Thousands of species are threatened in coming decades, mainly due to extinction in their natural space.
Currently estimated that forests cover 30% of the Earth. The surface was reduced to 2.4% from 1990. The world's forests are lost for two main reasons:
; They become tender, exported, sold and profits are invested.
• The rapid population growth and the spread of poverty leads to ill-considered and non-use of design sources.
Pollution and shortage of water
The lowering of the aquifer was a serious problem in many parts of the world. Half of the planet's rivers have a low flow or contamination. Shortages of clean water are in many parts of the key limiting factor for agricultural production. The overexploitation of groundwater and causing major environmental problems.
We could even say soil erosion, nuclear threat, the destruction of ozone, the air poisoned, fires, degradation of hundreds of wetlands, intensive and uncontrolled use of pesticides and fertilizers etc.
The introduction of stringent laws to tackle the problem in most countries in the world does not bring results, because these measures are circumvented by human greed, since the only purpose is profit.
In order to change the way in addressing environmental problems is difficult to default the school institution. Education is one that can help change the current system values regarding environmental issues and address them. Is this to operate as spearhead social change and be able to graft new people with new ideas, new attitudes and new culture to suit the growing needs of man and nature, in order to build a better future for all planet.
It is this that can and should prepare young people through the correct and documented information and knowledge for effective participation in shaping the global society of tomorrow.
Thus the need for environmental education is obvious, because it contributes substantially to the formation of a new ethos to current students and future citizens of the 'ecological character'.
The importance and necessity of environmental education has been recognized in international conferences, such as in Belgrade in 1975 in Tbilisi in 1977, in Moscow in 1987 in Rio in 1992 in Thessaloniki in 1997.
The objectives of Environmental Education are moving on two levels:
; The development of informed citizens with a developed sense of responsibility, ecological education and ecological consciousness. And while awareness of social, economic, political consciousness and ultimately a deeper relationship between man and nature. Aware that the causes of environmental problems have to look anyone in the relations between man and nature and man to man and that the solution of environmental problems will arise through collective action.
; The shaping citizens' attitudes and behaviors friendly environment and the willingness to actively participate in society. So, the Environmental Education is essential Civics, and aimed to understand the organizational structures of society and to challenge and attempt to overthrow the wrong texts. It is a different form of education that attempts to reverse the learning and I accept it and replace it with the action to understand. Through these two main objectives, the Environmental Education manages to give the character of "environmentally responsible citizen."
The Environmental Education is education that focuses on interactive and participatory teaching methods and also interested in the transition to an ecologically sustainable society. Prepares students - tomorrow's citizens will gain attitude of responsibility towards the future of the planet.
The method used by leading citizens in tomorrow's aftooloklirosi in creating positive attitudes and behaviors towards the environment. Communicate better and develop social behavior, receive information in a different way, practicing decision-making, better understand the role of various social groups acquire the feeling of cooperation and solidarity, exploits and highlights the opportunities offered by the living environment.
The Environmental Education is obviously not an easy process and not from one moment to another to change attitudes and behaviors of people towards the environment.
Nevertheless, the objectives of the development of conscious citizens with knowledge, sensitivity, emotion, imagination and awareness of the relationship with the natural human environment, ready to suggest solutions and participate in making and implementing decisions to protect and enhancement of the environment is the most promising investment for a better environment, future.