Umweltkunde

Umweltkunde is a school subject in German-speaking countries that translates to environmental science or environmental studies. It covers the natural environment, ecosystems, human impact, and sustainable living. In some German states it is taught as part of Sachkunde or Umweltbildung at primary level and may be replaced or merged with biology, geography, or general science in higher grades.

Historically, the term gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s amid rising environmental awareness. In East Germany, Umweltkunde was a standard subject in primary education; in West Germany it spread through the 1970s as part of broader environmental education. Since the 1990s, curricular reforms in many states reorganized it into subject areas like biology and geography or integrated it under Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung (education for sustainable development).

Content and approach typical topics include ecosystems, energy, pollution, waste management, climate, resources, health, consumer protection, and local environmental issues. Teaching emphasizes inquiry, fieldwork, experiments, and project work to develop ecological literacy and a sense of responsibility. Learning is often interdisciplinary, linking science with geography, civics, and social studies.

Regional variation: In Austria and parts of Switzerland the term Umweltkunde is used less formally; curricula vary by federal state, with a common emphasis on environmental awareness within science or social studies curricula.

Significance: Umweltkunde aims to provide knowledge and skills for informed decision-making and everyday sustainable actions, building a foundation for lifelong learning and participation in environmental protection.