Teachers’ views on ‘food’ animals for sustainability education: an exploratory study

Abstract

Sustainability education is crucial in helping students deal with current health and environmental challenges through dietary choices. This study aims to provide an understanding of how the teachers surveyed (n = 416, 85% women; 58% teaching natural sciences) view the importance of the following interrelated issues for sustainability: (1) the viability of diets for tackling environmental challenges and natural resource management; (2) the health benefits of traditional versus plant-based diets; and (3) the impacts of factory farming on animals and animal sentience. Most participants recognised the importance of a sustainable education model that encourages reducing meat consumption while adopting healthy plant-based diets. Furthermore, the majority recognise animal sentience and agree that schools should address the negative impacts of factory farming on animals and the environment. The results are striking, as they indicate that most teachers’ views contrast with the traditionalist and instrumental portrayal of animals in national core curricula.

Keywords:

• Teachers
• views
• diets
• sustainable education
• animals

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to all teachers who participated in this study. We are also thankful to both reviewers, whose important feedback greatly improved this article.

Informed consent statement

All participants were informed of the objectives of the project, and their participation was voluntary.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), RD Unit UIDB/03126/2020.