Recent data from National Geographic (Jan 2011), the population of people around the world will reach 7 billion (!) by the end of this year, and this fantastic number will still be increase along the year. Almost every nation face problem due to this explosion. Some of them can overcome the problems and attain the happiness for the citizens, either from economy, health, or the other aspects. Meanwhile, the other parts of the world can't do it--most countries in Africa and a little part of Asia.
What will happen then?
It's not exaggerated: WAR! Yes, hunger and poverty occurred in underdeveloped countries
at one time may happened in developing, or even developed countries if they can't preserve the nature. The supply of food will not be sufficient for 7, 8, 0r 10 billions people in years later. Eventually, those countries will fight for food, and BOOM! war happened.
What can Environmental Education (EE) do to solve the problem?
In my opinion, EE can not only solve, but also avoid that. When we learn about EE, we must learn also about ESD (Education for Sustainable Development). ESD can't be separated with EE since they are interrelated. EE is a part of ESD while the concept of ESD itself, actually developed from environmental issues as (partially) mentioned above. Bizarre things happened on our nature since the recent decades made some experts thought, there must be something wrong with our earth. After examined the problems faced by the world, they compose the concept of ESD, which cover many aspects. Climate change, human right, gender balance, racial issues, health, and economy are just some of the aspects of ESD. The great thing is, all of them can be covered through one key: education for all.
Why must be education? We know that education is the most important key in changing the world. Through education, we can change people thinking way and their behavior into a better ones. However, the application of ESD in school doesn't mean teachers should change all of the syllabus and materials. They need to infuse the concepts of ESD and its aspects to the material, in order to prepare students to face the real problems around them, and create a sustainable future.
The good news is teachers and educators in Indonesia begin to give more care on the application ESD in school. One of the applications is Adiwiyata program, which has goal to make school as a good place to start a change in gaining awareness to save our earth sustainably. Schools that want to be an Adiwiyata school have to fulfill some requirements, such as the development of school policy that give attention in environment and culture issues, the development of environment-based curriculum, and the maintenance of supporting elements in school.
However, not all teachers know the essence of ESD that they just think about environmental education--whereas actually, it's just a little part of ESD huge coverage. Even there are still some schools that think Adiwiyata program is just a certificate, without caring about the sustainable development. Again, it's one of our job as the next generation of teacher to continue the struggle, to train and educate people to build a sustainable future. Can we do it? Of course, if we believe that we can and invest some efforts to realize it. I think, learning deeper about Environmental Education is one of the best investment. ^^d
Saturday, January 8, 2011 |
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2 comments:
Those things you said above (planting trees, recycling paper, counting carbons) are still parts of the sustainable methods for people to get more aware of our environment I guess. it is hard to get the sustainable one if we (reflect on ourself first) dont care about those little things! It is hard, but it doesnt mean impossible :)(Syamsi, 2010). That's our job as new generation of teachers to educate people sustainably.
yes, I know that exactly. but I used word "only" there since some students in our campus who just think that EE is only about it, while actually there are sooo many other things EE can do.
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