MICO President Underscores Role of Education in Raising Environmental Awareness

As Jamaica joins other countries in observing World Environment Day on Wednesday, June 5, The Mico University College President, Dr. Asburn Pinnock, is underscoring the crucial role of education in raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable practices.

Dr. Pinnock, who emphasises the importance of citizens being responsible and environmentally conscious, urges Jamaicans to see themselves as stewards of the environment.

He has also highlighted the significant impact of collective actions on the planet’s well-being.

The Mico President noted the disconnect between individuals’ actions and the broader resulting consequences, citing examples, such as improper waste disposal, that often lead to flooding.

He further emphasised the urgency of addressing climate change, pointing to rising global temperatures, extreme weather events and the forecast extremely active 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which commenced on June 1.

Consequently, the role of education in raising environmental awareness and effecting change will be crucial, Dr. Pinnock shared with JIS News, while calling for an increase in the number of students pursuing careers in environmental care and protection.

He further emphasised the need to equip educators with the necessary tools to integrate environmental education into the curricula, particularly focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The Mico offers a Bachelor of Education in Geography and Environmental Studies, emphasising STEM integration, to address contemporary environmental challenges.

Additionally, plans for the Mico STEM Centre aim to prepare educators for environmental instructional delivery across all education levels.

Head of The Mico’s Department of Natural Sciences, Denese Walker-McCarthy, has highlighted the importance of instilling environmental stewardship in children from an early age.

Additionally, she emphasises the long-term goal of collaborating with local and global organisations to conduct research that informs environmental policies and integrating environmental education into the school curricula.

In 2022, The Mico’s Institute of Technological and Educational Research (ITER) hosted an online conference on Climate Change and Environmental Education, which aimed to raise awareness and promote action towards environmental sustainability.

For students interested in pursuing environmental studies at The Mico, scholarships are available through the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service.