EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR Y CULTURA AMBIENTAL EN EL SURESTE DE MÉXICO Higher education and environmental literacy in southeastern Mexico

This study examined the state of environmental teaching at the higher education level through a case study in the Autonomous University of Campeche. An exploratory study was carried out, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, in order to diagnose the degree of environmental literacy in the students of the Autonomous University of Campeche and the type of environmental education they receive. Results indicate that the students have a low level of environmental literacy and that they lack the knowledge and necessary skills to carry out favourable environmental changes in their life styles. It is notable that the institutional context operates as the factor that inhi- bits environmental education, as this is not considered essential and therefore there are no spaces, infrastructure and support, that are necessary for its study, teaching and promotion. A radical change in the formation of the teachers is required to improve the type of teaching that is practiced, as it is at present centered in providing information without a deep comprehension of the complexity and interdependence that exist between the natural and socioeconomic systems.