This paper attempts to explore how developing nations can best respond to the request of the United Nations General Assembly to examine their ongoing programs and policies for environmental impact, and to report regularly to the General Assembly on the progress being made towards the objectives of "environmentally sound and sustainable development." This can be done in developing countries by considering environmental education within their own key problem areas and the four associated areas that have a tremendous impact on the environment. These associated areas are poverty, population, health, and literacy. To do this, Part I of this paper considers the problems concerning the environment and the associated areas. Parts II and III consider enviromental education through formal and non-formal education systems. Finally, part IV considers the role of the developing countries in environmental education. Topics discussed include: (1) curriculum development; (2) classroom materials development; (3) teacher training; and (4) the role of mass media. (KR)