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Course Profile   The Environment and Resource Management (CGR4E), Grade 12, Workplace Preparation, Public

 

Course Overview

Policy Document:  The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12, Canadian and World Studies, 2000.

Prerequisite:  Geography of Canada, Grade 9, Academic or Applied

Course Description

This course examines the impact of human activities on the natural environment and emphasizes responsible resource management, mainly in the context of the local environment. Students will learn about ecosystem structures and processes, the ecological impact of human activities, and sustainable resource management, and will develop practical solutions to environmental and resource management issues.

Course Notes

In planning this course, consideration must not only be given to the accountability of meeting the curriculum expectations, but also the nature of the diversity of students taking the course.

The emphasis of this course is that the course knowledge and skills will have a personal and local application, making the course relevant to students. Concepts must then be extended to the global context. Students will gain knowledge and apply this in “real world” situations.

Teachers must be extremely sensitive to the fact that when dealing with environmental issues, students may hold many differing viewpoints. The intent of this course is to provide students with knowledge and inquiry skills so they can discuss a wide range of issues. The critical challenge will be to encourage students to be open to many different viewpoints, develop supported opinions rather than just opinions, and take informed action.

Health and safety considerations relate to the physical and personal well-being of students in class, in community-based learning activities, and in the workplace. Teachers must take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of students

Course Profile Design

This Course Profile was created within the parameters of the strands outlined in The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12, Canadian and World Studies 2000 document. Course expectations were used to develop enduring learnings that can be used to provide direction for the teacher in terms of the conceptual framework on which to build the course. These enduring learnings provide the philosophical, or big picture, tone, and approach to the course. For students, the enduring learnings provide a basis for life-long learning, with an emphasis on environmental stewardship.

It is intended that as a result of this course, students will:

·         understand the impact of their choice and demonstrate responsible environmental behaviour;

·         understand we are a part of nature, not apart from nature; for example, the language of resource management often undermines the idea that humans are one element within the environment and the environment does not exist only for human use;

·         understand the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders (individual, business, industry, and government) in environmental and resource management in the search for a common good;

·         analyse environmental issues, support a point of view, and make recommendations for action;

·         understand that all environmental issues, including local ones, have global impacts;

·         use geographic skills, methods, and technologies to gather, analyse and communicate information and make decisions.

Expectations from the strands were organized to form five units and then further clustered around key focus questions. These questions provide flexibility in curriculum development. In order to meet the expectations, teachers may choose to use only the key focus questions without the teaching/learning strategies provided in the Course Profile. It should be noted that the Course Profile is just one interpretation of how the course could be constructed. Teachers are encouraged to alter, reorder, and reword units and activities to meet their needs and the needs of their students. For example, Units 3 and 4 may be divided into smaller units of study. Teachers may also adjust the amount of teacher-directed or student-centred work according to the dynamics of the class. This is especially the case in Unit 1 where the majority of activities are student-centred.

While some concepts are emphasized in certain units and not directly taught in others, they must be threaded through each unit. The Grade 9 Geography course and Grade 10 Civics course provide key foundations upon which this course builds. Concepts such as the ecological footprint, sustainability, and citizenship, have been taught in other curricula and will be used to support new concepts relating to this course.

Destination-Workplace

This course is intended for workplace destination; therefore, it is critical to recognize the importance of developing workplace skills. As curriculum expectations are being met, learning skills such as teamwork and working independently are essential. See the learning skills tracking sheet in Unit 1, Appendix 1.5.1. The ability to self-assess, problem solve, and clearly communicate should not be overlooked. Accommodations will be critical in meeting the needs of the student. (See Accommodations.)

The delivery of the course should be as practical and engaging as possible. Teachers may choose to develop this course along with a cooperative education program or an interdisciplinary program of study. (See OSS Considerations.)

Units:  Titles and Time

While the following unit recommendations suggest four units plus the Independent Study Units, the needs of the students may require the units be to subdivided. This is especially true for Units 3 and 4.

* Unit 1

Introduction: Evaluating How We Live

10 hours

Unit 2

Natural Systems: Choosing the Best Path

25 hours

Unit 3

Pollution: Managing Our Mess

30 hours

Unit 4

Population and Resources: Sharing the World’s Wealth

35 hours

Unit 5

Making a Change in a Local Environment: Course Summative Evaluation

10 hours

* This unit is fully developed in this Course Profile.

Unit Overviews

Unit 1:  Introduction: Evaluating How we Live

Time:  11 hours

Unit Description

Students examine how their daily lives interact with and depend on the natural environment. Students reflect on their personal and their community’s behaviours. In order to identify existing problems, the teaching/learning strategies are linked to an analysis of personal behaviours. The unit summative project has students produce an infomercial informing others of environmentally sound daily practices. Practical skills such as information gathering, analysis, and communication are an integral part of this unit. The skills taught in this unit continue to be practised throughout the course. Students then demonstrate an appropriate level of mastery in Unit 5, the course summative evaluation. (See the Skills Development Chart.)

Unit Overview Chart

Cluster

Learning Expectations

Assessment Categories

Focus

1

HE1.01, GI2.07

Knowledge/Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Communication

What is a need vs. a want?

2

HEV.02, HE1.02

Thinking/Inquiry

How do we rely on the natural environment?

3

UCV.01, GC1.01, UC1.05, GI1.01

Knowledge/Understanding Communication
Application

What are our rights and responsibilities to the natural environment?

·         Sustainability

·         Stewardship

4

GI2.04, GIV.02, GI3.03, GIV.01, UC3.04, GI1.01, GI2.05, GI3.02

Knowledge/Understanding Thinking/Inquiry Communication
Application

How does all of this relate to my daily life

 

Unit 2:  Natural Systems: Choosing the Best Path

Time:  25 hours

Unit Description

This unit addresses the questions, Are people a part of nature or separate from nature? Where do people fit in? Are we wildlife? Through the study of interconnections and interdependence, students understand the complexity of natural systems. Concepts such as ecosystems, ecological processes, and biodiversity are applied to Canada’s endangered species and spaces. As a unit summative project, students use these concepts in a local application by making recommendations for a recreational trail system.

Unit Overview Chart

Cluster

Learning Expectations

Assessment Categories

Focus

1

SSV.01, SS1.01, SS2.02, HE1.03

Knowledge/ Understanding

How do the spheres of the earth sustain life?

·         Spheres of the earth and role

·         Closed systems (finite)

2

SSV.02, SS1.03, SS2.01, SS2.04, HEV.01, GI1.01

Knowledge/ Understanding
Thinking/ Inquiry

What makes up an ecosystem and how does it work?

·         Ecological processes

·         Human impact
(interconnections and interdependence)

·         Fragility of ecosystems

3

SS1.02, SS1.04, SS2.03, HE3.01, GI2.05

Thinking/ Inquiry

Who is for lunch?

·         Interconnections through food webs

·         Systemic impact of toxic substances
(DDT, mercury, PCBs, dioxin, etc.)

4

SS3.02, SS3.01, SSV.03

Knowledge/ Understanding
Application

How am I connected from a local bioregion to global ecosystems?

·         Local bioregion interactions

·         Biome interconnections

5

SS3.03, HE3.02, UC1.02, UC1.01, GI2.02, GI2.03

Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application

What is Canada doing in protecting species and spaces?

·         Biodiversity

·         Canadian endangered species and spaces

·         What can we do?

6

SS3.02, GIV.01, UC3.03, GI2.02, GI2.03, GI2.06, GI3.02, GI3.04, GIV.02, GIV.03

Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application

Summary of unit

 

Unit 3:  Pollution: Managing Our Mess

Time:  30 hours

Unit Description

The focus of this unit is to analyse problems associated with waste creation and management. Students study the impacts of domestic and industrial waste. They then have an opportunity to evaluate national and international agreements which propose solutions to global concerns. The unit summative task is to produce a four-part magazine on the management of industrial waste/pollution and the environment. Students contribute visuals and articles that relate to an industry profile, the technology needed for improvement, a review of government actions taken, and related careers. The magazine includes local and global perspectives. Students demonstrate individual responsibilities, and also develop their learning skills working as part of a team.

Unit Overview Chart

Cluster

Learning Expectations

Assessment Categories

Focus

1

UC1.03, HE2.02, HE2.03

Knowledge/ Understanding

What is pollution?

·         Identify types of pollution & their sources

·         Environmental impact

2

UC1.04

Knowledge/ Understanding

What is solid waste?

·         Toxic and non-toxic waste

·         Quantity of “garbage”

3

UC2.01, GI1.02, GC1.03, GI1.01

Knowledge/ Understanding
Thinking/Inquiry
Application

How do we reduce the amount of waste we create?

How do we manage the waste we create?

·         Methods of disposal

·         Reduce, reuse, recycle

·         Implications of management

·         Use of geotechnology

4

UC3.02, GI1.02, GI2.01, GI2.06, HE3.03, GIV.03

Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application

What are examples of responsible waste management?

Case studies of businesses or industries

5

UC2.02

Knowledge/ Understanding
Thinking/Inquiry

Who is responsible?

·         Individual to global responsibilities

6

GCV.03, GC1.04, GC1.06, GC3.01, GI2.07

Knowledge/ Understanding
Thinking/Inquiry

What is the role of global agreements?

·         International agreements

·         Canada’s role

Are participants fulfilling their agreements?

7

UCV.02, GIV.01, UC2.04, GIV.02, GI2.01, GC3.03, GI2.05, UC2.05, GI2.06, UC2.06, GI3.04, UCV.03

Knowledge/ Understanding
Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application

Unit Summative: magazine

Magazine Subheadings

·         Industry profile

·         Technologies for improvement

·         Government

·         Careers

 

Unit 4:  Population and Resources: Sharing the World’s Wealth

Time:  35 hours

Unit Description

Students focus on the carrying capacity of the earth. How far can we stretch the earth’s resources, considering the earth’s population growth rate? Human use of land, energy, agriculture, and other resources requires careful management in order to be sustainable. The impact of globalization is explored. The unit summative task is a response to a case study or simulation, where students are required to summarize the situation, predict consequences, and communicate preventative plans of action.

Unit Summary Chart

Cluster

Learning Expectations

Assessment Categories

Focus

1

GC2.01, GC3.02

Thinking/Inquiry

Can we live like this?

·         Footprint comparisons (individual to global)

·         Sustainability

·         Stewardship

2

HE1.04, HEV.03, GI2.02

Knowledge/ Understanding
Communication

What is a resource?

·         Renewable/non-renewable

·         Mapping resource distribution

·         Mapping exercise

3

HE2.01, HE2.04, UC2.03, GI2.05, HEV.02

Knowledge/ Understanding
Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application

At what cost are resources available?

·         Energy, e.g., oil, gas

·         Agriculture

·         Selected resources, e.g., fishing/forestry/mining

4

GC2.02, GC1.02, GC1.05, GC2.03, GIV.03, GI2.02, GI2.03, HEV.03

Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application

How are we living?

·         Pattern of demographics

·         Socio-economic indicators

·         Standard of living (food)

5

GCV.02, GC2.04

Application

How do we become sustainable?

·         Stakeholders

·         Globalization

6

GCV.01, GIV.01, GIV.02, GI1.01, GI2.06, GI2.07, GI3.01

Knowledge/ Understanding
Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application

Food, people, and resources

How do we become sustainable?

Unit 5:  Making a Change in a Local Environment: Course Summative Evaluation

Time:  10 hours

Unit Description

In preparation for employment, this final course summative task (part of the 30%) requires students to apply acquired knowledge and skills to a local context. Students produce an action plan for rehabilitating a local environment or managing an existing local resource in a sustainable way, e.g., industrial activities such as gravel pit rehabilitation, forest land use, garbage collection processes, heating design, waterfront design.

This action plan can be developed for their school, home, or workplace. The action plan should include:

·         identification of the problem(s);

·         collection of data illustrating the problem (making their case);

·         researched possible solutions.

The final product must include information relating the problem to each of the following:

·         the relationship to the relevant natural systems (Unit 2);

·         environmental impacts, pollution (Unit 3);

·         population trends, resource involvement, and/or governments involved (Unit 4).

Teachers may wish to have students communicate their action plans to appropriate authorities, e.g., letter, e-mail, meeting, or other action. The final product may take the form of a written report, display, and/or presentation.

This course evaluation requires students to examine human environmental interactions and make recommendations for sustainability. The idea of stewardship must be evident.

Unit Overview Chart

Cluster

Learning Expectations

Assessment

Focus

1

HE3.03, GIV.01, UC3.01, GI1.01, GIV.02, GI2.01, GIV.03, GI2.02, GI2.03, GI3.01, GI3.02, GI3.03, GI2.05, GI2.06

Knowledge/ Understanding
Thinking/Inquiry
Communication
Application
Final Course Summative Evaluation
(part of the 30%)

What are the environmental interactions? (flowchart)

What is the action plan for rehabilitation and sustainability?

What is the rationale for the recommendations?

What are the social and economic impacts of the action plan?

Teaching/Learning Strategies

This Workplace Preparation course should be a practical application of knowledge and skills. The culminating task in Unit 1, the infomercial, is a typical example of an application of student learning.

Other activities for consideration include having students manage the school paper recycling program, do an energy audit, present an energy-saving plan to the school principal and maintenance staff, establish a no-idling zone outside the school, etc. Further, if they have jobs, students could identify a resource management problem associated with work, develop a plan and take action on it.

Teaching/learning strategies may have more of an impact on students if they are related to the local area. Many of the expectations are “locally based.” Field trips such as the examples suggested below may be appropriate:

·         sewage treatment plant

·         water treatment facility

·         landfill site

·         the local dump

·         recycling station

·         conservation area

·         recreational park

·         vehicular counts

·         “walks around the block”

To reach the wide variety of students taking this course, it is suggested the activities be designed as succinct concentrated sub-units of work. The teacher should use a variety of strategies to address different learning styles and multiple intelligences. Offering students choice of topics will also address the variety of student interests. The type of teaching/learning strategies should be flexible and open-ended to allow for students to reach their highest potential. The following are some teaching/learning strategies teachers may wish to employ throughout the course.

Teacher-Directed

·         Brainstorming – small or large group generation of initial ideas

·         Conferencing – student-to-student or teacher-to-student discussion

·         Debate – research-based exchange of points of view

·         Experiential learning - teachers draw on student experiences

·         Classifying – group according to an identified pattern

·         Video – visual presentation

·         Field Excursion – class trip to initiate interest and/or reinforce classroom learning

·         Games – team quizzes

·         Note Making – summarizing written text, oral descriptions or film

·         Lectures – for the purpose of disseminating knowledge

·         Role Playing – immersion of self into other perspectives

·         Independent Study

Student-Directed

·         Reading – periodicals, articles, journals, newspapers, and magazines for the purpose of furthering knowledge and identifying local issues to examine

·         Researching – use of a variety of sources (written, graphics, empirical data) for the purpose of supporting an inquiry

·         Presentation/Report – oral, written, and visual

·         Oral-interviews

·         Case Study – investigating a real or simulated situation

·         Seminars – presentation of an inquiry supported with a variety of presentation tools (film, audio, models, computers)

·         Quantitative and qualitative assessment; field work methods of data collection

·         Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

Small Group Study

·         Cooperative Learning – small group investigation or problem solving

·         Poster Making – collective or individual approach to depict a message or promote a cause

·         Action-planning and taking action

·         Developing appropriate questionnaires to acquire data related to a geographical issue

·         Surveys and Presentations

·         Guest Speakers – experts in the field

·         Mapping – representing physical, demographic, and numerical data through visual forms

·         Graphing – visual tool for problem solving

·         Diagramming – conceptual visualizations

·         Model Building – reproduction of a concept

·         Organizers – creation of cells for the purpose of clustering information

·         Quantitative Assessment – manipulation of data to prove or disprove an inquiry

·         Role Play

·         Debate

Assessment & Evaluation of Student Achievement

The following suggestions for assessment and evaluation are aligned with the principles found in the Program Planning and Assessment, 2000 document.

Seventy per cent of the grade will be based on assessments and evaluations conducted throughout the course. Thirty per cent of the grade will be based on a final evaluation in the form of an examination, performance, essay and/or other methods of evaluation.

70% Course work:

The following aspects of evaluation should be considered in unit and course implementation:

·         provide the student with ample opportunity to practise knowledge and skills prior to evaluation. Frequent assessment allows students the opportunity for greater success during evaluation. Feedback to students is an important component of assessment. Assessment feedback should include a variety of opportunities through assessment tools, such as teacher-student conferences, peer-assessment using the same evaluation tool, practice quizzes, etc. Unit 1 models this assessment practice;

·         the skills developed, should increase in complexity by the end of the course.

The following chart provides an overview of progressive skill development from unit to unit:

Skill Expectation

Unit 1

Unit 2

Unit 3

Unit 4

Unit 5

GIV.01-gather and analyse information & make decisions

3

3

3

3

3

GI1.01-use geographic terms and concepts correctly

3

3

3

3

3

GI2.01-understand geographic inquiry process

 

 

3

 

3

GI2.02-produce and interpret maps, diagrams, charts, models etc., to illustrate concepts

 

3

 

3

3

GI2.03-use cartographic conventions correctly

 

3

 

3

3

GI2.05-use graphic organizers to clarify, visualize and interpret information

3

3

3

3

3

GI2.06-use a variety of sources to gather information

 

3

3

3

3

GI2.07-explain how information from sources may be biased

3

 

3

3

3

GI3.02-apply communication skills to influence change and decisions relating to environmental protection…

3

3

 

 

3

GIV.02-use a variety of methods & technologies to communicate the results of geographic inquiries

3

3

3

3

3

GIV.03-apply geographic knowledge, skills and technology to conduct independent inquiry

3

3

3

3

3

 

To evaluate progression in the development of students’ skills, e.g., communication, thinking/inquiry processes, use of the same rubrics is recommended where appropriate. See Appendix 1.5.2 and
Appendix 1.5.3 in Unit 1. This will allow students the opportunity to monitor their own growth and set new goals.

All rubrics, generic or task-specific, must be developed using the Achievement Chart. The generic rubrics utilized for Unit 1 (Appendix 1.5.2 and 1.5.3) have come directly from the Achievement Chart. The Achievement Chart criteria has been further clarified for student use.

The Final 30 %:

This Course Profile has been developed with the final 30% having two components:

·         the final culminating project (Unit 5)

·         a final exam

The format of the exam may or may not be a traditional paper-and-pencil exam. For example, it may be an application where the necessary resources are available during the actual writing. Or, the exam may be an extension of the final culminating project. For example, small groups or the whole class may decide to implement one or several of their action projects Evaluation, however, must focus on students’ individual demonstration of achievement of expectations. Both the project and the exam must encompass the spirit of the enduring learnings.

This Course Profile includes suggestions for evaluating the culminating project appropriately. Assessments providing student feedback should be made throughout the course. These assessments allow the student to practise the expectations without the assessments counting as part of a mark. The frequency and type of assessment will vary, depending upon the needs of students.

The following chart is a suggested evaluation plan for the course.

Suggested Summative Evaluation Plan for: The Environment and Resource Management, CGR4E

30% Final Evaluation

Task

Achievement Categories

Due Date

Action Plan for rehabilitation of a local environment or resource (Unit 5)

Knowledge/Understanding, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication,
Application

 

Exam

 

 

 

70% Course Work Evaluation

Unit 1

Task

Achievement Categories

Due Date

Creative Environmental Message

Communication,
Application

 

Infomercial relating to daily life products

Knowledge/Understanding, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication,
Application

 

 

Unit 2

Task

Achievement Categories

Due Date

Test

Knowledge/Understanding, Thinking/Inquiry

 

Endangered Species Project

Thinking/Inquiry, Communication,
Application

 

Recreational Trail Design

Thinking/Inquiry, Communication,
Application

 

 

Unit 3

Task

Achievement Categories

Due Date

Industry Case Study

Thinking/Inquiry, Communication,
Application

 

Environmental Magazine

Knowledge/Understanding, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication,
Application

 

Unit 4

Task

Achievement Categories

Due Date

Mapping Exercise

Thinking/Inquiry, Communication,
Application

 

Food, People and Resources: Case Study

Knowledge/Understanding, Thinking/Inquiry, Communication,
Application

 

Accommodations

The teacher should consult Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for specific direction on accommodation for individual students. Exceptional students, and other students who receive special education programs and/or services require appropriate learning experience. The assessment accommodations as outlined in the IEP must be implemented.

Generally, teachers may find the following accommodations useful in helping students succeed:

·         Timelines may have to be adjusted to suit students’ needs.

·         Provide a variety of similar resources at varying vocabulary levels for a wide variety of reading abilities. (For example, an issue may be written about in different newspapers offering different levels of reading. The same topic may be studied through a cartoon, picture, or TV news report.)

·         Provide students with a highlighted version of the reading so they can focus on key learnings.

·         Use close-captioned video or TV program to help connect words to meanings.

·         When using visual organizers, be consistent with shapes, e.g., with food webs, interdependence with clouds, and impacts with squares (Unit 2).

·         Provide checklists and organizers for large tasks (Unit 5).

Accommodations for students with learning or physical challenges may include:

·         Providing for flexible timelines regarding the completion of projects and assignments

·         Providing a simplified list of terminology prior to the activity

·         Allowing students to work in an alternate setting

·         Providing opportunities to practice implementing feedback on part of or all of a task

·         Adapting tests and exams as recommended in IEP, e.g., time, use of technology, use of a scribe

 

The classroom teacher should be familiar with The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12, English As a Second Language and English Literacy Development 2000 where ESL/ELD students are in attendance.

Teaching learning Strategies for ESL/ELD students may include the following:

·         Combining both written and verbal instructions

·         Highlighting keywords/phrases to be incorporated into the “students’ dictionary”

·         Allowing practice sessions for oral presentations

·         Providing sets of reference notes, outlines, or critical information, as well as models of charts, timelines or diagrams

·         Unit vocabulary list could be developed

Resources

The URLs for the websites were verified by the writers prior to publication. Given the frequency with which these designations change, teachers should always verify the websites prior to assigning them for student use.

Units in this Course Profile make reference to the use of specific texts, magazines, films, videos, and websites. Teachers need to consult their board policies regarding use of any copyrighted materials. Before reproducing materials for student use from printed publications, teachers need to ensure that their board has a Cancopy licence and that this licence covers the resources they wish to use. Before screening videos/films with their students, teachers need to ensure that their board/school has obtained the appropriate public performance videocassette licence from an authorized distributor, e.g., Audio Cine Films Inc.

Teachers are reminded that much of the material on the Internet is protected by copyright. The copyright is usually owned by the person or organization that created the work. Reproduction of any work or substantial part of any work on the Internet is not allowed without the permission of the owner.

Books

Cowlard, Keith A. Decision Making in Geography: A Handbook of Method and Practice. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1998.
Enquiry based approach, emphasizing the interaction between people and their environment.

Encyclopedia of Environmental Issues Hackensack, N.J: Salem Press, 2000. 3 volumes. Historic and contemporary topics.

Environmental Resource Book: a Directory of Ontario’s Environmental Groups and their Resources. Guelph: Ontario Environment Network. Biennial. 2000 – 2001 edition available.

Human Activity and the Environment. Ottawa: Statistics Canada. Published every 5 years. 2000 edition available. Data on population, economy, environment.

Statistics Canada online teacher’s kit incorporates text and data tables from the publication.

Lean & Hinrichsen. Atlas of the Environment. Helicon Publishing Ltd., 1992.

Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press.
Series that includes related titles: Endangered oceans, Endangered species, Pollution, Population, The Environment, Nuclear and Toxic Waste. Presents a range of viewpoints.

Keating, Michael. Canada and the State of the Planet: the Social, Economic and Environmental Trends that are Shaping Our Lives. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1997.
The state of global environmental change and its effect on Canada.

State of the World. Washington, D.C.: Worldwatch Institute. Annual. 2001 edition
shows damage to natural systems by the economic boom of the last decade.

Vital Signs. Washington, D.C.: Worldwatch Institute. Annual.
Excellent companion to State of the World. Includes charts, tables, and graphs showing key social, economic and environmental trends. 2001 edition looks at trends of the last 50 years.

Related Magazines

Canadian: Alternatives; Canadian Geographic; EnviroZine: Environment Canada; Macleans; Nature Matters; Nature Canada; Natural Life, New Internationalist; Report/Newsmagazine; Seasons; Science and the Environment: Environment Canada.

Other: Audubon; E Magazine: the Environmental Magazine; International Wildlife; National Geographic; Natural History; Sierra; Whole Earth; Worldwatch

Videos

News in Review. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ongoing series.
A subscription series of educational tapes. Links to an index and resource guides with articles, discussion topics, and activities for programs from May 1997 are available online at
– www.cbc.ca/insidecbc/newsinreview.

Internet Resources

Canada’s Schoolnet – http://schoolnet.ca
See “Learning for a Sustainable Future.” – http://www.schoolnet.ca/future/content.htm

Educational Links for Geography Teachers
– http://www.wlu.ca/~wwwgeog/special/vgt/English/help/geog_links.htm
For Grade 9 to 12 geography teachers in Ontario, organized by strands.

Environmental Systems Research Institute. Schools & Libraries – http://www.esricanada.com/k-12/
GIS searchable site with geographic data and lessons and tutorials for teachers.

Geosources – http://www.ccge.org/geosources/default.htm
Canadian Council for Geographic Education- news, quizzes, lesson plans.

Towards an ecozoic curriculum – http://collections.ic.gc.ca/environmental/
Canada’s Digital Collection: educational multimedia material with an environmental focus.

Glossaries & Dictionaries

Dictionary of Ecology – www.alienexplorer.com/ecology/e77.html

EnviroEducation.Com’s links to glossaries – http://www.enviroeducation.com/glossary/

Ecological Dictionary – www.planetpals.com/ecodictionary.html

Comprehensive collections of links

Amazing Environmental Organization Web Directory – http://www.webdirectory.com/

Cool links. Ontario Conservation Society links – http://www.lakeheadca.com/hotlinks.htm

Earthscan Links – http://www.earthscan.co.uk/links.htm

EnviroEducation.Com Resources – http://www.enviroeducation.com/resources/index.html
Links for conservation organizations include the Audubon Society, Greenpeace, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, the Wildlife Conservation Society and others.

Environment: Internet access to UN information by topic – http://www.library.yale.edu/un/un3b3.htm

Friends of the Earth links – http://www.foe.co.uk/pubsinfo/infosyst/other_services.html

Net Resources. Canadian Global Change Program
– http://www.globalcentres.org/cgcp/english/html_documents/resources/resources.html

O Canada – http://www.ualberta.ca/~bleeck/canada/
Provides a
ccess to information on the Internet on Canada and Canadians. See index for geographical, environmental and atmospheric information, landscape and wildlife.

Yahoo. Environment and Nature Organizations
– http://dir.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/environment_and_nature/organizations/

National Government Departments and Agencies

Government of Canada. Departments and Agencies – Canada.gc.ca/depts/major/depind_e.html
Alphabetic index for links to the primary websites including:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: farming, soils, trade, sustainability.

Canadian International Development Agency: supports sustainable development activities in countries that are developing or in transition.

Canadian Wildlife Service

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade: manages Canada’s relations with the governments and peoples of other nations, both bilaterally and within international organizations in which Canada participates.

Environment Canada’s Green Lane: weather and environmental information. Includes links to sustainable development in Canada monograph series.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada: ocean issues, activities and programs, fisheries management, conservation of marine and freshwater habitat.

Natural Resources Canada: mineral, energy and forestry resources.

Parks Canada: national parks and marine conservation areas.

Statistics Canada. Includes Environment with links for Forests, Air, Water, Animal and Plant Life, Environmental Practices and Pollution Control.

Provincial Government Websites

National departments usually provide links to their provincial counterparts. In addition see:
CanadianEnvironmental.com Envirolinks – http://www.canadianenvironmental.com/online/

Ontario Stewardship – www.ontariostewardship.org/program.htm
Selected Canadian online news media resources

All major daily newspapers can be found online. Additional suggestions include:
Macleans – http://www.macleans.ca/
Newsworld (CBC) – http://www.cbc.ca/newsworld/
Multimedia coverage of top Canadian and international news stories, and an in-depth articles section with a search for related stories and links to related sites.

Unit 1

Books

Berthold-Bond, Annie. Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less-Toxic Living. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999.
Easy and economical formulas with environmental substitutes for synthetic products.

Brower, Michael and Warren Leon. The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices. Practical advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Crown, 1999.

Brown, Lynda. Organic Living: Simple Solutions for a Better Life. Dorling Kindersley, 2000. Covers all aspects of life for those wishing to pursue an organic lifestyle.

Elkington, John and Julia Hailes. Manual 2000. Key Porter, 1998.
Advice, action plans and contact details for Canadian consumers to make a healthier planet.

Harmony Foundation has for sale many publications with individual and community action tips. For a list see – http:// www.islandnet.com/~harmony/pubs.htm.

Articles

Lavendel, Brian. “Green house”. Audubon Mar/April 2000: p.72, (7 pages)
Description of technologies in an environmentally friendly house.

Ross, Nicola. “Treading softly”. Seasons Winter 2001: 30 – 32.
Ways for Ontarians to alter lifestyles to reduce their ecological footprints.

Videos

An Astronaut's View of the Earth. Chedd-Angier for WGBH Boston, 1992. 60 min. Footage from "The Dream is Alive" and “Blue Planet” productions shot aboard the Space Shuttle allows viewers to see their planet as never before. Nova Series

Blue Planet: An IMAX Space Film – About Earth. Holiday, 1990. 42 min. Includes signs of pollution, ozone depletion, and deforestation as seen from space.

The Lorax. Playhouse Video, 1989. 30 min.
Ecologically minded “Lorax” is out to save a tree needed for the survival of some of the animals. A Dr. Seuss fantasy with the serious theme of environmental conservation.

River of Sand. Kensington Productions, 1998. 49 min. Canadian singer songwriter Bruce Cockburn joins musicians from Mali, West Africa in a discovery of their music and culture, and their battle against the growing threat of desertification. Distributed by Magic Lantern.

Internet Resources

Adbusters – http://www.adbusters.org/home/
Vancouver based anti-consumerist magazine.

Center for an American Dream – http://www.newdream.org/
Promotes change in the ways Americans consume to improve the quality of life, protect the environment, and advance social justice.

Creating artificial needs: how advertising drives consumption.
– http://www.consumersinternational.org/rightsday97/chapter3/creating.html
From Consumers’ International, an independent, non-profit organization-linking consumer groups worldwide.

Ecoliving – http://www.ecolivingsolutions.com.au
Suggestions for environmentally wise choices relating to diet, food, homes, and gardens.

Ecomall – http://www.ecomall.com/sustainable.htm
Includes numerous articles on consumers and sustainability and an extensive list of links to internet sites.

Greenmatters: The Busy Person’s Guide to Greener Living – http://www.greenmatters.com/gm/
Articles, opinion polls and a keyword search for consumer tips

Green Ontario. Buy Green – http://www.greenontario.org/buygreen/index.html
Site hosted by the Conservation Council of Ontario, with information and links on “green” products and services.

How to help. World Wildlife Fund – http://www.worldwildlife.org/
Links from home page include conservation action and green tips.

Natural Life – www.life.ca
Ways to simplify your life and assist the environment: food, home, family, health, leisure and livelihood.

Never Enough. Anticonsumerism Campaign – http://www.enough.org.uk/index.html#cont
Series of articles that attempts to show the relationship between the consumerist lifestyle and problems of world poverty, environmental destruction and social alienation.

Population and Consumption – http://www.nwf.org/population/consumption.html
National Wildlife Federation article arguing that consumption patterns pose major threats to human health, the environment, and wildlife

Selling happiness. Learning for a sustainable future
– http://schoolnet.ca/future/teacher/classroom/thematic/product/happy/content.htm
Canada’s Schoolnet suggested classroom activity related to advertising and consumer values.

Strategic Marketing of Greener Products – http://www.greenmarketing.com/articles/JSP1Apr98.html
Increase your awareness of advertising techniques in this advice from an industry green advertising consultant to corporations on how to attract environmentally conscious consumers.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights. United Nations – http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
What You Can Do: Down To Earth Choices for Sustainable Living. Environment Canada.
– www.ec.gc.ca/eco/wycd/links_e.htm
Information on community and home environmental activities for groups or individuals.

Unit 2

Books

Andrews, William A. Investigating Terrestrial Ecosystems. Scarborough Prentice Hall, 1986.
Teaching resource: ecology, terrestrial ecosystems and biomes of N. America. Practical, hands-on activities.

Ecosystems Set. New York: Facts On File, 1999 – 2000. 4 volumes: Deserts, Wetlands, Temperate Forests, Oceans.

Encyclopedia of the Biosphere: Humans in the World’s Ecosystems. Farmington Hills, Ill. Gale, 2000. 11 volumes. Earth’s principal ecosystems, with environmental factors, plant and animal ecology, human influences and biosphere reserves.

From Both Sides, an examination of pesticide use can be ordered online from Ontario Agri-Food Education at oafe.org.

Islands of Hope: Ontario’s Parks and Wilderness. Willowdale: Firefly Books, 1992.
Essays on the history and nature of the parks system by experts on Ontario’s natural heritage.

Kidd, Adrian. Managing ecosystems. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1999.
Teaching resource with text, case studies, diagrams, graphs, student activities.
124 pages.

Searle, Rick. Phantom Parks: The Struggle to Save Canada’s National Parks. Toronto: Key Porter Books, 2000.
Argues that Canada’s national parks are not protecting their wilderness. Includes an appendix of parks and environmental organizations.

Videos

Biodiversity: Expressions of Life. Sonoran Research Center, 1998. 16 min. Broad overview. Human threat to biodiversity, why we care about it, how we can stop mass destruction of species. Dist. by Library Video Co.

Biomes: Our Earth’s Major Zones. AGC/United Learning. 1998. 26 min. Describes marine and terrestrial biomes. Stresses interrelationship between abiotic and biotic factors. Manual, worksheets, pretest and posttest. Text of narration.

Blue Planet: an IMAX Space Filmabout Earth. Holiday, 1990. 42 min. Includes signs of pollution, ozone depletion, and deforestation as seen from space.

Burns Bog - A Road Runs Through It. National Film Board, 1999. 15 min. Human expansion threatens a unique peat bog on the southern fringes of Vancouver, home to nearly 200 species of mammals and birds and a vital stop for migrating water fowl.

Champions of the Wild. National Film Board series, 1998 – 25 min.each.
Each video features an endangered animal and the Canadian champion dedicated to saving it.

Clayoquot: the Sound of Wonder. TV Ontario, 2000. 60 min. Describes the unique, intact ecosytem and effects of clear-cutting on its biodiversity.

Earth on Edge. 2001 PBS, 2001. Dist. by Films for Humanities.
Recent scientific evidence depicts the scale of human impact on the planet’s life-support system, showing that Earth is approaching a key environmental threshold. A
ccompanying book, “People & ecosystems”, and web site http://www.pbs.org/earthonedge/

Eco-tourism: The Impact On Wildlife. News in Review. Dec 98. See overview for details.

Footprints in the Delta. National Film Board, 1999. 44 min. Construction of a dam has damaged this delicate wetlands ecosystem in the Peace- Athabasca Delta. Scientists, activists and Aboriginal people describe changes.

Going Home. Bullfrog Films, 1998. 30 min. Human conflict with natural ecosystems, activities to reconnect with the earth.

The Human Factor. Intelecom (Calif), 1996. 30 min. Distributed by Magic Lantern.
Examines the effect of human land use on the various ecosystems, interrelationship of changes in water use, land use, atmosphere, ecodiversity and energy consumption.

Natural Connections. Howard Rosen Productions, 2000. (Emmy award winning) 46 min. Case for sustaining biodiversity. Discusses man’s ethical responsibilities.

The Nature of Things. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ongoing series. Selected programs: Grasslands 1998. Impact of agriculture on N. American grasslands, remaining wildlife.

National parks: forever wild.1994. The crisis in Canada’s national parks as they face competing interests of tourism, ecology and business.

Vanishing wetlands. 1998. Consequences of altering the natural cycle of flooding and industrial development.

Wildlife for sale: Dead or Alive. 1998.

Okimah. National Film Board, 1998. 50 min.
A description of the goose hunt of the Cree people of the James Bay coastal areas illustrates their traditional land management system and its role in transmission of their culture.

Partnership. Waterhen Film Productions, 1998. Home Place series. 30 min. Argues that disappearance of natural habitat is the main reason species become extinct. Industrial agriculture, fishery and forestry practices are examined as culprits, parks and preserves should protect endangered species. Example of attempts to save the Swiss fox in Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park. Distributed by Bullfrog Films.

Sharing the Land. Pinegrove Productions, 1999. 31 min. Hands-on suggestions for sustaining habitats that meet the food and shelter needs of animals, and the economic, cultural and recreational needs of people. Distributed by Magic Lantern.

Temperate Deciduous Forests. Rainbow Educational Media, 1999. 25 min.
Plant and animal life of the forest, human impact and agricultural history, and a segment on conservation, providing practical reasons for wide usage of such a valuable natural resource.

Web of Life: Producer to Predator. Audio Video Inc, 1996. 28 min. Relationships and processes that occur in all eco systems, with examples of how modern society has altered the balance of life in different ecosystems. Dist. Magic Lantern.

Wetlands: Cradles of Life. CTV, 1995. 23 min. The biodiveristy of this unique ecosystem is being preserved by action from land owners, special interest groups and individuals of all ages. Distributed by Magic Lantern.

Internet Resources

Biodiversity Information Network Virtual Library – http://life.csu.edu.au/bin21/library.html
Includes an index by topic and by geographic region, as well as a search engine.

Canadian Botanical Conservation Network – http://www.rbg.ca/cbcn/en/index.html

Cool links. Ontario Conservation Society links – http://www.lakeheadca.com/hotlinks.htm

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – http://www.cpaws.org/

Canadian Wildlife Service. Environment Canada – http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/

Earthpulse – http://www.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/#
National Geographic’s home for conservation. Related monthly themes to date for 2001: June: Wildlands; Sept: Humans and habitats; November: Ecosystems.

Ecological Society of America – www.esa.org fact sheets

Explore Ontario’s biodiveristy – http://www2.rom.on.ca/ontario/
Royal Ontario Museum site that includes data on species at risk.

Ontario Parks – http://www.ontarioparks.com/

Habitat Stewardship Programme – www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/species/sar/media/back2_e.htm

Parks Canada: national parks and marine conservation areas
– http:parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/parks/main_e.htm

The sacred balance – http://www.sacredbalance.com/
Online a
ccompaniment to book by David Suzuki.

Virtual library of ecology and biodiversity – http://conbio.net/VL/
From the Center for Conservation Biology Network.

Yahoo Ecology – http://www.yahoo.com/Science/Ecology/Ecosystems/

Unit 3

Books

Canadian Guide to Health and the Environment. Vancouver: Raincoast Books, 1999.
Explores biodiversity, Canada’s living resources, major pollutants, global issues.

De Villiers, Marq. Water: Why We Should Worry. Toronto: Stoddart, 1999.
Ecological, social, and political ramifications of the changes to world water resources.

Dobson, Clive and Gregor Gilpin Back. Watersheds: a Practical Handbook for Healthy Water. Willowdale, Ontario: Firefly, 1999.
The ecology, biology, and chemistry of watersheds, their management, and political issues.

Elcome, David. The fragile environment: pollution and abuse. Cheltenham, U.K: Stanley Thornes, 1999.
Teaching resource with text, case studies, diagrams, graphs, student activities. 96 p.

Godrej, Dinyar. The No-Nonsense Guide to Climate Change. Toronto: New Internationalist
Publications, 2001.
The impact of climate change, analysis of political negotiations and potential solutions.

Swanson, Peter. Water: The Drop of Life. Minnetonka, Minnesota, 2001.
The importance and vulnerability of the world’s water supply. An in-depth examination of water’s role in agriculture, industry, pollution, religion, transportation and more. Its importance and vulnerability. Companion to Public Television series. See Internet below.

Tammemagi, Hans. The Waste Crisis: Landfills, Incinerators and the Search for a Sustainable Future. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Tollefson, Chris. Cleanair.ca: A Citizen’s Action Guide. University of Victoria, 2001.
Threats to clean air, the legal and policy framework for decision making, citizen action. Roots of garbage problems in the population explosion. International case studies.

The Water Crisis: Constructing Solutions to Freshwater Pollution. London: Earthscan, 1998.
Case studies from the Rhine and the Great Lakes in an examination of the roots of fresh water pollution – urbanization, industrialization and intensive farming. Possible solutions.

Articles

Canadian Geographic May/June. Annual environment issue.

“Earth Day 2000: What Humanity Can Do Now to Turn the Tide.” World Watch Mar/Apr2000.
Focuses on Earth Day 2000. Thirty-year report card.

“Getting It Right.” Sierra Jan/Feb2000: 40, 8p.
Views of environmental visionaries on the future of environment, public attitudes, actions.

“Life in the Greenhouse.” Time 04/09/2001: 24, 6p.
Discusses climatic changes and global warming, United Nations report.

Videos

Canadian Way: Global Warming. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, 1996.
Canadian government breaks 1992 promise re. reducing greenhouse gas emissions. CBC’s Fifth Estate. The National’s The Next Energy Crisis and Winds of Change, 1997 are related.

Envirocareers Canadian Council for Human Resources in the Environment, 2001.
Multimedia Kit provided free to high schools in Canada. Website http://www.
cchrei.ca/ec/

Healing the Earth. National Geographic, 1995.
Individual and group conservation efforts to heal damage from pollutants.

Modern Marvels: Garbage. History Channel, 1999. 50 min. Garbage throughout history, discussion and debate on modern options.

Planet Neighborhood. WETA-TV, 1997. Bullfrog Films. 3 part series.
Home; Work; Community. Latest in energy saving technology and good design.

Urban Garbage – News in Review, Dec. 2000 - see Overview for details

Internet Resources

For related national and provincial government departments and agencies, see Overview section.

See also United Nations sites listed in Unit 4.

Encyclopedia of the Atmospheric Environment – http://www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/aric/eae/
British site with support of related government department. Includes information on the atmosphere, weather and climate, climate change, air pollution, acid rain, ozone depletion, renewable energy and sustainable development.

Canada Environment Network – http://www.cen-rce.org/
Non-profit, non-governmental network of environmental groups.

Canadian Trade Directory – http://ctidirectory.com/index.htm#
Search by company name or product.

David Suzuki foundation – http://www.davidsuzuki.org/
Canadian charity which explores human impacts on the environment, with an emphasis on finding and communicating solutions.

Great Lakes Information Network – http://www.great-lakes.net/

Ontario Environmental Business Directory – http://www.envirodirectory.on.ca/english/index.htm

Ontario Society for Environmental Education – http://www.osee.org/
For environmental educators, students, parents, and others.

Pollution Probe – http://www.pollutionprobe.org/
Canadian environmental organization for research, education and advocacy.

Water: the Drop of Life – http://www.pbs.org/whatson/press/fall/water.html
Description of 6 part television series that examines the impact of social, economic, cultural, strategic and agricultural factors on drinking water around the world. See book by Swanson of same name.

Worldwatch – www.worldwatch.org
Research on emerging global environmental issues.

Unit 4

Books

Dauncey, Guy and Patrick Mazza. Stormy Weather: 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change. Gabriola Island, B.C.; New Society Publishers, 2001.
Filling our energy needs with solar, wind, tidal and bio fuels, “how-to” sections.

Ecoforestry: the Art and Science of Sustainable Forest Use. Gabriola Island, B.C: New Society Publishers, 1997.
Philosophy, goals, policies, and practices of sustainable forest use.

Elcome, David. Natural Resources: their Use and Abuse. Cheltenham, U.K: Stanley Thornes, 1998.
Teaching resource with text, case studies, diagrams, graphs, student activities. 89p.

Flinders, Keith and Emma Flinders. Issues and Debates in Geography. London: Hodder and
Stoughton, 1998.
Teaching resource: in depth real world case studies that allow students to debate and problem solve.

Flint, David. Managing Resources. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1999.
Teaching resource: in depth real world case studies that allow students to debate and problem
solve. 118p.

Human Activity and the Environment. Ottawa: Statistics Canada.
Published every 5 years. 2000 edition available. Extensive data on population, economic activities, the environment, relationships between these elements. Includes a CD-ROM. A Statistics Canada online teacher’s kit incorporates text and data tables from the publication.

Human Development Report. New York: United Nations Development Programme. Annual. 2001 edition Analysis of major issues, updated indicators. See www.undp.org/hdro.

McKirdy, Alexandra R., (ed.) Canadian Renewable Energy Guide. Burnstown: General Store Publishing House, 1999.
North American and international application of renewable energy with case studies that demonstrate domestic, industrial, rural, and urban applications.

Morgan, John Development, Globalization and Sustainability. Cheltenham, U.K.: Nelson Thornes, 2001.
Teaching resource with text, case studies, diagrams, graphs, student activities. 96 pages.

Palfrey, Dick and Angela Gray. Sustainability and the Environment. London: Hodder and
Stoughton, 1998.
Teaching resource - includes natural resources and energy, with focus on issues of sustainability and environmental management. 96 pages.

Shades of Green: Environmental Attitudes in Canada and around the World. Ottawa: Carleton University Press, 1997.
Scholarly work with the results and interpretation of surveys in 22 countries of how the public perceives environmental problems and what they are prepared to do about it.

Witherick, Michael and Sue Warn. Farming, Food and Famine. Cheltenham, U.K.: Nelson
Thornes, 2001.
Teaching resource with text, case studies, diagrams, graphs, and student activities.
104p.

Articles

De Alessi, Michael. “Entrepreneurs and the Environment.” i Apr 2001: 52, 6p.
Highlights the role of entrepreneurs in the conservation of natural resources.

Macleans. December 25, 2000. Year-end polls of Canadian public.

Makower, Joel and Pernick, Ron. “The New New Economy.” Whole Earth Spring 2001: 8, 2p.
Focuses on the clean technology economy.

Scanlan, Lawrence. “Power Switch.” Canadian Geographic May/Jun2001: 54, 7p.
Challenges in harnessing renewable energy to provide electric power in homes.

Weinstein, Michael M and Steve Charnovitz. “The Greening of the WTO.” Foreign Affairs Nov/Dec2001: 147, 10p.
Increasing sensitivity of World Trade Organization (WTO) to environmental issues.

Videos

Global Villagers Series. Villagers Media Productions, 2000. 25 min. each. Distributed by Magic Lantern.
Experiences of Canadian international voluntary workers at development project sites.

Global Warming and the Greenhouse Effect. Educational Video Network, 2001. 20 min.
Greenhouse effect, implications, conservation and activism ideas. Teacher’s guide online.

Laxwesa Wa - Strength of the River. National Film Board, 1995. 54 min.
First Nations people traditional fishing practices and efforts to build a sustainable fishery.

The Nature of Things. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ongoing series. Selected programs:

Fisheries: Beyond the Crisis. 1998. Can we manage fisheries in a sustainable manner?

Good Wood 1998. Sustainable forestry examples in Honduras, Mexico, U.S. and Canada.

The Great Northern Forest 1997. Impact of logging on native people, the Pacific salmon industry, and the atmosphere.

Lost in the suburbs. 1998. Social, economic and environmental impacts of urban sprawl.

News in Review. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. See Overview for details.

Cutting emissions: new fuels for cars. Feb. 98.

The Quebec Summit. May 2001.

Rising Oil Prices: The New Energy Crisis. April 2000.

Softwood Dispute: Tariffs And Subsidies. May 2001.

World Trade: The Subsidy War. Feb 2000.

The Next Big Thing. Quest Productions and Kikim Media, 2000. 60 min. Describes past technologies and explores developing innovations.

Populations on Earth. Hawkhill Productions, 2001. 19 min. Is population a problem or a success story? Presents both sides of the population debate. Reviews the history of mankind, the growth of agriculture, development of culture and the industrial revolutions of the 19th and 20th centuries. Can humans and their ecosystems continue to evolve and adapt?

Reinventing the World Series. Asterisk Productions, 2001. (30 min. each) 5 part documentary series with innovative solutions to problems with our world. Food; Work and Time; Cities; Economics; Cultivating Change.

The Sustainable Forest and the New Forest Economy. Inside Edge Communications, 2000. 60 min. Looks at selective harvesting of timber, low-impact commercial thinning in a second growth forest and marketing/manufacturing of eco-certified wood products.

Sustaining our environment. Queens University and CRB Foundation Heritage Project, 1997.
Simulation. Students study Canada’s environmental track record to generate a “report card.”

Turning Down the Heat: the New Energy Revolution. National Film Board, 2000. 50 min.
Needs for alternative energy sources and international examples of systems in current use.

Using Natural Resources Wisely. Meridian Educational Corporation, 2000. 20 min. Natural resources decisions you can make in all areas of conservation.

Internet Resources

For related national and provincial government departments and agencies, see Overview section.
Note: Statistics Canada – http://www.statcan.ca/

Canadian Global Change Program
– http://www.globalcentres.org/cgcp/english/html_documents/eindex.html
Seeks to promote sustainable development through advice on global change. Online articles.

Earthpulse – http://www.nationalgeographic.com/earthpulse/#
National Geographic’s home for conservation. Related monthly theme to date for 2001: Population. July 2001.

EcoNet – http://www.igc.org/igc/econet/
Supports ecological sustainability and environmental justice.

Encyclopedia of Sustainable Development – http://www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/aric/esd/

Harmony Foundation – http://www.islandnet.com/~harmony/index.htm

Environmental education site with emphasis on building sustainable societies
– www.lead.org/leadnet/footprint/intro.htm -measuring your ecological footprint

Patterns of a Conservation Economy – http://www.conservationeconomy.net/
Includes links to restorative fisheries programs and organizations.

United Nations Development Program – www.undp.org
UNDP provides funds, helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively, and promotes North-South cooperation while also addressing human rights.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – http://www.unfccc.de/

United Nations Sustainable Development Commission – http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd.htm
Sustainable development programs and issues within the UN system.

UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre – http://www.unep-wcmc.org/
Global data for conservation and sustainable use of the world's living resources.

World Bank – http://www.worldbank.org
Provides development assistance funds to countries with developing economies.

World Vision Canada – www.wowworldvision.ca/
Christian international relief agency. Online educational resources include “Current Issues in Global Population” an introduction to population issues with a student simulation activity.


Coded Expectations, The Environment and Resource Management, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation, CGR4E

Geographic Foundations: Space and Systems

Overall Expectations

SSV.01 · explain relationships between the earth’s major components: the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere;

SSV.02 · explain key ecological processes and their significance for ecosystem health;

SSV.03 · analyse the spatial distribution of global biomes and explain the natural conditions that shape these patterns.

Specific Expectations

Understanding Concepts

SS1.01 – demonstrate an understanding of the role played by the atmosphere, the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the sun in maintaining life on earth;

SS1.02 – explain the role played by plants (e.g., phytoplankton, trees) in the growth of other living organisms (e.g., providing food and oxygen);

SS1.03 – demonstrate an understanding of the role played by producers, consumers, and decomposers in relationships between organisms;

SS1.04 – describe a generalized food web.

Developing and Practising Skills

SS2.01 – explain relationships between the living and non-living components of ecosystems;

SS2.02 – explain how the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere interact;

SS2.03 – predict the results when a species is removed from a food web;

SS2.04 – explain how and why some ecosystems are more fragile than others (e.g., the tundra compared to a tropical rain forest).

Learning Through Application

SS3.01 – describe their local bioregion and selected ecosystems within it and identify the biome within which it is located;

SS3.02 – explain how various components of their local bioregion or of their local bioregion and another ecosystem interact with one another (e.g., water, wind, soils, vegetation, people);

SS3.03 – predict the effects of the destruction of selected natural habitats on biodiversity.

Human-Environment Interactions

Overall Expectations

HEV.01 · demonstrate an understanding of how humans depend on nature and are an integral part of ecosystems;

HEV.02 · explain how human use of the earth and its resources has positive and negative impacts on natural and human systems;

HEV.03 · analyse patterns of resource availability and use.

Specific Expectations

Understanding Concepts

HE1.01 – demonstrate an understanding of the difference between needs and wants;

HE1.02 – explain the ways in which people and other living organisms are dependent on the natural environment;

HE1.03 – demonstrate an understanding of the earth as a finite system;

HE1.04 – identify the earth’s major resources (e.g., soil, water, minerals, forests, fossil fuels) and classify them according to their renewability.

Developing and Practising Skills

HE2.01 – analyse the global distribution of selected resources (e.g., agricultural lands, forests, energy sources) and determine patterns of availability;

HE2.02 – explain how selected human activities alter the natural environment (e.g., effect of depletion of forests on oxygen production, effect of chlorofluorocarbon use on the ozone layer);

HE2.03 – explain the effects of different kinds of air and water pollution on humans, plants, and materials;

HE2.04 – explain the impact on the natural environment of selected methods of extracting and transporting resources (e.g., mining, oil, pipelines in the Arctic).

Learning Through Application

HE3.01 – explain how human use of toxic substances contaminates the food web;

HE3.02 – analyse the distribution of endangered spaces and endangered species in Canada and account for the patterns observed;

HE3.03 – use community resources (e.g., planning department, public library) effectively to research and report on local human-environment interactions (e.g., effects of fossil fuel use on the local environment, effects of local urban development on availability of resources such as water).

Global Connections

Overall Expectations

GCV.01 · demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between increasing global population, increased consumption of resources, and environmental degradation on a global scale;

GCV.02 · explain how the sustainable use of resources may be achieved through the cooperation of governments, businesses, industries, non-governmental organizations, and citizens around the world, despite their varied perceptions of nature;

GCV.03 · evaluate the effectiveness of international efforts to deal with global environmental issues.

Specific Expectations

Understanding Concepts

GC1.01 – explain the concept of stewardship and how it relates to the sustainability of the resources of the global commons (e.g., air, water, soil);

GC1.02 – demonstrate an understanding of selected factors contributing to global population growth;

GC1.03 – demonstrate an understanding of transboundary pollution and its implications;

GC1.04 – explain the need for international cooperation to solve global environmental problems (e.g., ozone layer depletion);

GC1.05 – identify ways in which people in a traditional culture (e.g., indigenous peoples) interact with the natural environment;

GC1.06 – explain the purpose of selected international agreements to protect the global environment.

Developing and Practising Skills

GC2.01 – analyse global trends in the consumption of a variety of resources;

GC2.02 – explain the relationship between increasing population and rate of consumption for a selected global resource;

GC2.03 – explain the relationship between increasing rates of consumption of the earth’s resources and environmental degradation;

GC2.04 – evaluate ways (e.g., international conferences, round-table processes, public hearings, environmental laws, voluntary participation) to encourage cooperation between opposing interest groups in finding solutions to environmental and resource management problems.

Learning Through Application

GC3.01 – evaluate Canada’s contribution to the resolution of a selected global environmental or resource management issue;

GC3.02 – analyse the impact of population growth on a selected ecosystem (e.g., tropical rain forest) or resource (e.g., water supply, fishery);

GC3.03 – research and report on an environmental or resource management issue (e.g., ozone layer depletion, global warming, rehabilitation of the Great Lakes) that requires international cooperation for its resolution, and make recommendations for solutions.

Understanding and Managing Change

Overall Expectations

UCV.01 · explain the rights and responsibilities of citizens and consumers with respect to the environment and sustainable resource management;

UCV.02 · evaluate local or provincial government and industry strategies to promote sustainable management of resources;

UCV.03 · demonstrate an understanding of the effect that environmental protection and resource management has had on careers and the workplace.

Specific Expectations

Understanding Concepts

UC1.01 – provide a rationale for the preservation of Canada’s natural resources and wild spaces (e.g., wetlands, forests, natural habitats);

UC1.02 – explain why preserving large spaces and wildlife corridors is necessary if we are to preserve species;

UC1.03 – identify major sources of toxic chemical wastes;

UC1.04 – explain a variety of alternatives for waste management and disposal;

UC1.05 – explain the rights and responsibilities one has as a citizen and consumer with respect to protecting the environment and managing resources sustainably.

Developing and Practising Skills

UC2.01 – analyse the impact of reducing, reusing, and recycling waste on the sustainability of resources and on the environment;

UC2.02 – explain initiatives that individuals, governments, industries, and non-governmental organizations can take to improve the quality of air and water;

UC2.03 – analyse the costs and benefits of using selected alternative sources of energy;

UC2.04 – research and report on technologies that improve the efficiency of resource use or waste management;

UC2.05 – research and report on jobs and careers that relate to the environment and resource management;

UC2.06 – evaluate the impact of technology related to the environment and resource management on careers and the workplace.

Learning Through Application

UC3.01 – produce an action plan for rehabilitating a local environment or managing a local resource in a sustainable way;

UC3.02 – produce a case study of how a business or industry (e.g., recycling company, organic lawn care company, home renovator, environmental consulting firm, printing company) uses responsible and sustainable resource management;

UC3.03 – produce recommendations for a recreational trail system in the local community, using existing systems as models (e.g., Rideau Trail, Bruce Trail, Cross-Canada Trail);

UC3.04 – describe examples of responsible environmental behaviour in aspects of daily life (e.g., transportation, lawn care, water and energy consumption, shopping).

Methods of Geographic Inquiry

Overall Expectations

GIV.01 · use geographic skills, methods, and technologies to gather and analyse information and make decisions;

GIV.02 · use a variety of methods and technologies to communicate the results of geographic inquiries in written, oral, and visual forms;

GIV.03 · apply geographic knowledge, skills, and technologies to conduct an independent inquiry related to sustaining a natural resource or improving the natural environment.

Specific Expectations

Understanding Concepts

GI1.01 – use geographic terms correctly and explain geographic concepts related to the environment and resource management (e.g., ecosystem, biodiversity, rehabilitation, succession, natural habitat, sustainable development);

GI1.02 – demonstrate an understanding of how geotechnologies are used by business and industry (e.g., remote sensing, geographic information systems, hypermedia).

Developing and Practising Skills

GI2.01 – demonstrate an understanding of the steps involved in the geographic inquiry process;

GI2.02 – produce and interpret maps, diagrams, charts, and models that illustrate geographic and ecological concepts;

GI2.03 – use cartographic conventions (e.g., scale, legend, direction) correctly;

GI2.04 – apply field research skills (e.g., observation, surveying, interviewing) effectively to collect information and determine attitudes and viewpoints on local environmental and resource management issues;

GI2.05 – use graphic organizers (e.g., timelines, future wheels, Venn diagrams) to clarify, visualize, and interpret geographic information;

GI2.06 – use a variety of print, broadcasting, and electronic sources effectively to gather information;

GI2.07 – explain how information from various sources may be biased.

Learning Through Application

GI3.01 – use reasoned argument to defend a position on a sustainable resource management issue;

GI3.02 – apply communication skills (e.g., letter writing, oral presentations) effectively to influence change and decisions relating to an environmental protection and/or resource management issue;

GI3.03 – produce an action plan, in connection with an independent inquiry on a geographic issue, that includes proposals for ways to sustain or improve the environment in their local community;

GI3.04 – work as part of a team to produce a plan that proposes solutions to a local environmental or resource management concern (e.g., restoration of a local park, woodlot, river, or wetland; reduction of the impact of a local development project on the environment).

 

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