EED2601
ASSIGNMENT 01
23 APRIL
2025
QUESTION 1
Key Concepts in Environmental Education
1.1 Define environmental education as proposed by the IUCN.
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,EED2601 ASSESSMENT 01 2025
QUESTION 1
Key Concepts in Environmental Education
1.1 Define environmental education as proposed by the IUCN. (4 marks)
Environmental education (EE) is the process of learning about the environment and how people
can take care of it. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), EE
helps people understand nature and teaches them to use natural resources wisely. It also
encourages people to protect the environment for future generations (IUCN, 1970).
The main goal of EE is to create awareness about environmental problems and find solutions. It
teaches people about pollution, climate change, and the importance of conserving plants and
animals. EE is not just about learning facts; it also helps people change their behavior and make
better choices to protect nature (IUCN, 1970).
In schools, EE can be taught through activities like recycling projects, tree planting, and lessons
about ecosystems. By learning about the environment, people become more responsible and
take actions to keep the planet healthy (IUCN, 1970).
References:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (1970). International Working Meeting
on Environmental Education in the School Curriculum. IUCN.
1.2 Explain the shift from nature studies to environmental education (4 marks)
In the past, people learned about nature through a subject called nature studies. This subject
focused on plants, animals, and how they lived in the environment. It helped people understand
nature but did not teach them how human activities affect the environment (Palmer, 1998).
Over time, people saw that nature was being harmed by pollution, deforestation, and climate
change. They realized that education should not only teach about nature but also about how to
protect it. This led to a shift from nature studies to environmental education (EE) (Tilbury, 1995).
EE goes beyond learning about plants and animals. It helps people understand environmental
problems and find ways to solve them. It also teaches people to take action, such as recycling,
, saving water, and reducing pollution. This shift was important because it helped people become
more responsible for protecting the Earth (Palmer, 1998).
References
Palmer, J. (1998). Environmental education in the 21st century: Theory, practice,
progress and promise. Routledge.
Tilbury, D. (1995). Environmental education for sustainability: Defining the new focus of
environmental education in the 1990s. Environmental Education Research, 1(2), 195-
212.
1.3 Describe the holistic environment and its components as outlined
In the study guide. (4 marks)
The holistic environment means looking at the environment as a whole, instead of only focusing
on one part. It includes everything that surrounds us, such as nature, people, animals, buildings,
and even ideas. The holistic approach helps us understand how everything in the environment is
connected (Palmer, 1998).
There are different components of the environment. The first component is the natural
environment, which includes air, water, plants, animals, and land. This part of the environment
is important because it provides food, clean air, and water for all living things (Tilbury, 1995).
The second component is the human-made environment. This includes things built by people,
such as houses, roads, and cities. While these things help people live comfortably, they can also
harm nature if not managed well (Palmer, 1998).
The third component is the social and cultural environment. This includes people, their
traditions, beliefs, and the way they live. Human actions and choices can affect nature, both
positively and negatively (Tilbury, 1995).
Understanding the holistic environment helps people see how their actions impact nature. It
also teaches them to make better choices to protect the Earth. By taking care of all parts of the
environment, people can create a healthier and safer world for future generations (Palmer,
1998).