Lesson 5.1

Section 1 Introduction

Module 5 Introduction

What are the contemporary impacts of economic globalization on the environment?

From the International Space Station, the geographic changes made to this planet in the drive to industrialize and expand global trade are visible. The damage to the ozone layer, the reduction of the polar ice cap, and the spreading deforestation and desertification of the surface of the land are observable. Much of these geographic changes have happened in less than one hundred years. Many people believe the alarm has been sounded to face the global environmental crisis and resolve it before the prosperity of future generations is permanently compromised.

In Module 4 you explored understandings of quality of life, prosperity, and sustainability in a globalizing world. In this module you will continue your inquiry into the following related issue: To what extent does globalization contribute to sustainable prosperity for all people? In many worldviews the relationship to the land is critical to the quality of life, prosperity, and sustainability of people. Economic globalization since the end of World War II has accelerated the amount of resources consumed and the amount of waste generated. Western influence on land use and resource exploitation has impacted relationships with the land—especially Indigenous relationships.

At the end of this module you will use your understandings of the multiple perspectives and issues on globalization and environmental sustainability. You will take a position on the extent that globalization should be embraced or resisted in order to sustain prosperity for all people.

Section 1 Introduction

Section 1 Introduction

In what ways does globalization impact the environment?

Inquiry into the Issue

Consumers and Cellphones—In what ways does consumer demand for the latest in cellphone technologies impact the environment? The influence of contemporary globalization has led to concerns about the effects of economic globalization on the environment. There are diverse perspectives on whether stewardship is critical to preserving the environment and maintaining sustainable prosperity for future generations. In this section you will look at how globalization impacts the people, the land, and the environment. As an individual, what impact do you have on the environment? Explore the relationship between the consumer demand for cellphones and the sustainability of the environment. Notebook This is a required activity to support your inquiry but will not be graded. In your Notebook, record key ideas from the inquiry.

Research

This is a required activity to support the inquiry but may not be graded by your teacher.

Research the life cycle of a cellphone to gather an informed background for your inquiry. The following sources may be helpful

• GLOBE-Net.com is a Canadian website that offers environmental information about cellphones. 
• The Life Cycle of a Cellphone - http://www.ehow.com/about_6172749_life-cycle-cell-phone.html 
• Plug in to eCycling - http://www.epa.gov/osw/partnerships/plugin/
• Wirefly - The Life Cycle of a Cellphone - http://www.wirefly.com/learn/wireless_news/the-life-cycle-of-a-cell-phone/
• An example of an illustrated journey in pdf format is at http://www.epa.gov/osw/education/pdfs/life-cell.pdf

Research the following:

• Find out the types and locations of the resources used to manufacture cellphones.
• How do many people dispose of their old cellphones? How many cellphones are disposed of by consumers?
• What are impacts to the land, environment, your community, and the community that manufactures the cellphones?

Record your research in your Notebook.

Assignment

Please complete your Consumers and Cellphones Assignment at this time.

Lesson 1

Section 1—The Environment

Lesson 1—People, Land, and Globalization

Get Focused

Many urban communities in Alberta have experienced community growth in the last five years. In Edmonton the demand for new homes outside the downtown core and the influx of new residents have influenced how people see undeveloped land in the community. New suburbs now edge the McTaggart Sanctuary and the Whitemud Nature Reserve. The Pappaschase First Nation has a long historical connection to this part of South Edmonton. Their Supreme Court of Canada petition has declared that unfair treaty negotiations have broken their traditional relationship to this land. These areas are highly valued for their natural environment and wildlife —all within a busy city. Demand has grown for further development in this area. What areas are zoned as green spaces in your community? What impact would urban development have on these green spaces?

Notebook

This is a required activity to support Get Focused.

Record key research and discussion ideas in your Notebook.

Research

Conduct an assessment for land use of a green space in your community.

Explore 1

Section 1—The Environment

Explore 1

What is the relationship to the land? You will explore diverse relationships with the land.

Relationships with the Land

There are diverse relationships with the land. Describe the various perspectives and ways that people interact with the land, water, natural resources, climate, and wildlife. Together with your partner, work through the assigned activities to research the diverse perspectives on the relationship with the land and then complete your assignment.

Download and complete this worksheet as you work through the following readings.

There are diverse relationships with the land. Describe the various perspectives and ways that people interact with the land, water, natural resources, climate, and wildlife. Work through the assigned activities to research the diverse perspectives on the relationship with the land and then complete your assignment.

Read

This is a required activity to support Explore 1.

• The “Kimberley Declaration” was created in 2002 at a meeting of Indigenous representatives of the world in Kimberley, South Africa. Read it here.
• Look at Figure 13-4 on page 272 in Perspectives on Globalization.
• Read pages 3 and 4 of the Government of Alberta document “Understanding Land Use in Alberta.” You may find other parts of this document interesting.

Internet

• The City of Edmonton website provides information about the municipal government’s perspectives on the environment. Go to the website and click on “Environment.” Browse the opening page and some of the topics shown in the menu.
• The website for the David Suzuki Foundation provides perspectives on the relationship between people and the environment. Read David Suzuki’s statements about the relationship between people, food, water, and air in “Protecting Human Health.”
• The European Union website features a video called 50 Years of Protecting Europe’s Environment. Click on “Environment” and then “Resources” to go to the “Videos” page. Watch the video to gather understandings the European Union has about the relationship between people and the environment.
• The Wal-Mart website features videos related to sustainability. Click on the “Video Center” link under “Media Resources.” Use the Video Search tool to find Acres for America, Our Commitment. Watch the video to gather understandings Wal-Mart has about the relationship between people and the environment.

Internet Research

Research the relationship a resource extraction company, such as Syncrude, has with the land.

Explore 2

Explore 2

What is stewardship?

People also hold diverse understandings of stewardship. Most of the thinking about stewardship is usually centred on the responsible use of the environment. Responsible stewardship of the environment may also include maintaining the traditional knowledge of the land and considering alternative uses of the environment. In your Notebook, record key ideas from the Explore 2 activities to support your assignment. Read Read about sustainability on pages 290 to 299 in Perspectives on Globalization. What understandings of stewardship are reflected in the strategies or actions for sustainability and prosperity? Record key ideas in your Notebook. Internet Go to the Alberta Stewardship Network website and explore “About Us.” What is stewardship to members of this coalition? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

Multimedia

Go to the Alberta Stewardship Network website. Watch the video about the work of the stewardship coalition. What understandings of stewardship and relationship to the land does this organization promote? What message do the images convey about what this organization seeks to sustain? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

The Wal-Mart website features videos related to sustainability. Click on the “Video Center” link under “Media Resources.” Use the Video Search tool to find Sustainability: Global Overview. Watch the video to gather understandings Wal-Mart has of the relationship between people and the environment. Record key ideas in your Notebook.

The Vancouver 2010 website features a web page about sustainability. What are the perspectives on environmental stewardship of the land and resources used in the 2010 Olympics? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

The Land Stewardship Resource Centre has a website. What is land stewardship? You can find a basic working definition on the website under “Learning about Land Stewardship” listed in the left-hand menu. Record key ideas in your Notebook.

Go to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers website. Click on “Environmental Stewardship” and read the information. What does stewardship mean for companies associated with the oil industry? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

Skownan – Our Land, Our Future is a video about the Skownan First Nation in Manitoba and their relationship to the land. It is available for viewing on the International Institute for Sustainable Development website. This 2000 project is available on the Appreciative Inquiry and Community Development web page under “Projects” and then “Northern Canada.”

What is stewardship to the people of the Skownan First Nation? Record key ideas in your Notebook.

(Caution: This video contains hunting scenes that may be disturbing.)

Assignment

Please complete the Stewardship Discussion Forum Assignment at this point.