SRSP 16-19 Topic 6 U1a Short Version – Environmental Issues

Environmental issues are increasingly important in the contemporary world. Pressure groups have focussed world attention on the state of the environment and climate changes. Allegedly, the effects of climate change are already showing themselves in freak weather and other natural catastrophes. Some governments have begun to respond with a range of environmental measures from practical action to treaties and protocols. For most people the message of ‘recycle and reuse’ is now a common theme of everyday life – though this is not so globally and perhaps is less a feature of newly industrialising nations than those already industrialised. Responding to environmental issues tends to fall into three categories:

Doing nothing and hoping that the predictions are wrong or that in some way as time progresses humanity will develop ways to cope with any environmental problems which may arise.
Seeking out technological solutions to environmental problems in order to reduce the effects of current activity and address future problems as and when they arise.
Lifestyle changes ranging from the personal to the national which aim to reduce the damage and avoid creating or worsening some of the damage before it becomes too serious.

This unit consists of 4 lessons and is suitable for students aged from 16 to 19 years

Key Questions

To what extent are environmental problems attributable to human actions?
What is the role of humanity in looking after planet earth?
In what ways should human behaviour change in response to the earth’s environmental problems?
Is it realistic to think that it will?
What range of possibilities might different responses to environmental problems lead to in the future?

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