenges and requires concerted efforts from educators and policymakers.

Quantifying Earth System Boundaries:

• Planetary Boundaries: The Earth Commission quantified boundaries for nine processes regulating Earth's stability, including climate change, land-system change, and freshwater use. Research indicates that six of these boundaries are being crossed, highlighting the urgency of rethinking education policies to include nature-based learning.
• Integrating Local Ecosystems: Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) emphasizes learning beyond climate literacy to include local ecosystems, biodiversity, and community struggles. Understanding the interconnectedness of natural systems fosters a deeper connection with the environment and promotes environmental stewardship.
• Challenges and Solutions: Implementing nature-based learning faces hurdles such as access to nature, structural barriers, and the need for trained educators. However, initiatives like 'Nature Classrooms' and youth conservation networks train teachers and establish nature programs, demonstrating the potential for meaningful engagement with nature in education.

Creating Nature-Based Learning Spaces:

• Practitioner Initiatives: Various organizations and practitioners across India are championing nature-based education. Initiatives like 'Nature Classrooms' in Karnataka and training programs by the Youth Conservation Action Network empower teachers to integrate nature-based learning into the curriculum.
• Pedagogy of Engagement: Nature-based education emphasizes direct engagement with nature, which enhances literacy and conservation attitudes. Professor Ming Kuo highlights the effectiveness of place-based pedagogy, tailored to local landscapes and ecosystems.
• Urgency and Political Will: Nature-based learning must become an integral part of school education to address the collapsing Earth systems. Communities and practitioners are ready to implement such policies, but political will is crucial for mainstream adoption.