Sustainable educational programs impart invaluable skills that can enhance an individual’s marketability and help to forge a greener world.
Educating people about sustainability is important because studies show that although most would like to do something about climate change, many do not know how. A sustainable education can help to bring people’s actions into line with their values.
The United Nations is behind comprehensive efforts to broaden sustainable development education initiatives around the world. The Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) is being led by UNESCO, which has developed a comprehensive multifaceted approach to sustainable education. UNESCO believes that education is a human right and the primary agent driving the transformation towards sustainable development.
High unemployment rates and the rising cost of college are causing many students to seek an education that offers marketable skills. A new trend study from the University of California San Diego Extension reveals that sustainability is one of the hottest career options for college graduates in this challenging economy. With millions of well-paying green jobs being projected, this is an immense opportunity for those with the right education.
Whether due to the new economy or increasing ecological sensibilities, greener schools are growing exponentially. The proliferating university level curricula in America are part of the rising trend of green academics around the world.
We are seeing greener schools and greener curricula at all levels. Five US states are currently collaborating with federal authorities to create secondary school and post secondary school programs that will lead to sustainable certificates and degrees.
The increasing numbers of people studying sustainability will help to dismantle the logjam of ignorance that is impeding both climate change legislation and an international treaty to limit greenhouse gasses.
By the mid-21st century, all jobs will be sustainable jobs and green will be woven into the fabric of our curricula. Until then, a sustainable education is the key to accessing the green economy and contributing to the development of a greener world.
________________________________________________________
Richard Matthews is a consultant, eco-entrepreneur, green investor and author of numerous articles on sustainable positioning, eco-economics and enviro-politics. He is the owner of The Green Market Oracle, a leading sustainable business site and one of the Web’s most comprehensive resources on the business of the environment. Find The Green Market on Facebook and follow The Green Market’s twitter feed.