Introduction to Earth Literacy
Let's start by clarifying what is meant by the term "Earth Literacy". Here are descriptions by Miriam MacGillis and Thomas Berry, two wisdom figures who, along with MacGregor Smith, first proposed and developed the phrase. You might enjoy this presentation by Miriam.
Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site
The term refers to an ability to "read the Earth"; that is, observe and understand how Earth functions as a whole, a whole community. This ability has been central to the human adventure for hundreds of thousands of years but, in recent years, has been simultaneously both enhanced and diminished. The enhancement is due to the incredible extension of our senses through modern technologies, such as telescopes, microscopes, and computers. The diminishment has been due to the adaption by the western world of a cosmology or worldview, that has reduced the non-human community to "resources", a support system for the human endeavor.
As you can see, then, Earth Literacy will involve a very different understanding of the appropriate relationship between the human and the Earth community than is prevalent in our current western world. Traditionally this relationship, this understanding of the world and the role of the human in it has been referred to as a worldview. So we are interested in how we humans, especially we western humans developed our current worldview and to what extent this worldview is suitable for the present situation.
An obvious deficiency in our current western worldview is the lack of integration of our 14 billion year history. That is, our current worldview basically assumes that we humans and all other creatures, as well as the whole Universe, are as we were in the beginning. So a central pillar of Earth Literacy is the knowledge of and integration of what is referred to as "The Universe Story". Simply put, built into the concept of Earth Literacy is the understanding of a dynamic, developing Universe, Earth, and community of Earth life. So an Earth literate approach is indeed an environmentally or ecologically sensitive approach to understanding Earth dynamics; but, in addition, this approach grounds that understanding in the evolutionary development of the Universe, Earth, and life.
Here is a beautiful expression of this by Jim Burch.
Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site
In this, the first course of the Earth Literacy at Home program, we seek an basic understanding of the Earth and human history and dynamics that have resulted in our current worldview. Subsequent courses will present the opportunity to study this history and dynamics more deeply.
Resources for Course (in order of priority)
Miriam MacGillis, Exploring a New Cosmology (DVDs set available from Genesis Farm for $30 + $5 shipping. Email resourcecenter AT genesisfarm.org
Brian Swimme, Mary Evelyn Tucker, The Journey of the Universe (Book, DVD, Educational Series available at Journey of the Universe website.)
Thomas Berry, Dream of the Earth, Sierra Club Books, 1990.
Daniel Quinn, Ishmael, Bantam, 1995.
Christopher Uhl, Developing Ecological Consciousness, Rowman & Littlefield, 2003.
Brian Swimme, The Universe is a Green Dragon, Bear and Co, 1984.
Here are some great films that are very relevant.
Whale Rider
Secret of Roan Inish
Never Cry Wolf
If you are interested in developing this material for children, email Jean at jeanledwards AT gmail.com.
For (a lot) more resources check out the Genesis Farm Earth Literacy Resource list.