Sustainability in education
What is sustainability?
'There is no simple definition of 'sustainability'. It can be an idea, a property of living
systems, a manufacturing method or a way of life. In fact, there may be as many definitions of sustainability as there are
people trying to define it. However, most definitions include:
living within the limits of what the environment can provide;understanding the many interconnections between economy, society
and the environment; and the equal
distribution of resources and opportunities.' (New South Wales Government, Environment, Climate Change and Water,
2010, What
is sustainability?, [online].
Living Sustainably: The Australian Government's National Action Plan for Education for Sustainability (Australian Government, 2009, [online]) describes a
vision of a sustainable community (p.7) and the role of education imparting 'the knowledge, skills, values,
capacity and motivation' (p.8) to achieve it. It also contains principles of education for sustainability
(p.9) and the intent to 'reorientate education systems to sustainability' (p.21). A number of other
publications support the national plan (see 'frameworks, policies and plans' below).
Education Network Australia (edna) is able to assemble theme pages across various educational sectors on the website to help teachers find resources and ideas for sustainability in education. These sectors are: 'schools (early childhood, primary and secondary); vocational education and training; and universities.' (p.21).
