This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
Environmental Awareness is defined as the recognition of humans not as separate from and superior to nature, but as an integral part of it; the understanding of mutual dependencies between living and non-living entities; and the reflection of this awareness in one’s thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. The concept is addressed not only within ecology but also in philosophy, education, and the social sciences, particularly in connection with efforts to reevaluate the nature of the human-nature relationship. Environmental awareness signifies a holistic approach that encompasses not only cognitive understanding but also ethical responsibility, sensitivity, and sustainable living practices.
The concept of environmental awareness is closely linked to the development of ecological thought. Ecology, as a scientific discipline studying the interactions between living organisms and their physical environment, reveals that all elements of nature exist in a network of mutual interdependence. This perspective challenges the notion of human dominance over nature and makes visible the impacts of human activities on ecosystems. Thus, environmental awareness aims to replace the view of nature as merely a resource repository with an understanding that humans exist in a relationship of mutual dependence with nature.
From a philosophical standpoint, the human-nature relationship has been one of the central themes of thought since antiquity. In ancient thought, the pursuit of understanding nature and living in harmony with it was paramount, whereas in the modern era, particularly after the scientific revolution, nature came to be seen primarily as an object to be controlled and transformed. This shift reinforced a mechanistic view of nature and promoted anthropocentric approaches that placed humans at the center of the natural world. Ecological approaches, in contrast, have critiqued this perspective and proposed a new model of human-nature relations that incorporates emotional and ethical dimensions. The concept of environmental awareness has emerged within this critical framework.
Industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancements have significantly altered the nature of the human-nature relationship. Problems such as intensive consumption of natural resources, environmental pollution, and ecosystem degradation have made the impacts of human activities on nature more visible. This process has revealed that environmental issues are not merely technical or economic concerns but fundamentally involve a crisis of consciousness regarding how humans perceive nature. For this reason, environmental awareness is regarded as a fundamental element in addressing environmental challenges.
The development of environmental awareness is tied to the shift in which humans no longer see themselves as separate subjects outside nature but as components of ecosystems. This approach represents a transition from a narrow perspective centered on human needs to a more inclusive understanding that recognizes the right to exist of all living beings. Such a transformation in consciousness necessitates a reconfiguration of attitudes and behaviors toward nature.
Education plays a crucial role in the formation of environmental awareness. It is widely recognized that experiences and attitudes acquired during childhood retain their influence throughout later stages of life. Therefore, instilling environmental awareness at an early age is seen as a decisive factor in shaping the nature of an individual’s relationship with nature.
Environmental education is not limited to theoretical knowledge delivered in classroom settings. Direct experiential activities such as fieldwork, nature walks, observation exercises, and outdoor applications enable individuals to interact with nature and observe ecological processes firsthand. These practices are said to generate positive and lasting changes in attitudes and behaviors toward the environment.
For children living in urban areas, limited opportunities to engage with nature can negatively affect the development of environmental awareness. In this context, designing playgrounds and public spaces to incorporate natural elements is considered a key strategy for supporting children’s daily and experiential connection with nature. Learning through play offers a process in which children do not merely observe nature but experience it directly, contributing to the internalization of environmental awareness.
Environmental awareness is not merely a cognitive awareness but also encompasses an ethical orientation. Issues such as the preservation of natural entities, the maintenance of biological diversity, and the continuity of ecosystems bring to the forefront human responsibilities toward nature. This sense of responsibility requires individuals to consider the impacts of their actions on other living beings and future generations. Within this framework, environmental awareness represents a comprehensive set of values that influence everything from individual behavior to public policy.
The development of environmental awareness requires a multifaceted process that extends beyond theoretical awareness to include educational, social, and spatial interventions. In this context, it is essential to instill environmental awareness at an early age. Given that attitudes and values acquired during childhood tend to endure, there is a need to expand educational practices that provide direct contact with nature. It has been shown that observation, fieldwork, and hands-on activities in natural environments create positive and lasting effects on individuals’ environmental attitudes and behaviors. Therefore, it is recommended that nature-based education programs be more widely integrated into educational systems.
Considering that urban life limits opportunities for interaction with nature, spatial arrangements are needed to enable children to engage with nature in their daily lives. Designing playgrounds and public open spaces to incorporate natural elements is regarded as an approach that facilitates children’s experiential learning about nature. Play spaces containing natural materials, vegetation, and diverse ecological features allow environmental awareness to develop through direct experience. Accordingly, urban planning and landscape design processes must incorporate principles that support environmental awareness.
It is also important that the human-nature relationship not remain at the level of knowledge alone but be supported by an ethical sense of responsibility. Recognizing the impacts of human activities on ecosystems and respecting the right to existence of other living beings are decisive factors in translating environmental awareness into action. Therefore, it is recommended that ethical dimensions related to nature be integrated into educational processes to strengthen the understanding that humans are part of nature.
Moreover, environmental awareness must not remain confined to the individual level but must also be supported at the societal level. It is emphasized that environmental problems cannot be resolved through technical solutions alone and that a transformation in how humans perceive nature is decisive. In this context, it is vital that public policies, local governance practices, and public awareness initiatives be structured to promote lifestyles in harmony with nature. Thus, environmental awareness can be strengthened within a framework that extends from individual awareness to collective responsibility.
