According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), environmental education (EE) is a learning process that promotes public knowledge and awareness about the environment and its associated challenges. Its primary goal is to develop individuals who can make informed decisions and take responsible actions on various environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, waste disposal, and deforestation. Studies have shown that higher levels of environmental knowledge correlate significantly with a higher possibility of pro-environment and conservation behaviors (Díaz-Siefer et al, 2015).
Republic Act 9512, also known as the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008 mandates raising national awareness of the role of natural resources and the importance of environmental conservation through environmental education. It takes into account both the role of youth in nation-building and the right of people to a balanced and sustainable environment. Currently, environmental awareness education is included in the National Service Training Program as part of the Civic Welfare Training Service component required for all degree and vocational courses. At primary and secondary levels, lessons regarding the environment are usually intensified on science subjects. In addition to its theoretical integration into the school curricula, the policy endorses a practicum approach that includes the implementation of clean-up drives, tree-planting, recycling, and environmental groups such as Youth for Environment in School Organizations (YES-O).
References:
Díaz-Siefer, P., Neaman, A., Salgado, E., Celis-Diez, J., & Otto, S. (2015). Human-environment system knowledge: A correlate of pro-environmental behavior. Sustainability, 7(11), 15510–15526. https://doi.org/10.3390/su71115510
Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). What is environmental education?. https://www.epa.gov/education/what-environmental-education