Overcoming the Challenges of Sustainable Development through Science and Technology Education

Abstract

It is now generally, recognized that the world’s present approach to growth is built upon foundations that
are not sustainable because of resource depletion and the negative impacts of pollution and greenhouse
gas emissions on the relationship between people and the planet. Climate change in particular is having an
impact not only on people’s lives and livelihoods, but on the increasingly urgent search for “green growth,”
that is to say for alternative economic strategies that meet the needs of the present without compromising
the opportunities of future generations. It is also widely recognized that new technologies, particularly ICTs,
are having a major impact on economic and social relationships among individuals, communities and
nations. High-speed telecommunications have been a major driving force of globalization in capital, labour
and product markets. Mobile telephones have, for the first time, made immediate communications at a
distance available to the majority of individuals worldwide.This paper therefore takes a look at the issues of
Sustainable development, Science education, Sustainable Development issues for Education, How Science
and Technology Education can relate to Sustainable Development. A comparison of similarities and
differences in philosophical emphases between ‘Science through Education’ and the alternative ‘Education
through Science’ was also given. Finally, conclusion were drawn and recommendations given.