2
Education and especially environmental discourses in science education have a
lot to contribute in adopting and promoting Environmental Citizenship. However,
the conceptualisation of Environmental Citizenship in educational context remains
an imperative need. The under-explored (until now) potential for pro-environmental
behaviour change through Environmental Citizenship should be further emphasised
(Dobson 2010) and can contribute greatly to a more sustainable world.
1.1.1 The Need for Environmental Citizenship
We are currently experiencing an unprecedented environmental crisis. A series of
existing environmental problems (both global and local) constitute the scenery of
the environmental crisis. Loss of biodiversity, climate change, ice melt, plastic pollution, ocean pollution, ocean acidification and desertification are just some of the
global environmental problems that make up this environmental crisis. Moreover, at
the local level, the environmental crisis is taking on other aspects such as habitat
loss and habitat fragmentation, extreme urban development, overconsumption of
natural resources and waste disposal. In addition to the current environmental problems mentioned, new environmental problems emerge, such as climate engineering,
genetic pollution and genetic drift, water stress, extended air pollution and environmental health problems, many of which are controversial topics. Increasing pressures on the environment could cause irreversible damage within the next few
decades (OECD 2008). The current inaction will have an enormous impact on the
environment in 2050 (OECD 2012).
Taking into account the emergency of the environmental issues, a renewed and
expanded Environmental Citizenship is needed to achieve positive outcomes for the
environment. Environmental Citizenship could contribute to the solution of the current environmental problems and will prevent the creation of new environmental
problems. Even though there are different interpretations of Environmental
Citizenship, there is a consensus of the scholars within the academy that there is a
need for an effective Environmental Citizenship (Barry 2006). Such an Environmental
Citizenship could develop a more sustainable society and world with the transformation of the values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of individuals who see themselves as part of the global environmental politic (Barry 2006).
1.1.2 The Roots of Environmental Citizenship
Environmental Citizenship is originally derived from the political science arena.
Many different approaches for Environmental Citizenship can be found in the scientific literature. According to Melo-Escrihuela (2008), the discourse regarding
Environmental Citizenship can be classified into two main categories: the personal
A. Ch. Hadjichambis and P. Reis
Education and especially environmental discourses in science education have a
lot to contribute in adopting and promoting Environmental Citizenship. However,
the conceptualisation of Environmental Citizenship in educational context remains
an imperative need. The under-explored (until now) potential for pro-environmental
behaviour change through Environmental Citizenship should be further emphasised
(Dobson 2010) and can contribute greatly to a more sustainable world.
1.1.1 The Need for Environmental Citizenship
We are currently experiencing an unprecedented environmental crisis. A series of
existing environmental problems (both global and local) constitute the scenery of
the environmental crisis. Loss of biodiversity, climate change, ice melt, plastic pollution, ocean pollution, ocean acidification and desertification are just some of the
global environmental problems that make up this environmental crisis. Moreover, at
the local level, the environmental crisis is taking on other aspects such as habitat
loss and habitat fragmentation, extreme urban development, overconsumption of
natural resources and waste disposal. In addition to the current environmental problems mentioned, new environmental problems emerge, such as climate engineering,
genetic pollution and genetic drift, water stress, extended air pollution and environmental health problems, many of which are controversial topics. Increasing pressures on the environment could cause irreversible damage within the next few
decades (OECD 2008). The current inaction will have an enormous impact on the
environment in 2050 (OECD 2012).
Taking into account the emergency of the environmental issues, a renewed and
expanded Environmental Citizenship is needed to achieve positive outcomes for the
environment. Environmental Citizenship could contribute to the solution of the current environmental problems and will prevent the creation of new environmental
problems. Even though there are different interpretations of Environmental
Citizenship, there is a consensus of the scholars within the academy that there is a
need for an effective Environmental Citizenship (Barry 2006). Such an Environmental
Citizenship could develop a more sustainable society and world with the transformation of the values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviour of individuals who see themselves as part of the global environmental politic (Barry 2006).
1.1.2 The Roots of Environmental Citizenship
Environmental Citizenship is originally derived from the political science arena.
Many different approaches for Environmental Citizenship can be found in the scientific literature. According to Melo-Escrihuela (2008), the discourse regarding
Environmental Citizenship can be classified into two main categories: the personal
A. Ch. Hadjichambis and P. Reis