Deficiencies and Suggestions for Solutions

It is accepted that work and adult education practices in the eco-living and environmental awareness area are inadequate. This inadequacy is the result of the difference between “education for the environment” and “education about the environment”. It is clearly seen that with education about the environment, concepts of nature and environment that have been memorized stay as mere classroom subjects and do not serve their purpose. The voluntary and participatory approach that is created by education for the environment is more effective and permanent. Therefore, rather than memorization of certain theoretical teachings, environmental education programs should involve being in nature, and aim for individuals that can participate in, observe and understand nature.

In addition to social education programs, there are certain measures that can be implemented by individuals to protect the environment. Some of these suggestions that require a small amount of effort are:

• Choose products with recycle symbols on their packages.
• Purchase glass packaging knowing that it has been recycled for thousands of years and has no interaction with the contents.
• Reuse plastic products such as plastic bags and food containers.
• Minimize the use of disposable products such as plastic razors, lighters, pens or foil cooking containers.
• Do not use plastic bags for small amounts of shopping.
• Use bigger sizes of products. This will mean getting more of the product and less packaging.
• Do not throw away glass with organic waste. Collect and take to the glass banks.
• Do not purchase products that have too much packaging.
• Make sure the toys you buy for the children are durable. Toys are thrown away when broken, and recycling them is very difficult.
• Give membership to an environmental organization as gifts to your loved ones.