LESSON 3: HUMAN IMPACTS
Minds On
Climate change is one of the most important issues of our time. It has become not only a scientific study, but also a political issue, the subject of Hollywood films, and a constant source of debate.
Sometimes, it can be hard to sort the biases and misconceptions about climate change from the real facts. There are many impacts of climate change on the physical environment and human settlements that it is important for us to understand.
Before we begin...
“I had this idea, the most powerful issue of our time, was the interaction of humans and nature.” - James Balog
Climate change is one of the biggest issues we as a society face, and many scientists believe we have now gone too far over the brink to preserve our planet in its current state. However, many politicians have argued that climate change (or, as is used to be called, “global warming”) is a made-up issue.
Sometimes, it can be hard to sort the biases and misconceptions about climate change from the real facts. There are many impacts of climate change on the physical environment and human settlements that it is important for us to understand.
Before we begin...
“I had this idea, the most powerful issue of our time, was the interaction of humans and nature.” - James Balog
Climate change is one of the biggest issues we as a society face, and many scientists believe we have now gone too far over the brink to preserve our planet in its current state. However, many politicians have argued that climate change (or, as is used to be called, “global warming”) is a made-up issue.
What do we know?
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What do we believe?
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What can be done?
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Human Impact Scenarios
Human impacts on the environment don’t end with climate change. Choose one of the scenarios below and complete the organizer handed out in class. You will be sharing your organizer with 2 partners at the end of class.
Scenarios:
1) Water pollution from a local farm destroys ecosystem by dumping pesticides into river.
2) The need for more housing causes local farmland to be built upon, limiting food.
4) The need for water for a local community causes streams to be drained, causing desertification.
5) Air pollution from vehicles creates smog warnings in a city.
6) Noise and light pollution disrupt the migratory pattern of birds.
Scenarios:
1) Water pollution from a local farm destroys ecosystem by dumping pesticides into river.
2) The need for more housing causes local farmland to be built upon, limiting food.
- Urban Sprawl (National Geographic)
- See urban sprawl video below
4) The need for water for a local community causes streams to be drained, causing desertification.
5) Air pollution from vehicles creates smog warnings in a city.
6) Noise and light pollution disrupt the migratory pattern of birds.
Urban Sprawl (Scenario 2)
lesson_3_-_human_impacts.pdf | |
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