Building the case for Planet-Centric Health and Physical Education for Society 6.0

Abstract

We believe that a ‘new’ Health and Physical Education (H/PE) could offer hope and agency to children and young people in counteracting feelings of hopelessness related to eco-anxiety, otherwise called solastalgia (Brophy et al., 2022). Using the concept of Society 6.0 (Chambers, 2023) as a lens, we present future focused praxis for H/PE for the Anthropocene – planet-centric H/PE. Planet-centric H/PE employs a radical pedagogical model called planet-centric innovation. In this model, digital technology (through data and digital fluency) is a powerful force to catalyse the move from ego-centric to eco-centric, educating children and young people how to live in harmony with nature, and to be empowered to both cherish and activate planetary health, respecting the equal rights of nature, children and humans.