1. Sustainability of Ecosystems
Science Biology
Sustainability of Ecosystems

2. Unit Intro Read the chapter descriptions on pages 4 and 5
Think of at least one question you have about something in the content of this unit.
Be ready to share that question with the class.

3. What is the significance of this picture?
First photo showing the full view of the earth. Taken in December of 1972

4. Read page 6 “Seeking a new way”

5. What evidence is there that we affect the environment?

6. Questions to Ponder What is the value of a boreal forest?
What if it were to be clear-cut?

7. How would you react to someone changing car oil and letting it run into the ground?

8. Do you think our attitudes are changing about the way we view the environment?

9. Can you think of any evidence or behaviours which indicate that we/humans are concerned about the environment?
Recycle old cars
Waste management programs
Laws against using certain chemicals

10. Sustainability

11. What does the word sustainability mean to you?
Reflect:
What does the word sustainability mean to you?

12. What is Sustainability?
Sustainability explained by an animation.
{Notes: to end of Sustainability}

13. Define Sustainability
Sustainability means using the earth’s resources to satisfy our needs today while ensuring access to these resources for future generations.

14. Sustainability
Sustainable use of earth’s resources requires careful use our renewable and non-renewable resources.

15. Sustainability
Non-renewable resource: resources that are limited and once consumed will not regenerate,
Ex: Oil, coal, gas, minerals, nuclear fuel

18. Sustainability
Renewable resources: resources that will replenish themselves if properly managed.
Ex: Forests, fishery, water, sunlight

20. Earth as a Sustainable System
Many share the opinion that earth is a sustainable system as long as we do not use renewable resources faster than they are replaced or recycled.

21. Industry Group Discussion
In a small group:
You will be given one of the following industries:
Forestry, Mining, Tourism, Hunting, Hydroelectricity, Agriculture, Oil extraction, Aquaculture (fish farming)
Discuss how this industry might operate sustainably. In other words:
How does this industry pose a threat to the environment?
Are there or should there be certain rules in place to protect the environment?
What responsibilities should companies in this industry have?
Are things done differently today than before?

24. Changing Paradigms

26. What is a Paradigm?

27. What is a Paradigm? Paradigm: A commonly accepted view on a subject.
Can you think of anything that might be considered a paradigm?

28. Paradigm (Example)
Ex: people used to think that all of earth’s resources were there for us to use as we please.
Has this changed?

29. Paradigm (Example)
For example, our early forefathers believed there was an endless supply of resources such as fish on Earth.

30. What is a paradigm shift?
When large groups of individuals begin to shift their viewpoint on a topic is it known as a paradigm shift.

32. Paradigm Shifts
Can you think of any other examples of paradigm shifts??

33. Paradigm Shift (Example)
When people stopped believing that Earth was the centre of the universe.
The new belief was that Sun was the centre of the solar system.

34. Paradigm Shift (Example)
People also believed they were totally unrelated to other animal life here on Earth.

35. Paradigm Shift (Example)
Humans were placed on this Earth to rule over it and make use of the seemingly endless resources.

36. Newfoundland Industry
Forestry - Abitibi Bowater in Newfoundland A forestry and pulp and paper company that has operated in Newfoundland since the early 1900’s.

37. Newfoundland Industry

38. Newfoundland Industry
Early Logging technology was slow and required hand tools.

39. Newfoundland Industry
Easy movement of logs required access to rivers.
Log Drivers Waltz

40. Newfoundland Industry
As technology has improved, so has our impact on the environment.
Abitibi/Bowater operations were no exception!

41. Newfoundland Industry
Steam Power: could move logs more easily across land.

42. Newfoundland Industry
Combustion Engines: easier to cut
and move wood!

43. Newfoundland Industry
Electricity to process the wood and make paper!

44. Newfoundland Industry
What environmental harms come from these processes?
Harvesting timber?
Transporting logs?
Processing timber?

45. Modern Views are Changing
The faster we could process resources, the more visible our impacts on the environment have become.

46. Forestry Act (1990)
All users must comply with sustainable forest management policies as laid out by the department of natural resources forestry division.

47. Modern Views are Changing
This has caused people to start changing their views:
The environment is for our use, not to be abused.
We need to protect the environment, not destroy it.

48. Modern Views are Changing
But is this shift real?
Has the old world view that the Earth and all things on it exist for our benefit changed?
Has our civilization been created on the idea of unlimited expansion and use of resources?

49. Changes in Paradigm About Fishery
In the old days....
Fish would be taken from the seas with no thought about the number that remained.
Technology used included the use open boat known as a dory and a single jigger

50. Changes in Paradigm About Fishery
In modern times...
Technology has changed to include the use of factory ships which make use of dragnets.
Modern technology has destroyed the fish stocks.

51. New Versus Old Technology
New Technology

53. CBC
Cod Stock Assessment

54. Fracking Debate
Recently companies have been wanting to explore for natural gas on Newfoundland’s west coast.
The government has currently prohibited any exploration. y
Debate:
For your Role, determine your position (opinion/belief) about the cod fishery
Provide as many arguments (reasons) as possible to support your position.

55. Suncor Tar Sands – Dirty Truth