Environmental education is a process that allows people to explore environmental issues, engage in problem-solving, and take action to improve the environment. Through it, individuals develop a deeper understanding of the environment and acquire the skills to make informed and responsible decisions. Educating young people—and not only them—is key to transforming behaviors toward greater sustainability. Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all) aims to provide quality, inclusive, and fair education, fostering lifelong learning. This goal seeks to inform responsible and knowledgeable citizens, capable of making conscious decisions and acting to protect the planet, reduce inequalities, and build a fairer, more sustainable future for present and future generations.

Environmental education fosters awareness and knowledge by helping people understand the natural environment, its challenges, and their role in addressing them. It enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills, allowing individuals to make informed environmental decisions. Furthermore, environmental education promotes responsible citizenship by encouraging people to take action to protect the environment and promote sustainability, thus creating a positive cycle of collective well-being.

Several effective strategies exist for environmental education, including:

• Experiential learning, where students engage in hands-on activities that allow them to connect directly with the environment. This may include nature excursions, ecological restoration projects, and participatory science initiatives.
• Inquiry-based learning, which encourages students to ask questions, explore, and find answers to environmental issues. This approach may involve conducting research, collecting data, and analyzing results.
• Place-based learning, which uses the local environment as a context for education. This includes studying the area’s natural history, local environmental challenges, and community efforts to address them.

Each of these approaches aims to increase awareness and proactivity, which are fundamental for sustainable environmental management, as highlighted by the OECD report [1]. The report shows that while half of the students surveyed in the PISA assessments are willing to take responsibility for the planet, only 53% of the 100 surveyed countries include climate change education in their curricula [2].

To educate young and old tourists on respecting the environment and its resources and promoting quality education alongside a virtuous sustainability mechanism, the Val di Sole Tourism Board has developed the “Low-Impact Ski Week Decalogue“. This set of guidelines provides tips for staying eco-friendly even on vacation [3]. From clothing choices to waste management, transportation, and food, the board offers various suggestions to ensure that tourists’ impact is not only economically positive but also sustainable. Some recommendations focus on mobility (e.g., reaching ski resorts by train, using shuttle buses, or opting for shared transport), others on clothing (e.g., renting ski equipment, supporting brands that use recycled fabrics, or choosing products with sustainable packaging), and others on meals (e.g., mountain lodges promoting local products and avoiding single-use plastics). The “Green Skier’s Decalogue” aligns with numerous sustainability and accessibility initiatives in Val di Sole, showcasing how each of us can contribute.

“Our valleys depend on tourism and winter sports, but we must find ways to reduce the ecological footprint of winter tourism. The active role of skiers is essential to achieve this“, explains the director of the Val di Sole Tourism Board, which has long been committed to promoting environmental awareness through various sustainability and accessibility projects. These include certified sustainable menus in mountain lodges, the Pejo Plastic Free initiative, and efforts to make the area ‘Barrier-Free’ for tourists with disabilities [4].

Environmental education is essential for promoting sustainability and protecting our planet. By raising awareness and knowledge, developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and fostering responsible citizenship, it empowers individuals to make informed decisions and take action to improve the environment. Future priorities include diversifying educational methods and expanding activities and objectives to reach all aspects of daily life without distinction [5].

This article is part of the project “Quiz Ambientali per un Trentino Più Verde!” carried out by Econtrovertia APS and sponsored by Fondazione Cassa Rurale di Trento (Notice of Approval of December 20, 2024).

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