The paper reports on an initiative to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for a sustainable environment. The initiative involved the training of pre-service teachers to not only be aware of, or know about environmental problems and want to act for the environment, but also to be able to act for the environment. Small group community problem solving projects illustrate the nature of environmental community problems that could be acted upon. The process of the projects, including how the pre-service teachers identified the community problems and conducted the projects, is described. Outcomes of the projects including reflections about what the pre-service teachers have learnt in being involved with the projects show the nature of capacity building efforts possible to work towards a sustainable environment. Lessons learnt from the involvement in community problem solving projects are also highlighted.