Environmental Intelligence and Globalization: Redefining Educational Paradigms through an Iranian Perspective

Document Type : Original article

Authors

1 Shaykh Baha al-din Architectural and Environmental Studies Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Background: Despite advancements in environmental policies and education, many individuals remain disconnected from nature, leading to ecological neglect and unsustainable behaviors.
Aims: This study explores the institutionalization of environmental intelligence in education, emphasizing an Iranian perspective within the context of globalization. It argues for an educational paradigm that integrates traditional ecological wisdom with contemporary learning models, fostering a holistic, experiential, and culturally grounded approach.
Methodology: Using literature synthesis and philosophical interpretation, this research draws on the spiritual and ethical teachings of Attar and Rumi alongside modern educational theories, including experiential, interdisciplinary, and quantum education.
Discussion: The study examines how globalization and urbanization have reshaped traditional environmental perceptions, particularly in Iranian culture, where mountains once held deep ecological and cultural significance but have become overlooked in modern urban life. Additionally, it investigates the role of global communication and virtual education in shaping environmental consciousness. Rather than proposing a replacement for existing environmental education, this study introduces a complementary framework that blends Iranian philosophical heritage, contemporary pedagogy, and digital learning. By fostering spiritual, ethical, and ecological awareness, this paradigm encourages a collective, participatory approach to sustainability.
Conclusions: It envisions an education system where cultural wisdom and modern innovation work together to cultivate deep, empathetic connections between people and the environment.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Adkins, D. (2009). “Outdoor, experiential and environmental education”. CYC-Net. https://cyc-net.org/cyc-online/cyconline-aug2009-adkins.html.
AEE: Association for Experiential Education. (2002). “Definition of experiential education”. https://www.aee.org/what-is-experiential-education.
Anthesis Group. (n.d.). “Environmental education to empower citizenship”. https://www.anthesisgroup.com/insights/environmental-education-a-tool-for-empowering-citizenship/.
Arsalani, A.; Sakhaei, S. & Zamani, M. (2022). “ICT for children: The continuous need for media literacy”. Socio-Spatial Studies. 6(1): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.22034/soc.2022.211944.
Baierl, K.; Johnson, J. & Manoli, C. (2022). “Earthkeepers: A residential earth education program for promoting pro-environmental behavior”. Frontiers in Psychology. 12.
Barati, N.; Dariush, B.; Dastyar, F. & Barati, M. (2020). “Environmental intelligence a holistic approach to the human-environment relationship”. Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development. 13(30): 213-225. https://doi.org/10.22034/aaud.2019.183282.1860.
Breiting, S.; Mayer, M. & Mogensen, F. (2007). “Quality criteria for ESD schools”. In Education for Sustainable Development: A Global Perspective (pp. 1-15). Springer.
Clarke, J. & Agyeman, J. (2011). Sustainability: A Systems Approach. Cambridge University Press.
Dariush, B. & Dastyar, F. (2020). “Undesirable relationship between Alborz and Tehran: A phenomenological study of Alborz Mountains’ meanings in the minds of Tehran’s residents”. Journal of Art and Civilization of the Orient. 8(28): 53-62. https://doi.org/10.22034/jaco.2020.226890.1157.
Dariush, B. & Motedayen, H. (2019). “The importance of mountains in Iranian literature in the course of time and the effect of modernity on its conceptualization”. Bagh-e Nazar. 16(71): 83-94. https://doi.org/10.22034/bagh.2019.86875.
Dariush, B.; Taghavian, N. & Dastyar, M. (2019). “Cultural study of the relationship between mountain and the city”. Socio-Spatial Studies. 3(5): 1-12. https://doi.org/10.22034/soc.2019.84447.
Dastyar, M.; Dariush, B. & Dastyar, F. (2023). “Virtual education, a complementary element of the puzzle of holistic education in the relationship between humans and environment or Iranian citizens”. Journal of Cyberspace Studies. 7(2): 237-252. https://doi.org/10.22059/jcss.2023.356702.1088.
De Coster, I.; Borodankova, O.; De Almeida Coutinho, A.S. & Paolini, G. (2012). “Citizenship education in Europe. education, audiovisual and culture executive agency”. European Commission. (EACEA P9 Eurydice). https://doi.org/10.2797/83012.
Diva Portal. (2015). “A holistic approach to environmental and sustainability education”.
ENEC. (2018). Education for Environmental Citizenship: Framework for Action. European Network for Environmental Citizenship.
Fordham, S. (1993). “Nonformal and informal environmental education: A review of the literature”. Environmental Education Research (pp. 1-12).
Genc, M. (2015). “The project-based learning approach in environmental education”. International Research in Geographical and Environmental Education. 24(2): 105-117. https://doi.org/10.1080/10382046.2015.1012677.
Gough, S. (2006). “Locating the environmental in environmental education research: What research—and why?”. Environmental Education Research. 12(3/4): 335-343. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620600799083.
Gray Group International. (n.d.). “Conservation education: Young people for environmental stewardship”. https://www.graygroupintl.com/blog/conservation.
Gutierrez, M.S. (2022). “Environmental education in informal learning spaces: Integration, design, and impact on student engagement”. Journal of Environmental Education. 53(4): 234-246. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2022.2063784.
Hadjichambis, A. & Paraskeva-Hadjichambi, D. (2020). “The role of education in promoting environmental citizenship: A conceptual framework”. Environmental Education Research. 26(2): 193-207. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2019.1622025.
Hare, W. (2006). “Holistic education: An introduction”. The Journal of Educational Thought. 40(3): 295-310.
Hassan, A. & Pudin, S. (2011). “The informal environmental education value practices among adults in Sabah Malaysia”. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology. 10(1): 19-28. https://www.tused.org/index.php/tused/article/view/545.
Hsu, Y.J.; Lin C.H. & Shih J.L. (2013). “Developing multi-player digital adventure education game with motion sensing technologies”. 13th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies. (pp. 207-209).
Hosseini, S.H.; Nosraty, N. and Tomraee, S. (2025). “Children, healthy lifestyle and media literacy”. Journal of Cyberspace Studies. 9(1): 1-23. https://doi.org/10.22059/jcss.2024.387609.1120.
Kharazmi, Z. & Mohammadi, S. (2020). “Persian-language media overseas as the Western tools of public diplomacy: Framing COVID-19 pandemics in Iran by VOA and BBC”. Journal of World Sociopolitical Studies. 4(1): 1-36. https://doi.org/10.22059/wsps.2020.308749.1171.
Kollmuss, A. & Agyeman, J. (2002). “Mind the gap: Why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behavior?”. Environmental Education Research. 8(3): 239-260. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620220145401.
Marshman, I. (2010). “Holistic education: Definition, benefits & limitations”. Retrieved from Helpful Professor. https://helpfulprofessor.com/holistic-education/website.
Martin, R.A. (2003). “Holistic education: A guide for teachers”. Journal of Curriculum Studies. 35(1): 25-43.
Mohammadi, S. & Kharazmi, Z. (2021). “The remote higher education over COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case study of provisions and priorities of the University of Tehran's Official Website. Journal of World Sociopolitical Studies. 5(2): 255-294. https://doi.org/10.22059/wsps.2022.335432.1253.
Moirano, R.; Sánchez, M.A. & Stepanek, L. (2019). “Creative interdisciplinary collaboration: A systematic literature review”. Thinking Skills and Creativity. 35: Article 100626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2019.100626.
Mousavi, S.Y. & Dariush, B. (2019). “The effect of communication globalization on citizens’ tendencies towards environment protection: Case study of Tehran citizens”. Socio-Spatial Studies. 3(5): 66-77. https://doi.org/10.22034/soc.2019.84454.
NCCA: National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. (2022). “Systematic literature review for wellbeing”. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.
Norouzi, R.A.; Nasr Esfahani, M.R. & Davari Dowlatabadi, F. (2014). “The goals of mystical education from Rumi's perspective with emphasis on anthropology”. Journal of Research on Islamic Education Issues. 22(23).
Nosraty, N.; Sakhaei, S. & Rezaei, R. (2021). “The impact of social media on mental health: A critical examination”. Socio-Spatial Studies. 5(1): 101-11. https://doi.org/10.22034/soc.2021.212042.
Palmer, J.A. (1998). Theory of Environmental Education. Florence, KY: Routledge.
Panahi, M. (2011). “A comparative study of the teaching methods of Attar and Matthew Lipman in thinking”. Thinking and Child Journal. 2(1).
Sabbar, S.; Mohammadi, S. & Ghasemi Tari, Z. (2023). “Beyond territorial colonization: A study of orientalist self-perceptions among Iranians”. Journal of World Sociopolitical Studies. 7(4): 609-644. https://doi.org/10.22059/wsps.2024.371527.1410.
Sakhaei, S.; Soroori Sarabi, A. & Alinouri, S. (2024). “Teaching IT use to elderly: A media literacy solution”. Journal of Cyberspace Studies. 8(2).
Sarfi, M.; Darvishi, M.; Zohouri, M.; Nosrati, S. & Zamani, M. (2021). “Google’s University? An exploration of academic influence on the tech giant's propaganda”. Journal of Cyberspace Studies. 5(2): 181-202. https://doi.org/10.22059/jcss.2021.93901.
Semerjian, L.; El-Fadel, M.; Zurayk, R. & Nuwayhid, I. (2004). “Interdisciplinary approach to environmental education: A case study at the American University of Beirut”. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 130(3): 173-182. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2004)130:3(173).
Smuts, J.C. (1987). Holism and Evolution. New York: Macmillan.
Soroori Sarabi, A.; Zamani, M. & Ranjbar, S. (2023). “Innovation– but with risk: The strategic role of IT in business risk management”. Journal of Cyberspace Studies. 7(2).
St Nicholas School. (n.d.). “Holistic education: What it is and its importance in shaping global citizens”. https://stnicholas.com.br/en/blog/holistic-education/.
Tomraee, S.; Hosseini, S.H. & Toosi, R. (2022). “Doctors for AI? A systematic review”. Socio-Spatial Studies. 6(1). https://doi.org/10.22034/soc.2022.219431.
UNESCO/UNEP. (1975). “International environmental education workshop: The Belgrade charter: A framework for environmental education”. Belgrade: UNESCO/UNEP.
UNIS Hanoi. (n.d.). “Holistic approach to education: Benefits and applications”. https://articles.unishanoi.org/holistic-approach-to-education/.
Velempini, K. (2025). “Assessing the role of environmental education practices towards the attainment of the 2030 sustainable development goals”. Sustainability. 17(5): 2043. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052043.
Wals, A.E.J.; Brody, M.; Dillon, J. & Stevenson, R.B. (2014). “Convergence between science and environmental education”. Science. 344(6184): 583-584. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1250515.
Webster, J. & Sabbar, S. (2023). “Zero-sum game beliefs and patriotism among Iranians”. Journal of Countries Studies. 1(3): 353-380. https://doi.org/10.22059/jcountst.2023.354147.1008. [in Persian]
Werff, E.; Steg, L. & Keizer, K. (2023). “Environmental self-identity: The role of love for nature and environmental consciousness in fostering pro-environmental behavior”. Journal of Environmental Psychology. 84(1): 101918. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101918.
Yousefi, O. (n.d.). “How can project-based learning improve environmental science education?”. https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-can-project-based-learning-improve-environmental-7uijc.
Zamani, M.; Nourbakhsh, Y. & Nayebi, H. (2021). “Presenting a pattern for promoting social health through social networks (Case study: Instagram social network) ”. New Media Studies. 7(28): 42-1. https://doi.org/10.1016/10.22054/nms.2022.63698.1277. [in Persian]
Zarillo, J. (2016). “Integrating environmental education into the curriculum: Strategies for success”. The Journal of Environmental Education. 47(3): 183-195. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2016.1160524.
Volume 9, Issue 2
July 2025
Pages 369-386
  • Receive Date: 19 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 19 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 20 April 2025
  • First Publish Date: 27 April 2025
  • Publish Date: 27 April 2025