what should we do about the environment? - paignton online · 2 of 17 © boardworks ltd 2004 if...

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What should we do about the environment?

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If you’re not part of the solution….

…you’re part of the problem.

What should we do about the environment?

Greenhouse effect Global warming

Pollution

Slash and burn Animal extinction


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.

What’s the problem?

More than half of the world’s animal and plant species are found in the rainforests. They will lose their habitats.


!   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.

Problems caused by 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.

Solutions to slash and burn


Key terms


Recycle paper, plastic containers, tins and bottles.

Reduce car use: travel by bicycle, bus, train or even

walk.

Save energy: use low energy

lightbulbs in the home.

Conservation

Which is the best solution and why?

Conservation involves protecting the planet’s resources and not wasting anything. Here are three ways to conserve resources:


Which is the best solution and why?

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

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:


Summary


Greenpeace A Rocha Friends of the Earth Noah Project

WWF Chipko Movement

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.

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.

Group task


!   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.

Greenpeace – ‘A green and peaceful future’

campaigns to:

Greenpeace aims to bring environmental problems to the attention of the world using non-violent methods.


Friends of the Earth ‘Press for change’

It aims to:

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.

!  educate people about recycling !   lobby governments to ban products and practices that

harm the environment !  encourage use of cleaner technology.


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.


!   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.

Noah Project – Jews and the environment

It aims to:

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.


!  educate people about caring for the environment !  practise the Christian idea of stewardship in

practical projects !  establish study centres and local groups.

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:


!  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.

It aims to:

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.

Chipko movement – Hindus and the environment


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what should we do about the environment? - paignton online · 2 of 17 © boardworks ltd 2004 if...

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