Green studies will help

“TIME to introduce green studies in schools” (News, Feb 17) refers. The proposal has merit.

Pollution and health are deeply connected. Sources of pollution include hazardous emissions from factories and industries where filtration is inefficient, illegal plastic waste, mining operations and agricultural activities.

Many rivers are polluted. Green studies will help students, who are set to inherit our failure to deal effectively with pollution, to understand the scope and seriousness of pollution.

Everyone’s health is affected by breathing contaminated air or drinking water that is not clean. Then there is the high cost of healthcare to treat people who fall sick as a result.

Green studies will help students to understand what it takes to be responsible citizens who care for the environment.

The studies will help students to learn about the environment and the many hazards that arise when we fail to respect it.

They will learn about having a positive impact on quality of life without destroying the environment. Laws alone cannot prevent pollution.

Public participation is equally important to conserve nature.

Formal green education will give students the knowledge, values, skills and tools needed to face the environmental challenges on a local and global level.

Students as future citizens have an equal role in protecting our environment.

Sze Loong Steve Ngeow

Kajang