Narrative Approaches within Arts-based Environmental Education: Theoretical and Practical Applications for Alternative Futures

Establishing a theoretical framework for Arts-based Environmental Education (AEE) and narrative pedagogy, this seminal volume lays the groundwork for understanding the potential of art, education, and aesthetic expressions to address environmental issues head-on. Theoretical chapters inform a discussion of empirical studies carried out in Sweden, Finland, and Slovenia, applying concepts such as relational pedagogy and phenomenology to real-world settings. Chapters further explore various art forms such as land art and drama in the context of the storyline approach, creating narratives on resilience and sustainability, addressing climate anxiety, and fostering critical and imaginative thinking among students. Theoretical and empirical insights combined with indigenous perspectives lead to practical strategies for implementing AEE in various educational contexts, providing concrete examples of how AEE can be integrated into classroom settings, outdoor education, and community programmes. Emphasis is also given to the importance of connecting these practices to broader global initiatives such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the cultivation of a sustainable, liveable future. At the heart of the book is a Manifesto for Regenerative Education – a poetic and powerful framework for rethinking learning in the Anthropocene. Presenting a pioneering approach that positions education and artistic expression as the starting point for fostering ecological awareness and engagement, this book will interest practitioners, researchers and educators in arts education, environmental and sustainability education, and innovative pedagogies more broadly.