Ecopoetry and Ecological Literacy in the Philippines

Ecological Literacy of Ecopoetry in a Third World Nation

• Philippines is one of 17 megadiverse nations, meaning high biodiversity, but also faces challenges as a "Third World" nation
• 1997 publication "Megadiversity" describes the Philippines as one of the earth's biologically wealthiest nations
• Despite high biodiversity, there is concern about the state of ecosystems, as the 2014 Environmental Policy Index (EPI) ranks the Philippines 114 out of 178 nations. The EPI measures environmental health and ecosystem vitality (protection and management of resources)
• Misaligned values, policies, practices, and resource utilization contribute to a discrepancy between the Philippines' biological richness and its development status
• The question remains: why do biologically rich countries like the Philippines still struggle to protect their natural resources and develop sustainable solutions?

Ecocriticism and Ecological Literacy

• Ecocriticism, a critical approach to literature, analyzes the relationship between the human and nonhuman world
• Ecological literacy is central to a practical framework of ecocriticism in the Philippines.
• Writers (e.g., Fritjof Capra) define it as an understanding of the interdependence of the human and nonhuman environment, aiming for sustainable practices.
• Essential in education and literature, it cultivates a pedagogy of interconnectedness
• It allows for a better understanding and preservation of the environment through sustainable awareness and action

Ecopoetry's Role

• Ecopoetry, as defined by Forrest Gander, explores the link between language, nature, culture, and human perception
• These poems serve to acknowledge the responsibility of writing about the environment, and offer a view of the interconnectedness of the environment and human relationships
• Differentiating ecopoetry from nature poetry, which merely describes nature, ecopoetry emphasizes accountability in dealing with the environment.

Ecological Literacy as a Pedagogical Tool

• Ecological literacy has the potential to foster a change in perspective regarding the environment and the importance of sustainability for the young generation.
• Eco-writers, through their works, and with their specific understanding of ecoliteracy, can inspire and educate readers, creating a more conscious and sustainable view of the world.
• Education is key to fostering a more sustainable society, by addressing the issue of interconnectedness and the consequences of human actions.

Importance of Sustainabilty

• Recognizing that the degradation of the earth is a primary issue
• Creating a more sustainable consciousness and practices to preserve ecosystems,
• that is reflected through literature, environmental awareness, and action.