Teaching Ecology: A New Generation Influences Environmental Policy
1994; Public Relations Society of America; Volume: 50; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0033-3670
Autores Tópico(s)Environmental Education and Sustainability
ResumoChildren who learn about the ecosystem and how to protect often become committed young environmental activists. are already having an impact on national, if not international, environmental policies. Conservation, pollution control, recycling and protection of endangered species are all issues that strike responsive chords in the new generation. In households across America, are taking the lead in environmental causes, said Dana Lauren West, manager, policy & program communications, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Washington, DC. West was one of four speakers at a meeting of PRSA's Environment Section in mid-November. speakers pointed out how teaching children about the ecosystem and how to protect results in committed young activists. These kids favor conservation of natural resources, protection of endangered species and recycling. are opposed to and often campaign against polluters of all kinds. Children exert a growing influence on environmental decisions made by their parents, the speakers agreed. discussed both formal and informal educational programs, gave advice to companies using environmental themes, and talked about how to reach younger audiences. Young people think they can have an impact on the environment, stated West. The shortcoming of the green movement is that there has not been enough education on environmental issues. Kids writing to WWF and donating their money want to know exactly what the organization is doing, West added. They ask for forms to prove who [sic] we're raising money for! One little girl who send in her tooth fairy money to support the efforts, for instance, earnestly requested: Have the whale write me, West reported. A 13-year-old wrote to say he'd convinced his father not to go hunting any more. WWF's research on children's attitudes showed that 71% of kids are interested in the environment and 74% of those would take an hour a week outside of formal school time to learn more about the subject, according to West. WWF is one of many organizations taking steps to provide kids with the information they want, both in and out of school. group has formed Windows on the Wild, a partnership with Eastman Kodak Co., to help educate middle schoolers about loss of biodiversity in the world, West said. Biodiversity encompasses all forms of life, she explained. A survey of middle school teachers was conducted before the program was launched. teachers indicated that lack of teaching materials was a serious problem. In response, WWF and Kodak developed materials, conducted pilot tests and solicited student involvement in the project. As a result, a new magazine for kids called WOW (Windows on Wildlife) is being launched this month to coincide with Earth Day celebrations. Another WWF pilot project involves having students debate and recognize the pros and cons of zoos, West said. Our research is extremely valuable for the environmental movement, she said. It underlines the impact kids can have on their parents and communities. You must treat children as adults; not as a vessel to be filled but as a fire to be ignited. Kids hold own Earth Summit In fact, young people who watch Nickelodeon TV voted to sponsor their own Kids Earth Summit in April 1993. On national TV, Vice President Al Gore answered often tough questions posed by kids about the Clinton administration's environmental policies. At the first Kids World Council (KWC) at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, FL, noted TV journalist Linda Ellerbee interviewed the vice president. Other questions were posed by a 12-year-old boy who won an essay contest to qualify to be a KWC delegate. Our generation can turn things around, the contest winner, Chris Gennaro, told Gore. We can jump start the campaign [to save the planet]. But it will take several generations, he admitted. …
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