The goal of environmental literacy is the capacity to act in an informed way. A “call to action” is often the first form of public communication about an environmental problem. Finding a solution requires a base of knowledge, the participation of and communication among diverse stakeholders from all parts of the community and a shared understanding of the global and temporal contexts. These skills have to be part of today’s education for a sustainable world.
What emerges from knowledge of the environmental, natural and human processes and the communication is an understanding of the fundamental interrelationships between human activities and the environment. As environmentally literate persons go about their lives as citizens, professionals, and family member, they are more likely to see environmental processes, issues and problems as relevant to their lives.
Formal education can provide support by integrating environmental themes into the curricula at all levels. The ability to read, write, communicate and act about the environment, is part of a lifelong learning agenda. Some of the insights and frameworks used in action- or service-based fields are therefore relevant in framing concepts in environmental literacy
