Throwing Down Environmental Education Gauntlet

According to CIWEM, environmental education must be improved and promoted at all levels of public engagement, but particularly within schools. Today's students are future leaders and decision-makers. They need to learn and practice the skills necessary to protect, preserve and restore the environment. Environmental education will help give students the skills they need in order to thrive in the emerging green economy. Therefore, CIWEM would like to see millions of students participating in environmental education programmes and activities, such as the Stockholm Junior Water Prize (SJWP).

CIWEM has been the UK national organiser for the SJWP for the last three years but struggled to get support from the highest level of the previous government. This meant that whilst thousands of entrants into the international competition came from countries such as Russia, Vietnam, France, Italy and South Africa, the UK only attracted a handful of entries.

CIWEM challenges the Government to empower students by creating a national awareness campaign. This should involve promoting the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, World Water Monitoring Day, STEM Ambassadors and other environmental projects to all schools and youth groups, which could participate for a whole week, a day, or just one lesson or activity.

CIWEM's Director of International Development, Paul Horton, asks: "The UK is a leader in the environmental sciences and is home to some of the world's leading scientists, so why have we lagged behind other countries in promoting environmental education? Better environmental education is the key to a sustainable future and the Stockholm Junior Water Prize brings together the world's brightest young people to encourage their interest in water and the environment, testing their skills and abilities. This Government must give us a clear signal that they support such initiatives."