To enlighten the reader on the status of environmental education internationally, this paper discusses current environmental concerns, trends, and problems; reviews environmental-related communications between countries since 1965; and describes environmental education programs in selected countries. Environmental education is interpreted to include the processes of informing people about their environment and developing skills, motivation, and commitment to work toward solving current environmental problems and preventing new ones. The document is presented in five sections. Section I discusses the concept of environmental education and identifies major ecological issues, including ocean contamination, radiation fallout, loss of soil fertility, and malnutrition. Section II summarizes international perspectives on environmental education, stresses the United Nations' influence on program development, and lists educational needs. The needs include improved teacher education, improved research and evaluation, increased funding, and international cooperation. Section III lists and discusses major international conferences which have dealt with environmental education since 1965 and examines communications related to environmental matters between governmental agencies of various countries. Section IV outlines environmental education programs in Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela, and West Germany. The greatest environmental education need in all countries is coordination of efforts and resources. The concluding chapter suggests that environmental education may be the catalyst that will unite people in all countries in a common effort to find solutions to life threatening problems. (Author/DB)