HumanHuman impact on the impact on the environmentenvironment

Anniina Männikkö, Maria Niemistö, Maria Solin-Lehtinen and Tuula AsuntaAnniina Männikkö, Maria Niemistö, Maria Solin-Lehtinen and Tuula AsuntaUniversity of JyväskyläUniversity of Jyväskylä

Department of Teacher EducationDepartment of Teacher EducationFinlandFinland

Scientific and technological progress has

given human an unprecedented power over nature which can radically change the world

Environmental deterioration can be Environmental deterioration can be attributed to attributed to

• industrialization and urbanization

• the depletion of traditional sources of energy and raw materials

• constant population growth

• the disruption of natural ecological balances (the biospheres internal mechanism of self regulation),

• the extinctions of various animal and plant species for economic purposes

• the negative genetic consequences of industrial and other pollutants, which include the danger of human degeneration

Developmental programmes, urban growth and industrial activities have increased the strain on natural and ecological resources.

Pollution can travel far and wide

Environmental problems are more and

more complex and interrelated to each other,and should not be bound to a specific region or nation; they must be treated in a collective way by all nations.

Case study: ChinaCase study: China

• One of the serious negative consequences of the Republic of China’s rapid industrial development has been increased pollution and degradation of natural resources

• 1998 World Health Organization report on

air quality in 272 cities worldwide concluded that seven of the world's 10 most polluted cities were in China. Rapid industrialisation in the Pearl River Delta has also contributed to worsening air pollution in Hong Kong.

Beijing air on a day after rain and a Beijing air on a day after rain and a sunny but polluted day sunny but polluted day

• China's increasingly polluted environment is largely a result of the country's rapid development and consequently a large increase in primary energy consumption, which is almost entirely produced by burning coal.

• China has pursued a development model

which prioritises exports-led growth (similar to many other East Asian countries), by expediting increases in manufacturing capacity

Residents and foreign purchasing agents (in-buyers) choose goods in the "Spring Festival Goods Street" supermarket in Suzhou City

• This is made largely in the absence of any significant ecological or pollution controls to reduce polluting emissions from the nation's rapidly industrialising economy.

Yellow River, China. China's big rivers are losing their ability to support life when rapid and poorly regulated economic growth takes an increasingly heavy toll on the environment.

• Since 2002, the number of complaints to the environmental authorities has increased by 30% every year, reaching 600,000 in 2004; while the number of mass protests caused by environmental issues has grown by 29% every year.

Huai River Basin Huai River Basin

Western people can nowadays enjoy very cheap goods, but chinese has to pay the cost by their health and environment.

The Xinhua News Agency has quoted an environmental official, Wang Jinnan, as saying that more than 410,000 Chinese die as a result of pollution each year

WorkshopsWorkshops

• Article analysis

• Environmental education in different nations

• Develop the environmental education strategy for schools

1. Article analysis1. Article analysis

• Will be done in groups of 5 people• Every group will examine two articles

about environmental issues. Articles will be given to each group.

• Write down some thoughts about articles and related subjects

• Every group presents summary of their articles to other groups and we’ll discuss about the topic

2. 2. Environmental educationEnvironmental education in in different countriesdifferent countries

• Form a group with people from your country• Discuss within your group about environmental

education in your home country• Write down your thoughts

QuestionsQuestions

• What kind of environmental education there were in your school?

• What kind of instructions/advices you received?

• How was the attitude to environment in your school?

• Is the environmental education highlighted in your teaching studies?

• What kind of attitude towards the environmental

issues there is in your country?

• Do people pay attention to environmental issues in their everyday life?

• Give some examples!

3. 3. DevelopDevelop the environmental the environmental education strategy for schoolseducation strategy for schools

• Study will be done in groups of 5 people

• Task is to develop the education strategy that is as practical and creative as possible

• Time will be reserved to work in computer room and search Internet to find information

Possible subjects to include in your Possible subjects to include in your strategystrategy

• Recycling• Saving energy• Reducing consumption • Supporting public transport• Supporting goods and food that is produced as

near as possible• Detecting origins of products and paying

attention to ethical conceps of manufacturing (environment, child labour, human rights)

• Dispose of hazardous waste

Strategies are Strategies are presented to all presented to all groupsgroups

The best strategy is voted and it The best strategy is voted and it awards a prizeawards a prize!!