ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN MODERN SOCIETY: FOUNDATIONS, SIGNIFICANCE, AND PROSPECTS FOR HUMAN–NATURE HARMONY

Environmental education has become a central pillar of sustainable development in the context of intensifying global ecological challenges. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of environmental education in fostering ecological awareness, shaping value systems, and promoting sustainable interactions between humans and the natural environment. Drawing on theoretical perspectives and contextual evidence from Uzbekistan, the paper examines the formation of ecological culture across different stages of education and highlights the importance of early childhood environmental socialization. The findings demonstrate that environmental education functions not merely as a knowledge-transmission process but as a transformative socio-cultural mechanism influencing behavior, ethical responsibility, and long-term sustainability. The study argues that strengthening environmental education systems is essential for mitigating ecological crises and ensuring the resilience of future generations.