Review
“In this pioneering book, Dan Goleman and his collaborators demonstrate—in vivid and compelling fashion—how education can be transformed through a synthesis of these intelligences.”—Howard Gardner, Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
"In the 21st century, we need a new relationship with nature, a redefinition of both environmentalism and ecoliteracy. Ecoliterate offers a roadmap for educators—and the rest of us—to that future, one based on empathy, kinship, natural intelligence, and hope. We're in their debt for showing the way."— Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle and Last Child in the Woods
“Gutsy, eloquent, moving, Ecoliterate is a masterpiece of motivation and practical guidance. Yes, it is perfect for educators, but it is also perfect for students, parents, grandparents, and all of us yearning to contribute to life on our planet. Ecoliterate will help young people discover their own power—and that genie is impossible to get back in the bottle! I love this book.”—Frances Moore Lappé, author of EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think, to Create the World We Want
“Beautifully written, accessible, and urgently important, Ecoliterate introduces us to individuals and communities around the country who in very real, practical ways are demonstrating that a new world is possible. No harangue here; this is about hope, embodied in educating our children—head, heart, and hands—to deeply understand how to take care of themselves, their neighbors, and the natural world on which we all depend.”—Michael Ableman, farmer and author of From the Good Earth, On Good Land, and Fields of Plenty
“To be Ecoliterate is to be equipped to be Earth Citizens, to reach our full potential as human beings. This important book shows us how."—Vandana Shiva, Founder, Navdanya International and author of Soil Not Oil
“Timely, important, healing, and hopeful—Ecoliterate is a ‘must read, must implement’ guide to a healthy and sustainable present and future.”—Cheryl Charles, President and CEO, Children & Nature Network
“The Center for Ecoliteracy has for years been a preeminent thought leader for how we can educate our children in a way that creates generations of earth-stewards. Ecoliterate is a much-needed guide for exactly how to accomplish this goal and includes great examples that demonstrate the success of their approach.”—Oran B. Hesterman, Ph.D., President and CEO, Fair Food Network
From the Back Cover
Hopeful, eloquent, and bold, Ecoliterate tells stories of educators, activists, and students who embody a new integration of emotional, social, and ecological intelligence. Building on the success of bestselling author Daniel Goleman's emotional and social learning paradigm, Ecoliterate shows how educators are extending the cultivation of these essential dimensions of human intelligence to include knowledge of and empathy for all living systems.
Through stories ranging from the Arctic to Appalachia and New Mexico to New Orleans, the authors reveal how education that engages in some of the most pressing ecological issues of the day advances academic achievement, fosters resilience, and helps school communities play a vital role in protecting the natural world. The book also includes a professional development guide and exploration of five practices of engaged ecoliteracy: developing empathy for all forms of life, embracing sustainability as a community practice, making the invisible visible, anticipating unintended consequences, and understanding how nature sustains life.
Praise for Ecoliterate
"One of the most urgent issues facing humanity is fixing our broken relationship with the earth, on which all life depends. To do that, we have to think, feel, and act differently. With vivid examples and lucid analysis, this powerful and persuasive book shows just how much inspired educators and students can achieve together. It should enlighten and invigorate schools and communities everywhere."
—Sir Ken Robinson, creativity expert and author of The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything
"Ecoliterate provides a veritable how-to guide for educators to creatively engage young people in the most important ecological issues of the day, helping them gain knowledge of and empathy for all living systems, which is bound to enrich their lives and protect the future of our planet."
—Gail Connelly, executive director, National Association of Elementary School Principals
