Concepts of Sustainable Development in Holistic Nature Studies

The article is an attempt at a partial analysis of the development process and the shaping of the sustainable development concept. The author points out mistakes made during the initial period of creating a detailed program of sustainable development, the consequence of which was the improper management of the natural environment in Europe, which caused considerable environmental damage. The article touches on difficult problematic issues from the perspective of various areas of study. The main aim of the author is to apply a holistic approach to the problem of natural science education. This approach is meant to guarantee a better understanding of the environment. It is also intended to have an impact in relation to the quality of environmental management and the growing number of critical situations in the environment, by ensuring the proper shaping and implementation of the sustainable environment concept. The author backs up his arguments with well-known views forwarded by Forbes, Smuts, Tansley, Haeckel, Birge as well as with theories drawn from ecology and philosophy (examples include development theory, and the theory of integration levels and synergism).