Title of paper

3.2 Knowledge-skills-attitude related aspects

To further emphasise on advocacy in the energy sector, the following knowledge-skills-attitude related aspects must be taken into account when relating energy advocacy issues. Four main components in learning must be respected:

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  The environmental literacy component provides participants with the environmental knowledge, vocabulary and skill sets they need to be competitive in the ‘green industry’.
  
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  The academic skills component strengthens vocabulary, reading, writing, math, critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, communication, public speaking, computer and test taking abilities and skills.
  
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  The job readiness/career pathways component provides detailed information about employment and social enterprise opportunities in multiple sectors, increases resume-building, financial literacy as well as entrepreneurial skills, and prepares people for successful job interviews.
  
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  The leadership component prepares and inspires people for civic engagement and advocacy.
  

Each knowledge area is described below:

The fundamentals of environmental literacy (introduction) helps thinking about the interconnectedness between natural systems, biological systems and social systems and the connection between human activity and the environment. The focus is on the economy, natural and built environments, extraction and use of natural resources, global warming, climate change, bioaccumulation, synergistic effects, how decision makers evaluate environmental issues, cost-benefit analysis, how environmental decisions affect communities differently, climate justice, and how people advocate to improve environmental conditions in their community. This should be largely activity based learning that allows analysing environmental issues, problems, and solutions from multi-disciplinary perspectives of environmental science, math, technology, public health, social science, land use planning, policy analysis, environmental justice, and civics.
The water issue offers the introduction to basic concepts and issues relevant to water extraction, management and use, the characteristics of water, how water is used in different settings, the importance of water for humans and other species, the water cycle, water use in agriculture, modern water management approaches, the inequitable distribution of fresh water, ground water extraction, wastewater management, and water contamination. Different approaches to conserve water and reduce contamination need to be understood, including water saving technologies, grey water and rainwater catchment systems, native and edible landscaping, ecological wastewater treatment systems, and programmes and incentives offered by local governments or utilities. Career pathways and entrepreneurial opportunities in the water sector can be assessed.
The issues related to waste introduce a range of matters related to waste management and resource recovery. The knowledge of waste stream and how it has changed over time, bury and burn strategies, problems that stem from the way institutions and individuals dispose of products and materials at the end of their identified lifecycles, alternative waste management approaches, resource recovery, and appropriate technologies can be shared. A job readiness exercise focuses on job searching skills and strategies, including identifying and responding to job listings. In addition, careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in the waste recovery sector need to be scrutinised.

Issues related to transportation help understand land use planning, the development of transportation systems and infrastructure, diverse transportation modes and transit systems. The discussion focuses on renewable and non-renewable resources, the role of fossil fuels in modern transportation systems and vehicles, problems stemming from urban sprawl, greenhouse gas emissions, and air contamination, policies that promote transit orientated development, alternative fuels, and transportation justice. A job readiness exercise focuses on resume writing. In addition, identify careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in the sustainable transportation sector.

The energy issue makes one understand diverse energy sources, the principles of electricity, the role of energy in the world and in our lives, and the economic, political, environmental and social factors that influence energy decisions. Introduced are the characteristics of energy and electricity, basic concepts and issues relevant to energy systems, the role of fossil fuels and nuclear energy in modern electricity systems, greenhouse gases and their impacts, and problems associated with the burning of fossil fuels. The focus must be on approaches and technologies that help people reduce energy use, renewable energy sources and policies that promote clean energy and climate justice. The job readiness exercise helps writing a cover letter to an employer. In addition, careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in the clean energy sector are discussed.
The building issue introduces basic land use planning, building, and green building concepts. The focus is on built environments, building design and construction, building materials, building systems, embodied energy, indoor air quality, energy and water consumption in buildings, environmental and public health impacts of conventional building practices, green building principles and practices, improving building efficiency, and resource conservation in the construction, operation, and deconstruction of buildings. The job readiness focuses on preparing for a job interview and mock interviews. In addition, careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in the building sector are supported.
The health, food and agriculture issue focuses on human health, food systems, and agricultural production. It is also about health, nutrition, local and global food systems, agricultural practices, industrial agriculture, global food systems, factory farming, GMO (genetically modified organism) crops, processed and fast food, food deserts, how to increase health and food justice, local food systems, urban agriculture, backyard and community gardening, and health education.
The community organisation and leadership issue emphasis on civic engagement, emotional intelligence, advocacy, community organising, and leadership approaches and strategies. The roles and responsibilities of an effective advocate and organiser need to be appreciated. Rooting causes of problems, building a community based organisation, crafting a mission statement, identifying organisational goals and values, strategising campaigns, and simulating door-to-door campaigns are at the entre of good leadership.
The financial literacy and social entrepreneurship issue focuses on personal financial literacy and on basic business practices, skills sets and green business principles. How can problems be addressed through entrepreneurial initiatives? How can problems be addressed to related personal finances, creating a budget, setting financial goals, dealing with debt and predatory cash loan sharks, establish savings, and effectively manage finances? You can also develop green business ideas and business plans, and focus on how to operate a small green business, effective communication skills, and business models as well as target markets.