Recycle Nations. (2015, April 2). [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://recyclenation.com/2015/04/-challenges-and-importance-of-environmental-education

Education works primarily through promoting a positive change in attitudes through imparting knowledge regarding the issues of illegal fishing that have contributed to the decline in fish stocks.

In San Salvador ( Philippines ) a combination of inadequate enforcement efforts and open-access fishery contributed to a rise in illegal fishing which contributed to an increase in scarcity of reef fishes such as groupers, snappers, and damselfish that village residents depended on for their livelihood.

This lead to the launch of  Marine Conservation Project for San Salvador ( MCPSS)  that carried out intensive campaigning activities with an aim to enhance resident’s consciousness of the consequences of consuming resources at an unsustainable level while simultaneously reminding the public how neglecting on this effort could impact the environment negatively. ( Katon, Pomeroy, Garces, Salamanca ,1999) A 10-day event to Apo-island, a Marine Sanctuary in Central Philippines that seeks to fulfill the aforementioned objectives was implemented where residents are equipped with a  clearer understanding of the roles they play in resource rehabilitation. Through this platform, new policies were enacted in that destructive fishing methods ( Eg:  Hook and line, bamboo traps and gill nets)  within marine sanctuary were prohibited

The campaigning efforts transpired to be effective in that they provided the residence with direct exposure to nature which facilitated experiential learning. This foster active participation that serves as a critical component in environmental education.  However, this effort could be further enhanced by extending the program to children and making it salient to them in schools and field trips. By providing early educational exposure, children learn to appreciate the value of sustainable consumption of resources which could ultimately aid in nurturing a stable environmental identity. ( clayton & myers, 2011)

While education can be viable in nurturing pro-environmental behaviors, conveying long-term attitude change remains challenging especially when societal norms, economic and political forces runs counter with the aim of conservation. Thus, efforts in education have to go concurrently with other approaches to be effective in the long haul.   ( Gardner & Stern 2002)