Environmental Education is Interdisciplinary

In the last lesson, we explored the practice of environmental education by looking at the kinds of learning outcomes it seeks to achieve; building awareness, knowledge, values, skills, and action.

However, one important question may still be lingering:

How interconnected is environmental education?
How wide does it really extend?

Answering this question is important not just for understanding the field, but for strengthening your identity as an environmental educator, regardless of the subject you teach.

Environmental education is not a narrow field. It is deeply interdisciplinary, meaning it connects across multiple areas of knowledge, practice, and human experience. This idea is not only relevant to educators but has also shaped many social and environmental justice movements, where issues are addressed holistically rather than in isolation and this is called Intersectional Environmentalism.

For you as a teacher, this means something very practical, you do not need to create an entirely new topic in your lessons. Instead, you begin to recognise how environmental and ecological factors already exist within your subject.

Let’s explore the connections between environmental education and subjects you probably never thought had any connection.

Language and the Environment

Language plays a powerful role in shaping environmental understanding and action. Today, more than 90% of global information is available in English, yet only about 20% of the world’s population speaks it fluently. This creates a significant gap where many communities are unable to access critical environmental knowledge, policies, and best practices.

At the same time, indigenous and local languages carry deep ecological knowledge. These languages often communicate traditional and indigenous practices of land management, conservation, and sustainable living that have been in practice for generations. When these languages are lost, valuable environmental knowledge is also lost.

(Relevant for a Nigerian, English, French or Arabic language or literature teacher)

Economy and the Environment

The relationship between the environment and the economy is both direct and complex. Economic activities depend heavily on environmental resources. Agriculture relies on soil health and climate conditions, fisheries depend on marine ecosystems, and industries often depend on natural and mineral resources.

At the same time, economic decisions can significantly impact the environment. Unsustainable production, over-extraction of resources, and the underfinancing environmental protection can lead to environmental degradation, which in turn affects livelihoods and long-term economic stability, a relevant example is the oil spillage and flaring in Ogoni land in the Niger Delta.

There is also a growing emphasis on concepts such as the green economy, blue economy, and regenerative economy, which aim to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.

(Relevant for an economics teacher)

Physical and Health Education (PHE) and the Environment

Environmental conditions have a direct and significant impact on human health and wellbeing. Issues such as air pollution, water contamination, poor sanitation, and extreme heat all affect physical health, sometimes with long-term consequences.

For example, polluted air from vehicles and industries can lead to respiratory illnesses. Contaminated water sources can cause waterborne diseases. Rising temperatures and heatwaves can increase the risk of dehydration, heat stress, and other health complications, especially while engaging in physical activities like running, cycling, etc.

Beyond physical health, environmental conditions also affect mental wellbeing as stress from environmental disasters, displacement, or unsafe living conditions can impact emotional and psychological health.

(Relevant for a PHE teacher or sports instructor)

Government and the Environment

Governments play a critical role in shaping environmental outcomes through policies, regulations, and decision-making processes. Environmental laws determine how resources are managed, how pollution is controlled, and how development takes place.

At the same time, governance also involves accountability where citizens have a role in understanding policies, participating in decision-making, and holding leaders responsible for environmental actions and inactions.

Environmental issues such as climate change, deforestation, and urban planning are not just scientific concerns, they are also political and governance issues.

(This is relevant for social studies, civic education and government teachers)

Technology and the Environment

Technology is deeply connected to the environment, both in its impact and its potential for solutions. The rise of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data systems has improved how we monitor environmental changes, predict climate patterns, and design sustainable solutions. 

However, this progress also comes with challenges such as increasing energy consumption from AI data centers, the extraction of raw materials for electronic devices, the growing issues of mercury pollution from electronics and electronic waste (e-waste), which can harm ecosystems and human health if not properly managed.

(This is relevant for computer studies, ICT, and basic technology teachers)

Business and the Environment

Businesses interact with the environment at every stage of their operations from sourcing raw materials to production, distribution, and waste management. These activities can either contribute to environmental harm or support sustainable practices.

There is increasing attention on concepts such as corporate social responsibility, sustainable supply chains, and environmentally responsible production. Businesses are now expected not only to generate profit but also to consider their environmental impact.

(This is relevant for business studies or commerce teachers)

Food and Nutrition & the Environment

Food systems are deeply connected to the environment. What we eat, how food is produced, and how it is distributed all depend on environmental conditions such as soil quality, water availability, and climate patterns.

Environmental changes such as droughts, flooding, or temperature shifts can affect crop yields, food availability, and nutrition. At the same time, food production systems can impact the environment through land use, water consumption, and organic waste.

(For food and nutrition, agriculture and home economics teachers)

What becomes clear through these examples is that environmental education is not confined to a single subject area. It exists across disciplines because environmental issues themselves are interconnected with how we live, work, and organise society.

By doing this, you move from teaching isolated content to helping students understand the bigger picture, how knowledge, society, and the environment are all connected.

And in doing so, you strengthen not just your teaching practice, but your role as an environmental educator.