Sustainable Future Paradigm Shift

Paradigm A way of looking at the world Shared by the majority of people May change due to Scientific discoveries Observations New understandings July 22, 2012 Footer text here

Examples Continents on Earth have always been in one place Proof: evidence led to the theory of plate tectonics July 22, 2012 Footer text here

Reflect Discuss an example of a paradigm from the past that seems strange to us today. Why did people of the past believe this paradigm? What happened to cause us to think differently? July 22, 2012 Footer text here

Examples Environment Before- Unlimited resources Human impact insignificant Now- Limited resources Controls on waste disposal, pollution, overfishing, carbon tax etc. July 22, 2012 Footer text here

Debate Is the new focus on protecting the environment enough to avoid more problems? Can it produce a way of life that is sustainable for the future? July 22, 2012 Footer text here

Economy and Ecology Economy Ecology Study of Wealth Calculate the economic value of a resource Ex- Wood = x$ Forest with 1000 trees 1000x dollars Study of environment Ex-Wood Forests= absorb carbon dioxide, filter water, help to prevent soil erosion, maintain biodiversity What is the true value of the forest ? Most economic models ignore the value of the resource July 22, 2012 Footer text here

Activity- Web Quest *See Handout Oil and Water July 22, 2012 Footer text here