Every January 26th is World Environmental Education Day, here we tell you how we collaborate and promote these types of educational initiatives.
Environmental Education Day is a date that has its roots in the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Environment, which was held for the first time in Stockholm, Sweden, 1972. This event marked a milestone by recognizing the need to establish common criteria and principles that guide the population towards the preservation and improvement of the environment, integrating these values in education and daily life.
The main purpose of World Environmental Education Day is to raise awareness about the environmental crisis, not only on a global scale but also at the local level. Environmental education enables people to understand the relationship between their actions and the environment, promoting active participation in solving environmental issues.
ORIGEN
The first signs of the importance of environmental care emerged in 1972, during the Stockholm Conference, where the foundations were laid to raise awareness and design useful principles to guide the preservation and improvement of the natural environment. Three years later, in 1975, the need for a structured environmental education was reinforced at the International Environmental Education Seminar held in Belgrade. This seminar brought together experts from over 70 nations, who developed the Belgrade Charter, a key document that defined the essential objectives of environmental education.
Later, in the Tbilisi Declaration (1977), six fundamental points were outlined to guide social groups and individuals toward a more harmonious relationship with the environment. Among the main objectives are:
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Awareness: Develop sensitivity and awareness toward the environment and associated issues. |
Knowledge Provide a basic understanding of the environment and humanity's relationship with it. |
Attitudes: Encourage values, commitment, and positive attitudes toward environmental protection and improvement. |
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Skills: Develop the necessary abilities to solve environmental problems and address related challenges. |
Action: Promote responsible behavior patterns that contribute to environmental well-being. |
Participation: Encourage active involvement of individuals and communities in environmental initiatives. |
Environmental education must be a continuous and flexible process, capable of adapting to the needs of each era and providing solutions to the crises that threaten the planet. This observance aims to inspire individuals to identify the environmental challenges they face daily and engage in the search for sustainable solutions.
In Mexico, institutions such as PROFEPA (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) consider environmental education a fundamental pillar for enforcing environmental laws. PROFEPA actively participates in training Community Environmental Monitoring Committees and promotes environmental education programs for children and young people, strengthening the development of citizens committed to conserving our planet.
Through forums, beach cleanups, training sessions, and the collaboration of our team members and guests in obtaining certifications such as Blue Flag and Avante, among others, we take action as a socially responsible company.
This time, we participated in the 8th Environmental Education Forum, where Sergio Castro, Director of Quality & CSR at Cancun Sailing, spoke about the importance of environmental education in the transformative role of the private sector, particularly as a nautical tourism agency like ours.
As a tourism company operating at sea, we understand the significance of the Mesoamerican Reef System. That’s why we take action before, during, and after our tours to prevent damage to the marine ecosystem and contribute to a healthier habitat without interfering with its natural evolution.
Certifications like Avante have set an example for us, as we are one of the few agencies in Cancun that hold this distinction.
Additionally, we regularly receive inspection visits from Blue Flag to ensure that our services and vessels have the necessary resources to provide the best experiences while protecting marine life—allowing our guests to enjoy and appreciate it responsibly.
We hope this post has been informative and has positively impacted your understanding of environmental education.
🤳🏼 Share it with your friends and let us know in the comments if you already know the importance of this date.