NSW continues to lead in environmental education
14 November 2006
The NSW Government today released a new three-year plan for environmental education in NSW, continuing the work begun in 2002 on the most ambitious environmental education plan ever seen in Australia.
Dr Ronnie Harding, Chair of the NSW Council on Environmental Education said the plan, Learning for Sustainability 2007-10, recognises the importance of education in enabling NSW to achieve its goals for environmental sustainability.
"Since 1994, education has consistently been rated as one of the more important initiatives the government can undertake to protect or improve the environment."
Dr Harding said.
"We've brought together representatives from across government, the community and private sectors and education institutions to develop one of the world's most comprehensive and detailed environmental education plans.
"Learning for Sustainability builds on the achievements and understandings of previous NSW Government environmental education initiatives, including the initial Learning for Sustainability plan launched in 2002," she said. "It also confirms NSW as the leader in providing environmental education for the whole community".
The new plan addresses priority environmental themes through a number of complementary programs that will serve to:
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the environmental, social and economic costs of climate change
- promote water conservation through urban and regional catchment-based water cycle management
- and promote innovative urban planning, green design techniques and environmentally-friendly transport alternatives, among other things.
"The plan calls on all sectors of the NSW community to play their part in building a learning society, one in which we are all informed and active contributors to creating a more sustainable future – at home, work, school and play," Dr Harding said.
"It will be delivered through partnerships and networks across all sectors, making it accessible to all people throughout NSW.
"Our vision is to achieve effective environmental education and build the capacity of the people of NSW to be informed, active participants in moving our society towards sustainability.
"With education being the most strategic investment we can make toward that goal, Learning for Sustainability is an important tool for securing a sustainable future for NSW," Dr Harding said.
Media contact: Adam Cooke 9995 6413