The prospect of life under the impact of climate change requires “transformed interdisciplinary education” that inspires changes in politics and economics as well as an urgent shift towards simpler lifestyles in the dominant consumer societies.
That is the conclusion of the education group that met during the 7th assembly of the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN), which met in Milan in September. Catherine Brennan, chairperson of Eco Congregation Ireland, was a member of the group. She travelled over land to the conference (two days each way), as all delegates were requested to do.
The education group’s report states that fundamental changes in the structures, policies and pedagogies of both formal and informal education at all levels and in many different settings would be required. “The priority must be education that gives people the resilience, skills and inner courage to come together in sustainable communities,” it states. “Christians are called to think deeply about the perspectives and beliefs that they contribute to this transformative education. How is the hope that is rooted in the Christian gospel communicated and nurtured?
“We are aware that the twin pressures of the depletion of oil resources (felt primarily in the rich industrial societies) and the impacts of climate change (first being felt in the global south) are likely to lead to social breakdown and conflict. Within the churches and religious education, how do we prepare people for their role in such a situation? What learning experiences can prompt the loving and giving and sharing which would epitomise a Christian response? …. How do we develop a “theology of grief” and rituals of grieving that will help us cope with the inevitable loss not only of the basics of life, but also expectations and structures of committed relationships?”
The report states that we must now begin to plan for energy descent and the creation of alternative ways of living and being. “We are impressed with the strategies being developed in the Transition Movement which is engaging local communities in discovering alternative ways, and we recommend that churches engage with these initiatives,” it says.
The group was also impressed with the potential of the Earth Charter to bring together educators, institutions and individuals from different cultures and sectors of society, to devise learning experiences that deal with the breadth and the depth of the increasingly urgent ecological and social crises. “It can be used as a tool in engaging heart as well as mind, and in formulating visions of hope and celebration that help unleash the immense resources of human imagination, creativity, compassion, love and the power of dignity.”
Hands-on learning experiences, which give direct immersion into nature, such as earth literacy programmes in ecological centres, pilgrimages and nature walks, and ecologically focussed retreats, are vital. Art, drama, poetry and music are also deemed to be important.
ECEN should collaborate with Earth Charter International in hosting a European workshop on the contribution of Religious Education to meeting the challenge of climate change. This workshop would explore the use of the Earth Charter (and related materials) to develop ways of dealing with the spiritual dimensions of the root causes of climate change and with the human response to the conditions into which climate change is plunging us.