An integrated approach to environmental education and research: a case study

Industrial processes have different levels of impact on the environment and there is a need to foster knowledge of the environmental consequences of industrial activities. One way of achieving this is the application of the concepts of industrial ecology (multidisciplinary research approach) to industry’s day-to-day activities. Another possible way of pursuing this goal is to use environmental education as a tool towards increasing awareness with regard to the social, political and economic relevance, as well as to the need for environmentally sound industrial activities. This paper outlines the common features of both subjects and provides an example from Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania), where such approaches have been integrated in an M.Sc. programme.