Nature Deficit Disorder

Nature Deficit Disorder

by Steve Auger

Unprecedented changes in how young people relate to the outdoors and nature have resulted in a newly emerging phenomenon called "nature deficit disorder."  Kids are not only more "plugged in" than ever before, but no longer spend hours daily outdoors and interacting with nature.  "The implications for environmental literacy are not yet known."  Environmental Literacy IN AMERICA 

What we do know is that environmental literacy in America is woefully inadequate.   Most of our environmental knowledge is obtained via the media, not through properly scrutinized educational programs.  Environmental research by NEETF & Roper resulted in studies indicating that only 1/3 of American adults can pass a simple environmental quiz. 

Since the Cuyahoga River fire of 1969, environmental education has become highly popular.   Annually, 30 millioin students and over 1 million teachers participate in environmental education.   Hundreds of colleges now offer environmental science and natural resource programs.  But there is a very disturbing pattern emerging:  despite  increasing environmental education activities over the last 40 years, there is no significant difference in knowledge levels for those people graduating from high school before and after 1970.  With all this increase education going on, one would expect that young people would have a better grasp of environmental issue.   Yet there has been no appreciable improvement  in environmentaly knowledge among the young.

We need to counteract "Nature Deficit Disorder".  This can be accomplished by encouraging our young to spend more with nature and less time with keyboards.  As parents and concerned environmentalists we need to be more vocal and acitve regarding the contents of school curriculums.   Although there is more environmental information being taught in schools, Environmental Education has not reached Core Subject status.  And it is not hands on education. 

I would like to end this post with a quote from Environmental Literacy IN AMERICA:

"...What passes for environmental education in American is usually environmental information. One might compare it to the difference between a full-course meal and a quick snack. True education nourishes a deeper understanding and an all-important ability to skillfully apply that knowledge; information simply makes one aware of a topic and goes no farther. Ironically, it seems that many of those who have a powerful vision of widespread environmental literacy are unaware of this basic distinction, and therein lies environmental education's principal stumbling block. Those who are often the most anxious for improved public environmental understanding are prolific information providers but lack skill as educators. They publish checklists and guidebooks, give public addresses, issue press releases, produce films, obtain media coverage, print attractive posters, and more. But these attempts at education are cursory, lack expert pedagogy, and fall short of creating actual environmental literacy."