The role of ecological education in the society's sustainable development

The paper shows that environmental education should develop at a faster pace, as it should become the basis for a new model of the educational system as a necessary element of transition of the modern civilization towards sustainable development. The education system directly and most effectively should work for the future, because it determines the personal qualities of each person, his knowledge and skills, behavioural priorities, and finally - economic, spiritual and material potential of the society as a whole. Environmental education should become the lever, which would allow for the transformation of the concept of sustainable development into the system of spiritual and professional installations of mankind. Only sustainable development can lead to the survival of modern civilization, its development and preservation of the biosphere as a whole.