Why is Conservation of the Environment so complicated?
Conservation of the environment is a growing concern to many people in our society. What are the issues that need attention and what is the science behind addressing them? Why is there so much conflict when it comes to addressing concerns such as mining and the use of non-renewables such as fossil fuels? Most importantly though, what can we as individuals and the broader scientific community do to ensure that the planet remains a sustainable entity? In this topic, we are going to focus on the science behind the USE and MANAGEMENT of Earth's resources
Task 1) What is a 'Resource"?
a) What do you think a "resource" is? b) Watch the youtube video "Welcome to the Neighbourhood" to define what a resource is AND list some of Earth's most precious resources. |
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Task 2) What are "Renewable and Non-renewable Resources"?
a) Of the resources listed below which ones would your group think as renewable or non-renewable?
b) Watch the video and identify some renewable and non-renewable resources for discussion c) Complete the worksheet "Renewable and Non-renewable Resources" |
Task 3) Describe some resources from the Biosphere, Atmosphere, Hydrosphere and Lithosphere of our Earth
a) Brainstorm and create a diagram on an A3 piece of paper of the sphere's of the Earth that shows the different natural and man-made resources from that sphere. More resources can be added to this diagram while completing the worksheet below and then paste into your exercise book. NOTE You could even make a digital diagram to print out and paste into your exercise book for next lesson. b) Complete the "Resources from the Earth's Spheres" worksheet Some other resources to support your learning.
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Task 4) Strategies to Conserve and Manage Non-Renewable Resources
It is common knowledge that humans continue to have a large impact on the environment. The combination of an exponentially growing population, escalating use of the Earth’s resources and the human desire to modify rather than adapt to our surroundings, may seriously challenge the assimilative capacity of our natural systems to recover from such stress. Up to one half of the Earth’s terrestrial environment has already been altered from its natural state through human activity. Over time, two conflicting facts have become clear: that we continue to degrade the environment and that we rely on the functioning of its processes for both our economic and physical survival.
The focus on environmental issues has increased in both organisations and the wider community, particularly in the latter half of last century and various attempts to improve its state have been initiated throughout the world. Yet our mitigative efforts are being outweighed by counter-productive, destructive activities such as our reliance on fossil fuels and the ever-extending city boundaries. There has been an increase in recent years in the number of issues which require urgent attention from the global community in order to ensure that the environment is accessible to future generations.
So what are the main environmental issues that the world faces today and what are their causes????
The focus on environmental issues has increased in both organisations and the wider community, particularly in the latter half of last century and various attempts to improve its state have been initiated throughout the world. Yet our mitigative efforts are being outweighed by counter-productive, destructive activities such as our reliance on fossil fuels and the ever-extending city boundaries. There has been an increase in recent years in the number of issues which require urgent attention from the global community in order to ensure that the environment is accessible to future generations.
So what are the main environmental issues that the world faces today and what are their causes????
The Overall Cause of our Enviromental Challenges
Balancing our HUGE needs due to the size of the human population with those needs of the environment. Our expectations of lifestyle are always on the increase and in effect this, currently, is by taking from third world countries. Our lifestyle in directly connected to growth in economy but already we are using 1.5 times the resources our planet can provide hence we are taking from the future.
Overpopulation is Not a problem
The Earth is Full
Balancing our HUGE needs due to the size of the human population with those needs of the environment. Our expectations of lifestyle are always on the increase and in effect this, currently, is by taking from third world countries. Our lifestyle in directly connected to growth in economy but already we are using 1.5 times the resources our planet can provide hence we are taking from the future.
Overpopulation is Not a problem
The Earth is Full
What are some specific Biodiversity Conservation Issues in Australia?
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Conservation Advertisement
Create a one to two minute television advertisement to persuade the Australian public to do more to conserve our environment. In your advertisement you should discuss what might happen if we do nothing. You should also provide some practical suggestions on what individuals can do to make a difference. Use the resource Conserving the environment to help you get started. |
Calculate Your Ecological Footprint
Australia has one of the world's largest ecological footprints per capita, requiring 6.25 global hectares per person. Australia’s ecological footprint is made up mostly of carbon emissions, followed by the biologically productive area required for cropland and grazing. Work out your Ecological Footprint using "Your Footprint Calculator." |
Change the way you live!
What things can you do to reduce your carbon footprint?? There is so many little things that combined add up to make significant reductions in the production of carbon dioxide. Here's a possible idea.... For this activity, each group must teach the class important tips to help each student reduce their carbon dioxide production. Each group will have 5 minutes to present the information they have learnt. Group 1: Sustainable shopping – tips on how to identify sustainable shopping products. Include all 9 tips in the presentation as well as the symbols for sustainable wood products and seafood. Group 2: Saving Water - this contains some really good information on saving water Group 3 Reducing Energy Consumption Group 4: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Group 5: Create a Living Wall in your house- There is also a Sustainable Sydney Walking Tour, Buildings Covered with Plants from around the world that are covered with plants and check out One Central Park building at Broadway. Group 6: Find 5 projects that the class could get involved in that wil support the reduction of carbon dioxide emission. NOTE: If you are interested in ordering edible insects and the various recipes such as chili and garlic crickets or insect trail mix, go to the website "Edible Bug Shop" |
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Severn Cullis-Suzuki, 12 year old daughter of David Suzuki, addresses the very first U.N. Conference on Climate Change in Rio.
She spoke the truth with such power and grace that she silenced the world. She called on grownups to follow the same rules we teach our children. She defined the role of the climate negotiators then and today her words ring truer than when she spoke them. Her speech has been heard by millions. 21 years later and we still don’t have all the answers. Maybe we can’t erase all the damage we’ve done to our planet since then but we can start to do our best now in 2014, and get our neighbors and our leaders to do their best with us. “If you don’t know how to fix it, stop breaking it.” We can’t wait any longer to do everything we can to stop breaking it. |
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More Resources:
1) Conservation Center
2) Young People's Trust for the Environment
3) Carbon Emissions article for 2013
4) Ted Talk "The Earth is Full" - 16 mins
5) Scientific American article - Population and Sustainability
6) ABC article - There are not enough resources to support the world's population
7) ESA article - Conservation of the world's peat lands is really important as these areas are HUGE carbon stores. Satellites for Peat's Sake
8) Clever Ideas - Portland now generates electricity using turbines placed in their water pipes!
1) Conservation Center
2) Young People's Trust for the Environment
3) Carbon Emissions article for 2013
4) Ted Talk "The Earth is Full" - 16 mins
5) Scientific American article - Population and Sustainability
6) ABC article - There are not enough resources to support the world's population
7) ESA article - Conservation of the world's peat lands is really important as these areas are HUGE carbon stores. Satellites for Peat's Sake
8) Clever Ideas - Portland now generates electricity using turbines placed in their water pipes!