Sustainability Through an Ecofeminist Lens

Kioni Lewis

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Business and Public Management

Major: BS.MANAGEMNT-GENBUS

Faculty Research Mentor: Coykendall, Sarah  Winters-Michaud, Catherine

Abstract:

Title: Sustainability Through an Ecofeminist LensAuthor: Kioni Lewis, Department of Management, Kean UniversityAbstract:The 2026 Earth Day theme is Our Power, Our Planet™. It is a call to action for collective power to accelerate climate solutions, promote renewable energy, and protect the environment through grassroots action, voting, and advocacy. Taking this theme and looking at it through an ecofeminist lens allows for sustainability to be framed as care instead of domination, community instead of extraction, and empowerment instead of control. This lesson plan aims to emphasize that healing the planet requires dismantling systems of oppression and uplifting voices historically excluded from environmental decision-making.The lesson is intended for students in grades tenth through twelfth but can be modified or utilized for other grade levels. Learning objectives include explaining the 2026 Earth Day theme, Our Power, Our Planet™, and its emphasis on collective action, defining ecofeminism and identifying its key principles and historical roots, understanding sustainability as not only environmental, but also social, political, and personal, reflecting on personal relationships to care, community, and environmental responsibility, and engaging in grounding and creative practices that promote environmental connection and self-care. By providing a lesson about ecofeminism students examine the symbolic, historical, and experimental links between the domination of nature and women.This lesson centers around collective action, environmental justice, and gender equity, highlighting how sustainability is not just environmental—but social, political, and personal. Student engagement is assessed by participation in discussions and activities, completion of journaling/scrapbooking reflection, and informal feedback or exit questions. Students leave with a clearer understanding of ecofeminism, tools for sustainable living and advocacy, and a sense of empowerment and connection. These tools can be used outside of the classroom to help guide students to live a more sustainable and aware life.Keywords: Ecofeminism, Highschool Students, Sustainability, Empowerment, Self Care