Environmental Education – What is Eco Education? Information

Date of the last update: 27.03.2025

Environmental education, also known as eco-education, is a key element of a conscious approach to environmental protection and sustainable development. It is extremely necessary because, in times of threatened environmental catastrophe, only an informed society can better understand the effects of its actions on the planet and learn how to implement environmentally friendly practices in everyday life. Without environmental education, growth in awareness and resulting change, environmental degradation will accelerate, leading to serious problems such as climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Lack of ecological literacy can also result in the mismanagement of natural resources, which threatens the future of the Earth.

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What is environmental education?

Environmental education is about increasing the public’s awareness and knowledge of environmental protection and promoting sustainable development through education and practical environmental action. It is an area that has been the subject of much research in recent years. Examples are the National Survey of Environmental Awareness Be.Eco 2023 and other studies in this field conducted in Poland by the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment. Research related to environmental education is primarily aimed at identifying the current level of environmental awareness and implementing pro-environmental measures and supporting sustainable development through effective educational strategies.

Main objectives of environmental education

To make people aware of how their actions affect the environment.
To encourage responsible use of natural resources, energy conservation and recycling.
To teach practical skills that enable people to act effectively for the environment.
Supporting development to meet the needs of current generations. At the same time not limiting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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Environmental education methods

Methods of environmental education include a variety of approaches and techniques aimed at effectively transferring knowledge and shaping pro-environmental attitudes and behaviour in society.

Formal education – the integration of environmental topics into school and university curricula. Subjects such as biology, geography or social sciences often include elements of environmental education.
Informal education – the organisation of workshops, lectures, educational excursions and other activities by NGOs, national parks or environmental education centres.
Non-formal education – social projects, volunteer programmes and local community initiatives that promote environmental protection through practical activities.
Campaigns and media – the use of various media such as the Internet, television, radio, press and social media to promote pro-environmental attitudes and behaviour.

Benefits of environmental education

Eco-education is crucial to building an informed and responsible society that is able to take action to protect the environment and to promote sustainable development. By increasing people’s knowledge of environmental problems and how to solve them, eco-education significantly reduces the risk of climate catastrophe. By supporting the long-term goals of sustainable development, environmental education ensures the rational use of resources, which in turn improves people’s quality of life and well-being. By fostering pro-environmental attitudes and behaviour, eco-education plays an invaluable role in creating a better future for all people.

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How does ecotherapy support environmental education?

An important element of ecological activities is human contact with the natural environment. Ecotherapy, or therapy through contact with nature, not only improves mental and physical health, but also increases environmental awareness. People who practise elements of ecotherapy, e.g. by walking in the forest or caring for their own garden, become more sensitive to the needs of the planet. By doing so, they teach themselves and show others how to respect and protect nature. This attitude influences the expansion of pro-environmental behaviour in local communities and workplaces.

Through direct experience and engagement with the environment, ecotherapy effectively supports the goals of environmental education, building a deeper understanding and connection with nature. Thus, it becomes not only a therapeutic method, but also an educational one, which is key to promoting sustainability and environmental protection.

Summary

Environmental education, also known as eco-education, is an essential tool in the fight for the future of our planet. Its main purpose is to raise public awareness of the effects of human activities on the environment and to promote sustainable development. Without this form of education, our society is at risk of environmental degradation, which can lead to serious consequences such as climate change and loss of biodiversity. Environmental education methods, which include both formal and informal approaches, make it possible to impart the knowledge and develop the skills necessary to protect our natural resources. Increasing environmental awareness through the use of ecotherapy tools, not only supports people’s mental and physical health, but also inspires care and respect towards nature. The benefits of eco-education are immense – from improving the quality of life to building a better tomorrow for future generations, making it an invaluable tool in building an informed and responsible global community.