Environmental Education – Knowledge is Power

You’ve probably noticed the words, ‘eco-friendly’, and ‘going green’ becoming more and more common; schools are teaching children about environmental issues as early as grades four or five. But why is environmental education actually important?

‘E nvironmental education’, simply put, means learning about present ecological issues to preserve the world around us. Cultivating an environmentally conscious mindset and picking up ‘green skills’ is for anyone– whether you’re a tree-hugger or busy urbanite, there is always more you can learn about how to protect the planet for a sustainable future. But not all of us are super-dedicated activists who have the time or resources to preach environmentalism to the masses; so what can normal, everyday people do to help?

The first step we can take towards becoming environmental educators is, well, being educated ourselves. It doesn’t take more than watching a few YouTube videos– channels like Vox Climate Lab or TedX are helpful sources for learning about the environment in an interesting way. There are obviously ways to further extend your knowledge beyond this (maybe reading a few articles) but getting the gist of concepts like global warming or deforestation is enough to understand why we are trying so hard to go green in today’s world. Besides self-education, keeping others informed is the next step you can take to building environmental consciousness in your circle. Sharing posts online about ecological issues, raising conversations about green practices or discouraging non-sustainable habits among friends are some harmless yet effective ways to implement environmental education in your personal life.

While it’s important for individuals to raise awareness of pressing ecological issues, businesses and institutions who are part of wider society also have a part to play in making environmental education universal– as Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid once said, “No such thing as bad student, only bad teacher”. Given their influence, business owners and industry players are encouraged to hold internal seminars or educational campaigns to foster a culture of environmental friendliness in all aspects of society. As an E-Waste recycling business, Cycle Trends Industries believes in encouraging individuals and societies at both commercial and personal levels to learn more about current environmental concerns, so we collectively move towards a greener, sustainable future.