The ecological crisis of XX century reached its peak in the form of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. The tragedy became the last straw and triggered the changes in the educational system to make it more environmentally oriented. Its main purpose is to build the framework of spiritual values, which will be serving as a basis for a new type of civilization. 

Any ecological problem is closely connected with other complex global issues in politics, education, economy, etc. Speaking of environmental problems, one first needs to mention global warming and climate change. In some circles such phenomenon isn’t even considered as a problem or believed not to exist. However, since the 1970s there are constant sea-level rise, expansion of deserts, freshwater shortages – all that caused by global warming.

Another big environmental problem is ozone depletion, which leads to the increase of ultraviolet radiation near the ground surface. Among other problems, radiation causes skin cancer and vision problems.

Deforestation grows at alarming pace and that shouldn’t be unnoticed. This problem concerns both developed and developing countries. Western Europe and the USA are actively buying up wood from third world countries, which supports their weak economies by trading non-renewable natural resources.

It’s hard to underestimate the role of education in our life as it’s a win-win investment in the future. Environmental education generally regarded as teaching people the principles of environmental conservation.  The word ‘ecology’ comes from Greek ‘oikos’, meaning “house” or “household”. It follows that environmental education is connected with saving our common home – the Earth. 

During the last decades, scientific development has induced the creation of many concepts related to ecology in some way, such as “sustainable development” or “green economy”. What both concepts have in common is the fact that apart from society they are ineffective, if not truly impossible. 

The world’s population doesn’t want to raise awareness of environmental issues as it’s giving up completely to consumer way of living produced by industrialization. In order to expect some different attitudes or decent actions from people, it is necessary to educate them how to find and solve real environmental problems and promote safekeeping ideas. Thus, we can see the importance of the environmental education and the role of students in protecting environment. Today only they can engage with government and transnational corporations to demand different strategies of economic growth that doesn’t harm environment.

In 1977 UNESCO recognized the importance of environmental education. The document “Education for a Sustainable Future” outlines the crucial role of education in shaping society of the future:

“(…) Education can facilitate this change. However, for this to be done, students will need a new framework of knowledge, skills and values (…) Students should be encouraged to understand and apply the concepts of sustainability and view a sustainable future. They need to know the following goals for their future and understand that they have the personal power to make a difference.”

Back then, UNESCO clearly announced their agenda for the future. Today, forty years later we still need young, proactive, passionate students willing to work for the common good. Environmental conservation, to a certain degree, is a whole science that needs full commitment, therefore prospective students should prepare for large volumes of work: patience, persistence and readiness to face challenges are highly appreciated. Any type of studies implies interchange of experience and mutual assistance. For example, today, seeking English home work help, you don’t need to bother classmates or spend long hours on forums, since there are people who will gladly help you for a moderate reward.

It is clear that without comprehensive environmental education there won’t be an effective way of stopping current environmental crisis. Therefore, it’s high time to change our attitude and stop treating nature as if we’re conquers and become the sons of it. 

“Problems cannot be solved with the same mindset that created them.” (Albert Einstein.)