Environmental Issues in Education

 

 Introduction

Our Environment constitutes the sum total of all living or non-living existence that we have on our earth. Over the years mankind has been in the midst of and even engaged in complete devastation of environment around us. Thus, this is where environmental education comes into play. The least we could do is to conserve and preserve our environment. Environmental education is the process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment.

Importance of environmental education

“Environmental education provides important opportunities for students to become engaged in real world issues that transcend classroom walls. They can see the relevance of their classroom studies to the complex environmental issues confronting our planet and they can acquire the skills they’ll need to be creative problem solvers and powerful advocates.”

Environmental education is aimed at producing a citizenry that is knowledgeable concerning the biophysical environment and its associated problems, aware of how to help solve these problems, and motivated to work toward their solution. It helps to aid citizens in becoming environmentally knowledgeable and, above all, skilled and dedicated citizens who are willing to work, individually and collectively, toward achieving and/or maintaining a dynamic equilibrium between quality of life and quality of the environment.

Objectives

• Create public awareness on environmental issues

• Explore possible solutions

• Lay foundations for a fully informed and active participation of individuals in the protection of environment

• Awareness and sensitivity to the environment and environmental challenges

• Knowledge and understanding of the environment and environmental challenges

• Attitudes of concern for the environment and motivation to improve or maintain environmental quality

• To develop skills to identify and help resolve environmental challenges

• To ensure participation in activities that lead to the resolution of environmental challenges

• To enhance critical and creative thinking skills

Issues

• Pollution

• Global warming

• Ozone layer depletion

• Over population

• Loss of biodiversity

• Poor ventilation

• Shortage of drinking water

• Location of school close to main roads

• Announcements

Scope

• Improving academic achievement

• Breaking the indoor habits

• Improving student health

• Cultivate leadership qualities

• Meeting 21st century needs

• Improve focus and cognition

• Creating enthusiastic students

• Posting innovative teacher leaders

• Addressing academic standards

• Fostering healthier schools

• Contributing to sustainability

• Supporting sound decision making

• Conserving our natural resources

Role of teacher

Environmental education enables one to maintain his life. A teacher therefore plays an important role in providing environmental awareness and developing a positive attitude towards environment among students by shaping cognitive, affective and psychomotor or the cognitive domains simultaneously.

Conclusion

Environmental education is a dynamic process. The priority of such education is to develop people who are more alert and cautious about their total surroundings. Its main task is to impart proper knowledge and training to solve various problems of our environment. It is the responsibility of everyone to protect our environment and strive harder to reach sustainable development. Let us fulfil our responsibilities in environmental protection, creating a quality ecological environment and sharing wonderful green living together.