World Environmental Changes

5 - 20 minute programs
Grade(s): 7 - 12
Social Studies, Environment & Society, Geography

This series looks at how people have affected the environment and how the environment has affected people.  The issues addressed are: bio-diversity, reduction of habitat, conflict of interest, over-fishing, pollution; destruction of habitat, legislative change, sustainable management, desertification, fragile habitats.

Each program provides a main case study and a secondary example of a particular geographical region and looks at the problems and dilemmas faced by a group of people living in that area.  The history content emphasizes appreciating the views and circumstances of people living at other times, and it develops an understanding of historical change and continuity.  The geographic content encourages the development of geographical skill and leads viewers to compare themselves and their own experiences with the lifestyles, landscapes and environments of other places. 

Supplemental Materials:
A 32 page Resource Pack includes case study fact files; background information; location maps; activities and 15 reproducible activity sheets.  Also included is a 15 page Video Plus booklet and 24 full color photographs showing the case study localities and other worldwide examples.

Programs:

1. Wetlands
   This program explores how wetlands are formed by natural and human activity. The main case study is Somerset Levels in the United Kingdom. The secondary example is the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The issues shown are: biodiversity, reduction of habitat and conflict of interest.
    
2. The Sea  (19:13)
   This program looks at environmental issues that arise from the sea.  The main case study is The Netherlands: Umuiden.  The secondary example is a coral reef system in the Philippines.  The issues shown are: over-fishing, pollution and destruction of habitat.
    

3. Cities
   This program discusses the impact of people on the urban environment.  Ways of reducing the environmental impact of human activity is explored.  The main case study is Berlin, Germany, and the secondary example looks at the pressures put on the rapidly expanding city of Sao Paulo, Brazil.  The issues shown are: legislative change; environmental impact of population.
    

4. Forests
   This program looks at how forests can be managed to provide a valuable ecosystem for the future and also an income from the forest produce.  The main case study looks at a managed forest in the Karkonosze of Southern Poland.  The secondary example is from South America.  The issue shown is sustainable management.
    

5. Drylands
   This program looks at drylands and how human activity has affected them.  The two regions explored are the Great Plains of the United States and the Sahel region in Northern Kenya, Africa. The issues shown are: desertification; biodiversity; reduction of habitat; fragile environments.

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