Chapter 16
How Does Faith Influence
Pro-Environmental Practice in Schools?
Examples from the Pacific Islands
Thelma A. Raman and Johannes M. Luetz
Abstract Many environmental problems can be attributed to human behaviour, and
education is seen as a means of shaping human behaviour that is pro-environmental.
The role of the formal education system in supporting pro-environmental behaviour
is considered pivotal and duly highlighted in key documents/plans on sustainable
development. This chapter is based on empirical research conducted in Fiji, an island
group situated in the South Pacific. The research investigated factors or circumstances that enable individuals to sustain or continue adopting pro-environmental
behaviours after they have left the formal school environment. It explored how
Environmental Education is provided in schools through the curriculum and proenvironmental practices. Twenty-seven schools participated in the research including
faith-based schools (Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Sikh). The research highlighted the
significance of religion in shaping how care for the environment is viewed within the
schools. The research found differences and similarities between faith-based schools,
both within Christian denominations and between religious schools (i.e., Christian,
Islamic, Hindu, Sikh). The importance of religion in seeding and guiding their proenvironmental behaviour was also acknowledged by student research participants.
This is unsurprising given the presence of various religions in Fiji and the calendar
observance of key religious events. This chapter discusses the research findings and
highlights the contribution that religion makes to pro-environmental behaviours and
why it therefore deserves to be considered in discussions/forums about behaviour
change.
T. A. Raman (B)
Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
e-mail: thelma.raman@mq.edu.au
J. M. Luetz
School of Social Sciences, Christian Heritage College (CHC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
School of Law and Society, University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Maroochydore, QLD,
Australia
School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
J. M. Luetz
e-mail: jluetz@chc.edu.au
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. M. Luetz and P. D. Nunn (eds.), Beyond Belief, Climate Change Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67602-5_16
313
How Does Faith Influence
Pro-Environmental Practice in Schools?
Examples from the Pacific Islands
Thelma A. Raman and Johannes M. Luetz
Abstract Many environmental problems can be attributed to human behaviour, and
education is seen as a means of shaping human behaviour that is pro-environmental.
The role of the formal education system in supporting pro-environmental behaviour
is considered pivotal and duly highlighted in key documents/plans on sustainable
development. This chapter is based on empirical research conducted in Fiji, an island
group situated in the South Pacific. The research investigated factors or circumstances that enable individuals to sustain or continue adopting pro-environmental
behaviours after they have left the formal school environment. It explored how
Environmental Education is provided in schools through the curriculum and proenvironmental practices. Twenty-seven schools participated in the research including
faith-based schools (Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Sikh). The research highlighted the
significance of religion in shaping how care for the environment is viewed within the
schools. The research found differences and similarities between faith-based schools,
both within Christian denominations and between religious schools (i.e., Christian,
Islamic, Hindu, Sikh). The importance of religion in seeding and guiding their proenvironmental behaviour was also acknowledged by student research participants.
This is unsurprising given the presence of various religions in Fiji and the calendar
observance of key religious events. This chapter discusses the research findings and
highlights the contribution that religion makes to pro-environmental behaviours and
why it therefore deserves to be considered in discussions/forums about behaviour
change.
T. A. Raman (B)
Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
e-mail: thelma.raman@mq.edu.au
J. M. Luetz
School of Social Sciences, Christian Heritage College (CHC), Brisbane, QLD, Australia
School of Law and Society, University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Maroochydore, QLD,
Australia
School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, NSW, Australia
J. M. Luetz
e-mail: jluetz@chc.edu.au
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
J. M. Luetz and P. D. Nunn (eds.), Beyond Belief, Climate Change Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67602-5_16
313