The Role of Environmental Education in Preventing Environmental Crimes

Nowadays, the destruction of the environment and natural resources as a global problem has attracted everyone's attention. The establishment of various laws has not been able to prevent the increasing process of environmental destruction. In such a situation, the education has become an important discussion. The basic question that is raised and investigated in this regard is: what effect does environmental education have on preventing environmental crimes? The present paper is descriptive and analytical and has investigated the mentioned question using the library method. The findings show that a major part of existing environmental problems is rooted in the lack of necessary awareness and cultural weakness in the field of the relationship between man and nature, and environmental education in the form of development-oriented and community-oriented prevention is effective in preventing environmental crimes. Solving the environmental crisis depends on the reform of human teachings and a change in the attitude, vision and knowledge of man towards his destiny and his surroundings, which can be realized in the form of growth-oriented instructions and the education of people in the growing age. Community-based prevention is also reminded of the danger of environmental destruction through information, awareness and cultural development of other layers of society and promotes environmental protection methods. The result of such a process is the reduction of environmental crimes. In Iran's legal system, despite the existence of some laws in the field of environmental education, this approach faces significant doubts and shortcomings.