REVIEW ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND MAINTENANCE CULTURE AT THE GRASSROOTS
INTRODUCTION
The stark realities of the harsh consequences of man’s activities on the environment and the near helplessness each time calamities visit the earth have given the impetus to take necessary actions. We need to understand actions and reactions, proffer solutions or implement decisions taken to mitigate the harsh consequences and to work towards caring more for the earth.
The above must have spurred the author to gather the material used in writing this book and to decide the segment of the population that she feels will receive the greatest impact if educated, informed and engaged in the war to restore the integrity of the environment and save our planet!
This book could not have come at a more auspicious time in our region!
The book is segmented into 20 units each covering as many topical issues on MAN’s relationship with his Environment- the AIR, the LAND and the SEA.
Beginning with man’s interaction with other parts of the ECOSYSTEM, the consequences of man’s activities for the environment, the possible solutions to the damage already inflicted on the environment, strategies to adopt in understanding, conquering and conserving the environment, the author gathered vital information which has been placed at the disposal of the younger generation to enable them to understand the enormity of the environmental challenges and to decide, for the benefit of humanity, to arm themselves adequately to contribute to saving the earth from destruction.
The choice of students in a secondary school as her target audience indicates the desire to catch them young, allow them to acquire, practise and inculcate habits that show respect and sensitivity to environmental issues and a burning desire to save the earth.
Each of the 20 units has 7 subunits namely:
- A very enlightening reading comprehension exercise, usually an extract from newspaper publications, research works carried out by developmental agencies or journal publications that give the student a deep knowledge of the specific environmental topic that will serve as a resource base for a lifelong sustainable human development. The reader is encouraged to read for practical knowledge and to relate their understanding of environmental issues to everyday life.
- The author draws out the reader to become an active participant as she creates challenging and exciting questions in grammar, vocabulary, essay writing, general questions/discussions, all from the environmental theme for the unit. Students are encouraged to produce their piece of writing which relates to the environment.
- A free-verse poem is included to communicate an environmental message which each reader will learn to appreciate and enjoy and be moved to create their poems
- The last subunit deals with Aesthetics and Culture of Maintenance. It aims at inculcating the right attitude towards matters concerning obedience, law and order, cleanliness, teamwork, discipline in conducting assigned responsibilities, diligence, and the will to always maintain the standard of everything under your care.
By the time the students go through all the topics in the 20 units, they will deepen their knowledge of the environment and will better appreciate the disaster that we are faced with if we do not stop our harmful and detrimental activities. This is a wake-up call!
I congratulate the author on a fantastic job and encourage her to continue the fight so that we all can imbibe the culture of care for our environment.
Thank you.
Julie Don-Adinuba
CEO
Allied Waste Industries Ltd