CONCEPT MAP

 

            Key Concepts:                                                                                   Key Vocabulary:

 

Global Warming

Recycling

Ozone Shield

Industrialization

Deforestation

Finite Resources

Global Awareness

Renewable Resources

Non-renewable Resources

Fossil Fuels

Pollution

Water Cycle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
                                                                                                                       

The earth has finite resources, increasing human consumption places stress on the natural processes that renew some resources and depletes others that cannot be renewed.

 

 

Human activities can alter the equilibrium in ecosystems through population growth, consumption, and technology.

 

                                                           

Topic:

Human Impact on Ecosystems

 
Industrialization brings an increased demand for and the use of energy and other resources including non-renewable fossil fuels.

 

 

Human activities that degrade ecosystems result in a loss of diversity of living and non-living things resulting in less stable ecosystems.

 

 

Societies must decide on proposals which involve the introduction of new technologies.

The decisions of one generation both provide and limit the range of possibilities open to the next generation.

 

Examples:

 

 

 

 

Research Recycling laws and practices in various counties of NYS and compare ecological practices and economic issues.

Create a floor plan of your home and identify toxic substances from a supplied list.

Research zoning laws in our area and analyze ecological impact.  Prepare a presentation for the zoning board.

Research alternative energy resources including wind, sun, geothermal, nuclear and prepare a position paper with evidence for your stance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enduring Understanding (s):

(1)  Population growth has placed new strains on the environment.

(2)  Some believe that there is a technological fix for these problems while others believe the accelerated pace of change only compounds the problems.

(3)  Since the students of today are the leaders of tomorrow, global awareness if a necessary attribute in conscientious individuals.

 

 

Essential Question (s):

(1)  What positive and negative effects does man have on the environment?

(2)  In what ways has the environment changed in the last year?

(3)  What activities have you engaged in that might have contributed to changes in the environment?