Planet under strain: when balance breaks down

Abstract

Planet Under Strain: When Balance Breaks guides students on an interdisciplinary journey to understand the impact of pollution and the fragility of marine ecosystems, using Sunakay by Martí Meritxell as its structural axis—a novel that transports readers to a future of waste through the lives of two sisters who survive on a plastic island. Inspired by a story of survival and regeneration, this teaching material combines reading, debate, and hands-on activities to analyze marine and environmental pollution derived from our current consumption models.

Through individual and collaborative tasks, students reflect on the health, social, environmental, and economic impacts of fast fashion, both on ecosystems and on human communities, and propose actions and solutions for more responsible consumption. The approach fosters critical thinking, social awareness, and the development of communicative competencies in different languages.

This manual, which includes three units and is designed according to the PROMISED model, provides teachers with a flexible, ready-to-use framework that connects literature, STEAM education, and global citizenship. The material adapts to different teaching contexts, making it a versatile resource that promotes innovation in bilingual and multilingual classrooms. It includes hands-on activities, digital resources, and assessment tools, all aligned with the challenges of global sustainability and marine conservation.

About the project:

PROMISED is an Erasmus+ project led by the University of Burgos in collaboration with Howest University, Matej Bel University, the University of Granada, the CFIE of Burgos, and Kveloce. Its goal is to design and implement an innovative didactic model that integrates STEAM education, bilingual learning (CLIL), sustainability, and digital skills in secondary schools, promoting both the green and digital transitions in education across Europe, in order to address the needs of 21st-century learners and support schools in facing today’s educational challenges.