Learning about the environment we live in should be a part of our schools’ curriculum. Environmental education is for everyone.

I continue to be amazed that many of our secondary- and tertiary-level students do not understand the environmental problems surrounding and impacting their lives on Earth. Yes, most are familiar with the issues of the day such as climate change, global warming, and ozone depletion but very few truly understand the concepts, the causes, mitigation strategies, and possible solutions.

Additionally, there are many other issues that need to be understood by all, including wildlife protection, use of fertilisers and pesticides, sewage and waste disposal, air quality, water pollution, among others.

I believe it is imperative that students understand environmental issues and the side effects of technological advancement on the environment as it relates to destruction.

The aim of an environmental education programme is more than just environmental information. The aim is to create citizens who possess increased ecological knowledge, environmental awareness, and who possess the motivation to evaluate and implement solutions. It should be geared at changing the mindset, attitudes and skills of the new generation, with the goals being to protect, make informed decisions, take responsible actions, and restore our environment.

Environmental education can be integrated into all levels of education — from preschool to higher education. A variety of methods, including hands-on activities, can be used to teach our students. Some of the steps required to integrate environmental education in our schools are:

1) Developing a curriculum – this will involve the inclusion of environmental themes and topics into the curriculum such as English language, social studies, geography and science. This is to help students understand how the environment is interconnected with all aspects of life. Textbooks and lesson plans must be available. Make use of videos and documentaries as means of transmitting information. Teachers can help organise clean-up activities and recycling programmes.

2) Training – teachers themselves must understand the environmental issues and therefore professional development workshops, training sessions, support and resources must be accessible.

3) Partnership – local environmental agencies and the private sector can partner with schools to provide expertise and opportunities for hands-on learning. Invite local experts to speak to students about their experiences, thus providing relevance and different perspectives. Schools can also partner with their community to promote environmental awareness and best practices.

4) Field trips – these will provide students with real-life experiences of the issues surrounding the environment. Educational theory tells us that personal experience is the most powerful tool for learning in persons of all ages.

5) Conduct experiments – demonstrate concepts such as the water cycle, carbon cycle, or effects of pollution on plant growth at school so that students gain first-hand knowledge and appreciation for issues.

6) Teach environmental responsibility at school – urge students to turn off lights when not in use and to use water sparingly, making sure taps are properly closed. Encourage recycling and reuse, as well as have students participate in tree-planting.

Ultimately, we want our children to become curious and passionate about the environment to ensure a generation of lifelong environmental advocates who will take action to keep the environment strong and sustainable. We want them to be environmental stewards, possessing critical thinking skills which will allow them to analyse complex environmental problems and evaluate possible solutions. We want them to become agents of change. They must also be resilient and prepared for future challenges.

Dr Karla Hylton is the founder and CEO of Your Empowerment Solutions (YES) Institute, offering mathematics and science tutoring as well as a host of workshops for parents, teachers, and students. She is the author of Yes! You Can Help Your Child Achieve Academic Success and Complete Chemistry for Caribbean High Schools. Reach her at (876) 564-1347; e-mail: ceo@yes-institute.com; or visit www.yes-institute.com, or www.khylton.com.