Ecoliterate - by Daniel Goleman & Lisa Bennett & Zenobia Barlow (Paperback)

About the Book

This book portrays inspiring educators, activists, and students who embody a new integration of emotional, social, and ecological intelligenceNor what the authors refer to as engaged ecoliteracy. It builds on the success of Goleman's emotional and social learning, and shows how educators are extending the cultivation of these essential dimensions of human intelligence.

Book Synopsis

A new integration of Goleman's emotional, social, and ecological intelligence

Hopeful, eloquent, and bold, Ecoliterate offers inspiring stories, practical guidance, and an exciting new model of education that builds - in vitally important ways - on the success of social and emotional learning by addressing today's most important ecological issues.

This book shares stories of pioneering educators, students, and activists engaged in issues related to food, water, oil, and coal in communities from the mountains of Appalachia to a small village in the Arctic; the deserts of New Mexico to the coast of New Orleans; and the streets of Oakland, California to the hills of South Carolina.

Ecoliterate marks a rich collaboration between Daniel Goleman and the Center for Ecoliteracy, an organization best known for its pioneering work with school gardens, school lunches, and integrating ecological principles and sustainability into school curricula. For nearly twenty years the Center has worked with schools and organizations in more than 400 communities across the United States and numerous other countries.

Ecoliterate also presents five core practices of emotionally and socially engaged ecoliteracy and a professional development guide.

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

About the Author

Daniel Goleman is an internationally known psychologist, former New York Times science reporter, and author of the classic Emotional Intelligence.

Lisa Bennett is the communications director of the Center for Ecoliteracy, a longtime writer about the environment, health, and education. She is also a former fellow at Harvard University's Center on Press, Politics, and Public Policy.

Zenobia Barlow is the executive director and cofounder of the Center for Ecoliteracy and coeditor of Ecological Literacy: Educating Our Children for a Sustainable World.