We need environmental studies

There is a distinct vulnerability when it comes to one’s education and intellectual curiosity. Typically, we, as learners, find what we are interested in and pursue it. But this decision is often predicated on more than just what interests us; rather, it is also a function of those topics for which we have a natural ability or aptitude. Inversely, we are defensive towards studies that threaten our intellect, establishing an internal hierarchy of admiral or worthwhile academic pursuits. Unfortunately, we too often ignore issues that we do not have experience with before giving them a chance.

During my sophomore year in college, I found myself enrolled in the only philosophy course that fit my schedule. Eager to finish my dreaded required courses, I decided to set aside my unfounded disrespect for environmental studies and take “Ethics of the Environment.” Without exhaustive summary, I should say that I am grateful to have taken a class that tore down my disrespect for a disciple of which I knew nothing. Since, I have not only thought about the environment in a more attentive way, but I have also tried to figure out why it took school policy for me to stumble upon environmental studies — an area which will redefine our future.

My reflection bore a simple, yet haunting truth: I was able to ignore environmental studies because I was never given even the opportunity to consider the field until college.

I thought I knew what I wanted to study in college when I arrived. But after taking but an introductory course on environmental ethics, I began to see its relevance to my existing interests: how could I be an effective economist without understanding the intrinsic, rather than just monetary, value of the land on which we build our societies?

We need to stop producing policy makers, businessmen, teachers that are not versed on the complexity of nature and the non-human beings with which we share this earth. We need environmental studies — at every level of academia.

Environmental education — which attempts to create and reinforce a human relationship with the environment that promotes consciousness and conservation — has become more prevalent on college campuses. Indeed, colleges are increasingly hosting environmental studies and environmental sciences majors and minors; however, as I experienced coming into college, these programs are too unfamiliar to garner great interest. In order to ensure that we are bringing our attention to these fields, we need to provide — or ever require — environmental education at younger ages.

A 2007 report by the Journal of Environmental Education, entitled An Elementary School Environmental Education Field Trip: Long-Term Effects on Ecological and Environmental Knowledge and Attitude Development, studied the long term effects of a fourth-grade field trip on its participants. The authors found that, among other variables of environmental awareness, students seemed to have a more “proenvironmental” attitude. That is, the students were more likely to have “concern” or compassion for the environment later in life.

There is no divine canon yielding the answers to environmental concerns; however, by simply introducing its subject matter into our daily sensibilities, it will allow us to work towards a greater understanding of what humanity’s relationship with the environment ought to be. But this cannot happen unless we make an effort to provide environmental education as an option for our developing minds.

We study medicine with enormous amounts of rigor — and rightfully so. Medicine allows us to limit suffering and heighten our quality of life. But while we focus on our human needs, our earth’s non-human beings are left to the wayside. And soon, it will not only be too late to save our ecosystems and animals, but their issues will become ours as well.

When Santa Barbara and Miami are under water from rising sea levels because of our neglect of climate change; or, when our snow packs dissipate, leaving our water supply in greater jeopardy, we will regret not applying our talents to environmental studies.

We do, however, still have a chance to make a change: I am not asking you to agree with climate scientists or anti-oil drilling protestors — I am simply asking you to flood the conversation with voices.