Putting People into Policy: The Role of Environmental Education and Communication

摘要

Environmentally sustainable development brings together concerns about environmental protection and economic growth. A supportive policy framework is a key component in determining whether or not the goal of environmentally sustainable development is achieved. As this paper describes, effective policy comes down to how people their needs, perspectives, and behaviors are integrated into the policy development process. Environmental Education and Communication (EE&C) provides policy makers, and the many other individuals and groups who play a role in the policy process, with useful tools in ensuring that this integration takes place. Similarly, it provides people with the skills that enable them to become better advocates for policies that reflect their needs and concerns. People are thereby empowered, policies are more effective, and the process of democratization is strengthened.