Page 173

Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand

Futures  Thinking According  to  Tilbury  (2011),  futures  thinking  can  be  def ined  as  imaging  or  envisioning  a  better  or  preferred  future.  All  educational  levels  as  well  as  in  social  and  business  contexts  are  encouraged  to  use  the  futures  thinking  as  a  key  pedagogical  principle. Future  thinking  is  also  considered  to  be  a  pivotal  component  of  ESD.  However,  various  parties  such  as  media,  scientist  and  educator  are  always  portraying  the  negative  image  of  future  particularly  related  to  biodiversity  such  as  the  natural  disaster,  species  extinction,  and  destruction  of  ecosystem.  This  action  actually  discourage  the  efforts  to  solve  or  reduce  the  problem  or  enhance  conditions  of  well-being.  Some  other  parts  of  the  world  today  are  facing extreme  poverty,  depletion  of  resources,  war  conflicts  and  species  extinction  which  require  immediate  action.  However,  by  having  the  basic  knowledge  about  them,  does  not  lead  or  encourage  people  to  transform  the  situations  (Tilbury  and  Cooke,  2015).  Therefore,  by  applying  the  future  thinking  concept,  the  current  generation  can  give  hope  and  create  positive  future  dreams  together  with  the  younger  generations.  In  future  thinking,  one  will  try  to  gain  knowledge,  understand  and  analyses  information  about  the  future  images  and  visions  which  will  help  to  motivate  proactive  attitudes  and  actions  for  the  positive  future  (Lehtonen,  2012).  By  envisioning  a  better  future,  we  can  established  a  link  between  long  term  goals  and  immediate  actions,  and  motivate  people  to  action  by  harnessing  their  deep  aspirations;  identifies  relevance  and  meaning  for  different  people;  explores  how  to  achieve  change;  offers  direction  and  energy  to  take  action  and  will  results  in  ownership  of  visions,  processes  and  outcomes  (ARIES,  2009). Critical  Reflective  Thinking Another  key  skills  in  ESD  is  critical  and  reflective  thinking.  Critical  reflective  thinking  is  much  deeper  than  simply  being  critical  about  certain  issues  and  events  (Mula  and  Munirah,  2016).  By  critical  reflective  thinking,  students  have  to  explore  the  root  causes  of  unsustainability  and  identifying  his/her  own  and  others’  underlying  values,  assumptions,  perceptions  and  world  views.  Students  learn  and  get  involve  in  a  process  of  deep  questioning  and  learn  how  to  make  critical  and  meaningful  questions  (Mula  and  Munirah,  2016). Learning  to  Act  and  Change Learning  to  act  refers  to  the  application of  knowledge  and  skills  in  the  daily  life  of  students  developed  through  activities  in  and  outside  the  classroom  which  enable  students  to identify  their  role  in  the  society  which  involve  personal  and  social  action.  Students  should  be  trained  that  they  can  effect  change  in  their  community  and  their personal  lives  as  well.  Therefore  leaning  will  be active  and  will  link  to  their  social  responsibility. Teaching  and  learning  in  school  should  provide opportunities  to  develop  students’  knowledge  and  skill  for  their  future  sustainable  living. According  to  Mula  and  Munirah  (2016), exploring  case  studies  with  local  community  groups  and  business  is  an  example  of  technique  thatcanbeusedto  encourage  student  to  use  the  knowledge  that  they  have  gained  into  practical  actions  on  sustainable  development  issues. Proceedings  of  the  International  Conference  on  Climate  Change,  Biodiversity  and  Ecosystem  Services  for  the 171 Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDGs):  Policy  and  Practice  27-29  June  2016,  Cha-am,  Phetchaburi,  Thailand


Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
To see the actual publication please follow the link above