World Environmental Education Day - January 26

On January 26, World Environmental Education Day is celebrated around the world. It is a celebration that has its origins in 1972, and is supported by the United Nations. Its main objective is to raise awareness and educate about the importance of caring for the environment, both from a purely environmental and social perspective. It is a celebration that is closely related to World Environment Day (June 5).

However, these are different celebrations, as each one places special emphasis on different aspects of the environment. If you want to know a little more about World Environmental Education Day keep reading Green Ecologist and we'll tell you about it.

World Environmental Education Day: why and how it is celebrated

World Environmental Education Day is celebrated on January 26. This celebration arises from the Stockholm Conference (Sweden) from 1972. This conference marks the official beginning of the protection of the environment, since it is the first international and official event in which the problem of environmental degradation as a consequence of human actions is addressed. From this conference, it will be established World Environment Day on June 5, in commemoration of the date on which said conference took place. However, in this same conference, one of the issues that were addressed within the set of environmental problems was the importance of education in society to fight against climate change and environmental degradation. Specifically, it was the so-called Principle 19, which stated that "educational work on environmental issues is essential."

After the Stockholm Conference, the International Seminar on Environmental Education in Belgrade (Serbia) took place in 1975. This seminar did not focus on the protection of the environment in general, but on the importance of education in society. as a whole for the protection of the environment. In this way, the foundations were laid for what is known today as environmental education, which is nothing more than the training of all social agents in environmental matters and how their actions have an impact on the environment. Thus, a new branch of education is established. This environmental education is aimed at both children and young people as well as adults, as well as public and private institutions, governments and companies, in short, any social agent related to the environment.

In commemoration of the International Seminar on Environmental Education in Belgrade, January 26 was established as World Environmental Education Day, whose main objective is not the environmental Protection itself, but awareness and education of society so that said environmental protection can be carried out.

Learn more about the importance of environmental education in this other Green Ecologist article.

Phrases for World Environmental Education Day

As a consequence of the International Seminar on Environmental Education in Belgrade, the so-called Belgrade menu. This document collects the main objectives and guidelines that summarize what it is and what purpose the environmental education. Some of the phrases that it includes and that determine the importance of environmental education are the following:

  • "It is absolutely vital that all citizens of the world insist on measures that support a type of economic growth that does not have detrimental repercussions for people, their environment, or their living conditions."
  • "We need a new global ethic, an ethic of individuals and of society that correspond to man's place in the biosphere."
  • "These new approaches to development and improvement of the environment require a reclassification of national and regional priorities."
  • "The foundations must be laid for a global Environmental Education program that will enable the development of new knowledge and skills, values and attitudes."
  • "The goal of environmental action is: To improve all ecological relationships, including the relationship of humanity with nature and of people with each other."
  • "The main recipient of Environmental Education is the general public."
  • "Environmental Education must consider the environment as a whole, natural and created by man, ecological, economic, technological, social, legislative, cultural and aesthetic."
  • "Environmental Education must be a continuous, permanent process, both inside and outside the school."
  • "Environmental Education must be based on current and future environmental conditions."
  • "Environmental Education must promote the value and need for cooperation at the local, national and international levels in solving environmental problems."

Activities for World Environmental Education Day

On the occasion of the celebration of World Environmental Education Day, multiple interdisciplinary activities Worldwide. Most of them are usually seminars or workshops focused on both children and adults where they are taught ways to protect the environment and where the need to take care of the environment is deepened.

Likewise, there are other activities of a more dynamic nature that are carried out on the occasion of World Environmental Education Day. In this sense, it is worth highlighting activities organized by institutions, both public and private, that emphasize sports or cultural activities aimed at obtaining funds for environmental protection. They can also be found activities related to Environmental Education that are carried out in natural environments, such as reforestation workshops, ecological agriculture or related to more sustainable transport and mobility. All these activities, in one way or another, are always aimed at the same end, promoting ecological awareness and responsibility, which is one of the best means we have at our disposal when it comes to protecting our planet and counteracting the damage. caused to the environment.

Here we show you more ideas about Environmental education activities for young people.

If you want to read more articles similar to World Environmental Education DayWe recommend that you enter our Environmental Education category.

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