Exploring Three Categories of Human Induced Environmental Problems
By exploring the three categories of human-induced environmental problems students can gain a global perspective.
By Lynsey Peterson
In my environmental science course, I always begin with a unit called “A Global Perspective.” In this unit, I introduce the concept of thinking globally and acting locally. I also preview the topics that we will discuss in the course. This unit is essential to fostering the environmental awareness that I hope my students will have at the end of the course. I also use an abbreviated version of this unit to discuss environmental problems in my biology course.
I begin with a discussion of the Earth as a system. We discuss energy input from the sun, and conservation of matter on Earth. This helps students understand the importance of natural resources to our survival. After we discuss the Earth as a system, it logically follows to discuss the subsystems of Earth, the lithosphere (land), the hydrosphere (water and ice), the biosphere (living things), and the atmosphere (air and weather). In the past, I have given students an assignment to make a movie poster that descirbes one of the subsystems and refers to the relevant vocabulary. Students then conduct research in groups and make a class presentation.
We next discuss the requirements of living things, and human societies in particular. This leads into a discussion of humans impact on Earth. Students can estimate their own particular impact by measuring their ecological footprint. There are several websites that allow students to do this.
Then we discuss how population growth, overconsumption, and certain technological advances increase the human impact on the environment. We also talk about human's environmental impact throughout history. We finish our introductory unit by discussing three categories of human-induced environmental problems - pollution, biodiversity loss, and natural resource depletion. I use the book the "Lorax" by Dr. Seuss to illustrate these concepts. I found that even high school students like a good story. The pollution and depletion of resources caused by the Once-ler causes the loss of biodiversity, including the Truffula trees, Brown Barbaloots, and other wildlife.
I have found the unit on global perspective to be highly effective in introducing environmental problems to students. This unit provides a foundation for my students to learn the detailed concepts that are presented throughout the course. Here are some lesson plans that further investigate the three categories of human-induced enviromental problems.
Environmental Issues Lesson Plans:
Environmental Town And Polluted Town
Students create collages of an environmentally friendly city, and a city that promotes pollution. They create a town, including roadways, a river, a lake, or other large body of water, and sky reflecting the environmental conditions of the town. They identify several causes of environmental problems in a city, and solutions for (and alternatives to) those problems.
Global Resources: What Will You Do with Your Power?
Students examine the human impact on natural resources. They read and discuss an article, compare the way countries address environmental issues, develop a presidential speech on the environment, and conduct a natural resources scavenger hunt.
Solid Waste and Our Natural Resources: Utilizing the Story "The Lorax"
Students get an introduction to our planet's solid waste problem, and our personal responsibility in curbing and solving said problem, through the use of Dr. Seuss' book "The Lorax." After reading the book, a class discussion follows.
Students participate in a simulation using M&M's that highlights Garrett Hardin's concept of the "tragedy of the commons." They use the activities to study sustainability issues in the fishing industry.
