Unit 1
Introduction to Ecological Thinking
Chapters 1, 2, 3 (page 32, Easter Island only), 25 (no questions from Chapter 25 on the test), & 28
Unit 1 Review: Key Terms & Concepts (due Tuesday October 4, worth 20 points)
Introduction to Sustainability (due Tuesday October 4, worth 50 points)
*NOTE: For the Introduction to Sustainability assignment, you may need one of the links below:
Corvallis Sustainability Information
Corvallis Sustainability Coalition www.sustainablecorvallis.org
Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Long Range Goals (Proposed Long-Range Goals.pdf)
Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Long Range Goals That Match Sustainable School Initiative (Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Goals)
Corvallis Green City Document (Sustainability/GreenCity.pdf)
Corvallis City Council Document (City goal)
OSU Sustainability: (http://recycle.oregonstate.edu/ssi)
OSU Extension Service: (http://www.cof.orst.edu/cof/extended/sustain/)
Consumerism Project: Book & Consumer Log (due October 18)
Test Monday October 4 (50 points)
Questions come from the textbook, from the website readings and from the videos
The chapter review is an excellent source for study
20 Multiple Choice = 20 points 3 FRQ = 30 points
See FRQ information at the bottom of this page!
Unit 1 Readings, Activities, & Assignments
Assignments in GREEN are to be turned in for credit. Assignments may be turned in electronically and may always be turned in early!
Unit 1 Review: Key Terms & Concepts (due October 4, worth 20 points)
Note: I grade the Unit Reviews for completion only.
Introduction to Sustainability (due October 4, worth 50 points)
Note: I will grade this assignment for accuracy. This assignment does require more than just reading the book, so don't wait until the last minute to work on it!
Homework and Daily Activities for Unit 1
For Thursday, September 8, 2011
Environmental Attitudes and Knowledge Survey (due September 8, worth 5 points)
*NOTE: If you print out the survey, you only need pages 1-3 (the rest are blank)*
Thursday Class Activity
Ranking Environmental Challenges
Identify five causes of environmental problems
For Tuesday, September 13, 2011: Be prepared to DISCUSS these articles
Humanity Now Demanding 1.5 Earths
The Ecological Collapse of Pre-Industrial Societies (at least pages 394-395 on Easter Island)
Tuesday Class Activities
Sustainability and Systems Thinking Slide Show
Dialogue Styles
Tragedy of the Commons simulation (Fishing)
HW For Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wolves in Yellowstone: Scavengers Benefit
Thursday Class Activities
Systems simulation
Sustainability and Systems Thinking Slide Show
For Friday, September 16, 2011
Comparison of Hunter-Gatherer Society to Agricultural Society
Environmental Movement Timeline
Friday Class Activities
Environmental World Views Slide Show
Sustainability and Systems Thinking Slide Show
For Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Ecological Footprint Quiz (answers due Sep 20, worth 10 points)
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ecological Footprint Quiz
www.goodguide.com (visit this site for Sep 20)
www.coopamerica.org (visit the link Responsible Shopper for Sep 20)
Lifestyles of the Eco-Friendly
Sustainability and Systems Thinking Slide Show
Consumerism Project Assigned
Consumerism Project: Book & Consumer Log (due October 18)
Videos
Affluenza, Special Features (September 22)
The Story of Stuff (September 23)
Wal-Mart (September 27)
Unit Test October 4
20 Multiple Choice Questions (20 points)
3 Free Response Questions (30 points)
FRQ Topics
1. Hunter-gather societies compared to agricultural societies (general characteristics of each, social, economic and environmental effects of each)
2. I=PAT (explain), describe differences between developing nations and developed nations in general and specifically as they relate to I=PAT, know the basic causes of the environmental challenges/problems facing our planet
3. Easter Island, ecological footprint, consumerism, affluenza
A few guidelines for FRQ
Don’t use vague terms/descriptions (“pollution is bad for the environment”)
Be as specific as possible, and make sure you write enough
If you are asked to list three examples, I will only read the first three
Read the questions carefully and make sure you are answering the right thing
Example FRQ and Response
What are the tradeoffs when a country moves towards more economic development (i.e., becomes a developed nation)?
The positive results include better health for most people with people living longer and infant mortality dropping. Medical advances and accessibility to medicine and clean water make this possible. Food production increases, with more people having access to food. With more regulations, air and water pollution usually drops. The number of people that live in poverty also drops. Developed nations have stable governments that allows for an effective infrastructure to be in place that provides benefits.
The negative results include increased levels of stress, which may lead to heart attacks, high blood pressure and other diseases. The increased food production results in an erosion and overall degradation of soil, as well as an increase in meat in the diet that leads to increased amounts of pollution and nutrient loss due to overgrazing. The amount of consumption increases, leading to higher levels of resource destruction, waste and pollution. People in developed nations tend to be more disconnected from their environment, which makes it more likely for them to not consider the true cost of the items they consume.