Does environmental education truly promote social change or does it only defend ecological principles?

 

In 1971, various countries and international organizations held a summit in Paris. Their aim was to develop a strategy that would spread knowledge of the Natural and Social Sciences needed to conserve and protect the Biosphere.  In addition, they were seeking to come up with ways to enhance the relationship between mankind and Mother Nature.

 

Four years later, there was a clear breakthrough towards a more sustainable Biosphere with UNESCO’S creation of the International Program for the Development of Education (IPDE). Nowadays, in countries like Venezuela, there have been revolutionary advances towards better environmental education with the inception of the Ministry of Environmental Issues and with better educational programs in the public education system. However, there is much debate as to how to approach Environmental Education. One school of thought advocates conceptual changes to the way we tackle climate change. The other one promotes a change to society’s morals.

 

In the late 1950’s and early 60’s, as the world saw exponential increases in economical and industrial success, people failed to acknowledge the environmental implications of this period of rapid growth.  The reflection will need to be based in finding a direction to gear environmental education. It’s interesting to ask if environmental education, once implemented, will truly change students’ way of life in regards to environmental issues.

 

What is the best method to raise awareness about climate change?

 

Indicators suggest that the programs mentioned above have had a positive effect on modern day living, especially with the younger population. Children and young adults are more sensible to the issues of environmental change. However, there seems to be a discrepancy when it comes to adults. Adults have a greater impact than their younger counterparts, which is why it is their duty to support a more sensible mind frame to social problems.

 

Some ways in which we can aid to the environmental issues include exchange of ideas amongst citizens, conferences with experiences panelists and mediated debates. Nonetheless, in order to make these events feasible, there needs to be a strong commitment by the media, something that is hard to obtain. This is why we must think if it is necessary to reconsider the way we widespread knowledge of environmental change.

 

The idea is that the greatest amount of people as possible should be reasonable informed, education and motivated to act upon climate change; and that the immense effort of the people that are enormously active is not in vain. Although there have been great strides in the right direction, a lot of work is yet to be done to be at a point of ecological awareness where the worlds need us to be.