Environmental adult education theory and adult learning principles: Implications for training

Environmental problems such as dwindling resources, pollution, global warming, habitat destruction, waste disposal, and overpopulation are a reality in the twenty-first century that cannot be ignored. Environmental adult education (EAE) is an effective approach for educating people about environmental issues and equipping them with the tools to fight these problems. EAE is a relatively new field of study, and currently practitioners are challenged with establishing a cohesive definition. The purpose of this study is to (1) examine environmental adult education through an historical analysis with the aim of providing an up-to-date definition. (2) investigate EAE programs, (3) analyze environmental adult education theory through the lens of adult learning to help practitioners better conceptualize how theory is translated into practice, and (4) provide suggestions for trainers of environmental adult educators to bring the field from the theoretical into the practical realm and provide a resource for EAE practitioners.