Lesson 2

The United Nations has 17 Sustainable Development Goals Activity: Discussion (7 min) Look at the Sustainable Development Goals. Focus on the first 7 Sustainable Development Goals above: Do you think that we can achieve these by 2030? Discuss in class. We will need laws to implement these goals and to protect our environment and our health.

Application of laws and policies to protect our environment in SA Government departments are ultimately responsible for ensuring that the laws and policies are carried out and that the environment is healthy. Local government (municipalities) and provincial government also play a role in protecting our environment.

The National Environmental Strategic Action Plan (NESAP) The above action plan, which the government has drawn up, has two basic ideals: 1. To develop and secure higher standard of living conditions for disadvantaged people AND 2. To protect and improve the environment immediately and in the future.

How effective are these policies? Sadly, even though policies are in place, many people live in extremely unhealthy environments. There is a shortage of housing, electricity, safe water for drinking and cooking

HOUSING SHORTAGE

Did you know there is even a policy to protect sharks? NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS MARINE LIVING RESOURCES ACT, 1998 (ACT NO. 18 OF 1998) DRAFT POLICY ON WHITE SHARK CAGE DIVING

Earth Day

Earth Day What is it? It is a day held across the world to promote awareness of an appreciation for the earth’s environmental issues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WA8FpGI5Sw (2:56) Earth Day 2019 has as its theme: Protect our species.

Activity (5 min) Read the visualization exercise to the class.

Turtle with straw up its nostril: Operation removal https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MPHbpmP6_I (3:47) Discuss: (5 min) What impact did the video have on you? What are your thoughts?

The big straw problem Discussion (5 min): How many of you use a straw most of the time when you buy a drink? Is this necessary? Is it worth it? Motivate. What alternatives can we use for plastic straws?

The great straw debate https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/06/22/the-great-straw-debate.html (1:53 min)

Plastic Pollution: A massive environmental problem

Address an issue: Plastic pollution effects This pollution can have harmful effects on the land and rivers by affecting wildlife and habitat, but also on human health.

ON THE ENVIRONMENT This plastic debris represents a chemical pollution in several ways. They contain compounds that can be chemically transferred to organisms during ingestion. Some of these molecules are potentially toxic and can accumulate in the body. Besides, plastic bags also affect the growth of crops, by hindering the process of photosynthesis in agricultural fields.

On animals

The most direct effect of plastic pollution is the imprisonment of animals in nets or large debris. It is a cause of significant mortality of marine mammals, turtles and birds. A second direct effect is ingestion, that concerns the entire food chain of the marine ecosystem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh-bJetDYqM (2:05) Video about how plastic is killing our sea birds.

ON HUMANS

Because of the chemical additives used during plastic production, plastics have potentially harmful effects on human health. Indeed, exposure to toxic chemicals coming out of plastic can cause cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity and other health problems.

As enrichment at home: Watch the video The story of stuff and summarize in your work books the main message of the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM (21:24)