ABSTRACT
There exists a variety of ways of teaching about sustainability issues which can be viewed as different ‘selective traditions’ that represent different answers as to what constitutes good teaching in this subject. Based on a large-scale empirical analysis in schools, three selective traditions within environmental and sustainability education have been identified: a fact-based tradition, a normative tradition and a pluralistic tradition. This chapter describes the differences between the three traditions when it comes to their sustainability approach, didactic approach, approach to facts and values and approach to democracy and education. The purpose of clarifying these traditions here is to establish a reference point that can be applied when discussing teaching involving issues related to the environment and sustainable development. They can be seen as alternatives to reflect on, oppose or support when planning lessons or formulating ideas. The strengths and shortcomings of the traditions are discussed in relation to two interconnected premises: that environmental and sustainability issues are value issues and that they should be dealt with democratically.
