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One of Sauvé’s (2005) practical and theoretical currents in environmental education called the ‘Naturalist Current’, which focuses on the “intrinsic value of nature,” (p. 13) spoke to me as a science and environmental educator. Since I minored in philosophy and took courses like ‘Philosophy, Law, and Society’ and ‘Environmental Philosophy’, I have long had an interest in the morality and ethics of how we treat the natural world. Although I personally believe that nature is intrinsically valuable, I never thought to question why until I read Sobel’s work. Sobel (1998) posits that we must encourage children to be in nature in order for them to want to save it. Indeed, despite the fact that I grew up in Buenos Aires, my childhood was filled with constant outdoor play and exploration of the natural world. Without this early love and appreciation for nature, I wonder if my desire to live sustainably by eating a plant-based diet, and to protect the environment, would have developed the way it has.
