Summary:
Environmental Education (EE) is one of the most important educational processes aimed at raising awareness and empowering citizens to manage and protect the natural environment. Today’s environmental crises, such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, make the need for global action imperative. EE seeks to help individuals understand environmental issues and develop the skills necessary to play an active role in protecting and sustainably managing the planet.
According to UNESCO’s modern approach, EE is a process that helps people understand environmental issues, develop critical thinking, and take action to address them. Historically, EE was officially defined at the 1977 Tbilisi Conference, where key objectives and principles for EE were formulated. The goal was to cultivate environmentally conscious and responsible citizens who would develop positive attitudes and values towards nature, as well as the skills needed to solve environmental problems.
EE has evolved significantly over the decades. In its early stages, it primarily focused on providing information and knowledge about the environment. Over time, especially after the 1992 Rio Conference, EE became more closely linked to sustainable development, incorporating economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Education today is not limited to theoretical knowledge but aims to develop decision-making skills and encourage active citizen participation in the sustainable management of the environment.
One of the main challenges for EE is the transition from theory to practice. Experiential learning and direct contact with the environment, through outdoor education and forest schools, enhance students’ connection to nature and promote a deeper understanding of ecosystems. In "forest schools," students are taught to develop autonomy and environmental awareness through direct interaction with the natural world. Norway, Sweden, and Denmark are examples of countries that have successfully adopted this approach.
Scandinavia has played a pioneering role in shaping environmental education programs, integrating outdoor learning into the school curriculum from the early stages of education. In Denmark, for example, "forest schools" encourage students to spend much of their day outdoors, developing environmental skills through experiential activities. In Norway and Sweden, experiential learning is also an integral part of the educational culture, with a focus on understanding natural ecosystems and fostering positive attitudes toward the environment.
Although Greece has incorporated EE into its educational system, it lags behind Scandinavian countries in terms of outdoor education implementation. While there are Environmental Education Centers (KEPEA) that offer educational programs for students and teachers, the lack of funding and infrastructure limits the reach of EE. Nevertheless, KEPEA has significantly contributed to raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable development by offering programs and activities that help students understand the importance of environmental protection.
A modern trend in EE is the use of technology and digital methods to enhance the learning process. Digital platforms, applications, and educational software allow students to explore the environment interactively, promoting critical thinking and analysis of environmental data. Technology can enrich the learning experience, especially when combined with experiential activities, making EE more accessible and engaging.
The substantial contribution of EE to creating environmentally responsible citizens makes its further development essential. The educational community, governments, and organizations must collaborate to strengthen EE implementation and promote innovative approaches that will help future generations understand and address contemporary environmental challenges.
Keywords:
environmental education, sustainable development, sustainability, forest school, outdoor education, ecological awareness
