Organizer: Melissa Taggart
Format: Online, Morning
Abstract:
As a global society, we are facing unprecedented, and largely human-caused, environmental and social challenges. As multiple sectors look for large-scale solutions, environmental education (EE) can play a critical role in building our collective capacity to solve problems, think systemically, and build bridges—between sectors and between the SDGs. This is one of key goals of the Global Environmental Education Partnership (or GEEP), which was formed by the Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan (EPA Taiwan), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Through the GEEP, we have learned that although there is an abundance of strong EE efforts happening around the world, these efforts are not always being shared in ways that can promote learning and shared understanding. The goal of this session, led by GEEP secretariat NAAEE, is to introduce research-based EE approaches in addressing the SDGs, and use case studies from around the world as a tool to illustrate theory in practice and to build critical thinking and problem solving skills. Specifically, we will lead participants in an interactive session that explores the role of EE in topics such as climate change, positive youth development, biodiversity, and the circular economy. We’ll discuss what the EE research says and also explore real-world examples through case studies. Participants will come away with new skills and a better understanding of the role EE can play in their work to create a just and sustainable future.
Themes: Integrated Action for the SDGs, Knowledge-to-Action, Sustainability for Who?