Under ongoing climate change, environmental conditions in complex global arid and semi-arid ecosystems are rapidly deteriorating. According to NASA observations, the average annual air temperature in the northeastern regions of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Uzbekistan has increased by +1.03°C over the past 40 years (1984–2024). Forecasts derived from a linear regression model indicate that if the current warming trend continues, by 2070 the average annual temperature is expected to rise by an additional +1.47°C, reaching approximately 7.00°C. This projected warming suggests further intensification of environmental challenges in arid regions, including groundwater depletion, soil salinization (degradation), and heightened risks to food security. Consequently, equipping younger generations with high-quality knowledge based on clear analytical algorithms, and integrating complex ecological issues with modern educational technologies, requires innovative and effective methodological approaches. This study responds to this need by introducing the Eco-Decision Spiral Model (EDSM). Empirical findings show that students’ acquisition and practical application of relevant knowledge through the EDSM reached an average of 87.04%, while the comparative WSWNW model demonstrated a more limited effectiveness of 75.48%. The model’s integration with Benjamin Bloom’s classic cognitive taxonomy, STEM and inquiry-based learning principles, Herbert Simon’s bounded rationality and Scientific Decomposition approach, Howard T. Odum’s systems ecology concept, and several other foundational educational frameworks plays a significant role in strengthening learners’ ability to understand, critically analyze, and independently make decisions regarding complex ecological systems. Moreover, the model is highly aligned with international standards such as UNESCO ESD, OECD Education 2030/2040, and the NGSS. This compatibility not only supports the applicability of EDSM in global environmental education and scientific research, but also demonstrates its methodological value in advancing the goals defined within these international initiatives.