We are a "mediated" culture.

That is to say we are bombarded with media images everywhere we go. Have you ever seen the ads on the back of bathroom stalls?! These images seek to influence what we buy, who we vote for and ultimately how we live our lives and view the world. Now you can see the importance of the field of media literacy.

Media literacy seeks to help us navigate our way through a world that has become increasingly interconnected and media-ted in part due to globalization. Media literacy educates us through four steps:
1) inquiry
2) awareness/analysis
3) reflection and
4) action.
Please see http://www.medialit.org/about_cml.html#education for more information.

In our world today it is increasingly important that we are able to sharpen our critical thinking skills so that we may live as active, informed and aware global and local citizens capable of seeing through propaganda and examining an issue from all sides.This is especially true for environmental issues. There are many parties seeking to sway our opinions and hearts on issues such as endangered species, logging, etc. As ecological citizens, we have a responsibility to inform and educate ourselves and our children through such means as media literacy in order to make wise choices in our lives and for the future generations to come.

Other good related environmental/media literacy resources:

• Tidepool: www.tidepool.org
• Media Education Foundation: http://www.mediaed.org/videos/index_html
• Ode magazine: www.odemagazine.com
• World Watch magazine: www.worldwatch.com
• Adbusters: http://www.adbusters.org/home/
• Yes! Journal: http://www.yesmagazine.org/
• Just Think: http://www.justthink.org/programs/medialit.html

~Enjoy broadening your horizons!~ from Zeratha and Everyone at The Dirt!