There’s nothing more important than keeping our environment healthy. We depend on it for breathable air, clean water, and food. It’s important not to think of the environment as one thing. It’s actually made up of many communities of living and nonliving things that interact with one another within what’s called an “ecosystem.” 

Why Are Ecosystems Important?

There are several main types of ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, tundra, desert, freshwater, and oceans. Ecosystems are very fragile. Any disturbance to an ecosystem, no matter how big or small — from pollution to invasive species — can wreak havoc on an ecosystem. Since ecosystems interact with each other, one ecosystem’s demise can cause others around it to suffer. In fact, if a major ecosystem fails, it could devastate the whole planet. 

An example is the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the world’s largest coral reef system, which contains over 2,900 reefs that stretch over 344,400 square kilometres. As climate change warms the planet, the water around the reef also warms, causing the coral to bleach. If the reef dies, so will the sea life that depends on it. Another example is the Amazon RainForest, one of the most biodiverse environments on earth, which is threatened by deforestation, pollution, and forest fires. 

The earth is teaming with ecosystems that need our help. The best way to support the environment, and help save our planet, is to get educated. This week — National Environmental Education Week — is a great time to start! 

What is National Environmental Education Week?

National Environmental Education Week is the largest celebration of environmental education in the U.S. The goal is to give students a greater understanding of the environment and gain the skills necessary to solve environmental crises plaguing our planet.

“Environmental education (EE) is a process that helps individuals, communities, and organizations learn more about the environment, develop skills to investigate their environment and to make intelligent, informed decisions about how they can help take care of it,” states the North American Association for Environmental Education, a global educational nonprofit based in the U.S.

Check out the NAAEE’s schedule of free activities and events to get involved in National Environmental Education Week.