Skip to content
2018
Volume 51, Issue 4
  • ISSN: 0007-8204
  • E-ISSN: 1943-2216

Abstract

How might English educators respond to the increasing need for advocacy associated with climate change and ecological sustainability? As alternatives to these stories of isolation and despair, I offer empowerment strategies based in Dr. Joanna Macy’s “The Work that Reconnects,” which emerges from her 30 years of environmental advocacy. In contrast with other calls to social and political activism, action is the last stage of this four-step, spiral approach that includes coming from gratitude, honoring our pain for the world, seeing with new eyes, and going forth.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.58680/ee201930192
2019-07-01
2023-12-06
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Abram D. (1996) The spell of the sensuous: Perception and language in a more-than-human world. New York: Pantheon.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Beach R. Share J. Webb A. (2017) Teaching climate change to adolescents: Reading, writing, and making a difference. Abingdon, UK: Routledge/National Council of Teachers of English.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Bruce H. E. (2011) Green(ing) English: Voices howling in the wilderness?English Journal, 100(3), 12–26.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Campbell J. (1949) The hero with a thousand faces. (3rd ed.). Novato, CA: New World Library.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Carson R. (1962) Silent Spring. (40th Anniversary) New York: Houghton Mifflin.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Collier L. (2017) Does climate change have a place in the English classroom?Council Chronicle, 27(2).
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Constitution of the Iroquois Nations 1450 Retrieved fromhttp://www.indigenouspeople.net/iroqcon.htm
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Ettema H. (2014, January 4 Tree profile: Aspen—so much more than a tree. [National Forest Foundation Blog] Retrieved January 4, 2019, fromhttps://www.nationalforests.org/blog/tree-profile-aspen-so-much-more-than-a-tree
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Hollis J. (1993) The middle passage: From misery to meaning in midlife. Toronto, Canada: Inner City Books.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Laurent M. Dion C. (2015) Demain (Tomorrow). France 2 Cinema, Mars Films, Mely Productions. Retrieved fromhttps://www.demain-lefilm.com/en/film
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Macy J. Brown M. Y. (1989) Coming back to life: The updated guide to the work that reconnects. Gabriola Island, BC, Canada: New Society Publishers.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Macy J. Johnstone C. (2012) Active hope: How to face the mess we’re in without going crazy. Novato, CA: New World Library.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Makosinski A. (2016) Why I don’t use a smartphone. Retrieved fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjaM0tdxtYA
    [Google Scholar]
  14. McCullough M. E. Kimeldorf M. B. Cohen A. D. (2008) An adaptation for altruism? The social causes, social effects, and social evolution of gratitude. Current Directions in Psychological Sciences, 17(4), 281–285.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. National Council of Teachers of English (2019) Resolution on Literacy Teaching on Climate Change. (Resolution) Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Saidy C. (2017) Girls writing science: Opening up access in a girls’ reading and writing group. English Journal, 106(5), 27–34.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. 2020 Vision Workgroup (2009) Sustainable materials management: The road ahead. Washington, DC: United States Environmental Protection Agency.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. UNESCO (2017) Biodiversity and linguistic diversity. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization Retrieved fromhttp://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/endangered-languages/biodiversity-and-linguistic-diversity/
    [Google Scholar]
  19. United Nations (2017) World population prospects. Retrieved fromhttps://population.un.org/wpp/Graphs/Probabilistic/POP/TOT/
    [Google Scholar]
  20. U.S. Global Change Research Program (2018) Fourth National Climate Assessment. (National Climate Assessment No. 4) Washington, DC: Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Retrieved fromhttps://nca2018.globalchange.gov/
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Wei-Haas M. (2018, August 8 Red tide is devastating Florida’s sea life. Are humans to blame?National Geographic. Retrieved fromhttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2018/08/news-longest-red-tide-wildlife-deaths-marine-life-toxins/
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Weinstein N. Przybylski A. K. Ryan R. M. (2009) Can nature make us more caring? Effects of immersion in nature on intrinsic aspirations and generosity. Personal and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35(1), 1315–1329.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Wood A. M. Froh J. J. Geraghty A. W. A. (2010) Gratitude and well-being: A review and theoretical integration. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 890–905.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Yagelski R. P. (2005) Stasis and change: English education and the crisis of sustainability. English Education, 37(4), 262–271.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.58680/ee201930192
Loading
  • Article Type: Research Article
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error