The school textbooks have been a useful site for inquiry into ways environmentalism is communicated. Rooted in the dominant social value of exploiting nature to satisfy human desire, shallow environmentalism treats environmental and ecological destruction by addressing immediate physical symptoms but refuses to reflect critically on the underlying…

We provide an overview of research in sustainability education. We argue that the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability programs at K-12 schools is one metric by which sustainability education can be conceptualized. We present a new measure of whole-school sustainability, or "interconnectedness," and then use it to compare…

In a national evaluation of environmental literacy in Israel, (Negev, Sagy, Garb, Salzberg, & Tal, 2008), the authors included both multiple choice questions and open questions. In this article the authors describe the qualitative analysis of the answers to an open question regarding a local environmental problem. Most participants specified…

The "New Environmental Paradigm" or NEP appears to have gained considerable popularity in academic and intellectual circles, as well as among many college students; however, very little is known concerning the degree to which the general public has come to accept the ideas embodied in it. Thus, although there have been dozens of studies…

The New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) Scale, published in "The Journal of Environmental Education" by R. E. Dunlap and K. D. Van Liere (1978), has become the most widely used measure of environmental concern in the world and been employed in hundreds of studies in dozens of nations. This article tells the story of the NEP Scale, beginning…

From its inception, environmental education (EE) has shouldered the imposition of impartiality on its methods and practices. Considering the reality of global climate change, the author urges the adoption of the more accurate theory of humans' relation to the natural world. This theory necessitates partiality toward healthy, functioning natural…

Explores the results of a random phone survey of 300 small businesses in order to develop a pollution-prevention campaign. Results indicate that respondents understood the concept of pollution prevention and were taking steps to reduce their part in it. Businesses preferred to obtain their information from suppliers, publications, and other…

Identifies social science concepts that are prerequisite for understanding or analyzing environmental issues through a review of social science textbooks and educational materials, and interviews with social scientists. (Author/ASK)

Preliminary assessment of Environmental Impact Statements in California indicate that their effectiveness is directly related to the local political structure. Environmental planning is expected to improve as environmental impact reports gain more credence as an information base for city planners. The need for uniform impact guidelines are…

The role of human feelings as well as physiologicalfacts in ecological concerns is considered. New terms are proposed to facilitate thinking about the ecosystem - the entire system of relationships on which life is contingent. (LS)

Strives to create a scale by which to assess environmental values in adults and eventually in children. A 31-item questionnaire based in part on subscales from the Children's Environmental Response Inventory (CERI) assesses values related to conservation, pollution, and urban/natural environments. This scale appears to display the reliability and…

A broad framework of goals for environmental interpretation was produced, and these goals were revised on the basis of input from a national panel. The goals comprised three hierarchical levels: (1) entry-level goals such as environmental sensitivity; (2) ownership goals such as resource site issue awareness; and (3) empowerment goals that include…

Focuses on some of the recent developments in environmental education facilitated by the European Union in Europe, particularly some of the needs that must be met in promoting environmental education. (Author/AIM)

Examines the general level of public environmental knowledge using a statewide survey of Kentucky residents. Analyzes the sociodemographic characteristics correlated with such knowledge. Results indicated that public environmental knowledge remains low, and the major correlates of knowledge are education, income, and gender. (TW)

Describes an interactive classroom game designed to enhance student understanding of air pollution control strategies. Discusses the game's focus on the differences in compliance costs that can occur between the three principal control approaches of emission limits, emission permits, and emission taxes. (TW)