Environmental Education and Sustainability Actions in the University Context in South America: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This systematic revision focused on bringing together environmental education and sustainability actions and interventions linked to university contexts across South America. The search was carried out in the electronic databases Web of Science, Scopus, BVS, Scielo, Pubmed and ERIC. Articles from the countries of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru and Chile were identified, whose actions were divided by the following characteristics: actions with partnerships and collaboration networks, sustainability practices on campus, courses/training, events/campaigns and extension activities. Each one with its own highlight, also outlined as being an individual, collective or institutional initiative, in addition to being able to be punctual or permanent, with respective mentions of the results. The analysis of the identified articles shows a diversity of actions, although most of them focus on more conventional strategies used in the university context (such as classes, lectures and courses), but applying differentiated resources such as the use of films and games. The need to expand the actions to the community outside the campus is highlighted, as well as action articulateds in a cooperation network for more comprehensive and complete actions, as well as the importance of the participation of indigenous populations in these actions. As a conclusion, environmental education and sustainability must continue holding hands, taking the context as a basis and also exploring transdisciplinary aspects, involvement from different sectors and reflectives and, as far as possible, critical dialogues. The varied experiences can be a driver for more institutional, articulated and effective actions, strengthening the social role of the university.