By: Inas Essa

Environmental issues have been growing more pressing and alarming over the years, with frequent discussions about the terrible outcomes that could happen from not taking serious action; yet, efforts are not going at the same speed.

Solving Problems with Different Perspectives

Albert Einstein referred to the best way of solving problems, saying: “We cannot solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them". This means more fresh ideas and a different perspective are required. Speaking of solving environmental problems, it starts by equipping children with solid environmental education that would prepare them for such issues, which have been becoming fiercer over years.

Environmental education fuels young minds with knowledge that would promote critical and creative thinking skills, and inspires children to become more engaged with their communities. It would embed in their minds why the environment is important and provide them with the building blocks they need to live eco-friendly and sustainable lives.

The Importance of Investment in Environmental Education

Scientists have been calling for the importance of more investment and innovation in environmental education to allow future generations to be able to respond properly to climate emergent problems. They have been stressing the bad outcomes neglecting to support and invest in such domain in education would generate and they have been demanding reforms to help young people address the complex and dynamic issues of the contemporary situation.

In new research from Exeter University, researchers argue that governments and other organizations must direct more funding to environmental education in response to consistent warnings from scientists about the deteriorating state of ecosystems, biodiversity, and climate besides other environmental issues. They describe environmental education as a cornerstone for the social and environmental changes required in the future.

Additionally, they indicate that environmental and science education are means to identify fake information and ideologies that would help in responding appropriately to warnings about climate alarming issues. Also, they highlight that the current environmental dilemma is not a matter exclusively for scientists to deal with; it must be supported by people in the humanities, arts, and social sciences, as well as the wider society.

The Shared Role of Schools and Informal Institutions

Professor Ferreira, the co-author of the study, says: "The research base is clear about the superiority of whole-school approaches to quick curriculum fixes for addressing topics such as the climate emergency. The existential risk aspects also mean we need to look at investment and innovation in lifelong learning and non-school based provision, alongside examining the focus of current initial teacher education and continuing professional development”.

Regarding the vital role carried out by informal institutions in this problem, Professor Reid, first author of the study, said: “The popularity of outdoor education centers and activities are testament to the broader base of interest in environment and nature, as well as when arts, media, and civil society addresses the climate crisis”. He added: "Ensuring any form of environmental education is relevant, coherent, fit for purpose, funded appropriately, and available to current and future generations within and beyond the curriculum will be crucial to addressing sound and pertinent warnings from scientists”.

Reimagining Environmental Education

Since the significance of environmental education has become crystal-clear, the need for reimagining, recreating, and restoring it to reduce the consequences of the environmental crisis has become urgent. That should be achieved through embedding environmental and science education throughout society in different ways.

Professor Ardoin, a senior editor of the Environmental Education Research said: "Only by investing in education—and especially environmental and sustainability education—will it be possible to radically alter the course we are currently on, and thus demonstrate to ourselves and future generations that sufficient heed was given to our warnings”.

References

tandfonline.com
sciencedaily.com
rubicon.com/environmental-education-for-kid