ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 3205
Topic/Concept: Environmental Issues and Human Rights
Outcomes:
- To explore ecological and environmental issues from a human rights perspective
- To identify how human rights considerations have a direct impact on specific local environmental issues.
- To gain an appreciation of the native peoples' views on the central role that nature has in their belief systems.
- To explore the interdependence of local issues and the global environment.
Curriculum Connections:
The articles and activities are designed to enhance the achievement of the Intended Learning Outcomes defined in the Environmental Science 3205 Course description.
Strategies:
The activities consist of two kinds. The first group are short, two page articles designed to introduce new ideas. Each article is followed by appropriate questions and observations to promote further exploration of the themes raised.
The second section consists of an activity to explore the relationship between various entities and groups affected by the need to harvest timber in a tropical rainforest.
Articles and Activities
Unit I Basic Ecological Concepts
The Fourth "R" p.88 HRR Human Rights and the Environment
With Love From The Andes p.13 CCR Global Interdependence
Traditional Spiritualism p.76 HRR Native view of the Environment
Unit 2: Local Environmental Issues
When is Cod Fishing Cod Fishing? p.63 ERR Fishery and stock depletion
Mini-Golf and Gros Morne p.76 ERR Tourism and development
Development and Dependence p.79 ERR One Industry Towns and Development
Under the Northern Lights p.82 ERR Appropriate technology and natural resource utilization
Right to Employment p.85 HRR Communities and natural resource allocation
Common Threads in Inuit Culture p.30 CCR Traditional technology and natural resources
Unit 3: Global Environmental Issues
What is a Refugee? p. 107 ERR Environmental diasters
Simulations
Timber p.204 GTGL Rainforest destruction
Implications for Teaching/Learning:
Environmental issues are not separate from human rights issues but are intricately linked.
Environmental issues usually have impacts far beyond the immediate area where it is the issue (eg. Chernobyl). The concept of connections and interdependence is critical.
Legend:
ERR The Road Untravelled: An Economic Rights Reader
CCR The Way We Are: A Cross Cultural Reader
HRR Freedom and Responsibility: A Human Rights Reader
GTGL Global Teacher, Global Learner