Abstract
Environmental problems endanger the sustainability and survival of our planet. A way to raise awareness of the seriousness of the current environmental situation among future citizens and instill proactive behaviors that place the environment at the center of decision-making is environmental education. This study analyzes nine primary and secondary education textbooks in order to see what environmental education students receive as part of the subject of geography across the years of compulsory education in Spain. These textbooks are published by three different and main companies, which are a good example of the adaptation of the official curriculum. The study was conducted using the design and development of a coding sheet combining analysis of format (quantitative) and content (qualitative). The results show much room for improvement there is in environmental education in Spain. This improvement should start from the organization of the curriculum and its subsequent transposition into the textbooks. Thus, many changes are needed if we wish to build a society capable of effectively solving the threat of the environmental problems that surround us.
Highlights
Our findings suggest that environmental education in Geography textbooks in the Spanish compulsory education system could be improved
In view of our findings and the documented dramatic situation of the environment, the environmental education received by Spanish students during the compulsory stages of the education system could clearly be much improved
Important conceptual content is ignored and there is an inadequate focus on the attitudinal content required by Spanish legislation, some being as important as respect for nature, recycling habits, or the appropriate use of natural resources
Summary
Since the end of the 19th century, multiple initiatives have attempted to educate and raise awareness of the protection and sustainability of the Earth. An example of this is the creation of protected areas. A significant moment was the declaration of Earth Day in 1970 [7] In this sense, the concept of sustainable development entered into common usage across the world, being definitively defined in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The United Nations has highlighted the problem with ongoing successive summit meetings on the planet with
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