One thing about which there is widespread consensus is that the earth and its inhabitants are in social and environmental peril. This is where the consensus ends, however, for there is equally widespread disagreement as to the nature and causes of the problems (more social or more environmental), the severity of the problems (for whom are they…

This paper addresses the question of how Australian environmental education (EE) research was conceptualised and contextualised in the decade of the 1990s. Sixty seven articles published by Australian authors in this journal from 1990-2000 were analysed to examine the conceptualisation of this research using an inductive emergent categorisation…

This paper seeks to provide a perspective on environmental education in Aotearoa New Zealand. To contextualise this perspective, it illustrates how environmental, socio-cultural and political imperatives have shaped the development of environmental education in this land. These imperatives illuminate the natural history of the country, the…

The Council of the City of Sydney--like many other councils around Australia--has embarked on a whole-of-council approach to establishing sustainable behaviours amongst its residents. In developing its "Residential Environmental Action Plan"--designed to motivate and bring about real change in resident choices and behaviours--the City sought to…

Social research is a critical foundation for programs that seek to engage communities in change and in the development of more sustainable societies. Without appropriate research, programs aimed at change are likely to be based on implicit or assumed problem identification and/or inferred community needs and wishes. If we are to achieve community…

As a matter of survival, we need to educate current and future generations to live sustainably. We need to ensure that future generations have access to quality environmental education. This paper provides guidelines for educators and managers to use to better understand and manage the learning environment in which environmental education,…

Promoting efficient energy use in schools that consequently reduces greenhouse gas emissions is the purpose of a residential Energy Efficiency in Schools (EEIS) program reported on in this paper. Research on this program aligns with one of the "key "overarching" sustainability issues", set out in the "Learning for Sustainability: NSW Environmental…

This paper explains the origin of the University of West Sidney's Bachelor of Applied Science in Social Ecology degree, and describes underlying philosophical framework, the major course organizing principles, and the proposed structure of the course. Highlights the problematic nature of setting up a dialectical, nondisciplinary-based program.…

Presents an argument for reform in current environmental education (EE) practices within the context of the Canadian education systems. Describes Canadian contributions in the field of EE, contradictions between theory and practice that give rise to some current issues, and suggestions for future EE activities in Canada. (41 references) (MCO)

Presents an account of Italy's environmental research project carried out by five high schools, titled the Water Analysis Project. Examines the historical and socioeconomic context in which it grew and developed; its objectives, processes, professional and pedagogical results. Discusses student and teacher benefits from the project. (MCO)

Proposes that teaching methods be changed to move away from a positivist model toward an ecological model. Discusses three assumptions for future practice involving holism in environmental studies; the role of values in environmental studies; and the process of learning. (Contains 26 references.) (MDH)

Presents and explains model representing four dimensions of global education: temporal, spatial, issues, and inner. Presents six principal areas covered by humane curricula; the relationships between humane education, environmental education, and human rights education; and two humane education activities for the secondary and elementary/secondary…