The Environment

Transnational Pollution: Why Are You Dumping on Me?
Grade Level: 9-12

This lesson introduces the grandest and most threatening problem of the global environment - transnational pollution. The flow of pollutants across national boundaries has confirmed that pollution does not recognize geographical boundaries. Clearly, environmental degradation in one country can spread to another, reconfirming that now more than ever, the health of the global environment is the responsibility of all nations, whether vast or small, rich or poor. The purpose of this lesson is to make student aware that an incident in one nation may well have serious environmental consequences for other nations.

Civil Society and Sustainable Communities Curriculum
Grade Level: 10-12

Designed for the YWCA of the U.S., these adapted activities focus on actual case studies of sustainable community initiatives. The first activity guides students in a discussion about the terms "civil society" and "sustainable community" to understand how the two terms are related. In the second activity two case studies (one urban and one rural) are used to apply the ideas discussed in the first activity to real-life situations. Two activities!

Environmental Issues Natural and Human Geography
Grade Level: 9-12

This extensive activity explores the advantages and disadvantages of building the largest dam in the world along the Yangtze River's Three Gorges. This plan has generated much discussion among environmentalists, historians, and sociologists alike as the potential impact on the entire country is immense. Depending on the application, this lesson has multiple activities and may include research, debate, and role play.

The New Frontier in Brazil: People, Progress and the Environment
Grade Level: 10-12

This case study is designed to help students deal with the environmental questions of a larger controversy. The study describes the situation in the Amazon and discusses some of the advantages and disadvantages of developing the region. Students are asked to evaluate the impact of a changing environment on a society and its culture, and to deal with the concept of "progress" as it is related to growth and to the preservation (or destruction) of the physical environment and indigenous cultures. Complete activity!

Energy Policy: A Decision-Making Simulation
Grade Level: 7-12

This simulation can serve as a beginning exercise in an examination of the national and global energy issue. It provides the students with a task to accomplish in groups. Students begin to gather the kind of data they need for an in-depth analysis of humankind's use and misuse of energy. The directions provide a framework for completing the task successfully while permitting instructor and student ingenuity. Complete activity!

The Ocean Resources Game
Grade Level: 11-12

The Ocean Resources Game provides an opportunity to explore the potentials for cooperation and conflict that have existed in relation to control of the seas. The situations the students will encounter reflect some of the major issues which have been at stake in the use of the world's seas. Through playing roles of decision makers of various nations, students learn about issues and positions involved in exploiting the wealth of the sea, including minerals, oil, and fish. Complete activity!

The Closed-System Game: An Urban Planning Simulation
Grade Level: 9-12

Planet Earth is a closed system -- all living things depend on the same thin life-giving envelope of land, air, and water. What is the carrying capacity of the planet? In this simulation, students will deal with this question in terms of "planning" -- not only to achieve a better quality of life, but also for survival. Can we plan for a decent standard of living and still protect the quality of our environment? Complete activity!

Interdependence as a Concept Approach to Environmental Education
Grade Level: K-3

This unit will suggest ways to use existing course work to develop better understanding of population and other environmental concerns through the concept of interdependence. Material will help students understand the nature of systems and to apply this knowledge to familiar object and relationships. Complete activity!

Lesson plans related to The China Project
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Lesson plans related to NY & the World
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Lession plans related to SEC

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Complete Publications online :

• Spotlight on Confucius
• Guidelines for Gobal and International Studies Educaion
• Myself & Others
• Spotlight on Japan
• International Conflict and the Media