Everybody's Into Environmental Ed, Right? A Foucauldian Perspective

Résumé

Michel Foucault's concept of power/knowledge is applied to an exploration of how managerial discourse affects the practice of public environmental education at a publicly owned electric utility. Emerging from interviews with people at SaskPower is a managerial discourse with a particularly instrumental approach to environmental education. The aim of those at the Corporation entrusted with the task of educating people about the environment and the energy industry is directed toward achieving what is described as an "educated" perspective—that is, a consensus among people on several questions about energy options for the future. Through Foucault's essay, "What is Enlightenment?", an alternative perspective on public environmental education is considered that is more collaborative, inclusive, and critically reflective.