The role of environmental education in the integration of care for the environment and human wellness

Abstract

Wellness is not merely the absence of illness, but a state of optimal functioning of body, mind and soul. It is a situation where harmony is experienced maximally. Wellness has various dimensions, namely the physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, social, vocational and environmental dimensions. The latter is the most conspicuous and essential for the continued existence of humankind. The point of departure of this article is that wellness within the environmental dimension is interdependent on care for the environment and that this wellness will only become sustainable if children are exposed to activities in nature from an early age. The role of environmental education in establishing an ethic of care and active concern for the environment, is non-negotiable and essential for human wellness.