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Having values is nothing other than those principles or positive qualities that define us as people. Empathy, commitment and humility are some of them. A society without values would be a real chaos, because these are very important so that we can really coexist well with each other. But it is not only about our values being focused on the way in which we relate to other people, it is also necessary to have them with our surroundings, with the environment. These values are what we call environmental values. Due to its great importance, in this Green Ecologist article, we are going to talk about what are environmental values and examples of these.
What are environmental values - definition
Environmental values refer to the behavior that people have with the environment. They are determined by positive actions aimed at making responsible use of natural resources, as well as to conserve, maintain and protect the natural environment and living beings. Therefore, environmental valuessometimes they are also known as ecological values.
To achieve these values in people, it is essential to environmental education, since thanks to it there will be changes towards a more just and equitable society based on a respectful coexistence with us and the environment.
We recommend you learn more about What is environmental education and its objectives and Environmental education activities for young people.
What are the environmental values
Now that we know the definition of environmental values, we will now expose what are the environmental values exactly:
- Austerity: is to be aware of everything we consume and the real needs we have. This value is carried out with reduction and reuse.
- I respect: Without this courage we could not live in peace. It is just as important to respect each other among human beings, as with all forms of life that exist and the natural environment. Think that nature is our home and we must respect it, since without its resources and their good condition, our life would not be possible.
- Solidarity: seeks to protect natural resources regardless of the hemisphere in which they are found. The southern hemisphere of planet earth has always been exploited to supply the needs of the population living in the northern hemisphere, thus creating great inequalities. Another objective pursued with solidarity is to conserve natural resources for future generations. Currently young people are creating large mobilizations with the slogan "There is no planet B".
- Co-responsibility: is to be aware and assume our individual and collective responsibility in the face of the destruction of nature. Sometimes we make excuses saying "what's the use of me doing it, if the vast majority don't." The changes begin in oneself and in small groups, which will grow over time.
- Empathy: It is a feeling of identification with nature, it is to come to understand that everything that affects it also affects us. Surely you have heard the slogan “Save the planet” many times, but saving the planet is also saving ourselves and future generations.
- Coherence: it is acting accordingly with the ideas we have or with what we express. That is, if we have a thought such as preserving nature, we must act with actions that develop that idea.
There is another classification of environmental values which, by way of summary, indicates the following:
- Environmental love.
- Environmental awareness.
- Environmental respect.
- Environmental responsibility.
- Environmental conservation.
- The environmental coexistence.
- Environmental sensitivity.
- The environmental initiative.
- Environmental participation.
All of these are all environmental values that we must develop in society. The objective pursued with these values is to change our lifestyle for a more sustainable one, since the model that we have followed until now since industrialization increasingly harms the natural environment in which we live. Now more than ever we need education to reach everyone and, thus, achieve a sustainable development of our society.
In the same way that these are ecological or environmental values of individual people towards the environment or natural environment, they are also reflected as environmental values of a company, association or grouping of any kind.
Examples of environmental values and how to fulfill them
In this section some examples of how to develop each of the environmental values that have been mentioned in the previous section.
- Austerity: It is about making small daily gestures, such as turning off the tap when we brush our teeth or not leaving the lights on. We can also look for reusable products, such as glass bottles for water to replace plastic or use cloth bags to do the shopping. In this other post about What is responsible consumption you will learn many more simple and effective gestures for this purpose.
- I respect: The human being could not live without water, if we do not take care of the water reserves that exist, it becomes contaminated, being harmful to living beings, including people. Water is just one example, but really human beings are dependent on nature, that is why they must respect it.
- Solidarity: One way of being supportive could be to have an ecological garden among a group of people and distribute among all the products of the garden. Here you can learn how to make an urban garden in an ecological way.
- Co-responsibility: Participation in volunteering, movements against climate change, such as the small changes we make in our lives to protect nature, are forms of co-responsibility.
- Empathy: How can we be empathetic with the environment? Moving around by bicycle, which in addition to being a beneficial activity for health does not emit CO2 and thus we contribute to improving the quality of the air that is breathed by all living beings. Also using public transport, which is sometimes even more useful and comfortable than using the car.
- Coherence: As an example, we can think that a person committed to the environment to put their commitment into practice could carry out environmental education workshops.
As a reflection we want to emphasize that by changing your shoes you can change the street, by changing the street you can change your ideas and with new ideas you can change the world. But the real revolution occurs changing your values towards more just ones with the environment that surrounds you.
If you have liked learning about environmental values, we advise you to discover what is bioethics and its principles.
If you want to read more articles similar to Environmental values: what they are and examples, we recommend that you enter our category of Other environment.
