Educating for a Sustainable Future 3/3

In this post series, we explore the teaching of sustainability education in schools, aiming to enhance the well-being of both present and future generations, even in times of uncertainty. Our insights are informed by quality research from various universities. This post is the final one and focuses on considering how families could support the transition towards sustainable development in collaboration with schools. If you are interested, you can find here the first and the second blog posts of this series.

What is the role of the family in educating towards a sustainable future?

Research made in the UK indicates that a good childhood consist of important but simple things, such as care, belonging to different communities, free self-expression, and a sense of security. Financial security is also important, but for a child’s happiness, it is crucial that wealth is sufficient for basic needs and social participation. However, an increase in material possessions beyond genuine needs does not correlate with increased happiness.

Here are some ideas on how families could support the change towards sustainability:

• Values and Lifestyle:
  Reflect on Values: Explain the importance of responsible consumption, reducing waste and recycling materials. Talk about empathy, responsibility, and caring for the producers and the planet.
  Walk the Talk: Align your lifestyle with these values. Show your children that your actions reflect what you believe in.
  
  Task: Curiously focus on the origin of items at home such as food, clothing, or electronics. Consider the journey they have taken to reach you and think about what happens to them after use and when it’s time to buy new things?

• Spare Time Activities:
  Outdoor Adventures and Nature Learning: Spend time outdoors as a family. Explore parks, forests, and natural areas. Visit museums, botanical gardens, and wildlife centers and learn about ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation.
  
  Task: Start a project as a family and grow herbs from seeds into a pot or start your own garden!
  
• Active Citizenship
  Advocate for Change: Discuss social and environmental issues. Encourage kids to voice their opinions and participate in community discussions and pro-environmental activities. Find out what the school is doing for sustainable development and offer to collaborate to improve impact!
  
  Task: Reflect together on what aspects of your life produce the most emissions and consider whether you could reduce them somehow without making life miserable. Do we really need to fly during vacations, or could alternatives like train or car travel be options?

These aspects can be nurtured without overconsumption, while also teaching where happiness can be found even in uncertain circumstances. Overall, the family plays an important role in educating towards a sustainable future. While children learn a great deal at school, it’s equally important that families support learning by acting sustainably and discussing what truly matters in life – and whether it can be bought from the store.

We hope you have got many new ideas how to start and implement practices towards more sustainable future both in school and home environment!

Heidi Riikonen
Sustainability Specialist

Heidi Riikonen is a Master of Education graduate from the Tampere University in Finland, who has researched the promotion of sustainable development through education in both of her theses. She believes that the most important task of education is to prepare new generations for the future but updating knowledge or developing understanding does not depend on age. The adults of today have a responsibility for the well-being of future generations, and therefore every educator should be interested in implementing the principles of sustainable development within their sphere of influence. Alone we may feel hopeless, but together we can make a significant difference and offer a better future for everyone!

Sources:
Agenda 2030 Sources:
United Nations Official Site
Odell, V., Molthan-Hill, P., Martin, S., & Sterling, S. (2020). Transformative education to address all sustainable development goals. Quality education, 905-916.

An Ecosocial Approach to Well-Being
Salonen, A. O., & Konkka, J. (2015). An ecosocial approach to well-being: A solution to the wicked problems in the era of Anthropocene. Foro de Educación, 13(19), 19-34.

Barriers to learning for sustainability
Parry, S., & Metzger, E. (2023). Barriers to learning for sustainability: a teacher perspective. Sustainable Earth Reviews, 6(1), 2.
Jordan, A., & Rees, E. (2020). Children’s views on well-being and what makes a happy life, UK: 2020. United Kingdom: National Office of Statistics.

Climate anxiety and action
Otto, S., Evans, G. W., Moon, M. J., & Kaiser, F. G. (2019). The development of children’s environmental attitude and behavior. Global Environmental Change, 58, 101947.

Sangervo, J., Jylhä, K. M., & Pihkala, P. (2022). Climate anxiety: Conceptual considerations, and connections with climate hope and action. Global Environmental Change, 76, 102569.

Earth Overshoot Day

Positive environmental stories from 2024

Tips by Finnish National Agency for Education (in Finnish)