Methodology for Environmental Learning Based on Material Flow Diagram of Green Multidimensional Bookkeeping System

The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology for environmental learning that enables qualitative understanding of environmental burdens. The tool in the methodology used the Material Flow Diagram of the Green Multidimensional Bookkeeping System (Green MDBS). Green MDBS is an environmental information system that enables bottom-up aggregation of environmental burden data in an individual process. In Green MDBS, all materials are regarded as “potential environmental burdens,” meaning that input or output of any material can potentially affect the environment. To accurately reduce environmental burdens, it is important that the types of materials and services are understood prior to quantitative measurements and calculations. Thus, the first step of the Green MDBS is to identify all types of materials and services, related to a relevant process. It is suggested that this step could be used as a simulation tool for environmental learning when applied to previous studies. In this paper, methodology for environmental learning using the Material Flow Diagram is presented, and some results of implementing this methodology in university classrooms are presented. Challenges faced in the application of the methodology to active learning, concerning environmental burdens in daily and economic activities, are further discussed.