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CC BY 4.0 · Sustainability & Circularity NOW 2025; 02: a27274918
DOI: 10.1055/a-2727-4918
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Focusing on Water-Related Ecosystem Services in a Glocalization Perspective: A Potential Pathway to Promoting Chemistry Education, Water Literacy, and Sustainability

Authors

  • Muhamad Imaduddin 

    1   Department of Biology and Chemistry, Institute for Science Education (IDN), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
    2   Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kudus, Conge Ngembalrejo St., Kudus, Central Java, Indonesia

  • Ingo Eilks

    1   Department of Biology and Chemistry, Institute for Science Education (IDN), University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
    3   Faculty of Mathematics and Science, Universitas Negeri Malang, Malang, East Java, Indonesia

Funding Information The authors would like to express their gratitude for the financial support received from Beasiswa Indonesia Bangkit (BIB). This support was provided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) and the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP) under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, following Decree Number 70 of 2023 issued by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
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Graphical Abstract

Abstract

Despite growing attention to sustainability in science education, the integration of ecosystem services into chemistry teaching and the use of glocalization as a pedagogical lens remain underexplored. This paper proposes connecting chemical concepts with the ecological and social importance of water-related ecosystem services (WESs) through a glocalization perspective. WESs serve as a foundation for exploring various chemistry-related driving questions. These questions include providing clean water for domestic use and irrigation, flood control via wetlands, climate regulation by aquatic systems, nutrient cycling, habitats for aquatic life, and cultural benefits. With a glocalization perspective, chemistry learning possibly facilitates various activities that emphasize the principles of “Think Globally, Act Locally” or “Think Locally, Act Globally.” The paper proposes a place- and community-based teaching model, illustrated by Lake Rawa Pening in Indonesia, where local practices and ecosystem challenges offer a concrete context. This model is not intended as a fixed pedagogy but as a framework for fostering both disciplinary understanding and participatory water literacy. By combining a conceptual approach with an illustrative case study, the paper highlights how WESs and a glocal perspective can support chemistry education in addressing complex socio-ecological realities while promoting sustainable action.

Keywords

Chemistry education - Education for sustainable development - Ecosystem services - Water literacy - Glocalization


Publication History

Received: 18 August 2025

Accepted after revision: 16 October 2025

Article published online:
13 November 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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Bibliographical Record
Muhamad Imaduddin, Ingo Eilks. Focusing on Water-Related Ecosystem Services in a Glocalization Perspective: A Potential Pathway to Promoting Chemistry Education, Water Literacy, and Sustainability. Sustainability & Circularity NOW 2025; 02: a27274918.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2727-4918
 

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