In today’s changing environmental climate, society requires eco-innovation and a commitment to sustainability more than anything. The science community has long recognised the importance of sustainability; however, until recently, the topic received insufficient attention. Climate change’s side effects, such as the rapid rise of extreme weather, droughts, forest fires, floods, and sea levels, have piqued many people’s understanding of sustainability.
This movement has established a stronger presence across the globe, most notably in corporate and post-secondary settings. However, these changes are typically insufficient and occur at a rate that is too slow to repair past damage and reduce or prevent future damage and changes. So, what could be done to become more sustainable and rapidly spread the word about sustainability and its benefits?
One way to bring environmental responsibility to the frontline of our world is through social change and innovative initiatives, but we have an even better method at our disposal: teaching the kids about sustainability and how to live a sustainable life.
Before we dive into this more, let’s have a proper understanding of Sustainability. When we think of sustainability, we think it is the environment. Even though this is correct, sustainability encompasses far more than environmental awareness and responsibility. Ecological sustainability incorporates environmental, economic, social, and political well-being. However, economic, social, and political sustainability are all dependent on external sustainable practices, since none of the other aspects can prevail without it. Given the importance of ecological responsibility in the improvement of all other dimensions of sustainability, it stands to reason that it receives special attention.
Teachers play a key role in the upbringing of future generations and ensuring a bright future. The principles that teachers teach their students all through their educational careers are those that they will hold on to for their whole life. That’s why educating about sustainability, climate change, green and sustainable energy resources, and the green economy is just another important part of the educational system and therefore will help to encourage continued development in future.
It is critical to raise the future generation of eco-conscious, self-sufficient responsible citizens who recognise the importance of environmental protection. Several youth programs are adopting hands-on education programs, and more should follow. Sustainability education stretches far beyond the schoolroom and includes all fields of study. It provides youngsters with real-world ideas and abilities that they can utilize for the betterment of the environment. It gives today’s children the self-sufficiency they require for tomorrow. It gives them a thorough understanding of why the environment is valuable.
What does Sustainable education teach students and why institutions should prioritize it?
Students can benefit from sustainability education that is enjoyable, participating, and liberating. It enables them to accept responsibility for one’s actions and share their perspective for a more sustainable society. It empowers them to acquire more knowledge, skill sets, principles, and response motivating factors, simultaneously maintaining their own well-being and also the well-being of their society and the earth – in an increasingly interdependent world.
1. Environmental Respect: The Earth is the next generation’s only home, and acquiring knowledge about it is critical to its survival. Respect for our planet entails learning about its historical past, features, and what it requires to thrive. What kids learn in the classroom influences them throughout their lives. Starting with sustainable education at a young age teaches children why the environment is essential, how it should be handled, and how individuals play a key role in its survival.
More respect for the environment means less waste, pollution, and resource waste. It entails developing more sustainability measures and making efforts to preserve assets. Above all, it refers to a mindset engrained in environmental objectives, a mindset that is carefully nurtured and consolidated earlier than usual.
2. The Interdependence of Humans and the Environment: The environment offers us sustenance, nourishment, and sanctuary, as well as whatever we need to survive — but its role in people’s lives is growingly being overlooked. In addition to humans, trees supply wood, sources of food, and air, and they support a range of ecological systems. Without them, the supply of water would be disrupted, resulting in extremes such as crop failures and devastating floods. Despite this, forests have dropped significantly ever since the beginning of industrialization, with around 15 billion trees cut down each year. Land clearing is also responsible for a large quantity of greenhouse gas emissions across the globe.
While today’s society frequently deviates from the environment, humans and the environment are inexorably connected — and it is critical to demonstrate this to students in order to avoid further recklessness and serious harm to our environment.
Teaching conceptual environmental science is a good start, but allowing children to experience the notion firsthand is much more impactful. Students will have hands-on experience exploring how people and the ecosystem preserve one another through sustainability programs and educational partnership programs. This allows youngsters to harvest produce, start exploring the edible landscape and often have one‘s first taste of home-grown meals. This type of firsthand experience enables students to gather a physical and meaningful link between the ecosystem and their own lifestyle.
3. The Harmony between Society and Environment: Teaching teenagers how to recognise environmentally sustainable businesses and create their own truly sustainable ventures can result in a more ecologically responsible social and economic future. Consumers in previous decades were frequently unaware of how corporate and manufacturing affected the environment, but this is rapidly changing.
Sustainable development has an impact on both the economy and the environment. As a result, modern society has a significant effect on the environment. Business activities are the place to begin whenever it comes to creating a better, greener environment, which makes sustainability-focused business education particularly important. Millennial and Gen Z consumers are now more prepared to spend money on environmentally friendly materials. Three-quarters of millennial consumers have transformed their purchasing habits in search of environmentally friendly products. Teachers can create the next generation more environmentally conscious by giving current youth the chance to learn about implementing sustainable and agricultural practices.
4. Sustainable skills in Life: Sustainable education motivates learners to reconsider their interaction with the earth and establish efficient and environmentally friendly skills and techniques for their years ahead, resulting in a significant effect on their lives. Numerous institutions now provide sustainability degrees as well as majors in relevant fields. Green majors prepare students for careers as scientists, environmentalists, experts, and others. Agribusiness, energy, and production are renowned fields for sustainability because they are always trying to figure out ways to incorporate environmentally friendly methods. Giving children a head start on sustainable education will do far more than inculcate sustainable life skills and may also help them prepare for a successful career.
Final Thoughts
Only years from now, the world will not be the same. Education can both prepare the youth for future changes and give them the required tools to avoid further harm. We will give our students the capacity to sustain in an uncertain future environment if educators, teachers, and family members start educating them today. More notably, today’s young people might become future biologists, scientists, and activists who care about protecting our resources. Environmental education prepares students to navigate environmental changes by teaching them self-sufficiency, scientific knowledge, and sustainability.