ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AS A TOOL FOR THE FORMATION OF SUSTAINABLE CITIZENS

Abstract

Environmental education is a topic of great relevance in contemporary times, especially considering the environmental challenges that society faces. The choice of this theme is justified by the urgent need to train citizens who are more aware and responsible in relation to ecological and social issues. The main objective of this study is to analyze how environmental education can contribute to the construction of a sustainable society through pedagogical practices that unite theory and practice. For this, a methodology with a bibliographic and quantitative approach was used. The bibliographic research investigated the theoretical foundation of environmental education and its implications, while the quantitative research was carried out through questionnaires applied to a group of participants involved in environmental education projects. The main results point out that environmental education, by including practices such as recycling and community gardening, not only informs, but also motivates citizens to become agents of change in their communities. It was found that active participation in environmental education projects strengthens the collective perception of the importance of sustainability. The conclusions indicate that environmental education should be seen as a continuous and transformative process, essential in the formation of citizens committed to the preservation of natural resources and the promotion of collective well-being. Thus, the research highlights the urgency of integrating environmental education into school curricula and public policies, aiming at the formation of citizens equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century.