Building Up an Ecologically Sustainable Society by Inculcating Environmental Ethics and Values in Children

Abstract

Ecological sustainable society is a relevant concern of the people of today and tomorrow. A Chinese Proverb says “If you are thinking a year ahead, plant a seed, if you are thinking decade ahead plant a tree and if you are thinking a century ahead educate people”. The role of education in environment protection was recognized in the 1980. In 1988 UNESCO put toward the plan „education for sustainability‟. Early childhood education for sustainability, an emerging national and international field launched „the United Nations decade of education for sustainable development (2005-2014)‟ UNESCO, 2005. They are obtaining good results in creating consciousness. The realistic angle of environmental problem will only be met if it is rooted in the local concrete reality of young children. In the childhood period, children develop their basic values, attitudes, skills, behavior and habits which may be long lasting. Experiences during this phase extensively influence physical & neurological development which drivebiological, psychological and social response throughout the entire life span. They can be initiators provocateurs, researchers and environmental activist. Childhood has the potential to foster values that support sustainable development. Children are the part of society who will bear the consequences of our actions and inactions on sustainability related lesson. “I am myself and my circumstances” said a Spanish philosopher.Children being a part of society, problems of social, cultural and physical environment in which is inserted a part of them, effects them. Children live in the world confronted by mounting environmental problems like global deforestation, loss of species diversity, pollution, global warming and so on. So it is the duty of adults to tap them and bring up a tactful environmental friendly future citizens. The inculcation of environmental ethics can be done formally and informally. The compulsory school presents a continuous evolution while informal, family environmental values always seep in off and on. The ethics of respecting nature, understanding nature, exploring nature, respect of individual cultural difference, learning diversity should be promoted in early childhood. Humans are not the hosts. Human beings and nature should get along harmoniously and to develop that it is necessary to reinforce protection, and this has to be understood as soon as the child starts understanding nature and other important values.