This unit is designed to introduce students to the complex relationship between our resource use and its impact on the planet. Water, oil, coal and other natural resources are harvested and used by humans at an every increasing rate, while the long-term impacts on the environment are not fully understood. Many scientists predict massive change in our climate, which will have significant repercussions on how humans live, however we continue to increase our finite resource use. Alterntive energy sources, water management, global warming and the damaged ozone provide the focus for this unit of study.
Learn why solar power works with calculators, but is not so well with cars.
Unit Assignments
Global Agreement on Climate Change
We will conduct a two-day conference in which each student represents a country at a Global Climate talks. Students must decide whether to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions or try to have the other representatives make a committment and carry the cost. A self evaluation sheet will be collected for marking.
Water
Fresh water is one of the earth's critical resources, and we in Canada are especially blessed with almost 40% of the global fresh water reserves. With that in mind, the following assignments are to be completed.
Using the text, p. 320-325, complete the following:
- Draw a picture of the hydrological cycle
- Read the case study, "The Mystery of Lake Nakuru," and answer p. 325 #2a, b and c.
- For bonus, complete question 3 on page 325. It can be used to upgrade your lowest quiz mark. You may work with a partner if you will perform your creation in class.
Read the article "Water - Oil of the future?" and answer the questions which accompany it.
"It's not easy being Green"
Read the article "It's not easy being Green" and answer the questions which follow:
- What is Green's main fights these days? (There are two)
- How does Green prove his envirnmental concerns?
- What accomplishments has Green had?
- How does Green differ from organizations such as Greenpeace?
- Why are activists like Daniel Green important?
Test Review
- issues and solutions for each
- G.A.C.C. conference experience
- acid rain
- oil spills
- fresh water supply
- resources, need
- alternatives, costs, benefits
- architecture
- reducing and recycling
- Daniel Green
- Acid rain cycle
- Alternative energy in Alberta
- Kuznet's curve
Test Structure:
"Similar to the solutions relating to population and food issues, the solutions to issues of energy use and the environment are universal in principle and local in their application."