Why Environmental Education

“We often forget that all education is environmental education - by what we include or exclude, we teach the young that they are part of or apart from the natural world. An economist, for example, who fails to connect our economic life with that of ecosystems and the biosphere has taught an environmental lesson all right, but one that is dead wrong. Our goal as educators ought to be to help students understand their implicatedness in the world and to honor mystery.” by Dr. David Orr

Environmental Education (EE) is no longer a plus for the classrooms but a must. Environmental problems cover the whole range of individual’s life, from small daily things such as food, water, air to the worldwide issues, for example, energy, economy development, international conflits and future. As the future leader of our world, it is important for students to be equipped with the knowledge to understand the nature world around and address the complex environmental problems affecting every aspect of our society in the future. Environmental literacy is not only the responsibility of a certain group of people, but the responsibility of the whole society.

Not only benefit the future, EE is also be reported by teachers to better students’ performance on academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. It can also help to reduce discipline and classroom management problems; increase engagement and enthusiasm for learning; and greater pride and ownership in accomplishments. (According to North Carolina Environmental Education Department)
With the fast economy development and because of the capital-oriented social norm. Both U.S. and China are facing increasing environmental problems and challenges that hinder the economy and threaten the public health. Governments and the public have already realized the importance of environmental education and are putting more efforts on it through policy and finance support.