Embedding Concepts of Sustainable Development in Environmental Education
Humans evolved in the realm of nature. During evolution, anthropogenic activities led to an imbalance of natural ecosystems thereby causing environmental disasters. An increase in population, rapid industrialization, urban development, and changes in food consumption patterns are major drivers of...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
INTI International University
2025
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/2140/ http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/2140/2/682 http://eprints.intimal.edu.my/2140/3/ij2025_15r.pdf |
| Summary: | Humans evolved in the realm of nature. During evolution, anthropogenic activities led to an
imbalance of natural ecosystems thereby causing environmental disasters. An increase in population,
rapid industrialization, urban development, and changes in food consumption patterns are major
drivers of environmental degradation. Though these are inevitable as a part of development, the
nexus of environmental degradation and economic growth are directly linked with the conservation
of various environmental compartments including soil, water, air, and biodiversity. Hence,
sustainable development is considered the ultimate goal of the interrelationship of Man and the
environment. In this context, environmental education is the need of the hour in educating society
about the rational use of natural resources and the importance of Sustainable Development. To build
a responsible society, the idea of including environmental education in the broader scope of
education for development is imperative. Therefore, to assess the importance of environmental
education for sustainable development, a perspective on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
from college students is attempted. The major objective of the paper was to assess the sensitization
and dissemination of skills, attitudes, and behavior of the students with respect to Sustainable
Development of Goals in Environmental Education. Methods of environmental education for
sustainable development were imparted to the experimental and control group of students. Results
indicated a significant difference between the groups in terms of environmental education,
perception, and skills of the students from both groups. Further, students who imparted the
knowledge on SDGs in Environmental Education showed more sensitization and perception with
respect to SDGs, especially on water, biodiversity, climate change, poverty & hunger when
compared to the students who were exposed to the conventional teaching methods of environmental
education. Outcomes of the study contribute to the development of new methods of environmental
education for sustainable development among college students. |
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