Environmental Education: Definition, Importance, Scope

Environmental education is the process in which individuals explore the environmental issues to take appropriate, required, and immediate actions to improve the conditions or any hitches in the environment. 

Through environmental education, the individuals develop a much deeper understanding of the environmental issues and drastic changes in the behaviour of the ecosystem. Knowing the nuances of the environmental issues, enables them to take responsible decisions towards the betterment of the environment.

Table of Contents

• What is Environmental Education?
• Importance of Environmental Education
• Objectives of Environmental Education 2023
• Scope of Environmental Education 2023

What is Environmental Education?

Environmental education is defined as the field of study which consists of organized efforts put together to understand and teach how natural environments function. It also deals with studying how human beings manage their behaviour and ecosystems to live sustainable lives.

Environmental education is a multidisciplinary field that includes ideas and concepts from various fields like biology, chemistry, physics, ecology, earth science, atmospheric science, mathematics, and geography.

Importance of Environmental Education 

Every human on this Earth has a role to play for the environment, and it gives us everything we need- shelter, food, water, recreation, etc. The points given below will help in understanding the importance of environmental education.

• Environmental education is the study the environment and its functions, the students develop a sense of understanding of the environment in the early stage of their life.
• It is important to increase the awareness of individuals about the environment to safe the left off natural resources. 
• Environmental education polishes the ability to make decisions is strengthened with environmental education as people become more responsible and aware.
• Individuals can deal with any environmental problem through environmental education. 
• Environmental education develops sensitivity towards the environmental issues that have been happening for a long time. 
• Students will know the particular viewpoint to advocate towards environmental education. 
• Environmental education makes an individual rich in the knowledge of the environment to make quick and smart decisions to save it. 

Objectives of Environmental Education 2023

The primary objective of environmental education is to make people aware of the environment and its associated problems. The study involves knowledge, skills, motivation, attitude, and commitment to work individually and collectively towards solutions to current problems.

There are various objectives that the study of environmental education tends to achieve. Given below are the objectives of environmental education.

1. Awareness

Awareness is one of the fundamental objectives that any subject of study offers. Through environmental education, awareness about the environment, the issues of the environment, and the solutions for the problems are generated. In addition, there is a proper understanding as to why there are various functions present in the environment.

2. Knowledge

Environmental education helps a person gain knowledge and information about the current happenings in the environment. There is in-depth and proper education that is provided about the environment and the factors of the environment. 

3. Responsibility

It is only when we understand the reasons behind the disruptions in the environment; we can take proper steps to prevent them. Individuals understand which activities harm the environment, be it small or big, and take necessary precautions to face the adversities. It also helps in taking any future actions and decisions responsibly. 

4. Participation

When we dive deeper into a particular subject, we tend to get more involved in it. The environment concerns us all, so we must save the environment and prevent it from being harmed. Through environmental education, individuals are encouraged to partition in saving and taking care of the environment as they become aware of the harm they can cause to their lives.

5. Creating New Patterns

With increased awareness of the harm that man's actions are causing to the environment, environmental education aims to create a new behaviour pattern and attitude towards the environment. This results in less harm as the new pattern is aimed at being environmentally friendly.

6. Understanding the Complexity of Environment

The environment that we humans live in is complex and involves various activities that happen within it. Environmental education fulfils the aim to make people understand the complexity of working in the environment and the process that occurs in it. By understanding this, people become more indulged in saving and protecting the environment.

Scope of Environmental Education 2023

Environmental education has a wide scope as it is one of the most important areas of study. People need to understand their duties and responsibilities towards the environment. The scope of environmental education can be explained with the help of the points given below.

1. Biological Aspect

The most important aspects of environmental education are biological aspects. The best example is human beings. Other examples of biological aspects include animals, birds, insects, microorganisms, and plants.

2. Physical Aspect

The physical aspect of environmental education is further divided into natural and man-made aspects. Physical aspects include air, water, land, climate, etc. On the other hand, man-made aspects include roads, highways, airports, railroads, buildings, bridges, dams, and reservoirs, etc., which humans make.

3. Socio-cultural Aspect

These are the practices, cultures, and traditions which humans make to live in a society. It can include rules, laws, religious beliefs, etc. Human beings, with their efforts, have created these.