Environmental education for sustainable development

In the 21st century world society is facing new and promising possibilities of evolution. The diverse works created by mankind are drawing a present and a future of progress and well-being but also unfortunately outlining the contours of an ecological catastrophe of terrible dimensions. There is however a deep and understood awareness of the need to re-establish ecological balance and ensure the integrity of the environment. A fundamental purpose of environmental education is to enable individuals and communities to understand the complex nature of the environment (resulting from the interaction of its different aspects: physical biological social cultural economic etc.) and to acquire the knowledge values and practical skills to participate responsibly and effectively in the prevention and solution of environmental problems and in the management of environmental quality.