Systematic Review of Environmental Education to Foster an Ecological Culture in the Communities

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze existing studies on environmental education aimed at generating an ecological culture among the population, identifying approaches, methodologies, results, and success factors. The methodology was a systematic review, using studies published between January 1, 2019, and August 1, 2024, from the Scopus, Scielo, Ebsco, and Dialnet databases as inclusion criteria, from which 50 indexed articles were obtained. The results showed that environmental education plays a crucial role in the formation of an ecological culture. Studies such as that by Pérez and Vargas (2024) show that well-designed educational programs can significantly increase awareness and ecological behavior among students. In conclusion, effective environmental education is multidimensional, combining theoretical knowledge with applied practices and adapting to the particularities of each cultural and social context. The success factors identified include the integration of environmental education into the educational curriculum, collaboration between different social actors, and the use of innovative methodologies that involve the community in environmental decision-making.