Our planet’s ecosystem is under attack like never before. The dual effects of global warming and ocean contamination are having a devastating effect on species of plants and animals on all continents. Thankfully, people are taking notice of these man-made problems and taking steps to change their lifestyle by adopting a greener attitude. That shows the importance of green education, for it’s never too early or late to learn to become environmentally responsible.
Environmental Education In The Classroom
Recent decades have seen a huge upsurge in people trying to get the knowledge of environmental issues, but environmental education is not a new idea. An education system that is focused on the environment was proposed as long ago as 1762 by the great French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and his ideas are now being adopted in classrooms across the world. It is important to teach children the importance of environmental protection at a very early age, as this is when they are most receptive.
This philosophy has also inspired many green-minded individuals to enter the teaching profession by taking education degrees and master of education degrees at Rutgers University and other leading establishments. Rutgers graduates are taught to understand the way their pupils think and grow After all, helping students learn the importance of the environment is essential to their personal and educational growth.
A Multi-Discipline Approach To Green Education
In an ideal scenario, all pupils in primary and secondary education would take an environmental studies class; however, green learning can also be incorporated into many other educational disciplines. The changing coastlines of America and beyond are a subject fit for any geography class, and the present and ever-growing threat to many species of wildlife could be discussed during biology classes. Statistical analysis is at the heart of environmental studies, so it is easy to adopt figures relating to the environment for math classes. At an earlier age, children will love to draw pictures or compose poems relating to green issues, and this can be a great way to encourage a greener mindset that will last throughout their lifetime.
The Impact Of Teaching Children About The Environment
Changing the world’s environment for the better starts at home, and if we each make a positive commitment to a greener lifestyle, the overall effect can be transformational, but more still needs to be done. The number of people recycling materials across the United States has been rising year upon year, and the encouraging news is that young people, in particular, are showing greater concern about the future of our environment. A recent study showed that this even impacted the way that many young people shop, with more than seven in ten saying they would pay more for products from green brands. This is the generation that will be leading the world tomorrow, so these encouraging attitudes learned in childhood could reap rich dividends in the decades to come.
The reporting of green issues on the news, television series relating to environmental problems, and books by leading figures such as Al Gore all play an important role in educating people about green issues. Providing green education can bring even greater results, and this is inspiring a new generation of environmentally conscious teachers.
Article Submitted By Community Writer