Science learning that is rooted in local climate phenomena is a powerful way to initiate climate change learning that is meaningful and leaves learners feeling more motivated to take climate action. Local climate phenomenon connects youth with community interests, place, diverse people, and actionable solutions. In this article we identify why…

Through innovative use of technology, we propose a pedagogical framework to improve the achievement of the threshold learning outcomes defined for Australian curriculum in environmental science. The proposed framework is grounded in the theory of disciplinary intuitions. It aims to improve understanding of the local environment through assessment…

The University of New Mexico (UNM) is home to a robust Department of Geography & Environmental Studies (GES). With curricula and research programs that span both environmental studies and geographic information science, the department covers topics of local, regional, hemispheric, and global interest. And yet enrollment is on the decline, as…

This essay examines the relationship between research and policy and, more specifically, how researchers might relate to policy work. Given the current international policy focus on climate change, green growth and sustainability in general, it argues for strengthening and widening policy research in the areas of Environmental Education (EE),…

The Swedish International Training Programme in Education for Sustainable Development, which has been run annually for the past 10 years, is a five-phase program that supports participants to develop and implement a change project in their work places. It requires a team of students from an institution and provides extensive follow up. The course…

Although the role of education in addressing the challenges of climate change is increasingly recognized, the education sector remains underutilized as a strategic resource to mitigate and adapt to climate change. Education stakeholders in many countries have yet to develop a coherent framework for climate change education (CCE). This article…

State Extension programs can contribute to the successful adoption of national environmental education programs by making locally relevant resources available, creating reference materials to bridge between 4-H project books and other resources, and developing companion materials that supplement national materials with local issues and resources.…

Recent international policy literature on Education for Sustainable Development puts forward utopian concepts of sustainable development and transformed learning as objects for educational thinking and practice. This paper, drawing on three illustrative educational investigations with youth in a South African context, critically examines how we…

Describes a personal experience in the effort to avoid widespread herbicide spraying. Provides insights for building a successful campaign: involvement, finding support, acceptance of differences of opinion, autonomy from political factions, and not assuming people are closed to healthier alternatives. (MCO)

Describes an environmental studies model which was used to optimize both central and school-based curricula teams. Identifies the main implementation problems as the need to identify local sources of knowledge, the need to train teachers in choosing modular curriculum units, and working with groups on a realistic project and project evaluation.…

Reviews and assesses the impact and direction of the Council for Urban Studies Centres (CUSC). Discusses CUSC's overall aims, staffing responsibilities, and program accomplishments. Appendices contain summaries of consultation services, interagency projects, and efforts in the promotion of urban studies. (ML)

A field trip and simulation exercise for a fourth-year "O"-level geography group in England are described. The activity focused on waste disposal problems at a coal plant and related local issues. (DC)

Reviews programs in the state of Maine that are designed to inventory the natural heritage of critical areas, rare species, and exemplary natural features. Discusses how the information acquired by these programs is being used for public information efforts and educational programs in the schools. (ML)

Describes a course which teaches about the world conservation strategy and its application in a local context. Includes goals, participants, instructors, format, evaluation, and future direction of this course cosponsored by Tufts University (Massachusetts) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. (DC)

A publication designed to help primary school teachers teach geography is critically reviewed. An integrated approach for studying the local environment to learn about issues and distant places is presented. Discusses a spiral approach for teaching which indicates what to teach at what age. (DC)