Shifting Values and Future Directions for Ecological Justice Education Research: A Systematic Review

The concept of “ecological justice,” which addresses the relationship between humans and nature, is increasingly recognized as a fundamental response to the ecological crisis within the context of economic globalization. This chapter traces the evolution of ecological justice and the shifting values of ecological justice education from a historical perspective, while also projecting its future direction. Ecological justice education has undergone four key stages: the anthropocentric environmental justice stage, the non-anthropocentric ecological justice stage, the constructive environmental synergy stage, and the relationship-based common worlds stage. Looking ahead, ecological justice education is marked by the following trends: it is becoming a global consensus, its value orientation is diversifying, relational thinking is gaining prominence, and the ongoing tension between ideals and realities persists. These developments highlight the need for a developmental approach to ecological justice education, encouraging dialogue between varying perspectives on ecological justice and education, and fostering a pluralistic and integrated understanding of ecological justice.