Writing Is Coding for Sustainable Futures: Reimagining Poetic Expression Through Human–AI Dialogues in Environmental Storytelling and Digital Cultural Heritage

Hao-Chiang Koong Lin, Ruei-Shan Lu () and Tao-Hua Wang
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Hao-Chiang Koong Lin: Department of Information and Learning Technology, National University of Tainan, Tainan City 700, Taiwan
Ruei-Shan Lu: Department of Management Information System, Takming University of Science and Technology, Taipei City 11451, Taiwan
Tao-Hua Wang: Science Education Department, National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung City 404, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-26

Abstract: In the era of generative artificial intelligence, writing has evolved into a programmable practice capable of generating sustainable narratives and preserving cultural heritage through poetic prompts. This study proposes “Writing Is Coding ” as a paradigm for sustainability education, exploring how students engage with AI-mediated multimodal creation to address environmental challenges. Using grounded theory methodology with 57 twelfth-grade students from technology-integrated high schools, we analyzed their experiences creating environmental stories and digital cultural artifacts using MidJourney, Kling, and Sora. Data collection involved classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and reflective journals, analyzed through systematic coding procedures (κ = 0.82). Five central themes emerged: writing as algorithmic design for sustainability (89.5%), emotional scaffolding for environmental awareness (78.9%), aesthetics of imperfection in cultural preservation (71.9%), collaborative dynamics in sustainable creativity (84.2%), and pedagogical value of prompt literacy (91.2%). Findings indicate that AI deepens environmental consciousness and reframes writing as a computational process for addressing global issues. This research contributes a theoretical framework integrating expressive writing with algorithmic thinking in AI-assisted sustainability education, aligned with SDGs 4, 11, and 13.

Keywords: writing is coding; sustainable education; prompt literacy; environmental storytelling; digital cultural heritage; multimodal composition; algorithmic design; human–AI co-creation; SDGs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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