In view of the environmental crisis that plagues the world today, resulting from the dissociation of man and environment and the low effectiveness of educational policies, especially regarding Environmental Education, the need for a paradigm shift is evident, transforming the way of teaching and thinking about Environmental Education. In that respect, it is believed that the concepts advocated by Earth System Science, applied to Permaculture, can contribute to the development of a more humanistic and respectful culture, besides providing man with a new outlook on the environment. Thus, the present work exposes the foundations of these two theoretical references (Earth System Science and Permaculture), aiming to contribute to the reform in thought, and allowing the teaching and learning process in Environmental Education to be more effective and consistent. While Earth System Science allow the systemic under-standing of the planet as well as the complex relationships between its various constituents, Permaculture seeks a harmonious coexistence of man and the environment. They value, in an analogous way, the interrelations between the constituents of the system, revealing alternatives that enable changes in the way the natural environment is occupied, making it more sustainable and raising consciousness.
