Locally, on the island of Hawai'i, we are burdened with a number of environmental problems, such as: the increase in population, the use and overuse of resources such as land, fresh water, coastal areas, wildlife and forest reserves, the pollution of air, water, and soil , the extinction of endemic animal and plant species, and the introduction of non-native plant and animal species into fragile ecosystems.
We, that means all of us, need to be capable to explore the problems and to seek and evaluate solutions for those problems!
Hawai'i Community College has assembled a curriculum that provides a focus on environmental issues, the Environmental Studies Academic Subject Certificate.
It is based on an interdisciplinary approach in order to allow students to study environmental issues from many different angles. The curriculum begins with introductory courses into ecology and society and into environmental science. It follows up with courses in relevant areas in natural sciences, such as biology and chemistry, and in social sciences, such as economy and ethics. Finally, within an interdisciplinary course, students will synthezise their acquired knowledge, and will, individually or in a group, independently research and evaluate an issue relevant to our environment in Hawai'i.
