Unit 6: Environmental Problems on a Global Scale

Overview
In this unit, students will analyze the choices and trade-offs involved in protecting the global
environment, and they will examine the most significant global environmental problems and analyze
the economic and political dimensions of these environmental challenges in order to determine how
the United States should deal with environmental issues. For a complete overview of the unit, please
read page 1 of the Student Resource and page 2 of the Teacher Resource for Global Environmental
Problems: Implications for U.S. Policy.
Note to Teachers
The Choices Program Supplemental Materials for this unit are located at
http://www.choices.edu/resources/supplemental_environment.php
In this unit, students should begin sharing what theyre learning in their Independent Study research
as it relates to global concerns about environmental issues. Teachers should hold students
accountable for outside research, reading, writing, and sharing as part of the Independent Study and
seminar aspects of the course. Students may choose to share such things as primary and secondary
historical context documents, legal documents, maps, charts, graphs, interviews, information from
inter- and supra-national organizations, literature, poetry, auto-/biographies, art, philosophical and/or
religious texts, music, fliers, propaganda, commercials, advertisements, caricatures, depictions,
sculptures, scripts, leaflets and popular culture. When students share their factual knowledge, they
should also offer analysis and insights into the global responsibilities shared among nation-states
concerning the environment.
Generalizations
1. There are a variety of data collection methods and visual representations that serve different
purposes and provide different types of information.
2. Historical events (including war and conflict), geographic factors, physical and ideological
movements, technological and informational revolutions, political systems, and economic
situations contribute to the development of globalization.
3. Globalization can affect the climate, natural resources, and species of various places, and the
sustainability and depletion of natural resources as well as the preservation and conservation
efforts concerning those resources impact economic growth and development.
4. Globalization can affect immigration, migration, and demographic transition, thereby potentially
creating religious, ethnic, cultural, and or social/human rights conflicts and affecting the adaptive
strategies of some cultural groups.
5. Transnational corporations, supranational organizations, and international nongovernmental
organizations can impact globalization.
6. Comparative advantage, specialization, global trade patterns, and economic growth can influence
the globalization process and possibly lead to economic protectionism for some countries.
7. Political systems and political sovereignty impact the global economy, and international treaties,
charters, agreements, and laws can affect individual geographic areas, various cultures, and
international relationships.
Essential Questions
1. What are the causes and effects of climate change?
2. What is the role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and what were their findings?
3. What is ozone depletion, and how does human activity contribute to it?
st

21 Century Geography
Unit 6

4. What efforts have been made to reduce ozone depletion?

5. How is drinking water affected by pollution?
6. What is acid rain, and why is it an international issue?
7. How are the planets oceans in danger?
8. What strains do deforestation and desertification put on the environment?
9. Where are preservation efforts most critical?
10. What measures have been taken to preserve biodiversity?
11. What is biosafety?
12. What are the reasons for population growth?
13. Does the planet have enough resources for the worlds population?
14. How has the auto industry been affected by environmental concerns, and how, in turn, does that
affect the U.S. economy?
15. What is the benefit of natural gas?
16. What are the alternatives to fossil fuels?
17. What is the potential of wind and solar power?
18. What additional power sources are being developed?
19. How can industrialization affect resource consumption and consequently population growth?
20. What is sustainable development?
21. What are the competing theories about economic development and ecological health?
22. What environmental challenges do wealthy, industrialized countries face?
23. Why is the former Soviet bloc of special environmental concern?
24. What are the environmental issues and concerns of the newly-industrializing countries?
25. How do environmental concerns affect less-developed countries?
26. What is the global North-South divide?
27. What are the origins of the disagreements between the global North and South?
28. How can environmental issues affect population migration?
29. How does the environment affect international security?
30. How did the Earth Summit and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which 150
governments signed there, establish the environment as a significant international concern?
31. How was climate change addressed at the Earth Summit?
32. What was the purpose of the Kyoto Protocol, and what does it call on countries to do?
33. What is carbon trading, and what are the support and criticisms of it?
34. What is the U.S. position on the Kyoto Protocol?
35. What are the obstacles to international environmental cooperation?
36. What positive outcomes have followed international cooperation?
37. How have recent international meetings addressed new concerns?
38. How has the U.S. addressed international and domestic environmental problems?
39. How do opinions differ about government environmental policy?

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Unit 6

Unit Goals
What do students need to KNOW?

What do students need to be able to DO?

Definitions of ozone depletion, acid rain,

biosafety, sustainable development, the global
North-South, carbon trading, natural gas, and
alternatives to fossil fuels

Use various types of maps, charts, and visual

representations to gather and interpret
information and draw conclusions

Causes and effects of climate change

The effects of globalization on climate change

Define ozone depletion, acid rain, biosafety,

sustainable development, the global NorthSouth, carbon trading, natural gas, and
alternatives to fossil fuels

How human activity contributes to

environmental changes and the preservation
efforts that have been made to control those
changes

Identify causes and effects of climate change

Explain the effects of globalization on climate

change

Geographic areas where preservation efforts are

most critical

Reasons for population growth, the balance

between resources and population, and the
effects on international security

Analyze how human activity contributes to

environmental changes and the preservation
efforts that have been made to control those
changes

Identify geographic areas where preservation

efforts are most critical

Analyze reasons for population growth, the

balance between resources and population, and
the effects on international security

Analyze the effects of industrialization and

specialization on resource consumption,
population growth, and economic development

Explain competing theories about economic

development and ecological health

Identify the environmental challenges of the

global North and South (wealthy, industrialized
countries, the former Soviet bloc, newlyindustrializing countries, and less-developed
countries) that result from globalization

Explain the role and findings of the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Explain how the Earth Summit and the UN

Framework Convention on Climate Change
addressed climate change and established the
environment as a significant international
concern

Explain the purpose, calling, and U.S. position on

the Kyoto Protocol

Explain the support and criticism of carbon

trading and its impact on both the global
environment and local economies

Identify obstacles to and positive outcomes of

international environmental cooperation

Explain how the U.S. has addressed international

The effects of industrialization and specialization

on resource consumption, population growth,
and economic development

Competing theories about economic

development and ecological health

The environmental challenges of the global

North and South (wealthy, industrialized
countries, the former Soviet bloc, newlyindustrializing countries, and less-developed
countries) that result from globalization

The role and findings of the Intergovernmental

Panel on Climate Change

How the Earth Summit and the UN Framework

Convention on Climate Change addressed
climate change and established the environment
as a significant international concern

The purpose, calling, and U.S. position on the

Kyoto Protocol

The support and criticism of carbon trading and

its impact on both the global environment and
local economies

Obstacles to and positive outcomes of

international environmental cooperation

How the U.S. has addressed international and

domestic environmental problems and the
differing opinions concerning government
environmental policy

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Unit 6

and domestic environmental problems and the

differing opinions concerning government
environmental policy

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Unit 6

I Can Statements

I Can use various types of maps, charts, and visual representations to gather and interpret
information and draw conclusions.

I Can define ozone depletion, acid rain, biosafety, sustainable development, the global North-South,
carbon trading, natural gas, and alternatives to fossil fuels.

I Can identify causes and effects of climate change.

I Can explain the effects of globalization on climate change.

I Can analyze how human activity contributes to environmental changes and the preservation efforts
that have been made to control those changes.

I Can identify geographic areas where preservation efforts are most critical.

I Can analyze reasons for population growth, the balance between resources and population, and the
effects on international security.

I Can analyze the effects of industrialization and specialization on resource consumption, population
growth, and economic development.

I Can explain competing theories about economic development and ecological health.

I Can identify the environmental challenges of the global North and South (wealthy, industrialized
countries, the former Soviet bloc, newly-industrializing countries, and less-developed countries) that
result from globalization.

I Can explain the role and findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

I Can explain how the Earth Summit and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
addressed climate change and established the environment as a significant international concern.

I Can explain the purpose, calling, and U.S. position on the Kyoto Protocol.

I Can explain the support and criticism of carbon trading and its impact on both the global
environment and local economies.

I Can identify obstacles to and positive outcomes of international environmental cooperation.

I Can explain how the U.S. has addressed international and domestic environmental problems and
the differing opinions concerning government environmental policy.

21st Century Geography

Unit 6

Aligned Course Essential Standards

G.1 Apply
geographic
skills to
understand the
spatial
relationship
between
humans and
their
environment.

G.2 Analyze the

historical
antecedents
and geographic
factors that led
to the
development of
globalization.

G.3 Analyze
Changes in the
physical
environment as
a result of
globalization.

G.4 Analyze
changes in
culture as a
result of
globalization.

G.5 Analyze
changes in
economics as a
result of
globalization.

G.6 Analyze
changes in
politics as a
result of
globalization.

G.1.1 Compare
various
methods of
data collection
used for
research, such
as land
surveys,
interviews, and
databases.

G.2.2 Analyze
how the
movement of
goods, people,
and ideas
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.

G.3.1 Compare
the physical
environments
and the effects
of globalization
on the climate,
natural
resources, and
species of
various places.

G.4.4 Analyze
the impact of
globalization on
population
migration and
demographic
transition.

G.5.1 Analyze
transnational
corporations in
terms of their
role in the
globalization
process.

G.4.5 Analyze
the use of
adaptive
strategies and
preventative
measures by
various cultures
in a global
environment.

G.5.3 Analyze
global trade
patterns in
terms of
natural,
human, and
capital resource
flows.

G.6.1 Evaluate
the extent to
which the
political system
of a place
impacts its
involvement in
the global
economy.

G.1.2 Compare
various types of
visual
representations
, such as
traditional and
mental maps,
charts, graphs,
and remote
imaging.

G.2.4 Evaluate
the extent to
which certain
historic/geograp
hic factors
encouraged and
impacted
globalization.

G.3.2 Analyze
the relationship
between
sustainability
and natural
resource
depletion in
terms of
economic
growth and
development.
G.3.3 Explain
how places are
influenced by
human
perception and
modification of
the
environment.
G.3.4 Evaluate
the extent to
which
preservation
and
conservation
efforts impact
local, national,
and global

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Unit 6

G.5.4 Evaluate
the effects of
economic
growth on
people and
places in terms
of costs and
benefits.

G.6.3 Analyze
supra-national
organizations in
terms of their
purpose,
development,
and products.
G.6.5 Analyze
international
treaties,
charters, and
agreements in
terms of their
purpose and
effects on
various places.

economies.

21st Century Geography

Unit 6

Common Core Standards for Literacy in History and Social Studies

READING

WRITING

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

CMS CCSS Power Standards:

R.11-12.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support

analysis of primary and secondary sources, connecting
insights gained from specific details to an understanding
of the text as a whole.

W.11-12.1 Write arguments focused on disciplinespecific content.

R.11-12.10 Read and comprehend history/social

studies texts in the grade 11-CCR text complexity band
independently and proficiently.

W.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts,

including the narration of historical events, scientific
procedures/ experiments, or technical processes.

Additional Reading Standards:

Additional Writing Standards:

R.11-12.2. Determine the central ideas or information

of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate
summary that makes clear the relationships among the
key details and ideas.

W.11-12.3 not applicable as a separate requirement

R.11-12.3. Evaluate various explanations for actions or

events and determine which explanation best accords
with textual evidence, acknowledging where the text
leaves matters uncertain.
R.11-12.4. Determine the meaning of words and
phrases as they are used in a text, including analyzing
how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key
term over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison
defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
R.11-12.5. Analyze in detail how a complex primary
source is structured, including how key sentences,
paragraphs, and larger portions of the text contribute to
the whole.
R.11-12.6 Evaluate authors differing points of view on
the same historical event or issue by assessing the
authors claims, reasoning, and evidence.
R.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of
information presented in diverse formats and media
(e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in
order to address a question or solve a problem.
R.11-12.8 Evaluate an authors premises, claims, and
evidence by corroborating or challenging them with
other information.
R.11-12.9 Integrate information from diverse sources,
both primary and secondary, into a coherent
understanding of an idea or event, noting discrepancies
among sources.

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Unit 6

W.11-12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which

the development, organization, and style are appropriate
to task, purpose, and audience.
W.11-12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed
by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new
approach, focusing on addressing what is most
significant for a specific purpose and audience.
W.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to
produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing
products in response to ongoing feedback, including new
arguments or information.
W.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained
research projects to answer a question (including a selfgenerated question) or solve a problem; narrow or
broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize
multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating
understanding of the subject under investigation.
W.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple
authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced
searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations
of each source in terms of the specific task, purpose, and
audience; integrate information into the text selectively
to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and
overreliance on any one source and following a standard
format for citation.
W.11-12.9 Draw evidence from informational texts to
support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames
(time for reflection and revision) and shorter time frames
(a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of disciplinespecific tasks, purposes, and audiences.

Assessment Options:
W1- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Arguments

After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that argues your position on ____. Support your position with
evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past
or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
o

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on the direction U.S. policies on global environmental issues should take in the future.
Support your position with evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing
views, and give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your
position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on how the Kyoto Protocol is either primarily effective or ineffective in addressing
international environmental issues. Support your position with evidence from your research. Be
sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from past or current events or issues
to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that argues your
position on whether industrialization and economic growth will have ultimately positive or
negative effects on the world and the environment in which we live. Support your position with
evidence from your research. Be sure to acknowledge competing views, and give examples from
past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that addresses the question, and support your
position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views. Give examples from
past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.
o

Example: What direction should U.S. policies on global environmental issues take in the future?
After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that addresses the question,
and support your position with evidence from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing
views. Give examples from past or current events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: How is the Kyoto Protocol either primarily effective or ineffective in addressing
international environmental issues? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an
essay that addresses the question, and support your position with evidence from the texts. Be
sure to acknowledge competing views. Give examples from past or current events or issues to
illustrate and clarify your position.

Example: Will industrialization and economic growth have ultimately positive or negative effects
on the world and the environment in which we live? After analyzing a variety of written and
visual texts, write an essay that addresses the question, and support your position with evidence
from the texts. Be sure to acknowledge competing views. Give examples from past or current
events or issues to illustrate and clarify your position.

21st Century Geography

Unit 6

W2- Literacy Common Core Power Standard: Writing Informative Texts

After reading a variety of texts, write a ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support your discussion
with evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
o

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines
current international environmental issues and explains the international steps being taken to
address them. Support your discussion with evidence from your research. What conclusions or
implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines
climate change and explains international efforts to control it. Support your discussion with
evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines
deforestation and desertification and explains their effects on the environment and the
geographic areas where preservation efforts are most critical. Support your discussion with
evidence from your research. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

[QUESTION] After reading a variety of texts, write ____ that defines ____ and explains ____. Support
your discussion with evidence from the texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?
o

Example: What are current international environmental issues, and what international steps are
being taken to address them? After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an
essay that defines current international environmental issues and explains the international
steps being taken to address them. Support your discussion with evidence from the texts. What
conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: What is climate change, and is the international community attempting to control it?
After analyzing a variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines climate change
and explains international efforts to control it. Support your discussion with evidence from the
texts. What conclusions or implications can you draw?

Example: What are deforestation and desertification and their effects on the environment, and
what are the geographic areas where preservation efforts are most critical? After analyzing a
variety of written and visual texts, write an essay that defines deforestation and desertification
and explains their effects on the environment and the geographic areas where preservation
efforts are most critical. Support your discussion with evidence from the texts. What
conclusions or implications can you draw?

R1/R10- Literacy Common Core Power Standards: Reading Closely Over Time with a Variety of Grade-Level
Texts

Historical texts (primary and secondary)

Religious texts
Legal texts
Philosophical texts
Literary texts
Artistic representations
Musical representations
Language study

21st Century Geography

Unit 6

21st Century Geography

Unit 6