Discovering authentic hope: Helping students reflect on learning and living with purpose

Abstract

Learning about environmental and sustainability issues such as climate change, forest dieback, food and water shortages, the extinction crisis, and ocean pollution can become a source of acute and chronic stress and create feelings of disempowerment. Environmental and sustainability educators can play a powerful role in facilitating affective learning experiences that foster students’ sense of hope and purpose. Educators are called on to incorporate teaching strategies that nurture a psychology of authentic hope. For young people, the process of discovering and defining their purpose can foster greater hope, well-being, and life satisfaction. The activity in this chapter provides a reflective learning process to help students discover authentic hope in their lives. After completing the activity, students should be able to (1) reflect on and explain their personal values and talents; (2) write a vision statement of themselves living in a flourishing sustainable society; (3) synthesize their values, talents, and vision in a personal purpose statement; and (4) recognize how a sense of purpose can lead to more hope and well-being in one’s life.