Integrative Environmental Worldview: A Holistic Conceptual Framework to Advance Environmental Education for Sustainability

Abstract

Studying worldviews is critical to understanding the root of environmental issues and finding solutions for sustainability. However, the best way to operationalize the theoretical framework of various worldviews for sustainable development is still unclear, especially in Thailand where different traditional, scientific, and ecological factors are at play. To best address these conundrums, this study employed mixed methodology to establish a conceptual framework of integrative environmental worldviews [IEW] based on 1) integral theory and 2) diverse worldviews of stakeholders in Thailand. First, we conducted structured interviews of 63 environmental agencies to analyze their worldviews in ontological, epistemological, and axiological terms. Next, a 27-item survey was collected from 449 environmental agents. We then conducted a principal component analysis to define five components of an IEW conceptual framework, (i.e. aesthetic, dharmic, systemic, sacred and materialistic). This framework provides a shift from a dualistic, egocentric view of environmental studies to a more holistic one. Moreover, it also links fundamental patterns of knowing from cross-cultural perspectives and a more sustainable pathway in the development of human-natural connection to advance environmental education for local and global sustainability.