12.2.3 The framework
Cultural ecology is a system of knowledge about environmental management. It has been created from the inputs of teachers and students at all levels of education. The aim is to stimulate discussion of ideas and projects about how to bring people and nature into equilibrium. The approach is through planning for sustainability based on good science and robust economics in which well being of planet and personal beliefs are interdependent.  The latest version of the framework may be accessed at www.culturalecology.info
The following definitions are provided to guide its use and development.
Cultural ecology provides windows from many subjects into issues of environmental management.
Cultural ecology is about human communities as makers. In making things, humans are now the main functional components influencing planet Earth's biological cycles of materials and energy flows.
Cultural ecology is an educational experience that demonstrates the importance of crossing boundaries of traditional subjects in order to understand and solve environmental problems.
Cultural ecology is a practical activity. It shows how individuals, families, and organisations can create action plans to set limits on the environmental impact of their day to day uses of materials and energy that flow through home, neighbourhood, workplace and leisure environment.
Cultural ecology is a set of notions about nature illustrating how everyone interprets the world from within a particular multi factorial framework of perception and thought, which often gives rise to difficulties and dangers in using ones own perspective to judge the values and behaviour of others towards environmental issues.
Cultural ecology is a gathering of local information about the good and bad aspects of neighbourhood. It provides a knowledge base, through environmental appraisal, which is necessary for citizens to participate constructively in local government plans for sustainable development- the Local Agenda 21- particularly in the context of community regeneration.