Interdependence Human well being is inextricably bound with environmental quality. The importance of where one lives Environmental education begins close to home, encouraging learners to explore and understand their immediate surroundings. The sensitivity, knowledge, and skills gained by forging this local connection provide a base for moving out into larger systems, broader issues, and a lifetime of learning about causes, connections, and consequences. The learner is an active participant in environmental education. If learning is to become a natural, valued part of life beyond school, instruction should engage the learner in the process of building knowledge and skills and be guided in part by the student's interests.
Environmental issues are complex and multi-faceted.
Especially because they can prompt deep feelings and strong opinions, educators must take a balanced approach to instruction . Environmental educators incorporate differing perspectives and points of view even-handedly and respectfully and present information with intellectual honesty. They involve learners in critical evaluation of data, results, models, conclusions, and opinions. Fairness and accuracy are watchwords for instruction. Environmental education works both in and outside the classroom.