‘OUR IMPACT AS HUMANS’ Most human impacts on the earth are the result of efforts to improve our well-being and to make our lives easier and more efficient. Yet, ironically, sometimes these efforts have quite the opposite effect. To understand their impacts, we need to keep in mind FIVE FACTS…

‘OUR IMPACT AS HUMANS’ ONE… Everything in nature is related; hence, to change one thing is to change many things Ex. Cutting down a single tree to use as framing for a house lowers oxygen production, destroys wildlife habitat, increases soil erosion, etc.

‘OUR IMPACT AS HUMANS’ TWO… In addition to basic physiological needs, humans have many culturally-based wants Ex. The ‘want’ of an SUV creates considerably higher gas consumption than that of a compact car, let alone a hybrid vehicle or even a bicycle

‘OUR IMPACT AS HUMANS’ THREE… Humans’ ability to affect the earth increases with increasing levels of technology, increasing use of various energy sources, and increasing numbers of people Ex. As we produce more effective and efficient drilling equipment our potential to exhaust oil reserves increases greatly; as health care & immunization continues to expand, more people are living longer leading to a more rapid rate of population increase and the potential for overpopulation.

‘OUR IMPACT AS HUMANS’ FOUR… Different cultures have different attitudes towards the environment; also, attitudes within a culture change over time Ex. Many/most homes in China are still heated with pollution-producing coal; one of the dirtiest forms of fuel

‘OUR IMPACT AS HUMANS’ FIVE… There is significant evidence that a shift is underway in contemporary western culture (ours), from an anthropocentric (human-centred) world view to an eco-centric (environment centred) one Ex. Recycling programs, composting, car charging stations, Copenhagen Accord

‘OUR IMPACT AS HUMANS’ Are our decisions to help ourselves in the short-term only threatening the future of our planet and the one we’ll leave for our children? You’ll get a chance to explore this question in your groups…

‘OUR IMPACT AS HUMANS’ Group Assignment – 25 marks Also, consider all 5 ‘Impacts’ and decide which one is destined to have the biggest impact on the planet and its citizens. Explain in a detailed paragraph why you made this choice. This paragraph will be written on your second piece of paper – nice and big please! (10 marks) Since you have only 30 minutes to prepare, you’ll likely need to split your group into two with each one being assigned one of the tasks Your group will present to the class (5-7 minutes?) at the end of the 30 minutes so organize yourselves and your thoughts (5 marks) In your groups, you will be assigned one of the ‘5 Impacts’ and be given 30 minutes to complete the following steps… First, fill up one of the pieces of paper you’ve been given with images/diagrams/sketches/pictures that provide examples of/support your assigned ‘Impact’ (label them if needed). Use the examples from the PowerPoint note to get you thinking. Include as MANY as you can! (10 marks)