Can I Recycle My Homework Too: Sustainability Composition and Environmental Justice's Role in the Classroom
Start Date
April 2025
Location
2nd floor - Library
Abstract
This paper will explore the importance of education when examining the complexities of taking care of our environment and the impact our care, or lack thereof, has on earth’s inhabitants. Sustainability composition, a term which refers to a focus on pedagogical methods to include topics about environmental injustices, conservation, climate change, or sustainability, is not a required topic in school, but should it be? Acknowledging the potential challenge of educating students about sustainability composition in a time where misinformation spreads like wildfires and the validity of climate change is debated, this project attempts to determine if learning about sustainability composition is actually beneficial for students and society. Secondary research will examine the history of environmental injustice and find real world examples of how environmental hazards disproportionately impact minority and low-income communities, as well as look at the validity of claims that prove climate change is real. Primary research will survey Xavier undergrads to gauge their experience and interest with the term sustainability composition, and how they think their education can impact the world. The research question I am attempting to answer is: how can sustainability composition being taught in schools have an impact on social justice movements?
Can I Recycle My Homework Too: Sustainability Composition and Environmental Justice's Role in the Classroom
2nd floor - Library
This paper will explore the importance of education when examining the complexities of taking care of our environment and the impact our care, or lack thereof, has on earth’s inhabitants. Sustainability composition, a term which refers to a focus on pedagogical methods to include topics about environmental injustices, conservation, climate change, or sustainability, is not a required topic in school, but should it be? Acknowledging the potential challenge of educating students about sustainability composition in a time where misinformation spreads like wildfires and the validity of climate change is debated, this project attempts to determine if learning about sustainability composition is actually beneficial for students and society. Secondary research will examine the history of environmental injustice and find real world examples of how environmental hazards disproportionately impact minority and low-income communities, as well as look at the validity of claims that prove climate change is real. Primary research will survey Xavier undergrads to gauge their experience and interest with the term sustainability composition, and how they think their education can impact the world. The research question I am attempting to answer is: how can sustainability composition being taught in schools have an impact on social justice movements?
