An informed and engaged populace is critical to any broad change and citizens who possess broader awareness and understanding of the challenges facing the world regarding natural resources and economic development are essential to the promotion of sustainability.  The world must be populated by thoughtful consumers, producers, and policymakers who will begin their awareness in the classroom.

"It is not sufficient just to have a few trained persons who understand what it's all about; there must also be an alert citizenry to insist that knowledge, research, and action are properly integrated…It is mandatory that every young scientist, and indeed every educated person, acquaint himself with at least the overall environmental processes and conditions that make possible their very survival."

Eugene Odum - Ecology

As we strive to develop communities that are viable, we must stimulate an active interest in community involvement at a young age.  Developing an accurate base of knowledge about the environment and sustainability is of utmost importance.  Only an informed electorate can ensure sensible legislation and sound planning.  A 1992 national survey (Peter D. Hart Research Associates) indicated that a mere one percent of those surveyed listed endangered species as a serious problem and only one in seven had even heard of biological diversity loss.

Kids connect with nature: Children have a natural interest in nature that adults often fail to stimulate or encourage.  Sustainability education captures and nurtures students' natural curiosity and wonder about the environment.  This lays a broad foundation for pleasant life experiences, appreciation of natural systems, and respect for the environment. According to Odum, sustainability education shows students how they are personally connected to the environment and fosters attitudes that are essential to environmental stewardship.

Integrating all disciplines and curriculum: Sustainability education serves as an umbrella for integrating all components of the curriculum, which results in learning experiences that realistically examine all aspects of a problem in the proper perspective of the whole.  Environmental concerns are not relevant to only the science classroom.  Sustainability education allows educators in each discipline to examine human action as it impacts the environment.  Emphasis on small group work, peer collaboration, and a focus on learning (through active discussion by students of different interpretations of information) is essential to overall problem solving.  Sustainability offers an ideal means of achieving these educational goals.