Environmental experts have highlighted environmental education as critical tool in addressing environmental global challenges in the society, stressing that it help to equips citizens with the knowledge, attitudes and practical skills needed for Environmental protection.
Speaking at the Environmental Education Summit held in the University of Port Harcourt with the theme ” From Literacy to Action: Developing a Blueprint to strengthen Environmental Education for Achieving Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria”, Prof. Angela Ugwu, an environmental educationist and Head of Department, Faculty of Education in the Department of Adult and Non -Formal Education, University of Port Harcourt, noted poor environmental awareness among citizens and explained that Environmental Education remains a vital role in building citizens to effective response of environmental challenges.
While,urging that Environmental Education should not end in classroom, Prof Ugwu advised that Environmental knowledge acquired should be translate into action.
Also speaking, an environmental scientist, Prof Babatunde Bolaji, called for intensive community participation in Environmental conservation and the inclusion of environmental science in primary school curriculum.
Earlier, on his Part, Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Princewill Rewhuamwhu Chike represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Chukwudi Onyeaso described the environment as very important to protect from climate change, urging the society to uphold healthy Environment.
Similarly, an environmental educationist, Prof Mbalisi Festus, a lecturer in the Department of Adult and Non-,Formal Education, University of Port Harcourt, while urging citizens to avoid activities that contribute in destroying the environment, he stressed that Environmental knowledge also offer citizens required knowledge on protecting the environment.