by Antonio López, John Cabot University, Italy.
For more than 20 years I have been a dedicated advocate for media literacy and environmental justice. Through developing ecomedia literacy, I’ve worked to bridge the gap between digital media education and sustainability education. In this article, I’ll introduce the core ideas behind ecomedia literacy, explain my approach, and share some of the tools and educational materials I’ve created to support educators and learners worldwide.
Why Ecomedia Literacy?
We live in an age where media and technology are inseparable from daily life – yet most of us remain unaware of the environmental costs embedded in our digital habits. Ecomedia literacy is a response to this challenge. It investigates the complex relationship between media, information and communication technologies (ICT), and environmental sustainability. At its heart, ecomedia literacy asks us to consider not just the messages that media convey, but also the very real environmental impacts of producing, using, and disposing of media technologies – from the energy and water consumed by data centers to the mining of conflict minerals and the growing mountain of e-waste.
For students, the climate crisis is no longer an abstract concept. It’s a tangible reality that shapes their mental health, future prospects, and values. By integrating ecomedia literacy across curricula, students are empowered to become informed, engaged, and proactive climate citizens – ready to tackle the challenges of our changing world.
Systems Thinking and Interdisciplinary Learning
The approach is interdisciplinary by design. Ecomedia literacy is rooted in systems thinking, encouraging students and educators to see the interconnectedness of media, culture, society, and the environment. In science classes, ecomedia literacy helps students evaluate research findings and communicate them effectively. In the humanities and social sciences, it supports the analysis of how environmental narratives are constructed in literature, film, and other media forms. Across all disciplines, it cultivates critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and global awareness – key skills for addressing the urgent environmental challenges we face.
Educational Materials and Tools
To support educators, I’ve developed a range of materials. These resources are designed to be practical, adaptable, and accessible for a variety of educational settings.
- Ecomedia Literacy SDGs: A Handbook for Higher Ed
This comprehensive guide offers strategies for integrating ecomedia literacy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into university curricula. It includes learning objectives, case studies, and a toolkit for curriculum designers and planners. The handbook is available under an open license, making it easy for educators to share and adapt. - Ecomedia Literacy Quickstart Guide
For those new to the field, our quickstart guide provides a concise introduction to key concepts, analytical tools, and sample learning activities. It’s ideal for teachers looking to bring ecomedia literacy into their classrooms quickly and effectively. - Ecomedialiteracy.org
The ecomedialiteracy.org website provides a curated collection of educational resources that feature learning activities (single-class lessons) and workshops (multi-session projects), each with a summary, downloadable lesson plans, slides, and handouts—some activities also list learning outcomes, Common Core Standards, and relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals. Topics include visualising the climate crisis, deciphering climate disinformation, decoding attention-getting hooks in ecomedia, identifying greenwashing, and increasing ecosystem awareness through local media. Additionally, the site offers links to a selection of audiovisual materials such as animations and videos that illustrate the environmental impacts of technology, various environmental discourses, and the ecological footprint of digital media, catering to students at basic, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Outputs and Impact
One of our most exciting outputs is the “Exploring the SDGs through Ecomedia Literacy” workshop. In this workshop, students analyze media content, research the science behind environmental issues, and create their own infographics, videos, or campaigns to communicate sustainability messages. The workshop not only builds media literacy and scientific understanding but also empowers students to become advocates for change.
In one case study, a project at Lebanese American University, students examined the ecological footprint and mindprint of media in their local context. Through pre- and post-surveys, it was found that the curriculum enhanced students’ ecomedia literacy skills and inspired tangible actions, such as promoting electronic recycling and advocating for sustainable practices on campus.
Target Audience and Call to Action
Ecomedia literacy is for all educators interested in the intersection of media and the environment. Resources are adaptable for higher education, secondary schools, and professional development. Whether you’re an educator looking for new ways to engage students with sustainability, a researcher exploring the environmental impacts of media, or simply someone who cares about the future of our planet, there’s a place for you in the ecomedia literacy community. Let’s work together to build a more sustainable, just, and ecomedia literate world.
Author
Dr. Antonio López is Professor of Communication and Media Studies at John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. He is a leading scholar in ecojustice and media literacy, author of Ecomedia Literacy: Integrating Ecology into Media Education (Routledge, 2021), and co-editor of The Routledge Handbook of Ecomedia Studies (Routledge, 2024). For more information, visit ecomedialiteracy.org or contact alopez@johncabot.edu.
