Online Training Kit

Shared Green Urban Areas Analysis


 

INTRODUCTION 


Brief description of the Module

In this Unit you will learn about the environmental awareness and the steps to follow to awaken it in human beings. Then, you will be able to define and identify a shared urban green area and to classify the space according to its use and elements. You will learn how to define the possibilities that the area offers taking into account the ethic of permaculture, allowing you to get the best out of the area by increasing environmental sustainability.  

Competence statement

To define and identify a shared green area is the first step to become a leader in environmental  educational projects that imply the collaborative transformation of shared spaces into green accessible areas. The unit will habilitate educators to fully analyse these areas in their territories and start a transformational process that involve their communities. 

Learning Outcomes 

  1. Identify the main concepts around environmental awareness and how to transform the human conscience into a more environmentally sustainable human presence on the planet
  2. Understand the benefits and possibilities of an Urban Green Shared Area (GSA)
  3. Learn how to analyse an Urban Green Shared Area (GSA) to get the most out of it
  4. Design an Urban Green Shared Area in an environmentally and human sustainable way, according to the elements, the community needs and permaculture principles. 

Keywords

Urban Green Shared Area analysis; environmental awareness; green spaces design; mapping; permaculture; community transformation; participation;

Hashtag of the Unit

#SharedGreenAreasAction! #GSAction!

Expected Time 

10 hours

Theoretical material

Identify the basics of environmental awareness

What is environmental awareness?

According to the Glossary of Environmental Education Terms (Unesco-Upep, 1983), the environmental awareness can be understood as “the growth and development of awareness, understanding and consciousness toward the biophysical environment and its problems, including human interactions and effects. Thinking "ecologically" or in terms of an ecological consciousness.”

In other words, the term invites to get aware of Nature as the most precious source of life in Earth and start to take care of it, making choices that do not hurt it. Environmental awareness can be promoted through environmental education, environmental awareness programmes launched by public or private institutions, but also through horizontal warning processes that help citizens to achieve it. 

Promoting environmental awareness is the first step to begin a journey towards lasting ecologically sustainable change. If we do not favor an internal change in people, it is impossible to access an external change. To do this, we will start with the definition of the elements that most characterize environmental awareness according to the Pachamama Alliance, a global community that has been working for a sustainable future of the planet for more than 25 years:

 

Environmental Awareness



As the infographic shows, to fully achieve environmental awareness, we have to reach the goal of a human presence on the planet that is:

Environmentally Sustainable

The human being is born ecologically sustainable like any other living being generated on planet earth. However, the greed, the claim to domination and the hypocrisy of a very small part of people prevented mankind from living his true nature, in harmony with his home, the environment. The exploitation of resources by unscrupulous multinationals, together with the connivance of corrupt political systems, has led us to overcome a point of no return, where forests have been reduced by 80%, 30% of the arable land of the lost world in just 40 years, 90% of all large fish have disappeared from the oceans, as have 60% of animal species.

How to revert this situation? 

Without waiting for global decisions dictated from above, which very often do not correspond sincerely to the purpose but to particular interests of the same powers that have brought the planet to the conditions in which it finds itself, environmental sustainability can be achieved through actions from below. Like a large tree it is possible thanks to a seed planted on good soil and taking care of it, even environmental sustainability can only be achieved by starting with a policy of small but important steps.

The human presence can be environmentally sustainable if:

  • it does not affect other living beings and natural elements
  • it conserves natural resources and protect local ecosystems
  • it interacts with the environment as part of it, so respecting the pre-existing balances 

 

Finally, according to the U.N. Environment Programme, environmental sustainability means also to make life choices that ensure an equal or better way of life for future generations.

 

Spiritually fulfilling

If we compare the beliefs of very different human groups, we can find something in common in all ancestral cultures known to date: the idea of ​​the One, of the interconnection between all things that exist. This concept has disappeared in what is considered modern and developed civilization in favor of the idea that man is separated and above the other species, is more owner of rights than any other species or element, sometimes even a part of their own species. Masculine anthropocentrism and materialism are two of the worst results of this belief system. Reconnect with the most hidden secret in recent centuries, that is, with the awareness that we are the universe in the form of humans, that we come from the same source and we are all related, not only on a genetic or economic level but in everything. What we think, say and do inevitably has consequences internally and externally for us. Only this spiritual consciousness can make the human being evolve and meet again with his true essence, for the benefit of all living beings.

 

Socially just 

Today's economic systems perpetuate oppression and inequality around the world. These types of results generated by them are in total opposition to the vision of a sustainable world, where creation is preserved and all living beings are happy and can enjoy their natural right to live on the planet.

Respect for biodiversity can be the starting point to create another vision. The rules of life are extraordinary and simple at the same time, people only need to reconnect with this powerful source and return to a life in balance with mother earth. We are all unique and equal, respecting this unicity and, at the same time, guaranteeing the equality and dignity of each element that is part of Nature, means directly transforming the economic system where modern civilization has to live, and betting on human consciousness and restoration of the planet.

...

Partners

...
...
...
...
...
...
...

This communication (website) reflects the views only of the author and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Proj.no: 2020-1-LT01-KA204-077953

...
... ... ...

© 2021 Co-Education in Green

Privacy policy | Terms and conditions