ENVIRONMENTAL LAWWeek 1: Introduction to Environmental Laws

DOES THE EARTH NEED TO BE PROTECTED?

All living organisms use earth’s resources to live.

Are humans entitled to earth’s resources?

Should resource use be limited? By whom? Who decides?

Can a person truly own land? Air? Water?

EQ #1- WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS?

This class will explore how LAWS and LEGISLATION are used to protect natural areas, wildlife and resources

Classwork and assignments will focus on environmental issues and the effects of laws on citizens, industry and the natural world.

BALANCED PERSPECTIVE

Some assignments will take a stand on an issue; some readings will expose a bias of the author’s.

It is NOT my intention to promote a biased perspective!!

I welcome opposing viewpoints. Assignments will strive to promote critical thinking and achieve a balanced understanding of laws and their effects.

WHAT ARE LAWS?

In the US, laws are passed by both states and the federal government.

A LAW refers to any policy passed by Congress (by a majority vote) and signed into law by the President (federal) or Governor (state).

Laws passed by Congress are carried out by the executive branch.

State laws affect policies within the state only. Federal laws affect national policy; all states must follow these.

WHAT ARE LAWS?

Examples-

STATE Law- Oregon has a Bottle Bill. Most drink containers include a deposit at purchase. Return it and get 10 cents back!

FEDERAL Law- Clean Air Act. Factories and cars throughout the U.S. must meet certain pollution standards.

WARM-UP

What do you know about US Government?

Complete the US Gov’t Basics activity with a partner.

CHECK YOUR WORK

Legislative- Make laws/policies *Congress -House & Senate

Executive Carries out laws of Congress *President/Governor

Judicial Decides if laws (& acts of government) are constitutional *Courts

EAGLES AND WINDMILLS

Read the article “67 Eagles Die at Wind Farms”As you read, consider these questions-

1. What is the problem described in the article? 2. Why is the problem significant? Cite several ways.3. What questions do you have after reading the article?

EAGLES AND WINDMILLS

Find a partner and brainstorm list of THREE possible solutions to the problem in the article.

Reflect on your solutions and CREATE a law to deal with this problem that is realistic and effective and not too costly.

As you create your law, think about… *What additional information would you like to

have before making your law? *What should you consider when creating this

NOW WHAT?

Find a new student team and find out about their law.Share your law with themEvaluate each other’s laws in your notebook by answering the

following questions:1. How effective is their law?2. How creative is their law?3. What are the “costs” of this law? Who wins and

who loses?

WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS?

States and the federal government have passed laws to protect the environment.

Most MAJOR environmental laws in the U.S. are FEDERAL laws.

Examples- Clean Water Act; Endangered Species Act; Clean Air Act

WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS?

Environmental laws place limits on and define rules for human activities that impact the natural world.

Activities that face regulations are- construction, land development, road building, industrial production and pollution.

WHY ARE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS CONTROVERSIAL?

What’s not to like about protecting the environment?

Many Americans resent the rules & regulations in environmental laws because they often cost money, require permits and create hassles for businesses and society.

WHY PROTECT THE NATURAL WORLD?

So why protect the natural environment?

Are laws today balanced? Do they go far enough?

WHAT DOES THE EARTH DO FOR US?

All life and economies depend on:

Energy from the sun - Provides heat, wind, & biomass

The earth’s resources - Such as forests, minerals, soil, air & water.

The earth’s ecological services- Such as nutrient cycling, pollution control, water storage, climate control, pest and disease control, waste treatment

WHAT DOES SUSTAINABLE MEAN?

An environmentally sustainable society meets the needs of its people indefinitely without degrading or depleting natural resources.

Sustainable Practices- Promote the conservation of resources. What’s an everyday example?

What are some ways we as Americans are NOT living sustainably?

THE WORST HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

These FIVE major human impacts lead to the greatest environmental problems-

1. Population growth

2. Over harvesting resources

3. Habitat loss

4. Loss of Biodiversity / Invasive Species

5. Pollution

EQ #2 WHAT ARE THE WORST HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENV?

1. POPULATION

World population is now about 7.5 billion

Many believe Earth can support 9-10 billion at the most.

We are projected to have 10 Billion people by 2050.

Competition for resources puts stress on the natural world.

WORLD POPULATION 2017

Rank Country Population

1. China 1,372,088,192

2. India 1,281,935,872

3. USA 328,131,072

4. Indonesia 260,580,848

WORLD POPULATION

CHART P. 3 OF READING

THREE FACTORS THAT EFFECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Not all populations have the same impact

Impact is a calculation of Population size, rate of resource consumption and use of technology that, in combination, create environmental impact.

Film Clip- http://study.com/academy/lesson/economic-inequality-differences-in-developed-and-developing-nations.html

HOW DOES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT DIFFER?

DEVELOPED countries -Are MORE industrialized, have HIGHER income per person ($12,000 and above) and MORE infrastructure (roads, electricity grids, ...). -Have LOWER populations (1.3 billion) but consume far more per person (up to 88% of world’s resources).

The use of technology in developed nations adds to resource use and pollution

HOW DOES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT DIFFER?

DEVELOPING Countries - -Are LESS industrialized, have LOWER income per capita($0-11,999), have LESS infrastructure. -Consume less per person but have higher populations and more harsh living conditions (pollution; poor access to health care...)

Moderate (Mexico, China, ...) = 4.9 Billion people

Have HIGHER fertility rates

ACTIVITY- POPULATION & CONSUMPTION

Watch videos- -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUTP93qWV7I -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khFjdmp9sZk

POSTER ACTIVITY

Introduce yourself!

Share THREE things from your poster with each other

What did you like about their poster?

Wait for my signal and rotate to a new partner.

COUNTRIES WITH THE HIGHEST POPULATION

World Population is now 7.5 Billion!!

At 5% of the world population, the US consumes about 30% of the world’s resources

POPULATION AND ITS EFFECTS

If undeveloped countries consumed at the same rate as the US, four complete planets the size of the Earth would be required.

Americans constitute 5% of the world's population but consume 24% of the world's energy.

· On average, one American consumes as much energy as

o 2 Japanese

o 6 Mexicans

o 13 Chinese

o 31 Indians

o 128 Bangladeshis

o 307 Tanzanians

o 370 Ethiopians

ACTIVITY- ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

How does your lifestyle impact the earth? Find out!

Find out what you can do to reduce your footprint!

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/resources/footprint-calculator/

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT DEBRIEF Q’S

1. Record your results. How many earth’s does it take to support your lifestyle? What were your numbers for Carbon Footprint? What % is your carbon footprint? How much cropland do you need? Are you surprised? Write a brief reaction.

2. If you wanted to limit your impact, what THREE things could you do (realistically) to reduce it?

3. What do you think? Write a brief reflection about resource consumption and its effect on the environment. How important is this issue?

CONSUMPTION OF RESOURCES

POPULATION DEMOGRAPHICS

Analyze the Population Demographics cards.

With a table partner, write THREE questions you have after reviewing the data.

Write THREE important observations from the data that you noticed/thought relevant.

TERMS FROM ARTICLE

Fertility Rate- # of births per 1000 women between ages 15-44

Oceania- Group of Pacific islands

THE WORST HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

These FIVE major human impacts lead to the greatest environmental problems-

1. Population growth

2. Over harvesting resources

3. Habitat loss

4. Loss of Biodiversity / Invasive Species

5. Pollution

2. OVER HARVESTING

Over harvesting plants and animals leads to the depletion of a species to very low numbers or even extinction.

When one species is over harvested, the food web is unbalanced and other species are affected, too.

View film clips at http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/133385/conservation/272685/Overharvesting

GO FISH!

One Data Sheet per team

One cup of fish and ocean per team

Put 30 fish in ocean

Each team member has 1 straw and 1 paper towel

OVER HARVESTING

Activity- Go Fish!

Teams of Four; get supplies from Helen

TWO plates, FOUR straws (1/student), FOUR paper towels (1/student), pile of fish on ONE plate *Please refrain from eating the goldfish until later!!

Count out 30 fish per group on empty plate (Your OCEAN),

OVER-HARVESTING-TRAGEDY OF THE

COMMONSWhat is the idea behind of the “tragedy of the commons?”

What are some examples of it you are aware of today?

Are there any problems with the theory? Explain.

http://study.com/academy/lesson/tragedy-of-the-commons-theory-definition-examples.html

TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS

Is the depletion or degradation of a renewable resource to which people have unmanaged access

It happens because people are self-interested and

Think the earth’s resources are inexhaustible

Believe their use of the resource is justified and has a minimal effect since they are just one person using the resource.

OVERFISHING

Read the handout on overfishing in the oceans.

Read the article about shrimp fishing in Canada

As you read, underline FIVE facts that stand out to you as important.

Pair share your FIVE facts

Write a ONE Paragraph reflection about overfishing in your INB.

http://www.fishonline.org/information/Pocket+goodfishguide

3. HABITAT LOSS

Describes the loss of natural ecosystems due to human activities.

Is the #1 cause of endangerment and extinction for plants and animals

ACTIVITIES THAT CAUSE HABITAT LOSS

Is mostly due to

1. Land conversion for development- Filling wetlands, cutting forests, and plowing fields

2. Agriculture-Much done long ago when forests were cleared for cropland; chemicals used on crops degrade water and soil today

3. Water development- Dams and other diversions siphon off and disconnect waters

TYPES OF HABITAT LOSS

1. Habitat Destruction- Clearing forests, filling wetlands, building roads and buildings on sensitive lands

2. Habitat Fragmentation- Much of the remaining undeveloped land has been cut up into small pieces NOT large enough for wildlife

3. Habitat Degradation-Use of chemicals or disruption of land so it no longer supports species

4. LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms living in an ecosystem

It is being limited by pollution, climate change and invasive species

LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

Invasive Species-

Are plants and animals introduced to a new ecosystem by humans.

They can outcompete native species for resources in an ecosystem and

INVASIVE SPECIES IN OREGON

Use the ODFW site (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/invasive_species.asp)

Pick ONE invasive species from the list and record the following information- *Common & Scientific Name *Physical Description + Picture *Ecology (habitat, food, space needs) *How did it get here? *Why is it a threat? *What is being done?

WARM-UP 9/19/17

1. What is causing habitat loss? Answer by describing the THREE human activities that threaten ecological habitats on earth.

2. Describe the THREE ways habitat is harmed for species. Give an example of each.

3. What is biodiversity? Explain its TWO qualities.

4. How is biodiversity tied to habitat loss?

5. What TWO qualities do invasive species have?

5. POLLUTION

Is the disruption of the natural components of earth’s resources (air, water, soil...) from industry & transportation.

Damages the natural environment and human health.

Sewage, trash, exhaust, agricultural and household chemicals, car and industrial emissions,

GALLERY WALK DIRECTIONS

Rounds 1-3- Learn about THREE other invasive species or give information about your species to THREE other groups. I will rotate you every FOUR minutes. Please don’t move on until I tell you to.

Rounds 4-6- Switch roles and give (if you were getting) or get (if you were presenting) information on THREE species.

You should have THREE new species recorded today!

DO ONE LAST ROUND

Find a pair or person you haven’t heard from yet and exchange information with them for a FOURTH invasive species for your grid.

Return to your seats when you’re done. Answer these Debrief Questions on the bottom of your sheet-

1. What pattern(s) do you see in the invasive species you learned about? Cite 2-3.

2. Which was the worst, in your opinion? Why?

EQ #3- WHAT LED TO THE PASSAGE OF ENV LAWS?

The US hasn’t always had environmental laws in place.

The 1960’s and 1970’s Environmental Movement led to the passage of most major environmental laws.

WHY DID THE US PASS ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS?

Many US rivers in the 1930s-1960s periodically caught on fire due to pollution from oil and other flammable chemicals

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTALISM

1960’s - The movement is born; science begins to show that pollution and chemicals are hurting the earth,

Silent Spring was written by Rachel Carson; it sounds the alarm on the effect of pesticides on ecological systems

The start of the Environmental Movement and a concern about the principles of ecology begins.

WHAT IS THE EPA?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created on December 2, 1970. Why? Read the article and underline answers to the questions below as you read.

1. Why did the environmental movement begin in the US in the 1960’s? Cite THREE reasons/data.

2. What happened in the 1970’s to spark Nixon’s support of environmental policies?

THE ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT-1970’S

1970’s- Most of the major environmental laws are passed and signed - The Endangered Species Act -The Clean Air & Clean Water Acts

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created to enforce all Environmental Laws.

HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTALISM

1980’s-Backlash occurs; Reagan administration supports business and development; laws pass that remove environmental restrictions on businesses; rules soften; previous gains of the environmental movement are severely damaged

1990’s- Present -Holding the line; Environmentalists work to keep earlier laws from being weakened or eliminated

USING THE COURTS

Today many environmental groups use the courts to further environmental protections and keep existing laws relevant.

Julianna v. U.S.- Our Children’s Trust

See film clip

DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN A DEMOCRACY

Democracy is government by the people through elected officials and representatives

Change is slow in democracies to ensure stability and to be sure all have a voice

Solutions involve compromises

Special interests and money influence the process

HOW IS ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY MADE IN THE US?

The Legislative Branch- Makes laws and policies, oversees work of the Executive Branch

The Executive Branch- Carries out the laws passed by Congress; creates agencies to enforce the laws; creates rules to make others comply with laws

The Judicial Branch- At the state and federal level decides

If laws are legal under the constitution

What the the laws mean;

If laws are being carried out fairly by the government

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

Environmental laws try to define what is reasonable resource use for individuals and groups according to the larger community and for the environment (to keep it healthy).

The Goals of Environmental laws-

To attempt to balance competing social and private interests

To protect the benefits of the natural world

To protect the rights of individuals to own and use property and resources

APPROACHES OF US ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS

1. Set standards for pollution levels (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act). Accept some pollution and inspect to ensure pollution stays within limits of law.

2. Screen new substances for safety (Toxic Substances Control Act).

3. Encourage resource conservation (Nat’l Energy Act) Use less and reward conservation.

WHAT APPROACHES DO MOST ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS TAKE?

4. Set aside or protect various ecosystems, resources and species (The Endangered Species Act)

5. Require an evaluation of the environmental impact of a project before it is built. (National Environmental Policy Act)

Who enforces environmental laws?

The Environmental Protection Agency (federal

UNIT 1 STUDY GUIDE WORK TIME

Unit 1 Quiz takes place tomorrow on FRIDAY.

Complete 15 QUESTIONS off of the Study Guide and turn in before the quiz.

If you have your assignment done at class time, you earn FIVE extra credit points!! Yay!