Regional Environmental Issues Can Develop Global Perspectives
Steven McCullagh
Department of Biological Sciences, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia
Abstract: One of the major challenges facing environmental educators is how to
help the public navigate the complexity of environmental issues. Numerous components
of the natural environment are linked to each other and they interface with human interests
and policies as complex interacting systems. Can we find specific strategies to unravel the
complexity of environmental issues? This article describes a strategy to analyze
environmental issues by clarifying the ecological, individual, institutional and international
components of these in order to clarify their significant interactions. I have used these
strategies with a special emphasis on a project that helps students develop global
environmental perspectives. This project uses the Internet to put students in contact with
stakeholders for regional environmental issues around the world. These teaching strategies
are both simple and effective and are applicable in many environmental education settings
and with diverse audiences.
Introduction
As environmental educators we seek to increase understanding of the environment
so that learners can be more independent and thoughtful in critical decision-making
regarding both their local environments and the global environment we all share.
Recognizing that this understanding must include both the natural environment and the
social context in which we act, we acknowledge that we are citizens of both natural and
social/cultural worlds. Hence, both environmental literacy and geographic/cultural literacy
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Convention