On Becoming a Fossil
by Christopher Bernard
There is always the question of when it
began,
or when you first noticed it.
One day, a spot of gray on a nail
of the left small toe,
has become, a week later, a pebble.
So that is the way you are headed now,
who was never (let’s face it)
much with it.
One reaches no age with impunity;
your time was hopelessly yesterday
even at the time you were a tyke: your
music
was never Chuck Berry but Ludwig van,
your reading not Vonnegut or Hermann Hesse,
but Henry James and Thomas Mann.
Your generation to you was a mess:
half decadent, half barbarian.
There is a certain progression, as, below,
it rises, salt-like, from your toe:
a certain stoniness in your hearing
or taste of pristine metal after bathing,
a calcification of a memory
that rattles between two syllables of a
greeting.
A quiet thrumming at the back of the
throat
that reminds you of Medusa’s immediate
glare,
a locked joint as you embrace a pillow,
a crying spasm in your left calf,
a line of pain hooked between pelvis
and ankle.
You stare at the spiral of darkness of
an ammonite,
thinking through eons of stratigraphy
pressed to ink between layers of shale,
civilizations shrunk to a cloud
of dry mud, monuments, poems, songs:
the layers of stone in a cliff wall
soaring toward the sun where you climbed
as a boy,
dreaming of the flight of the hawk, how
your wings
shall weave in the air
in random happiness
from cloud to cloud
as drunk as Icarus as he climbed toward
Apollo,
winging across the earth that made you
and now
embraces you as you tumble back,
the sun melting your wings—
your hopes, your dreams
blowing away like the feathers of a lark—
to air, to water,
to stone.
_____
Christopher Bernard’s book The Socialist’s Garden of Verses won a PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Award and was named one of the “Top 100 Indie Books of 2021” by Kirkus Reviews.
Mirta Liliana Ramírez has been a poet and writer since she was 12 years old. She has been a Cultural Manager for more than 35 years. Creator and Director of the Groups of Writers and Artists: Together for the Letters, Artescritores, MultiArt, JPL world youth, Together for the letters Uzbekistan 1 and 2. She firmly defends that culture is the key to unite all the countries of the world. She works only with his own, free and integrating projects at a world cultural level. She has created the Cultural Movement with Rastrillaje Cultural and Forming the New Cultural Belts at the local level and also from Argentina to the world.
Abstract: This article presents a comprehensive analysis of environmental education and its pivotal role in advancing sustainable development. It systematically delineates the concept of sustainable development by explicating its three fundamental pillars: environmental integrity, economic viability, and social equity. The discussion further elucidates how environmental education enhances ecological literacy, fosters environmentally responsible behaviors, and underpins the formulation and implementation of sustainable policies. Various pedagogical approaches are examined in detail, accompanied by practical examples to demonstrate the effective promotion of sustainability through education. Finally, the article addresses the prevailing challenges within environmental education systems and offers strategic recommendations aimed at their global enhancement, thereby informing future policy and educational practice.
In recent decades, the world has witnessed unprecedented environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, soil degradation, water scarcity, and pollution. These issues threaten the delicate balance of ecosystems and the very foundations of human well-being. The concept of sustainable development has emerged as a global paradigm aimed at harmonizing economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. It recognizes that economic advancement should not come at the expense of the natural environment or social equity. The success of sustainable development initiatives depends significantly on the ability of societies to understand and address the complex interrelations between human activities and the environment.
Environmental education is a crucial instrument in achieving this understanding. It equips individuals with the scientific knowledge, critical thinking skills, ethical values, and practical competencies needed to confront and mitigate environmental problems. By fostering ecological literacy, environmental education enables learners to recognize the causes and consequences of environmental degradation and to participate actively in conservation and sustainability efforts. Furthermore, it supports the development of environmentally responsible citizens who can influence policy-making and promote sustainable lifestyles.
Given the multifaceted nature of sustainability challenges, environmental education must transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries and integrate scientific, social, economic, and ethical dimensions. It should be inclusive and accessible, reaching diverse audiences across different age groups and social backgrounds. The educational process must also be continuous, adapting to emerging environmental issues and scientific advancements. In this context, environmental education represents not only a tool for raising awareness but also a catalyst for transformative change toward sustainable development. This article aims to explore the fundamental concepts of environmental education and sustainable development, their interconnections, pedagogical approaches, challenges, and prospects for effective implementation globally.
Environmental education is a systematic and multidisciplinary approach that integrates ecological, economic, social, and cultural dimensions to foster an understanding of the natural world and humanity’s role within it. It aims to equip learners with a blend of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values necessary for responsible environmental stewardship. Its core objectives are multifaceted:
-it facilitates the acquisition of scientific knowledge about ecosystems, biodiversity, pollution, and climate dynamics;
-it cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills that empower learners to assess complex environmental challenges;
-it instills ethical attitudes that promote respect for the environment and a commitment to sustainable behavior;
-it encourages active participation in community and policy initiatives aimed at environmental conservation.
By bridging disciplines, environmental education encourages holistic perspectives that transcend fragmented views of nature and society. For example, understanding climate change requires knowledge of atmospheric science, economics of energy consumption, social justice implications, and political governance. Thus, environmental education prepares individuals to navigate and address environmental issues with a comprehensive and integrative mindset.
Sustainable development is conceptualized through three interrelated pillars—environmental integrity, economic viability, and social equity—that collectively aim to secure human well-being and planetary health. The environmental pillar emphasizes maintaining ecosystem services, conserving biodiversity, minimizing pollution, and ensuring sustainable resource use. Environmental education promotes this by fostering awareness of ecological limits and the consequences of unsustainable practices. It informs individuals about ecosystem functions, human impacts such as deforestation and pollution, and the urgency of mitigating climate change.
The economic pillar focuses on fostering economic systems that support growth without degrading natural capital. Environmental education facilitates sustainable economic behaviors by teaching principles of resource efficiency, green technologies, and circular economy models. It encourages consumers and producers alike to adopt sustainable consumption and production patterns that reduce waste and energy use. The social pillar addresses issues of equity, justice, education, and participation. Education is fundamental here, as it empowers marginalized populations to engage in environmental governance, ensures equitable access to environmental benefits, and fosters inclusive decision-making processes. By promoting social awareness and equity, environmental education contributes to building resilient and just communities capable of sustainable development. Together, these pillars require a synergistic approach where environmental education acts as the connecting force. It provides the knowledge and values that underpin sustainable policies and practices, enabling societies to reconcile ecological health, economic development, and social well-being.
Furthermore, ecological awareness entails an in-depth understanding of the environment’s structure, functions, and the complex interrelations between natural and human systems. Environmental education enhances this awareness by delivering scientific literacy, systems thinking, ethical frameworks, and actionable skills. Scientific literacy involves educating learners about fundamental ecological concepts such as energy flow, nutrient cycles, species interactions, and climate processes. This knowledge equips individuals to grasp how ecosystems operate and the consequences of disturbances caused by pollution, habitat destruction, or overconsumption. Systems thinking is crucial for comprehending the interdependencies between environment, economy, and society. Learners are encouraged to analyze how changes in one component, such as industrial activity, cascade through ecosystems and affect human health and livelihoods. This holistic perspective prevents reductionist views and promotes integrated solutions. Ethical education within environmental curricula fosters values such as stewardship, responsibility, and intergenerational equity. It challenges anthropocentric attitudes and emphasizes the intrinsic worth of all living organisms and ecosystems. Lastly, environmental education imparts practical skills and encourages behavior changes. For example, it teaches waste segregation, energy conservation techniques, sustainable agriculture, and participation in local environmental initiatives. By combining knowledge with action, environmental education ensures that ecological awareness translates into sustainable lifestyles.
Effective environmental education is grounded in a diverse array of interactive and learner-centered pedagogical strategies that stimulate active engagement and promote deeper conceptual understanding. Central to this approach is experiential learning, wherein learners engage directly with natural environments through activities such as fieldwork, ecological restoration projects, and community-based environmental service. These immersive experiences not only bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application but also cultivate intrinsic motivation and foster affective connections with nature.
An interdisciplinary pedagogical framework is essential for addressing the complexity of sustainability-related challenges. By integrating perspectives from natural sciences, economics, sociology, and ethics, environmental education encourages holistic thinking and equips learners with the capacity to navigate and resolve problems that transcend disciplinary boundaries. Moreover, the incorporation of advanced digital tools—such as simulations, virtual and augmented reality, and multimedia platforms—enhances accessibility, caters to diverse learning preferences, and enables the visualization of complex environmental data in engaging and comprehensible formats.
Community engagement plays a critical role in reinforcing environmental education. By participating in locally-relevant educational initiatives and collaborating with stakeholders, learners gain practical experience with the social and cultural dimensions of environmental issues. Such involvement reinforces the real-world applicability of classroom instruction and nurtures a sense of civic responsibility. Furthermore, critical pedagogy—which emphasizes reflection, dialogue, and critical inquiry—encourages learners to interrogate dominant environmental narratives and consider transformative pathways toward sustainable futures. When integrated, these pedagogical approaches render environmental education a dynamic, participatory, and empowering process, cultivating informed and proactive agents of change.
Despite its significance, the global implementation of environmental education faces persistent challenges. In many educational systems, environmental topics are treated peripherally within curricula, lacking comprehensive integration across disciplines. This marginalization reduces their effectiveness and limits student exposure to sustainability principles. A significant barrier is the inadequate preparation of educators; many teachers lack both subject-matter expertise in environmental science and the pedagogical skills necessary for delivering interdisciplinary, experiential instruction. Consequently, environmental issues are often addressed superficially or in isolation.
Infrastructural and resource limitations further impede effective environmental education, particularly in under-resourced schools and communities. The absence of necessary materials, experiential learning opportunities, and digital technologies constrains educational quality and inclusivity. Socioeconomic inequalities and cultural priorities may also diminish the perceived relevance of environmental education, especially in regions where immediate survival needs supersede long-term environmental considerations.
Additionally, fragmented institutional frameworks and weak policy support hinder the systematic integration of environmental education into national educational agendas. A lack of coordination among governmental ministries—particularly those overseeing education, environment, and sustainable development—exacerbates this issue and results in disjointed programming.
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted and collaborative approach. Key strategies include the development of coherent policy frameworks, increased investment in educator training and professional development, curriculum reform that embeds sustainability across subject areas, and the establishment of cross-sectoral partnerships that mobilize expertise, funding, and community engagement. Only through such concerted efforts can environmental education realize its full potential as a transformative force for sustainable development.
To strengthen environmental education’s contribution to the realization of sustainable development goals, a set of strategic, evidence-based actions must be prioritized and systematically implemented. Foremost among these is the institutionalization of environmental education as a mandatory and integral element of formal education systems at all levels—from primary through tertiary education. Curricula should be structured with clearly defined learning outcomes that align with globally recognized sustainability competencies, such as systems thinking, anticipatory skills, normative competence, strategic thinking, and collaboration.
Equally critical is the establishment of continuous professional development (CPD) frameworks for educators. These programs must not only provide up-to-date scientific knowledge on environmental and sustainability issues, but also equip teachers with innovative, learner-centered pedagogical techniques. Moreover, CPD initiatives should promote interdisciplinary collaboration and integrate critical pedagogical approaches that empower educators to foster analytical thinking, ethical reasoning, and transformative learning among students.
The development of robust multisectoral partnerships is another key pillar. Collaboration among government institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector can facilitate the mobilization of technical expertise, financial resources, and diverse perspectives. Such synergies enrich the relevance, contextualization, and impact of environmental education by bridging formal instruction with real-world challenges and community-based action.
Promoting inclusivity is fundamental to ensuring that environmental education advances both sustainability and social justice. Educational initiatives must be culturally responsive, linguistically accessible, and sensitive to the socio-economic realities of marginalized and vulnerable populations, including indigenous communities, rural dwellers, and low-income groups. Tailored interventions are necessary to overcome structural barriers to participation and to foster equitable learning environments.
Finally, the implementation of rigorous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems is essential for tracking progress, assessing pedagogical effectiveness, and measuring behavioral and attitudinal change over time. These systems should include both quantitative and qualitative indicators, employ participatory evaluation methods, and be embedded within broader education policy frameworks. Continuous feedback mechanisms will enable adaptive learning, ensure accountability, and enhance the ability of environmental education to meaningfully contribute to long-term sustainable development outcomes.
Environmental education stands as an indispensable pillar in the pursuit of sustainable development, embodying the intersection of knowledge, values, and action. As the global community faces escalating environmental crises, the need for informed and engaged citizens has never been more urgent. By imparting comprehensive scientific knowledge and fostering critical thinking, environmental education empowers individuals to understand the complexities of environmental issues and the intricate linkages between ecological, economic, and social systems.
Moreover, environmental education instills ethical principles that nurture a profound respect for nature and a sense of responsibility toward future generations. This moral foundation is essential for motivating behavioral changes necessary for sustainability, including resource conservation, pollution reduction, and support for environmentally sound policies. In addition, by promoting inclusivity and social equity, environmental education ensures that sustainable development benefits all members of society and addresses the needs of marginalized populations.
Ultimately, environmental education is more than an academic discipline; it is a transformative process that shapes attitudes, skills, and actions toward a sustainable future. Prioritizing and strengthening environmental education within formal and informal learning systems is critical for fostering resilient communities capable of meeting the environmental, economic, and social challenges of the 21st century. Only through such comprehensive and sustained educational efforts can humanity secure the well-being of the planet and generations to come.
After the scholars leave, a miracle occurs Inside the tabernacle of their memories The occasion is etched perfectly, Spinning up an exact replica of every single detail lived
When they come back together, this power Runs in full display as the memories show off Every line, feature, rise, and lull That took place between them in their encounter
Perhaps it helps that when they gather They only talk about the last time they met, An occasion when they discussed The prior meeting’s agenda of the gathering before
We Are the Language Here
The best proof is a familiar one, apparent in the form
Of a leaf and the branches the leaf grew from
It is in the seed’s wings that carry it in the wind
Or the proboscis of the fertilizing butterfly
Is it all pretty? Sure, and that is irrelevant
Along with camouflage that tricks a predator’s eye
Plus the complexity at play within those lenses
None of it points to a creator, Only to an architect
And any architect implies there is a contractor
But who? You and I reading the blueprints for design
A way for the cosmos to show we are here and needed
Garnet Harbor
Incursions in the morning, is the sky wounded and red because I broke out
Or is the city gathering up and throwing away a fire taken from the world?
Winds rolling along my limbs try to stop me with their howling confessions
But temptations of the docks are stronger than chances to glean absolution
On the waterfront, the world lays down a deck of unfolding designs to scry
Black ships pierce and sail along the horizon, floating pyramids and hotels
From shore to shore, a rebirth of cargo and destinations, rewards of new use
Claim Your Jar Today
When will I stop overpaying on my car insurance? When will I begin to pay it? And when will I get my car? I never wanted one, until now, seeing what I am missing out on, another deal, another steal, a sudden way to get one over on others has opened up, and I want it to take me
Maybe then my scores will finally rise, my days will be a bonus, and the hours no longer tiny devices that prolong a life that keeps losing on the draw, and why? Because I am of the eligible, newly worthy to know a secret that unlocks a hidden world of fabulous savings
Schmutz and Length
In the morning, the estuary of possibility swirls And flows in between the bed and front door
Each step across the hardwood and tiled stone Brings in the heat of an afternoon coalescing
Hints of the trimming future hours undertake, Potential adventures cut off at the budding branch
Ben Nardolilli is a theoretical MFA candidate at Long Island University. His work has appeared in Perigee Magazine, Door Is a Jar, The Delmarva Review, Red Fez, The Oklahoma Review, Quail Bell Magazine, and Slab. Follow his publishing journey at mirrorsponge.blogspot.com.
