§201. Legislative findings

            A. It is in the public interest that a comprehensive and balanced environmental education initiative be undertaken that will result in environmentally literate citizens who will effectively and constructively solve existing environmental problems, prevent new ones, and maintain a sustainable environment for future generations. The appropriate audiences for environmental education include formal education, business, government, nonprofit organizations, and citizens. 

            B. Characteristics of an environmentally literate citizenry must include:

            (1) An understanding of the right of every person to own, control, use, enjoy, and dispose of private property, subject only to reasonable regulation.

            (2) An understanding that the Louisiana Constitution requires the use of a balancing process in environmental protection decisions in which environmental costs and benefits must be given full and careful consideration along with economic, social, and other factors.

            (3) Ecological literacy, including a basic understanding of ecological principles and concepts and their application, the cause and effect relationship between human health and the environment, and the economics of that relationship.

            (4) Civic literacy, including a basic understanding of the decisionmaking processes of governments, business, and other social, political, and economic institutions impinging upon environmental issues.

            (5) Mathematical, technological, and scientific literacy, including an understanding of the basic concepts of mathematics and science to evaluate environmental problems and make sound decisions regarding their resolution.

            (6) Personal and social action skills, including developing and using skills such as problem solving, risk analysis, and integrating diverse perspectives to understand and contribute to decisionmaking processes.

            (7) Attitudes, including the expression of care for other humans, present and future, and for othr components of the environment. These attitudes also affect understanding of ecology and civic responsibility.

            (8) Motivation for action, including the commitment to act for a healthy environment based on one's attitudes, knowledge, and skills.

            C. The legislature declares that it is the intent of this Subpart to create a balanced statewide environmental education program for the purpose of identifying the needs and setting priorities for environmental education within the state.

            Acts 1993, No. 450, §1; Acts 2018, No. 509, §1; Acts 2020, No. 317, §2.

NOTE: Former R.S. 30:2502 redesignated to R.S. 17:201, Acts 2020, No. 317.