Education for Sustainable Development and the Question of Balance: Lessons from the Pacific

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the challenges for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) with respect to achieving an appropriate balance between the three pillars of sustainable development--economy, society and the environment. In order to do this, we focus on specific concerns confronting a number of developing countries in the Pacific where unsustainable activities provide lessons for the implementation of ESD. ESD requires commitment from governments, commercial operators including transnational corporations, and local communities to facilitate positive changes through development of sustainable practices. In addition, we examine links between ESD and Environmental Education (EE) and advocate that they have the potential to work together to bring about the desired changes necessary to create a sustainable future.