EED2601 Assignment 1 (100% COMPLETE
ANSWERS) – Semester 1, 2025 – DUE 23
April 2025
Course
Environmental Education (EED2601)
Institution
University Of South Africa
Book
Environmental Education
Environmental Education - EED2601 Assignment 1 (100% COMPLETE
ANSWERS) – Semester 1, 2025 – DUE 23 April 2025 ;100 % TRUSTED
workings, Expert Solved, Explanations and Solutions....
QUESTION 1: Key Concepts in Environmental Education (20 marks) 1.1
Define environmental education as proposed by the IUCN. (4 marks)
1.1 Define environmental education as proposed by the IUCN. (4 marks)
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), environmental
education is defined as:
"A process aimed at developing a world population that is aware of, and concerned about, the
environment and its associated problems, and which has the knowledge, skills, attitudes,
motivations, and commitment to work individually and collectively towards solutions of current
problems and the prevention of new ones."
This definition emphasizes the holistic nature of environmental education—developing
awareness, knowledge, skills, and active participation—to encourage sustainable interaction
with the environment.
1.1 Define environmental education as proposed by the IUCN. (4 marks)
,According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), environmental
education is:
"The process of recognizing values and clarifying concepts in order to develop skills and
attitudes necessary to understand and appreciate the interrelatedness among human beings,
their culture, and their biophysical surroundings. Environmental education also entails practice
in decision-making and self-formulation of a code of behavior about issues concerning
environmental quality."
In simpler terms, environmental education helps individuals develop awareness, knowledge,
values, attitudes, skills, and commitment to act responsibly to protect and improve the
environment.
1.2 Explain the shift from nature studies to environmental education. (4
marks)
1.2 Explain the shift from nature studies to environmental education. (4 marks)
The shift from nature studies to environmental education represents a transition from a focus
on simply learning about the natural world to a broader, action-oriented approach that integrates
environmental issues with social, political, and economic contexts.
1. Nature Studies:
o Focus: Primarily focused on understanding the natural world—plants, animals,
and ecosystems.
o Goal: To teach students about the environment in a passive manner, where nature
is studied without necessarily addressing how human actions affect it.
2. Environmental Education:
o Focus: Expands to include not only the study of nature but also the relationship
between humans and the environment.
o Goal: Aimed at creating awareness and motivating individuals to take active roles
in solving environmental problems, such as pollution, deforestation, and climate
change.
The shift marks a move from purely descriptive study to a more holistic, problem-solving
approach that encourages sustainability and environmental stewardship.
, 1.2 Explain the shift from nature studies to environmental education. (4 marks)
Initially, nature studies focused mainly on observing and appreciating plants, animals, and
natural landscapes. It was about enjoying and learning facts about nature without deeply
considering human impacts.
Over time, as environmental problems like pollution, deforestation, and climate change grew,
education needed to address the relationship between humans and the environment. This led to
the shift toward environmental education, which goes beyond simply studying nature — it
focuses on understanding environmental issues, promoting sustainable development,
encouraging responsible behavior, and empowering people to take action to solve environmental
problems.
In short:
Nature studies = appreciation of nature.
Environmental education = understanding, critical thinking, action for solving
environmental challenges.
The shift from nature studies to environmental education reflects a broader and more holistic
approach to understanding the environment and its challenges.
1. Nature Studies (historically focused on the 19th and early 20th centuries) mainly
involved learning about nature in a descriptive and observational way. It emphasized
understanding plants, animals, and physical features of the environment without much
regard for human impact or the broader ecological system.
2. Environmental Education emerged in the mid-20th century as the world became more
aware of environmental issues like pollution, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss.
This shift marked a move from simply studying nature to addressing the
interconnectedness of humans, ecosystems, and the environment. It emphasizes the need
for sustainable development, conservation, and active participation in solving
environmental problems, not just knowledge acquisition.
Thus, the shift reflects a broader, more action-oriented approach aimed at fostering awareness,
problem-solving, and the adoption of behaviors that contribute to environmental protection
1.3 Describe the holistic environment and its components as outlined in the
study guide. (4 marks)