Dataset Information

Neuroscience and Sustainability: An Online Module on "Environmental Neuroscience".

ABSTRACT: Neuroscience has extensive and vital applications to environmental sustainability that have yet to be fully integrated into undergraduate education: The neurotoxicity of common chemicals and the health dangers of anthropogenic sensory noise are well known. Research on the neural bases for value-based decision making has implications for pro-environmental efforts. Neural and sensory responses to nature exposure show health benefits of such 'green' experiences. Despite these implications, the term "environmental neuroscience", in sharp contrast to "environmental psychology", is virtually unheard of in undergraduate education. Here we present a model for explicitly integrating environmentally-relevant neuroscience content into an undergraduate class without sacrificing its standard range of materials. Students completed a stand-alone online "Environmental Neuroscience Module" by reading and reflectively writing about popular science articles on environmentally-applied neuroscience issues. Results show that students saw the module as enhancing their understanding of class material and their application of neuroscience to sustainability and their lives. Students showed better performance on a knowledge test of environmental neuroscience relative to a control group. They also showed higher self-ratings of connectedness to nature, a robust predictor of eco-friendly behaviors. The module might thus serve as an efficient model for enriching neuroscience education through environmental applications while also fostering its contribution to sustainability efforts. Our approach might also point to novel ways of integrating neuroscience with disciplines like environmental studies and of reaching a diverse student body by teaching neuroscience in the context of important societal issues.

SUBMITTER: Wolfe U

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6312142 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Neuroscience and Sustainability: An Online Module on "Environmental Neuroscience".

Wolfe Uta U Lindeborg Hannah H

Journal of undergraduate neuroscience education : JUNE : a publication of FUN, Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience 20181215 1

Neuroscience has extensive and vital applications to environmental sustainability that have yet to be fully integrated into undergraduate education: The neurotoxicity of common chemicals and the health dangers of anthropogenic sensory noise are well known. Research on the neural bases for value-based decision making has implications for pro-environmental efforts. Neural and sensory responses to nature exposure show health benefits of such 'green' experiences. Despite these implications, the term ...[more]

PMID: 30618495

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Project description:Global food demand is increasing due to population growth and dietary transitions, resulting from rising incomes, are associated with increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Improving the sustainability of the food sector is also critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This study assesses for the first time the greenhouse gases emissions (Carbon Footprint - CF), the water footprint (WF) and the cost of three omnivorous diets recommended in Spain due to their health benefits: the Mediterranean diet (MD), the Southern European Atlantic diet (SEAD) and the Spanish dietary guidelines (NAOS). Analysis was conducted using standard Life Cycle Assessment and WF methods together with current Spanish food price data. The dietary energy recommendation of the SEAD is greater than that of MD and NAOS (11 and 15% respectively), and SEAD also has greater animal source food content than the other two diets. SEAD has a concomitantly higher CF, WF and cost scores in comparison with MD (+30%, +23% and +21% respectively) and NAOS (+15%, +9% and +21% respectively). Adjusting recommendations to meet the suggested Spanish adult dietary energy of 2228 kcal.capita-1.day-1 changed the environmental profiles of the diets and the NAOS has the highest environmental impact. However, the isocaloric diets had approximately the same cost. Analysis of the WF of the diets identified the major contribution of precipitation (the green WF) to the overall WF (88% of the total) and the significant contribution of animal-source foods to dietary WF. Regardless of the dietary scenario, better scores were identified for the Spanish recommendations analysed than those reported for other healthy diets identified in Europe. Differences in the recommended intake levels of certain food groups, cooking techniques and the origin of food products are behind these results. Environmental indicators should be considered alongside nutrition and health metrics when defining national dietary guidelines. Supporting citizens to follow healthy and environmentally-friendly dietary recommendations through, among other things, information campaigns and nutritional education programmes is essential. It is recommended the incorporation not only of health, but also of environmental indicators of these dietary options in the national dietary guidelines, as well as implementation of information campaigns and nutritional education programs among citizens to promote their adhesion since balanced dietary habits rich on plant-based products and low on animal-based ones involve multiple health and environmental benefits.

Dataset Information

Neuroscience and Sustainability: An Online Module on "Environmental Neuroscience".

Publications

Neuroscience and Sustainability: An Online Module on "Environmental Neuroscience".

Similar Datasets

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