ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN ZAMBIA: WHY THE RESURGENCE?

Abstract

The visibility of environmental problems and the increasing awareness of associated consequences have made environmental issues salient in Zambia. At the beginning of the 21st century, issues relating to Environmental Education (EE), conservation and management emerged on the global policy stage. Most international declarations and conventions to combat global environmental problems call for heightened environmental awareness and environmental education as policies, but these will only be successful if they have the backing of society at large. Environmental Education is an important tool to combat environmental degradation and learn environmentally appropriate behaviour. The environmental challenges confronting the world today call for a shift in our thinking that will assist the earth to heal her wounds and so heal our own. Like other developing nations, Zambia needs to develop programmes and campaigns to educate the community about the environment. This chapter, therefore, discusses environmental problems in Zambia, the development and goals of environmental education, the principles of effective Environmental Education and the need for environmentally educated citizens.