Teaching Biology for a Sustainable Future

This report also states the need to prepare future biologists to work collaboratively "to address complex and increasingly interdisciplinary problems." Many of these problems, such as those caused by climate change, the lack of a sustainable food supply, or reliance on nonrenewable energies, stem from years of shortsighted practices that will negatively affect future generations' quality of life. Sustainable solutions must take into account environmental, economic, and social implications, says David Hassenzahl, founding dean and professor at Chatham University's School of Sustainability and the Environment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He stresses the need for a holistic picture, saying, "Sustainability means treating as coequals environment, economics, and social justice and avoiding focus on any one of them." Students need to be inspired and prepared to join the scientific community's sustainability efforts. Framing is critical when introducing global challenges and the impacts of unsustainable past practices to students. "One of the things we constantly wrestle with," says Koetje, "is providing a realistic picture of the situation while giving them hope." He and Wilstermann do not want to scare students into action. Instead, they provide students with information, tools, and experience so they can contribute to solving complicated problems. "It turns students off when people are pessimistic," agrees Hassenzahl, adding that focusing solely on society's problems can lead ...
Source: Eye on Education - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news