Environmental education in Turkey

Environmental problems are those which deteriorate quality of life and even threaten it. It is known that methods put forward to prevent environmental problems cannot be overcome without a consciousness and sensitivity with regard to environment. Environmental consciousness can be achieved through environmental education. It is important to reach as many people as possible in environmental education in order to get a fruitful result. Moreover, public institutions, voluntary civil society organizations and the media which can affect and direct society more easily are more influential in implementation of environment education. In this study, the role of public institutions, voluntary civil society organizations and the media in environment education is dealt with, considering the fact that each activity which they carry out in implementation of environment education is of primary importance. It has been observed that formal and non-formal education are largely carried out, organized and inspected by public organizations from pre-school to university. It has also been seen that these public organizations which can reach almost all of the country with their large organizational structure are benefitted adequately and that they can play a more effective role to this end. And environment education has been found to be inadequate both in formal and non-formal education. Several criticisms and recommendations have been offered in this matter. Voluntary civil society organizations and media have been found to be important in creating people's awareness of environmental problems and encouraging people to this end. Although they are seen to have made important contributions to environment education, they can be more active in this area and various suggestions are offered for this. However, the activities of voluntary civil society organizations and media in this issue are not enough and therefore various recommendations are made to encourage them to play a more important role in this issue.