Eco Education Welcome to CityTrek! 2008: Energy

Welcome to

CityTrek! 2008: Energy

Issue Analysis Issue analysis is a cornerstone of Eco Education’s approach to environmental education.

Issue analysis is a cornerstone of Eco Education’s approach to environmental education.

How is issue analysis helpful? is a teaching strategy that helps students become engaged in a topic. promotes critical thinking. can apply to real-world problems in which students have a stake. prepares students to think about equitable solutions to improve their communities.

is a teaching strategy that helps students become engaged in a topic.

promotes critical thinking.

can apply to real-world problems in which students have a stake.

prepares students to think about equitable solutions to improve their communities.

Identifying an Issue Topic: the subject of a discussion or research. Problem: a condition in which the status of someone or something is at risk. Issue: a problem or its solution about which differing viewpoints and values exist.

Topic: the subject of a discussion or research.

Problem: a condition in which the status of someone or something is at risk.

Issue: a problem or its solution about which differing viewpoints and values exist.

Example of an Issue Topic: Transportation in the Twin Cities. Problem: Congestion on the freeways. Issue: “Build more roads” vs. “Provide more public transit.”

Topic: Transportation in the Twin Cities.

Problem: Congestion on the freeways.

Issue: “Build more roads” vs. “Provide more public transit.”

Multiple Perspectives An issue always has two or more perspectives or viewpoints. The perspectives are somehow in conflict. Solution of the issue involves resolving the conflict.

An issue always has two or more perspectives or viewpoints.

The perspectives are somehow in conflict.

Solution of the issue involves resolving the conflict.

Today’s Issue Topic: Human health and well-being. Problem: Global climate change threatens human health and well-being. Issue:

Topic: Human health and well-being.

Problem: Global climate change threatens human health and well-being.

Issue:

Global Warming Basics

Greenhouse Effect

Humans are increasing greenhouse gas concentrations Carbon dioxide levels and temperature are positively correlated

Humans are increasing greenhouse gas concentrations

Carbon dioxide levels and temperature are positively correlated

Relative Importance of Human-produced Greenhouse Gases Image from Koshland Science Museum

Where do they come from?

Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector, 2004 Figure: Global greenhouse gas emissions in 2004 from different sectors (IPCC, 2007).

Some Predicted Effects Rising sea levels Glacier retreat Altered patterns of agriculture Extreme weather events Water shortages Reduction of the biological diversity Change in agricultural yields Expansion of tropical diseases Drastic economic impact

Rising sea levels

Glacier retreat

Altered patterns of agriculture

Extreme weather events

Water shortages

Reduction of the biological diversity

Change in agricultural yields

Expansion of tropical diseases

Drastic economic impact