Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Training a New Generation of Environmental Stewards in Greece

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Educating the Sustainability Leaders of the Future

Part of the book series: World Sustainability Series ((WSUSE))

Abstract

As concerns for sustainable development rise, the need to train professionals in formal, non-formal, and informal environmental education remains a dynamic priority. Environmental education should provide trainees with sophisticated tools. The objectives include behavioral change in order to raise environmental awareness and to transform future generations into environmental stewards. Unfortunately, educators' lack of awareness and proper training on environmental issues makes it tough to proceed successfully with related projects. The distinctiveness in environmental education stems from the didactic approach and the effectiveness of environmental communication in motivating trainees' emotions. A proposed method where ecosystem services are tuned with environmental communication serves as the driving force for promoting a sustainable way of living. Based on the above, this paper presents the only Summer Academy for Environmental Educators in Greece, established by Skyros Project in 2016. Summer Academy of Environmental Educators is an environmental communication service based on Skyros Project's long-standing environmental awareness legacy. The 17 SDG Goals play an instrumental role in involved stakeholders’ profiles. The Academy equips graduates with the necessary skills to effectively communicate pertinent environmental and public health concerns. The end outcome is the enrichment of our society with committed environmental stewards, capable of championing sustainability issues.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson A (2015) Reflections on environmental communication and the challenges of a new research agenda. Environ Commun 9(3):379–383. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2015.1044063

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antonopoulos G, Skanavis C (2020) ’Promoting an environmental awareness center to enhance educational activities in Linaria port, Skyros. Int J Green Econ 14(2):95–107. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJGE.2020.10032074

  • Antonopoulos K, Plaka V, Skanavis C (2016) Linaria port, Skyros: an environmentally friendly port community for leisure crafts. In: Proceedings of the 13th international conference on protection and restoration of the environment, at Mykonos Island, Greece

    Google Scholar 

  • Barraclough AD, Schultz L, MĂĄren IE (2021) Voices of young biosphere stewards on the strengths, weaknesses, and ways forward for 74 UNESCO biosphere reserves across 83 countries. Glob Environ Chang 68:102273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett B, Charles JW, Temte JL (2015) Climate change, human health, and epidemiological transition. Prev Med 70:69–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.11.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett EM, Chaplin-Kramer R (2016) Science for the sustainable use of ecosystem services. F1000Research 5:2622. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.9470.1

  • Bennett NJ, Whitty TS, Finkbeiner E, Pittman J, Bassett H, Gelcich S, Allison HA (2018) Environmental stewardship: a conceptual review and analytical framework. Environ Manag 61:597–614. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-017-0993-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burkhard B, MĂĽller F, Schweppe-Kraft B, Grunewald K, Syrbe R-U, Rosenberg M, Vowinckel J, Lupp G, Bastian O, Holfeld M, Anders K (2015) Ascertainment and assessment of es. Ecosyst Serv–Concept, Methods Case Stud 75–143. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-44143-5_4

  • Carson R (1962) Silent spring (Translated by L. Kandilidis). Cactus Publications 1981, Athens, p 212

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter RL, Simmons B (2010) The history and philosophy of environmental education. In: The inclusion of environmental education in science teacher education, pp 3–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9222-9_1

  • Cockburn J, Cundill G, Shackleton S, Rouget M (2019) The meaning and practice of stewardship in South Africa. South African J Sci. 115(5/6). https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2019/5339

  • Cox R (2007) Nature’s “crisis disciplines”: does environmental communication have an ethical duty? Environ Commun J Nat Cult 1(1):5–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/17524030701333948

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crowe S, Cresswell K, Robertson A, Huby G, Avery A, Sheikh A (2011) The case study approach. BMC Med Res Methodol 11(1):1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Danley B, Widmark C (2016) Evaluating conceptual definitions of ecosystem services and their implications. Ecol Econ 126:132–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2016.04.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Almeida R, Da Silva Carvalho PG (2018) Healthy people living on a healthy planet—the role of education of consciousness for integration as an instrument of health promotion. In: Azeiteiro U, Akerman M, Filho WL, Setti A, Brandli L (eds) Lifelong learning and education in healthy and sustainable cities. World sustainability series. Springer, Cham, pp 299–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Disinger JF, Roth CE (1992) Environmental literacy, ERIC/CSMEE digest. ERIC Clearinghouse for Science Mathematics and Environmental Education, Columbus OH

    Google Scholar 

  • Doni F, Gasperini A, Soares J (2020) SDG13- climate action: combatting climate change and its impacts. Emerald Publishing Limited

    Google Scholar 

  • Finger M (1994) From knowledge to action? Exploring the relationships between environmental experiences, learning, and behavior. J Soc Issues 50(3):144–160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frehm V, Gravinese PM, Toth LT (2019) Cultivating future environmental stewards. Florida Sci 82(4):112–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallay E, Pykett A, Smallwood M, Flanagan C (2020) Urban youth preserving the environmental commons: student learning in place-based stewardship education as citizen scientists. Sustain Earth 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42055-020-00026-1

  • George AL, Bennett A (2005) Case studies and theory development in the social sciences. Mit press

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollweg KS, Taylor JR, Bybee RW, Marcinkowski TJ, McBeth WC, Zoido P (2011) Developing a framework for assessing environmental literacy. North American Association for Environmental Education, Washington, DC. http://www.naaee.net

  • HĂĽbel C, Schaltegger S (2022) Barriers to a sustainability transformation of meat production practices—an industry actor perspective. Sustain Prod Consum 29:128–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.10.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs S, Haest B, de Bie T, Deliège G, Schneiders A, Turkelboom F (2013) Biodiversity and ecosystem services. Ecosyst Serv 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-419964-4.00003-2

  • Janoušková S, Hák T, NeÄŤas V, Moldan B (2019) Sustainable development—a poorly communicated concept by mass media. another challenge for sdgs? Sustainability 11(11):3181. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11113181

  • Jurin RR, Roush D, Danter KJ (2010) Environmental communication: skills and principles for natural resource managers, scientists, and engineers. Springer. ISBN 978-90-481-3986-6

    Google Scholar 

  • Keenan RJ, Pozza G, Fitzsimons JA (2019) Ecosystem Services in environmental policy: Barriers and opportunities for increased adoption. Ecosyst Serv 38:100943. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2019.100943

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keune H, Dendoncker N, Jacobs S (2013) Ecosystem service practices. Ecosyst Serv 307–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-419964-4.00023-8

  • Kevany K (2019) Ecopsychology and sustainable development. In: Filho WL (ed) Encyclopedia of sustainability in higher education. Springer, Cham, pp 445–448

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Khadka A, Li CJ, Stanis SW, Morgan M (2020) Unpacking the power of place-based education in climate change communication. Appl Environ Educ Commun 20(1):77–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/1533015x.2020.1719238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuenkel P (2018a) A conceptual architecture for stewarding sustainability transformations. In: Stewarding Sustainability Transformations, pp 207–271.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03691-1_7

  • Kuenkel P (2018b) The collective leadership compass: a practice model for navigating complex change. In: Stewarding Sustainability Transformations, pp 21–41.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03691-1_2

  • Kuenkel P (2018c) A living systems perspective for stewarding sustainability transformations. In: Stewarding Sustainability Transformations, pp 59–96.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03691-1_4

  • McBride BB, Brewer CA, Berkowitz AR, Borrie WT (2013) Environmental literacy, ecological literacy, ecoliteracy: What do we mean and how did we get here? Ecosphere 4(5):67. https://doi.org/10.1890/ES13-00075.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • North American Association for Environmental Education (NAEE) (2017) Guidelines for excellence professional development of environmental educators. ISBN: 978-1-1-884008-78-8

    Google Scholar 

  • Oxford University Press (2022) Oxford learner’s dictionaries. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/literacy

  • Palmer-Cooper JA (1998) Environmental education in the 21st-century theory, practice, progress, and promise. Routledge

    Google Scholar 

  • Patz J, Corvalan C, Horwitz P, Campbell-Lendrum D, Watts N, Maiero M, Olson S, Hales J, Miller C, Campbell K, Romanelli C, Cooper D, Violetti D, Silveira FS, Ogolla DB, Kirkman G, Hodgson T, Zelaya-Bonilla S, Villalobos-Prats E (2012) Our planet, our health, our future: human health and the rio conventions: biological diversity, climate change and desertification. World Health Organ. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.1366.1767

  • Petkou D, Andrea V, Anthrakopoulou K (2021) Τhe impact of training environmental educators: environmental perceptions and attitudes of pre-primary and primary school teachers in Greece. Educ Sci 11(6):274. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci11060274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pimentel D (2012) Silent spring, the 50th anniversary of Rachel Carson’s book. BMC Ecol 12(1):20. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6785-12-20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plummer R, Baird J, Farhad S, Witkowski S (2020) How do biosphere stewards actively shape trajectories of social-ecological change? J Environ Manag 261:110139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plummer R, Baird J, Dale G (2021) What makes an environmental steward? An individual differences approach. Environ Values. https://doi.org/10.3197/096327121x16141642287773

  • Pontius J, McIntosh A (2020) Environmental communication. In: Critical skills for environmental professionals. springer textbooks in earth sciences, geography, and environment. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28542-5_10

  • Price J (2012) Stop saving the planet!—and other tips via rachel carson for twentyfirst-century environmentalists. In: Curver L , et al (eds) Rachel Carson’s silent spring: encounters and legacies, federal ministry of education and research, 7, 11. http://www.environmentandsociety.org/sites/default/files/rcc_issue7_web-3.pdf

  • Roth CE (1968) On the road to conservation. Massachusetts Audubon, pp 38–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth CE (1992) Environmental literacy: it’s roots, evolution, and direction in the 1990s. In: ERIC clearinghouse for science, mathematics, and environmental education, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothman HK (1998) The greening of a nation? Environmentalism in the United States since 1945. Harcourt Brace, Orlando, Florida, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Rozas-Vásquez D, FĂĽrst C, Geneletti D (2019) Integrating ecosystem services in spatial planning and strategic environmental assessment: the role of the cascade model. Environ Impact Assess Rev 78:106291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2019.106291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Servaes J, Rico L (2020) Key concepts, disciplines, and fields in communication for development and social change. In: Servaes J (ed) Handbook of communication for development and social. Springer, Singapore, pp 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2014-3

  • Shahzalal M, Hassan A (2019) Communicating Sustainability: using community media to influence rural people’s intention to adopt sustainable behaviour. Sustainability 11(3):812. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030812

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shrivastava P, Smith MS, O’Brien K, Zsolnai L (2020) Transforming sustainability science to generate positive social and environmental change globally. One Earth 2(4):329–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2020.04.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons D (1995) Working paper #2: developing a framework for national environmental education standards. In: Papers on the development of environmental education standards. NAAEE, Rock Springs, GA, pp 10–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Skanavis C, Antonopoulos K, Plaka V, Pollaki S-P, Tsagaki-Rekleitou E, Koresi G, Oursouzidou C (2018) Linaria port: an interactive tool for climate change awareness in Greece. In: Addressing the challenges in communicating climate change across various audiences, pp 281–295.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98294-6_18

  • Skanavis C, Giannoulis C (2009) A training model for environmental educators and interpreters employed in Greek protected areas and ecotourism settings. Int J Sustain Dev & World 16(3):164–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504500902919664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skanavis C, Kounani A (2018) Children communicating on climate change: the case of a summer camp at a Greek Island. In: Leal Filho W, Manolas E, Azul A, Azeiteiro U, McGhie H (eds) Handbook of climate change communication: climate change management, vol 3. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-70479-1_7

  • Skanavis C, Kounani A, Tsamopoulos K, Maripas-Polymeris G, Koukoulis A, Topaltis L, Antonopoulos K (2019) Implementing sustainable development through environmental camps: the case of Skyros project. In: Filho LW, Tortato U, Frankenberger F (ed) Universities and sustainable communities: meeting the goals of the Agenda 2030, pp 147–167. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30306-8_9

  • Skanavis C, Sarri E (2004) World summit on sustainable development: an environmental highlight or an environmental education letdown? Int J Sust Dev World 11(3):271–279. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504500409469831

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stake RE (1995) The art of case study research. Sage, USA. ISBN: 0-8039-5766-1

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsampoukou-Skanavis C (2004) Environment and communication right to choose. Kaleidoscope Publications, Athens. ISBN: 960-7846-40-0

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Swol LW, Bloomfield EF, Chang C-T, Willes S (2021) Fostering climate change consensus: the role of intimacy in group discussions. Public Underst Sci 31(1):103–118. https://doi.org/10.1177/09636625211020661

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilke R (1997) Environmental education, teacher resource handbook: a practical guide for K-12 environmental education. Corwin Press, Inc

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright RT, Boose DF (2011) Environmental science: toward a sustainable future. Pearson Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco. ISBN: 978-0-321-70140-4

    Google Scholar 

  • Yadav SK, Banerjee A, Jhariya MK, Meena RS, Raj A, Khan N, Kumar S, Sheoran S (2022) Environmental education for sustainable development. Nat Resour Conserv Adv Sustain 415–431.https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-822976-7.00010-7

  • Yin RK, Davis D (2007) Adding new dimensions to case study evaluations: the case of evaluating comprehensive reforms. New Dir Eval 2007(113):75–93. https://doi.org/10.1002/ev.216

  • Zikargae HM (2018) Analysis of environmental communication and its implication for sustainable development in Ethiopia. Sci Total Environ 634:1593–1600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.050

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Scientist, Research Unit of Environmental Education & Communication, Department of Public & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521, Athens, Greece

    Chrysoula Sardi

  2. Research Unit of Environmental Education & Communication, Skyros Project, Summer Academy for Environmental Educators, Department of Public & Community Health, School of Public Health, University of West Attica, 11521, Athens, Greece

    Constantina Skanavis

Authors
  1. Chrysoula Sardi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Constantina Skanavis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chrysoula Sardi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. FTZ-ALS, HAW Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  2. Green Office UPF, Universidade de Passo Fundo, Passo Fundo, Brazil

    Amanda Lange Salvia

  3. Allegheny College, Meadville, PA, USA

    Eric Pallant

  4. Allegheny College, Meadville, PA, USA

    Beth Choate

  5. Allegheny College, Meadville, PA, USA

    Kelly Pearce

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Sardi, C., Skanavis, C. (2023). Training a New Generation of Environmental Stewards in Greece. In: Leal Filho, W., Lange Salvia, A., Pallant, E., Choate, B., Pearce, K. (eds) Educating the Sustainability Leaders of the Future. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22856-8_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation