From Guest Blogger Kimberly Grimms: Eco-Education beyond Eco-Awareness

According to an article published on The Telegraph, new survey indicates that most people are aware and concerned about the damages that are constantly being inflicted on the environment. They are also troubled by continuous loss of biodiversity, changes in the countryside, and the deterioration of the earth’s natural resources.

While it is indeed reassuring to know that most people are willing to do something to ensure environmental sustainability, the real game changer is what people actually do to achieve this. This is where environmental education comes in.

Environmental education, or eco education, is a more in-depth and systematic approach to environmentalism. It goes beyond eco awareness by allowing individuals to dig deeper into complex environmental issues so that they may actively engage in solving these problems, and develop skills to make responsible and more eco-friendly decisions.

Ideally, environmental education is taught in traditional classrooms, communities, and nature institutions. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), an organization dedicated to the promotion of eco education, even integrates environmental lessons in subjects including earth science, biology, social studies, math, chemistry, and arts. This is because a deep understanding of the environment can also be achieved by acquiring knowledge and skills from various disciplines.

What Environmental Education Entails

Eco education starts with the promotion of awareness and sensitivity towards relevant environmental challenges. Such foundation is important in shaping the behavior of people towards certain environmental situations, as well as in determining how their daily choices affect the environment.

Knowing that even the smallest things add up to a holistic approach to green living has a profound impact on the day-to-day choices people make. For instance, knowing that approximately 45 million barrels of oil is saved each year by using public transportation will encourage environmentally conscious people to use the subway instead of bringing their own cars to work.

Environmental education further extends to the implications of nature on human health. It explains the importance of clean air and water in the prevention of asthma, certain cancers, and a number of infectious diseases. Access to eco education also significantly improves sustainable farming, which is the most sustainable way of producing healthier food for everyone.

Eco education does not promote a specific viewpoint, nor does it advocate a strict set of rules on how to take care of the environment. Rather, it educates people on how to properly assess various sides of an issue through open-minded thinking. This way, they will be more adept in making sound environmental choices in everyday situations.

The Most Common Practices of Environmentally Literate People

Being environmentally literate is a matter of knowing what to do—individually or as part of a larger group—to achieve environmental sustainability and further promote these practices. Some of the most common practices of environmentally literate people are the following:

Supporting the local market. Buying produce from local farmers is one of the best ways to promote sustainable food production.

1.    Buying “green” products. Choosing products that are made of eco-friendly ingredients or materials not only benefits the environment; it does wonders for your health, too.
2. Incorporating nature in their homes. Gardening, putting indoor plants inside the home, and using natural light and ventilation are some of the simple things people do to lead a greener lifestyle.
3.    Volunteering to help save the environment. Signing up for community projects for the environment means taking a more proactive route in building a sustainable future.
4.    Reducing their waste by recycling and reusing. According to Statista, 84% of a typical household’s waste can be recycled. How much is your family recycling?

Where We Stand On Eco Education Today

Although eco education is a relatively new concept, global response has been very positive in recent years.

In the last decade, environmentalism has been demonstrated in various fields including and especially in biology, agriculture, construction, and transportation. In fact, according to the 2011 Green Brands Survey, consumer interest in green products is even increasing in different categories such as food, personal care, household products, automotive, and technology goods. It’s evident that a lot of people are now stepping up the plate to build a sustainable future. Participation extends to the government, where funded programs are developed to encourage and support citizens in making their homes more energy efficient.

Global initiatives to preserve the environment have indeed soared in recent years, but there is no denying the fact that the world is still so far behind. In fact, experts argue that the amount of environmental degradation is so massive, that current efforts are still not enough to ensure a healthy environment for future generations.

This is not to say that there is no hope. It may take a while for everyone to adopt an ideal sustainable lifestyle—but with a more widespread access to eco education, no environmental obstacle can be too hard to overcome.