Declaration on the International Environmental Education Day
Catalonia, Spain26 January 2021
Today, January 26, International Environmental Education Day, we want to make public our position:
We live in a critical period of human history, immersed in a global ecological crisis, of which the health crisis is part. Environmental education – in the broadest and deepest sense of the word – is one of the main answers. Those of us who feel the vocation and responsibility of education cannot help but reflect on how five decades of environmental education have been unable to transform so little the unsustainable habits and attitudes of our society. We contribute our reflection which is at the same time our commitment:
First, to set out the theory clearly, that is, to explain the unrealism of the vision and values (materialistic and technocratic) that underpin the collapsing system, to help build a new framework of fairer, more realistic and resilient harmony with Nature. Not only can this be done with the rational language of science, but it must be combined with more intuitive and emotional languages, such as the artistic ones, in order to live true concepts together with memorable positive emotions.
Second, to offer proposals for action consistent with what we think and say, generating communities and transformative entities from consumer cooperatives, heritage protection movements, activities of deep connection with nature, contemplative and meditative, made in Nature , where we can deploy transformative activities, oriented to the common good, not only of the current generation, but of future generations.
This educational, transformative action must spring from the core of our being, cultivating humility, interiority, serenity, silence, empathy, from the hand of our Mother and Master Nature. Putting reason at the service of the heart (center of our being) and the Heart of the universe that is present everywhere and in all.