What is Ecological Intelligence?
The definition of “intelligence”, which is mostly associated with competence in positive sciences such as mathematics, chemistry, and physics, has changed and expanded with the development of different branches of science in the last century. “Multiple Intelligence Theory” tells us that human intelligence can be diversified with different qualities; He showed that 8 different types of intelligence, including verbal, spatial, musical, existential, kinesthetic, mathematical, internal and social, can be seen with different competencies in different individuals, and that the definition of “intelligent person” can vary according to these types. Recently, a new one has been added to these: Ecological intelligence.
Taylor Simpson / Unsplash
Taylor Simpson / Unsplash
Climate change is now one of our unwavering global agendas, and we cannot ignore this change even if we wanted to. Climate change and its effects, which are felt more and more each day, have also created the need for individuals who are sensitive to nature and sustainability and can find solutions to these problems; The definition of ecological intelligence became clear with this need.
“Being ecologically intelligent”
Of course, like all types of intelligence, although this intelligence is based on some innate skills, it develops to a large extent with quality education. So what does ecological intelligence mean?
First of all, let’s talk about two authors who have worked on this subject. “Ecological Intelligence: Rediscovering Ourselves in Nature” – Ian McCallum and his work titled Ecological Intelligence: Rediscovering Ourselves in Nature He is also the author of the book “Emotional Intelligence” – Emotional Intelligence , Daniel Goleman, author of Ecological Intelligence: How Knowing the Hidden Impacts of What We Buy Can Change Everything .
According to both McCallum and Goleman, “being ecologically intelligent”; It means being sensitive to the changes/events in nature occurring on a global scale and having the ability to react and offer solutions to them.
Taylor Simpson / Unsplash
Many other symptoms such as the unusually mild winter season in our country in recent years, yet extremely dry summers, the excessive decrease or increase in the incidence of some insects, the increase in death due to thirst, and the successive forest fires tell us one thing: Be sensitive, take action. However, it is not enough to understand nature alone in order to find solutions and act more consciously towards the environment; We need to understand the effects of economic and social dynamics on the environment on a global scale. First of all, it is not possible to find solutions to such global problems without a global reaction.
In his book, Goleman states that raising individuals who can take a stand against all environmental problems on a global scale, protest the wrong steps taken with democratic expression methods, comprehend what/what threatens the ecological balance on their own, and boycott products that harm human and environmental health can only be achieved through a comprehensive ecological literacy education. had said it would be possible. The most effective way of doing this, of course, depends on the schools. Adding ecological issues to all curricula on a global scale, and even reshaping the curriculum itself according to sustainability, will be an important step in this regard. Thus, in time, being sensitive to the environment will go beyond the “don’t throw garbage on the ground” warning and become a way of life in itself.
Just as being financially literate and digitally literate is a necessity in today’s world, ecological literacy is a skill that must be acquired in such an age where the negative effects of global climate change are felt day by day. In order to produce sustainable solutions and make our lives more sustainable, we have to understand nature and really live with it.
