FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INITIATIVE AIMS TO OFFER SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION STATEWIDE

Citing the need for Washingtonians to create a sustainable future as our population grows, Gov. Chris Gregoire and William J. Ruckelshaus today kicked off a comprehensive effort to increase environmental education for all children and adults in Washington.

Citing the need for Washingtonians to create a sustainable future as our population grows, Gov. Chris Gregoire and William J. Ruckelshaus today kicked off a comprehensive effort to increase environmental education for all children and adults in Washington.

“With our population projected to double by 2050 – that’s the equivalent of 29 more cities the size of Tacoma or Spokane – environmental education can help us maintain our health, natural heritage and livelihoods,” Gov. Gregoire told the 150 people at the opening session of E3 Washington, a publicprivate
initiative she co-chairs with businessman and former head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, William D. Ruckelshaus.

The statewide strategy, called “E3 Washington” for education, environment and economy, is sponsored by the Environmental Education Association of Washington (EEAW) to promote the interdisciplinary, real-world approach to lifelong learning. Partnering with EEAW at the local level are numerous
representatives of government, civic groups, non-profits and business.
“Increasingly, surveys show that Americans don’t understand the natural systems we depend on for our water, air and food,” said Ruckelshaus. “We must raise our ‘environmental literacy’ rate if we are to meet the complex challenges of natural resource allocation and globalization.”
Research shows that environmental education, EE for short, helps students succeed in school and prepares them for civic participation and the increasingly competitive world of work. EE is also called “sustainability” education because the approach helps children and adults make informed decisions about meeting present-day needs without compromising the well-being of future generations.

Dr. Terry Bergeson, Washington’s superintendent of public instruction, underscored the value of EE in preparing students for major issues of the 21st century such as diversity and equality of economic
 

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