The Geography Exchange - Teachers Talk Sustainability

Описание: In this episode of The Geography Exchange: Teachers Talk Sustainability, Chloe and Skye break down what sustainability consciousness really means—and why it matters for today’s students. Drawing on Ontario’s geography curriculum, eco-pedagogy, and place-based learning, we explore how inquiry, storytelling, and community connection help students move from awareness to meaningful action.

We discuss:
🌿 What sustainability consciousness is
📚 How geography teachers can foster critical, eco-aware thinking
🏞️ Why place-based learning transforms classrooms
🔥 Real challenges + practical strategies for teachers
💡 Ways to start small with local, community-rooted projects
Whether you teach Grade 9 or Grade 12, this episode gives you tools to build students’ confidence, curiosity, and environmental responsibility.

📌 Resources mentioned:
National E-Course in Climate Change Education

📚 References
Ferreira, J., Evans, N., Davis, J., & Stevenson, R. (2019). Learning to embed sustainability in teacher education.Routledge.

Hutchison, D. (2007). Drawing on children’s sense of place: The starting point for teaching social studies and geography. What Works? Research into Practice, 10. Ontario Ministry of Education.

Maharjan, B., Pant, B. P., & Dahal, N. (2024). Participatory learning: Exploring place-based pedagogy for future teachers. Pedagogical Research, 9(4), em0222.

Olsson, D., & Gericke, N. (2016). The adolescent dip in students’ sustainability consciousness—Implications for education for sustainable development. Journal of Environmental Education, 47(1), 35–51.


Olsson, D., & Gericke, N. (2017). The effect of gender on students’ sustainability consciousness: A nationwide Swedish study. Journal of Environmental Education, 48(5), 357–370.


Skoutajan, S. (2012). Defending place-based education. Green Teacher, 97, 34–36.

Stickney, J. (2023). Pedagogies of place: Conserving forms of place-based environmental education during a pandemic.Ethics and Education.

Stickney, J. (2025). ‘Transformative’ teacher education for environmental sustainability: Philosophical cases for inquiry- and place-based eco-pedagogies. In M. A. Peters (Ed.), Handbook of Ecological Civilization. Springer.