Many different groups of
people have an interest in
rainforests.
We need to understand their
different points of view if we
are going to preserve the
rainforests.
I know that rainforests are
important in many different
ways.
I can explain problems and
solutions regarding
rainforest destruction.
Give me five…
Name five things you know about rainforests:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Video choice a)
http://www.wwf.org.uk/what_we_do/safeguarding_the_nat
ural_world/forests/forest_work/amazon/
Video choice b)
www.bbc.co.uk/learningzo ne/clips/life-in-therainforest/4635.html
What is the film ‘Avatar’ all about?
www.avatarmovie.com
Timber! Rainforest simulation
• The rainforest is based in the imaginary
southern hemisphere country of
Latasica.
• Nordia is a rich northern hemisphere
country, one of the richest countries in
the world.
• The nine groups are users of the
rainforest, most needing to cut down
trees (this is indicated on their role
cards); two have an interest in the
rainforest, but do not require its timber.
Timber! Groups:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Burgerbeef Incorporated
Forestwatch **
Kapano - " The Forest People”
Medico PLC **
'TreeCo'
Nordian Tourists
Latasican Government
Resettled People
Nordian Government
** These groups do not need to cut down trees
Timber! How it works 1:
• The paper cups represent the
rainforest. It used to be considerably
larger in size; this is all that now
remains.
• The facilitator will blow a whistle every
five minutes during the game.
• Each time the whistle blows, those
groups that need to cut down trees
must take the number of trees (cups)
specified on their role cards from the
forest.
Timber! How it works 2:
• Trees should always be taken from the
edge of the forest.
• The trees marked with a blue dot are
mahogany which is rare and takes
many years to grow.
• The facilitator will take the role of the
United Nations Environmental
Programme
Timber! How it works 3:
• If groups want to make agreements to
cut down more trees or to replant, they
must get an agreement from another
group.
• Both groups must come to the United
Nations for approval.
• If there is an agreement to replant
trees, the rate of replanting is one tree
per group signing the agreement each
time the whistle blows.
Timber! Rainforest simulation
• What have we learned about the
rainforest from this simulation?
• Which groups managed to achieve their
aims? How?
• Which did not? Why not?
• What will happen to the rainforest if
this carries on?
Timber! International Conference
• Look at your role card
• Think about what happened in the
activity with the rainforest
• Did you achieve what you set out to
do? What were the problems?
• Did you make agreements with other
groups?
• You have ten minutes to prepare a two
minute presentation to the UN
conference about what you feel are the
issues to do with the rainforest.
Timber! International Conference
• Each group has two minutes to present
their case.
• After all the presentations there is the
opportunity to ask questions of other
groups / discuss the issues more.
• Can we reach an agreement about how
to look after the rainforest?
Rainforest simulation: Debrief
•
How did you feel about the role you were asked to play?
•
How did the 'local people' (Kopano, Resettled People) feel about the 'outsiders' in the forest?
•
What did those working in the forest think about the people who lived there?
•
What were the attitudes of the groups towards conservation of the forest? Was there a
similar attitude displayed by all those living there, and by all those working there?
•
Did any groups increase their timber requirements during the game, or were any groups
persuaded to reduce theirs?
•
What do you think would have happened if the game had continued?
•
Do powerful groups, like wealthy countries and transnational corporations, have a right to
cut down large areas of forest? Whose interests are they serving?
•
Who should protect the rights of the local people living in such areas, and how?
•
What might be the long-term consequences of destruction of the world's forests (a) for
people living in the region or country concerned, (b) for the rest of the world?
•
What steps need to be/could be taken to halt the destruction of forests? Are there any
'economic' policies governments could pursue to protect forests?