What is environmentally friendly education?
Environmentally friendly education, also called environmental education, integrates the principles of sustainable development and environmental awareness into curricula and everyday learning. Its goal is to raise pupils and students into responsible citizens who understand environmental problems, such as climate change, pollution and the loss of biodiversity, and who know how to act in accordance with sustainable development. It is delivered not only in schools but also in kindergartens, workplaces and wider communities.
1. Principles of sustainable development
The principles of sustainable development are at the heart of environmentally friendly education. These include the sustainable use of natural resources, mitigation of climate change, protection of biodiversity and social justice. Teaching aims to build understanding of these principles and why they matter, and to develop the skills, such as critical thinking, problem solving and decision making, that are needed to act on them.
2. Increasing environmental awareness
Increasing environmental awareness is a key part of environmentally friendly education. This can be achieved, for example, in the following ways:
- Updating curricula to include environmental topics.
- Conducting environmental projects and research.
- Nature tours, camps and visits to nature sites and environmental centers.
- Workshops and seminars that deepen knowledge and encourage discussion.
- Cooperation with environmental organizations.
3. Sustainable practices at school
Schools can adopt sustainable practices that support environmentally friendly education, such as:
- Promotion of recycling and waste reduction.
- Saving energy and water.
- Establishment of green spaces such as school gardens.
- Use of sustainable materials and supplies.
- Teaching materials and programs that offer structured information and tasks on environmental topics.
4. Teacher training
Teacher training is an essential part of environmentally friendly education. Teachers need to understand the principles of sustainable development and know how to integrate them into their teaching. This can be supported with:
- Training and workshops on sustainable development topics.
- Resources and materials for teaching environmental topics.
- Opportunities to take part in environmental projects.
5. Community involvement
Environmentally friendly education is not limited to the walls of the school; it extends to the wider community. Schools can collaborate with local communities, businesses and organizations to promote sustainable development, for example by:
- Organizing community projects and events.
- Participating in environmental campaigns.
- Inviting local experts to give lectures and hold workshops.
Beyond schools, the same approach is used in kindergartens, workplaces and community projects and campaigns aimed at the general public. Wherever it takes place, environmentally friendly education is a comprehensive approach that combines knowledge, skills and attitudes to promote sustainable development and environmentally responsible behavior, and it strengthens community and cooperation in solving environmental problems.
