Environmental and Moral Education for Effective Environmentalism: An Ideological and Philosophical Approach

Abstract

This article offers a critical review of the research on moral and environmental education as a basis for building environmentalism. The review’s objective is to present an ideological and philosophical theory and research on environmentalism through moral education. The bulk of this research involves empirical research that examines the correlation between moral education and environmentalism, ideologies produced by moral education, and philosophical arguments inherent in environmental education. A deductive argument is made following the review of the existing research on moral education to highlight the educational approaches that have been hailed as effective. Some of the environmental educational approaches identified as being effective include proactive environmental education, creating an environmentally conscious environment, and real-life environmental education simulations. The research also identifies moral education whose focus is the creation of a moral consciousness among learners as being critical for the development of environmental consciousness. Inculcation of religious education, creating a moral educational atmosphere, moral leadership, moral life simulations, and use of Ubuntu and Ukamu theoretical frameworks will bolster building a moral consciousness among learners. The argument presented in this article is that despite the existence of some contrary research, moral education can act as a bolster to positive attitudes, actions, and behaviors towards the environment.