What Makes People Scared of EE?

I believe the main reason people are scared of EE is because they don't understand what it is and the way that it is taught. Although EE will rely heavily on its teacher, like any other subject, it seems that critics of EE point the finger at educators that teach Environmental Advocacy INSTEAD of EE. In the "Question Categories" article they state the difference between EE and Environmental Advocacy. It says, "EE differs from Environmental Advocacy in empowering people with knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices RATHER THAN simply advocating specific choices." Isn't this what education is meant to do anyways? Educators should teach each side of everything and even if they do not, hopefully the student has been taught to take the information and make their own choice about a topic after researching it a bit more.

I thought the points brought up in "Defusing Environmental Education" were very good ones and made a great argument against the critics of EE. It seems as though critics like Sanera and Shaw do not understand what EE really is. Along with not understanding the definition of EE, they have never seen EE in action. Critics have made arguments against what is presented in certain texts, but have never seen HOW the texts are used within the classroom. I was amazed that Sanera and Shaw wanted EE to only contain science and economics. This is not EE. This is something else. I do not know if they have thought about that. They would not be changing EE, they would be eliminating it. If EE was taught more as a science, there would be less people interested in it. I know that if EE was based on science and economics, I would not be partaking in the program at Merry Lea.

I think instead of critics only looking at Texts, which are never perfect, they need to watch EE in action. Critics need to experience EE for themselves and not only from one group or individual, but multiple individuals who call themselves Environmental Educators.