What should we do about the
environment?
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What should we do about the environment?
If you’re not part of
the solution….
Pollution
Global warming
Greenhouse effect
Slash and burn
Animal extinction
…you’re part of
the problem.
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What’s the problem?
The world’s rainforests are fast disappearing because
we are cutting them down. Trees are bulldozed and burnt.
This is known as slash and burn.
We are exhausting the planet’s non-renewable resources
so quickly that they could soon run out altogether.
More than half of the
world’s animal and plant
species are found in the
rainforests. They will lose
their habitats.
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Problems caused by slash and burn
When trees are cut down their goodness is destroyed
too.
Farming on cleared ground only lasts for only 1-2
seasons.
Millions of tonnes of CO2 rise into the atmosphere.
CO2 causes the greenhouse effect and global warming.
Animals lose their habitat, which may lead to extinction.
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Solutions to slash and burn
Increase crops yields on good land so other land does
not need to be used, or rainforests cut down.
Plant alternative sources of timber and wood for fuel.
Protect wildlife through habitat conservation.
Educate people through conservation projects.
Persuade governments to reduce the destruction of
rainforests.
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Key terms
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Conservation
Conservation involves protecting the planet’s resources
and not wasting anything.
Here are three ways to conserve resources:
Recycle paper,
Reduce car use: Save energy: use
plastic containers, travel by bicycle,
low energy
tins and bottles. bus, train or even lightbulbs in the
walk.
home.
Which is the best solution and why?
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Stewardship
Stewardship is a religious idea which says we should
protect the planet as God’s caretakers.
Here are three ways of protecting the Earth:
Organize
conservation and
ecology groups to
protect the
environment
Preserve sacred
sites and trees,
create gardens
and sanctuaries
Support
conservation
groups such as
Friends of the
Earth and
Greenpeace
Which is the best solution and why?
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Summary
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Group task
Your task is to work in a group and role play being an
expert representing one of the organizations in the box
below. You will have to talk about environmental
solutions.
Greenpeace
A Rocha
Friends of the Earth
Noah Project
WWF
Chipko Movement
As you read about the organizations note down their
main aims and beliefs, and see if you can find out about
any achievements and limitations of each group.
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Greenpeace – ‘A green and peaceful future’
Greenpeace aims to bring environmental problems to
the attention of the world using non-violent methods.
campaigns to:
prevent pollution of oceans
and rivers
protect whales from extinction
by monitoring and studying the
activities of whaling groups
promote world peace and
long term solutions to
environmental problems.
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Friends of the Earth ‘Press for change’
Friends of the Earth is a pressure group that
campaigns for solutions to environmental
problems and aims to make the world a cleaner,
greener place to live.
It aims to:
educate people about recycling
lobby governments to ban products and practices that
harm the environment
encourage use of cleaner technology.
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WWF ‘Taking action for a living planet’
WWF takes part in environmental action to protect the
natural resources on which we depend, such as seas
and rivers as well as wildlife.
It seeks to:
conserve endangered species
protect rivers, forests and oceans
find solutions that will benefit both
people and nature.
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Noah Project – Jews and the environment
The Noah project was set up by British Jews who chose
the name because of the story in the Bible about Noah’s
ark in which he saved the animals and birds. It works
with other organizations such as Friends of the Earth.
It aims to:
link its activities with Jewish
festivals which remind Jews of how
God looks after them
preserve animal and plant life on
earth
practise Jewish ideas about
stewardship.
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A Rocha – Christians and the environment
A Rocha is a Christian conservation organization that
first set up a field study centre in Portugal. Now there are
A Rocha projects throughout the world, including the UK.
Christians also support
many environmental
organizations, such as WWF
and Greenpeace.
A Rocha aims to:
educate people about caring for the environment
practise the Christian idea of stewardship in
practical projects
establish study centres and local groups.
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Chipko movement – Hindus and the
environment
The forests of India provide a vital resource for food and
keep the soil and water levels stable. In 1973 Indian village
women started the Chipko movement by throwing their
arms around trees to prevent them being cut down by
loggers. The word chipko means embrace.
It aims to:
prevent trees being cut down
protest against the destruction of the forests
practise Hindu beliefs in non-violence and the unity
and oneness of life.
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Designer world
Pick a card
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