The profound lack of sustainable systems on our planet is of
great concern to environmentalists, some of who are educators
and some of who are permaculturists. Many of the problems facing
Earth and its inhabitants are caused by a lack of ecological
literacy among much of the human population. Ecological literacy
includes an understanding of the scientific principles of
ecology, including the recognition of limits and possibilities.
It also includes an attitude of care toward the environment and
a commitment to act. Finally, it requires the ability to
recognize interconnectedness; what some people call systems
thinking. Unfortunately, ecological literacy is not nurtured in
most schools. At the same time, many science courses are taught
in ways that turn too many students off to science. Students
complain that science is too hard, boring, and has no relevance
to their lives. These complaints go hand in hand with a
worldwide trend in science classes where students drop science
after taking required courses. This