How can you ensure that people do not only spend time thinking about important global issues like climate change or world food supplies, but also roll up their sleeves and do something about them? Four researchers, including Professor Arjen Wals from Wageningen University, think that the education sector holds the key. Teaching processes around the world could be given more influence and meaning by making pure science subjects, such as biology and physics, complementary to lessons in nature, environment and sustainability. Their article on this new approach to teaching, which is based on citizen science, is published in the 9 May edition of Science.

Throughout the world, 'pure' science subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, maths, geography and general natural sciences, which traditionally aim to build up knowledge and understanding, are seen separately from subjects such as nature and the environment, which together with the latest branch 'sustainability education' take a more practical approach. Although this certainly makes scholars aware of the current condition of our planet, their lack of practical perspective evokes a sense of powerlessness. For example, what can you do to prevent or respond adequately to forthcoming climate shifts? Affinity with politics, society and the economy are essential in this respect. Conversely, education in nature, the environment and sustainability (aka 'environmental education') does not equip scholars with the scientific insight they need to back up their proposed remedies.

Convergence

When taught separately, natural sciences and environmental education give a disjointed answer to society's demand for a truly sustainable society. "It's time these two schools converged," says Arjen Wals, Professor of Social Learning and Sustainable Development at Wageningen University. "If we cannot create a firm link between these two educational areas, scientific education is in jeopardy of becoming purely a vehicle for enhancing the innovative and competitive potential of a country's economy", he says. "At the same time, without a firm link with the sciences, environmental education will never be able to find a responsible and realistic way of dealing with the contradictions and uncertainties that are raised in the scientific debate surrounding questions of sustainability."

The authors of the article in Science give a number of examples of environmental education, which cover the area where science meets society. Among them is the American concept of Edible School Gardens, whereby schoolchildren grow their own food in an educational garden while simultaneously learning about the things they grow in science lessons. The Dutch version is known as Groene schoolpleinen ('green school grounds'). Another good example is YardMap, based on IT and citizen science. Citizens, both young and old, analyse biodiversity in their own neighbourhood by means of digital photos, special apps and Google Maps. The aim is to identify the areas with the greatest potential for boosting biodiversity. Action plans designed to ensure that the YardMaps are kept fully up-to-date are drawn up and implemented on the basis of studies and in consultation with scientists and local partners (including the municipal authority, garden centres and an NGO). The various YardMaps are linked via social media. The Dutch De Natuurkalender works in much the same way.

Creating closer ties between citizen science, scientific education and environmental education will help citizens and scientists to take a meaningful and practical approach to the pursuit of sustainability. Wals: "It's not just about linking up the content; it involves developing new competencies such as dealing with complexity, uncertainty and confusion, and devising and implementing meaningful local solutions". This method of learning may also help to restore the damage to public confidence in science. The government will have to put more effort into stimulating and supporting the 'hybrid teaching environments' that blur the boundaries between science and society, school and neighbourhood, local and global, and shift the emphasis to the wellbeing of mankind and the planet.

Transition

Calls for transition and another way of thinking are becoming more urgent, says Professor Wals: "At the end of the day, the climate problem is as much in between our ears, as it is between the North and South Poles". He backs this up with a remarkable conclusion: to his mind, the role of education and citizen involvement has been seriously underemphasised in the climate debate. In fact he wonders if we will ever be able to bring about a transition without committed, critical and competent citizens, who aspire to values that are not purely based on the material side of their existence but also on care for fellow human beings and, indeed, other species, here and elsewhere, now and in the future.

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More information: "Convergence Between Science and Environmental Education." Arjen E. J. Wals, Michael Brody, Justin Dillon, and Robert B. Stevenson. Science 9 May 2014: 344 (6184), 583-584. Journal information: Science "Convergence Between Science and Environmental Education." Arjen E. J. Wals, Michael Brody, Justin Dillon, and Robert B. Stevenson.9 May 2014: 344 (6184), 583-584. DOI: 10.1126/science.1250515