What is Environmental Education ?

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.
 

The components of environmental education are: 

• 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. 
• Skills to identify and help resolve environmental challenges. 
• Participation in activities that lead to the resolution of environmental challenges.

Environmental education does not advocate a particular viewpoint or course of action. Rather, environmental education teaches individuals how to weigh various sides of an issue through critical thinking and it enhances their own problem-solving and decision-making skills.




 

Environmental Education is More than Information about the Environment,the difference between environment education and environment information are as follows.

 

Environmental Education	Environmental Information
Increases public awareness and knowledge of environmental issues	Provides facts or opinions about environmental issues
Does teach individuals critical-thinking	Does not necessarily teach individuals critical-thinking
Does enhance individuals' problem-solving and decision-making skills	Does not necessarily enhance individuals' problem-solving and decision-making skills
Does not advocate a particular viewpoint	May advocate a particular viewpoint

Why is Environmental Education important ?

 

 

Environmental education programs provide many benefits to students.

 

Outdoor Education Leads to Improved Academic Success.

 

Research shows that outdoor education enriches children’s lives in fundamental ways. Children who learn and play outdoors have:

• Longer attention spans.
• More creativity.
• Higher levels of self-confidence.
• Higher standardized test scores.
• Greater academic success.
• Significant improvements in cognitive development, self-discipline, imaginative and creative expression, language skills, and social interactions.

 

Environmental Education Teaches Children To Care For The Environment.

 

 

 

We need to raise good stewards of the environment to care for issues like resource depletion, environmental pollution, land degradation, and accelerating species extinctions. Conservation efforts will benefit when we can better educate children on their connection to and dependency upon nature.

Environmental Education Programs Encourage a Spiritual Connection to the Earth. 

 

 

 The spiritual connection to the Earth teaches children that they are a part of nature and must take care of both their surroundings and other people.