In light of the accelerating environmental challenges facing the world today, such as climate change, air and water pollution, desertification, and species extinction, there is an urgent need to spread environmental awareness and promote what is known as green education, as two essential pillars for achieving sustainable development and preserving the planet for future generations.<br /><br />Environmental awareness is not limited to simply being aware of environmental risks; it extends to adopting daily behaviors that respect the environment and reduce human-caused damage. This includes reducing resource consumption, sorting and recycling waste, rationalizing water and energy use, relying on sustainable transportation, and preserving biodiversity. This type of awareness represents an individual's responsibility toward their community and planet.<br /><br />Green education is an educational approach that integrates environmental concepts into educational curricula at all levels, with the aim of developing students' understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment and encouraging them to think critically, analyze, and make environmentally friendly decisions. This type of education contributes to preparing a generation of citizens who possess the skills and knowledge necessary to solve environmental problems and contribute to long-term environmental policies and initiatives.<br /><br />Schools and universities play a major role in spreading environmental awareness, not only through curricula, but also through extracurricular activities such as tree-planting campaigns, recycling, environmental competitions, field visits to nature reserves and factories, and other initiatives that combine theoretical learning with practical experience. From here, students can become environmental ambassadors in their communities, passing on what they have learned to their families and peers.<br /><br />There is no doubt that integrating sustainability into the educational process enhances the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, most notably Goal 13 on climate change, Goal 15 on life on land, and Goal 4 on quality education.<br /><br />In conclusion, promoting environmental awareness and instilling green education represent an essential step toward building a more aware and responsible society, capable of engaging positively with environmental challenges and striving for a green future that balances human progress with ecosystem preservation.<br /><br /><br />Al-Mustaqbal University is the first university in Iraq<br/><br/><a href=https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/ target=_blank>Goal 13 - Climate action</a>