Bobrovska Nadiia, PhD (Economics), Senior Lecturer of the Department of Accounting and Taxation, Mykolayiv National Agrarian University, Mykolayiv, Ukraine

Bіlichenko Oleksandr, PhD (Economics), Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Economic Theory and Social Sciences, Mykolayiv National Agrarian University, Mykolayiv, Ukraine

Ivaskevich Mariana, student, Mykolayiv National Agrarian University, Mykolayiv, Ukraine

Directions and Features of Forming Environmental Consciousness of the Youth

Introduction. Exacerbation of global environmental risks and the increase of crisis phenomena in the relationship between human being and nature necessitates the formation of environmental consciousness of society. Environmental thinking and introduction of environmental education for the youth in the context of understanding and awareness of the formation of conditions for the preservation of ecosystems for future generations. The formation of ecological knowledge and culture is becoming more urgent, because the lack of knowledge about environmental matters has a negative impact not only on the environment but also on the spiritual, cultural and intellectual life of society. Therefore, the development of environmental education is one of the important tasks that aims at shaping the environmental thinking of each person, which will regulate the practical actions of society.

Purpose. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the essence of the concept of “environmental education” and “environmental society”, the generalization of the processes and phenomena that influence the consciousness of society, in view of the use of natural resources. Achieving the goals of environmental education is based on the following tasks, among which are educational, developing and informational. Particularly relevant is issue to minimize the negative impact of globalization factors on the socio-economic development of society, preserving ecosystems for future generations.

Results. According to the research of already existing concepts of environmental consciousness, we agree with the essence of the definition, but consider it advisable to view it not only as knowledge about the state and changes in nature, but also understanding of possible directions and ways of solving environmental problems, awareness of the need to prevent further disturbance of ecological balance to preserve the natural components of ecosystems. We believe that the environmental consciousness of society should be supplemented by systematic environmental measures in human activity.

Society requires the formation of a new culture of human behavior in the socio-ecological and economic environment, which will allow the construction of a new environmentally conscious and socially responsible generation. Environmental education and the acquisition of environmental knowledge, environmental thinking and awareness should be the basis for the formation of environmental culture. Thus, the environmentally-friendly attitude of human beings towards the environment requires a modification of the environmental awareness of the youth, which will contribute to the preservation of the environment and the ecosystem as a whole.

We emphasize that environmental consciousness, as a cultural phenomenon, including the processes of learning, education and development of personality, should be directed to the formation of environmental thinking, social responsibility, ecological culture, as a component of the system of national upbringing of society, environmentalizing of educational disciplines and programmes of preparation new generation.

Conclusion. It has been researched that the achievement of the goals of environmental education is based on the solution of the following tasks, among which are educational, developing and informational. It is substantiated that adherence to the moral, ethical and legal principles of nature management and strategic directions of its improvement, active position in the study and protection of nature, as well as the formation of environmental consciousness and thinking based on an active life position are the basis of environmental education. It is proved that environmental thinking in personal development has theoretical importance and practical necessity for introduction of environmental education in formation of environmental consciousness of the youth.

Keywords: environmental education; environmental society; environmental thinking; environmental awareness.

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