Role of Education in Environmental Sustainability

Eco-friendly is the slogan commonly used in all the places in the world to protect the environment. Environmental sustainability is important for all living and non-living objects. Environmental education is not a new idea for our country. In Ancient India, people utilized the natural resources for better living. They observed the environment�s beauty and mystery. They were influenced by the gigantic rivers, the towering snow peaks of Himalayas, the boundless seas, ineffable splendor of the seasons and the vast green meadows. So the environment was worshipped by the people and named as �Pancha boothas� (Water, Land, Fire, Wind& Sky) and Gods like Surya (sun), Varuna (rain), Vayu (wind), Agni (fire) etc. , Now a days, based on the utility, people do not bother about the environment and pollute it for their temporary benefit. Environmental awareness is must for them to protect the Environment. Awareness will be needed both the educated and illiterate to maintain the environmental sustainability. Education is one of the tools used to make awareness about Environment. We educate the people through formal education in the form of curriculum in educational institutions and training for trainers. For public, non-formal education is the best solution to make awareness by using training programmes and regional awareness workshops. To know about the Nature, Global situation, Environmental pollution due to people& industry and the remedial measures are the main objectives of the formal and non-formal Environmental education system. Environmental education is the interdisciplinary, having content and performance from many of the disciplines. The environmental education comprises different levels from the awareness level to expertise level and is understanding of the processes of the interacting systems that constitutes the environment. Focusing on Energy& Eco-system, natural resources& environmental quality and environmental issues offers the people to integrate their knowledge and environmental systems and take good decisions and actions to maintain the economically and ecologically sustainable environment for present and future generation.