Mediterranean models for integrating environmental education and Earth sciences through Earth systems education

Abstract

Practitioners of modern environmental education frequently find themselves collaborating with those who are engaged in integrating the science disciplines in search of answers to natural hazard prediction/protection, understanding the deep sea and space, and especially confronting pressing environmental concerns with a basis in Earth sciences. Indeed, it is a lack of understanding of Earth systems processes and feedback mechanisms that has resulted in humans initiating or exacerbating environmental problems for centuries. In this paper the authors provide a perspective on the established fields of environmental education and Earth science, and propose a practical combination that is of larger global import as well as more personal relevance than either of the originals: Earth systems Education. The role of the Earth systems education model in integrating the science curriculum is discussed with regional examples from Israel and Cyprus.