What is Sustainability?
Sustainability is defined as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Or put more simply: enough for all forever.’
(Education Queensland, 2015)
(Kingston, H., 2014)
Sustainability is one of the three cross-curricular priorities in the Australian Curriculum. That means as educators, we need to embed sustainability throughout the curriculum.
Sustainability education is futures-oriented, focusing on protecting environments and creating a more ecologically and socially just world through informed action. These are actions that support more sustainable patterns of living, requiring consideration of environmental, social, cultural and economic systems and their interdependence.
The Sustainability Priority (ACARA, 2015) is underpinned by 3 concepts:
1. Systems
The first key concept explores the interdependent and dynamic natural systems that support all of the life on Earth.
Students learn that: “all life forms, including human life, are connected through ecosystems on which they depend for their wellbeing and survival.” (ACARA, 2015)
2. World Views
The second key concept builds on the first by presenting the issues of sustainability to students from a global context.
By understanding that environmental issues affect the entire world's population, students are encouraged to see how valuing “diversity and social justice are essential for achieving sustainability.” (ACARA, 2015)
3. Futures
Finally, the third key concept aims to build our students' capacities for thinking and acting in ways that create a more sustainable future.
It’s all about empowering students – encouraging them to take actions that will lead to a more equitable, respectful and sustainable future.
Incorporating sustainability into your learning program need not be a time consuming add-on to an already busy teaching schedule. It is an increasingly relevant and crucial aspect of lifelong learning which can, with a small amount of effort and creativity, permeate and enrich the learning experiences in your classroom and school.
This website has been created as a platform to share sustainability resources. Please have a look at our Resources List to help incorporate sustainability into the classroom. We hope this website helps you to begin your sustainability journey.
References
Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), (2015). Cross-Curriculum Priorities. Retrieved 17 April 2015 from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/crosscurriculumpriorities/sustainability
Kingston, H. (2014). The Australian Curriculum and Sustainability - Cool Australia. Cool Australia. Retrieved 17 April 2015, from http://www.coolaustralia.org/take-action/australian-curriculum-sustainability/
Education Queensland (2015). Statement on Sustainability for All Queensland Schools. Retrieved 10 April 2015, fromhttp://education.qld.gov.au/publication/production/reports/pdfs/statement-on-sustainability-all-qld-schools-enough-for-all-forever.pdf