Speculating on Ecological Literacy of Ecopoetry in a Third World Nation PDF

# Speculating on the Ecological Literacy of Ecopoetry in a Third World Nation ## Introduction * The Philippines is one of the 17 megadiverse nations in the world. * While the country is home to the majority of the earth's species, it is also considered a “Third World” nation. * This highlights a c...

# Speculating on the Ecological Literacy of Ecopoetry in a Third World Nation ## Introduction * The Philippines is one of the 17 megadiverse nations in the world. * While the country is home to the majority of the earth's species, it is also considered a “Third World” nation. * This highlights a contradiction between being “biologically wealthiest” and facing severe threats to its ecosystems. * The 2014 Environmental Policy Index (EPI) ranks the Philippines 114 out of 178 nations, highlighting environmental issues. * The EPI measures two key areas: * Environmental Health: The protection of human health from environmental harm. * Ecosystem Vitality: Ecosystem protection and resource management. ## Ecocriticism and Ecological Literacy * The author explores ecocriticism in the context of the Philippines, highlighting the disparity between praising biodiversity and addressing the real challenges faced by the environment. * Ecological Literacy is introduced - a crucial aspect of ecocriticism that emphasizes the interrelationship of humans and non-human environments. * The essay defines Ecological Literacy as understanding the interconnectedness of the human and nonhuman environment to initiate thoughts, ideas, and actions of sustainability. * Ecological Literacy is an integral part of understanding complex ecosystems that sustain life. * The author argues that ecological literacy is essential for promoting sustainable practices and addressing environmental challenges. ## Ecological Literacy as a Framework for Ecocriticism * Ecological Literacy is based on a unified approach that combines environmental knowledge with literary and scientific perspectives. * It aims to create a body of work that analyzes the environment, human impacts, and interconnectedness of natural systems. * The author notes that ecological literacy should be a cornerstone of educational practices to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to address environmental problems. ## Key Aspects of Ecological Literacy in Ecopoetry * The author analyzes the role of ecological literacy in ecopoetry, emphasizing its key attributes: * Ecopoetry explores the relationships between language, nature, culture, and human perception. * It showcases the world as a nonhuman environment, highlighting experiences and connections with the natural world. * Ecopoetry emphasizes the writer's responsibility towards the environment, advocating for sustainable practices and addressing concerns related to environmental degradation. ## The Importance of Ecological Literacy in the Philippines * The author underscores the need for ecological consciousness in the Philippines, considering the country's environmental challenges. * The author encourages writers to use ecopoetry to raise awareness, promote sustainable practices, and address issues related to environmental degradation in their communities. * The author highlights the importance of integrating ecological literacy into formal and non-formal education programs to foster responsible environmental attitudes and behaviors. ## Conclusion * The author emphasizes the significance of ecopoetry in promoting ecological literacy and addressing environmental issues. * The author acknowledges the challenges facing the Philippines in terms of environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices. * The essay encourages writers to utilize ecopoetry as a powerful tool to drive change and contribute to a more sustainable future. * The author reiterates that studying Filipino ecopoetry and exploring its ecological underpinnings can significantly contribute to the field of ecocriticism and promote responsible environmental practices. ## Works Cited * Deleuze, Gilles et al. *A Thousand Plateaus: capitalism and schizophrenia*. USA: University of Minnesota Press, 1987. * Dobrin, Sidney et al. *Natural discourse: toward ecocomposition*. USA: State University of New York Press, 2002. * "Ecological Literacy." Manitoba Government. Draft Global Issues Pilot, 2011. * Engelhardt, James. "The Language Habitat: An Ecopoetry Manifesto.” *Octopus Magazine* 9(2007):1. * “Environmental Performance Index 2014." Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy. USA: Yale University, 2014. * Gander, Forrest. "What is Ecopoetry?" The Poetry Foundation, 28 Nov 2008. * "Megadiversity Countries." Areas of Biodiversity Importance, 23 Oct 2014. * Morton, Timothy. *Ecology Without Nature*. USA: Harvard University Press, 2007. * Naess, Arne. *Ecology, Community, Lifestyle*. 2nd ed. Trans. Rothenberg, David. US: Cambridge University Press, 2003. * Orr, David. *Ecological Literacy: education and the transition to a postmodern world*. USA: State University of New York Press, Albany (1992). * Plumwood, Val. "Shadow Places." *Australian Humanities Review* 76 (2008). * Santos, Paz Verdades. "Uran, Uran, Tagantan: Mga Babala sa Pagbabago ng Klima sa Rawitdawit Bikol / Storm Signals: Climate Change in Bikol Poems." *Malay Literary Journal* 24 (2011): 65-79.