Too Little

The fact that the environment is in a gloomy state is no shock to most people. The media is surrounded with facts that polar ice caps are melting, that global warming is on the rise and that if nothing is done soon the situation will get worse until the planet is uninhabitable. Media outlets do not hesitate to spread the word of the deteriorating state. However, only a select few people have gotten a better grasp on the issue. While there is media coverage surrounding the situation to help understand the full scope of the issue further research must be done. There is not education readily available to the public to fully illustrate the challenge facing the global environment.

Although, most people that have access to a TV, or a newspaper or the internet have heard of the dire environmental condition, whether it be talk of the rise in global temperature or the picture of the stranded polar bear on a block of ice, most people do not look further into the situation. They take the situation for face value. After that image is seen or that news piece read, the education stops there. The idea is put into their mind but it is up to them to learn more on their own. Education must be more readily accessible. While it is the first step to inform, the second, third and fourth step must be taken to educate.

Education must start at a young age. The situation of the environment is not improving and the only way to salvage what we have done to our planet is to teach those who will be living on it tomorrow. Environmental issues must be brought up at a young age in the public education system to constantly stress the impact of the problem. Education at a young age also allows for time to change. A young child has the rest of his life to change his lifestyle and potentially make a small difference. An older person is more likely to be set in their ways and resist change.

Education must not only include information of the problem, but what caused it and what can be done to curb the impact or stop it completely. It is understood that the education has more pressing issues, when children are living the system with a low reading level and minimal math skills, but rather picking one subject or another, the environmental challenge must be incorporated into the curriculum. Readings must include literature on the environment, and along with learning about the human anatomy students need to learn the make up of our planet. The environment must become a partner subject with the subjects already being taught.

Education too late is becoming the biggest challenge facing the global environment. Without proper education, the issue will continue to be looked at on the surface. The problem of the deteriorating global environment must be put into the perspective of young children in order for significant change to be seen for the future.