THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Environmental education becomes increasingly relevant in the face of current global challenges, such as global warming, biodiversity loss, and the degradation of natural resources. The choice of this theme is justified by the urgency of discussing strategies that promote awareness and effective action, especially after the commitments made at the UN Conferences. The main objective of this study is to analyze how environmental education can be implemented effectively in different social spheres. To this end, we use a methodological approach that combines bibliographic research and quantitative analysis, allowing a comprehensive understanding of existing educational practices. The main results found indicate that environmental education programs, when well structured, not only inform participants about environmental issues, but also enable them to adopt sustainable behaviors. It was found that the inclusion of sustainability themes in school curricula and the promotion of practical workshops have a positive impact on the formation of environmental awareness. The most relevant conclusions point out that investing in environmental education is essential for building a more aware and proactive society in relation to environmental challenges. The adoption of public policies that encourage environmental education in different social contexts can result in a significant improvement in the quality of life and in the preservation of the environment. Thus, this study reaffirms the need to prioritize educational initiatives that contribute to the future sustainability of the planet.