The Importance of Environmental Education
A photo depicting the far-reaching impact of environmental education. (Quora, 2017).
By Tori Metzger, Intern
Education is one of the most powerful tools an individual can have and use to change the world. Our actions determine the quality of the environment we live in. Becoming educated on the issues that our environment is facing, including climate change, global warming, water and air pollution to name a few, is the key to fixing the world around us and ensuring the existence of the environment for future generations.
“Environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions.” (Quote From: “What Is Environmental Education?”) The goal of environmental education is to raise awareness to all people across the globe on the issues that threaten the well-being of the planet and to start conversations that can lead to the improvement of these issues.
Environmental education is not only important, but it also provides many benefits for those involved! One benefit is gaining skills that can be used in many different scenarios in one’s future. Environmental education promotes problem-solving techniques that can be used when approaching seemingly unrelated real-world situations - a person can learn how to work with others and be a team player, and also bring out their leadership skills by showing people their voice matters! There are also health benefits that come from environmental education. By wanting to learn about the environment, the drive to see and explore nature and all it has to offer is sparked in a person while also maintaining their own health by participating in physical movement! Furthermore, environmental education can show people just how easy and important it can be to take care of the environment around us while also connecting with it!
Shutterstock, 2018.
Building a relationship with nature is especially important for children because the younger generation is the future of our planet. Nowadays, many children would rather stay inside and play with their devices than go outside and build a relationship with nature. This disconnect has even led to the development of “nature deficit disorder”. This is the idea that humans spending less time outdoors causes a wide range of behavioral problems, including attention difficulties, obesity, and higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses. This disorder can also be linked to people’s denial and ignorance to many environmental issues. With this tendency of more people choosing to stay indoors than outdoors, it is essential that environmental education be incorporated into not only classroom education but also into other platforms to encourage people to connect with nature.
Recognizing the importance of the goals that environmental education emphasizes is a necessary step that needs to be taken to stabilize the environment we wish to save. Instilling this in the younger generation who have the opportunity to take action and fix the issues is key to success. They could learn the importance of keeping the environment healthy and what will happen if they do not. Teaching people the correct information on the Earth’s situation and the importance of making the right decisions to ensure that the generations to come will in fact have an environment to live in is the pure essence of what environmental education is.
Environmental education is the very resource that connects us to nature itself and reminds us that there is only one Earth. To better understand, we need to work hard and learn what we can to do our part in securing its future, and education is the key to doing just that.
Sources:
Richard, Louv. “What is Nature Deficit Disorder?” -Richard Louv. Richard Louv Blog Full Posts Atom 10, Richard Louv, richardlouv.com/blog/what-is-nature-deficit-disorder/.
“The Manifold Importance of Environmental Education.” Follow Green Living, 4 May 2014, followgreenliving.com/manifold-importance-environmental-education/.
“What Is Environmental Education?” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 5 Nov. 2018, www.epa.gov/education/what-environmental-education.