The Impact of Christian Environmental Education: The Case of Catholic Schools in England
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| Title: | The Impact of Christian Environmental Education: The Case of Catholic Schools in England |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jakub Kowalewski (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Religious Education. 2025 73(3):401-418. |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 18 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Christianity, Environmental Education, Program Effectiveness, Religious Factors, Foreign Countries, Student Attitudes, Social Responsibility, Self Efficacy |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom (England) |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s40839-025-00268-1 |
| ISSN: | 1442-018X 2199-4625 |
| Abstract: | What is the impact of Christian environmental education (CEE) on the ecological attitudes of young people? Broadly speaking, there are two opposing narratives about the effectiveness of CEE. While the sceptics accuse Christianity of having a detrimental effect on ecological awareness, the apologists emphasise aspects of Christian teaching capable of positively contributing to environmental education. To test the assumptions of both camps, this study draws on qualitative data from focus groups with students (n = 44) in eight Catholic schools in the North of England. Our findings broadly support the apologetic narrative: CEE in Catholic schools effectively fosters stewardship beliefs, and the concomitant sense of self-efficacy and motivational climate worry. Importantly, our data suggests that young people's self-understanding as stewards of creation is underwritten by a sense that responsibility for the planet is divided and distributed unequally across various individual, collective, and institutional actors. As we demonstrate, such an understanding aligns with Pope Francis's message of "differentiated responsibilities" proposed in the ecological encyclical Laudato Si'. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1498099 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | What is the impact of Christian environmental education (CEE) on the ecological attitudes of young people? Broadly speaking, there are two opposing narratives about the effectiveness of CEE. While the sceptics accuse Christianity of having a detrimental effect on ecological awareness, the apologists emphasise aspects of Christian teaching capable of positively contributing to environmental education. To test the assumptions of both camps, this study draws on qualitative data from focus groups with students (n = 44) in eight Catholic schools in the North of England. Our findings broadly support the apologetic narrative: CEE in Catholic schools effectively fosters stewardship beliefs, and the concomitant sense of self-efficacy and motivational climate worry. Importantly, our data suggests that young people's self-understanding as stewards of creation is underwritten by a sense that responsibility for the planet is divided and distributed unequally across various individual, collective, and institutional actors. As we demonstrate, such an understanding aligns with Pope Francis's message of "differentiated responsibilities" proposed in the ecological encyclical Laudato Si'. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1442-018X 2199-4625 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s40839-025-00268-1 |
