These both tend to emphasise more dramatic issues in order to catch the attention of the audience. However, young people find it difficult to see the links between local and global issues. Few get actively involved. They tend to blame others and are unwilling to make personal sacrifices. Peer influence is important, which has gender implications - more girls are environmentally active than boys.
Young people are more involved where there is an emphasis on environmental issues at school.
The biggest block to this is where staff do not feel confident to take it on. Environmental education is not a compulsory subject, is very complex and there is a lack of impartial resources for use by teachers. Training and a higher profile for the subject will be necessary to ensure that more schools give it priority. The increasing legal burden associated with external trips is an inhibiting factor. The curriculum s focus on subjects has also not favoured the subject.