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Aligned Standards: ESS.EES.5.6: Construct an argument to evaluate a range of solutions to mitigate impacts of human activities on Earth's systems.
Engage
Watch the following video before you answer the following questions below: What is the tragedy of the commons? - Nicholas Amendolare
Question - In what ways do you think people “over” consume resources, and why might this be a problem?
How does the concept of individual freedom versus common good manifest in modern issues like climate change? What are the potential conflicts?
How might the historical, cultural, and economic backgrounds of different groups (e.g. a small local community vs. a large, global population) influence their approach to managing a shared resource?
Explore
Individual Activity: Fill out the Sustainability Chart below in breakout rooms We will reconvene as a whole class and have each group share insights and conclusions. Think about examples of at least three “traditional” practices associated with the following: mining, agriculture, deforestation, waste disposal, and urban development. For each line in the chart, explain what the traditional practice is, why it is NOT sustainable, and offer a sustainable alternative (hint: think of solutions in terms of specific ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle).
Also Check out THESE videos: What really happens to the plastic you throw away - Emma Bryce The smallest solution to one of our biggest problems - Tierney Thys & Christian Sardet
Traditional method or practice
This is not sustainable because...
Sustainable Alternative
Explain
Review notes and key concepts for this lesson: EES 5.6 Slides
While the notes themselves do not count for a grade, you are expected to know and understand this material
Elaborate
Group Discussion Activity: Answer the following discussion questions in breakout rooms. After discussions, we will reconvene as a whole class and have each group share insights and conclusions - record your answers below (if working independently, just complete on your own).
What are examples of mitigation/conservation efforts for human activities including:
Mining →
Deforestation →
Waste disposal →
Agriculture practices →
Urbanization →
Land development/land use →
Population growth →
Evaluate
Assessment: Take the EES 5.6 Quiz on this topic (assigned as a separate grade on Canvas)
Keep every answer a short and simple sentence
All Answers 1
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- People overconsume by using excessive energy, water, and materials.
- This overconsumption causes resource depletion, habitat loss, and pollution.
- Individual freedom versus common good appears in climate change when personal choices harm shared air and climate.
- Conflicts include unequal responsibility, short-term economic interests, and resistance to regulation.
- Historical, cultural, and economic backgrounds shape resource choices and priorities.
- Small local communities may favor subsistence and stewardship while global populations may prioritize industry and trade.
Explore — Sustainability Chart (three traditional practices per category with why not sustainable and a sustainable alternative)
Mining 1
- Traditional: Open-pit mining removes large areas of land.
- This is not sustainable because it destroys habitats and contaminates water.
- Alternative: Recycle metals and require mine reclamation.
Mining 2
- Traditional: Mountaintop removal blasts away ecosystems for coal.
- This is not sustainable because it causes erosion and toxic runoff.
- Alternative: Use underground methods where possible and recycle energy materials.
Mining 3
- Traditional: Artisanal mining often uses mercury and informal practices.
- This is not sustainable because it pollutes rivers and harms health.
- Alternative: Enforce safer methods and promote material reuse and recycling.
Agriculture 1
- Traditional: Monoculture grows a single crop over large areas.
- This is not sustainable because it depletes soil and reduces biodiversity.
- Alternative: Use crop rotation and polyculture to restore soil and reduce inputs.
Agriculture 2
- Traditional: Slash-and-burn clears forest for temporary fields.
- This is not sustainable because it causes deforestation and carbon release.
- Alternative: Adopt agroforestry and sustainable land management to reduce burning.
Agriculture 3
- Traditional: Heavy pesticide and fertilizer use boosts short-term yields.
- This is not sustainable because it pollutes water and kills beneficial species.
- Alternative: Use integrated pest management and compost to reduce chemicals.
Deforestation 1
- Traditional: Clear-cut logging removes all trees from an area.
- This is not sustainable because it destroys ecosystems and increases erosion.
- Alternative: Practice selective logging and replant native trees.
Deforestation 2
- Traditional: Converting forest to cattle pasture clears vegetation.
- This is not sustainable because it lowers carbon storage and biodiversity.
- Alternative: Use sustainable grazing and restore native vegetation.
Deforestation 3
- Traditional: Illegal logging ignores management and oversight.
- This is not sustainable because it causes unchecked forest loss.
- Alternative: Enforce laws, certify sustainable timber, and recycle wood products.
Waste disposal 1
- Traditional: Open dumping leaves trash exposed in the environment.
- This is not sustainable because it contaminates soil and water.
- Alternative: Implement proper landfills and expand recycling programs.
Waste disposal 2
- Traditional: Single-use plastics are produced and discarded frequently.
- This is not sustainable because plastics persist and harm wildlife.
- Alternative: Reduce single-use items, reuse containers, and recycle plastics.
Waste disposal 3
- Traditional: Direct sewage discharge empties waste into waterways.
- This is not sustainable because it spreads disease and degrades ecosystems.
- Alternative: Build sewage treatment and reuse treated water.
Urban development 1
- Traditional: Urban sprawl spreads low-density housing outward.
- This is not sustainable because it consumes land and increases driving.
- Alternative: Promote compact, mixed-use development and public transit.
Urban development 2
- Traditional: Paving wetlands and green spaces for development.
- This is not sustainable because it removes flood buffers and habitat.
- Alternative: Preserve green spaces and use permeable surfaces and green roofs.
Urban development 3
- Traditional: Designing cities around cars instead of people.
- This is not sustainable because it raises emissions and air pollution.
- Alternative: Expand walking, biking, and public transit and reuse existing land.
Explain
- I have reviewed the EES 5.6 slides and understand the key concepts.
Elaborate — Mitigation and conservation examples (one sentence each)
- Mining → Recycle metals, require reclamation, and enforce cleaner extraction.
- Deforestation → Create protected areas, reforest, and use sustainable forestry.
- Waste disposal → Increase recycling, composting, and reduce single-use products.
- Agriculture practices → Adopt crop rotation, organic methods, and efficient irrigation.
- Urbanization → Build compact cities, expand public transit, and preserve green space.
- Land development/land use → Use smart growth planning and require environmental reviews.
- Population growth → Provide education, healthcare, and family planning services.
- People overconsume by using excessive energy, water, and materials.
- This overconsumption causes resource depletion, habitat loss, and pollution.
- Individual freedom versus common good appears in climate change when personal choices harm shared air and climate.
- Conflicts include unequal responsibility, short-term economic interests, and resistance to regulation.
- Historical, cultural, and economic backgrounds shape resource choices and priorities.
- Small local communities may favor subsistence and stewardship while global populations may prioritize industry and trade.
Explore — Sustainability Chart (three traditional practices per category with why not sustainable and a sustainable alternative)
Mining 1
- Traditional: Open-pit mining removes large areas of land.
- This is not sustainable because it destroys habitats and contaminates water.
- Alternative: Recycle metals and require mine reclamation.
Mining 2
- Traditional: Mountaintop removal blasts away ecosystems for coal.
- This is not sustainable because it causes erosion and toxic runoff.
- Alternative: Use underground methods where possible and recycle energy materials.
Mining 3
- Traditional: Artisanal mining often uses mercury and informal practices.
- This is not sustainable because it pollutes rivers and harms health.
- Alternative: Enforce safer methods and promote material reuse and recycling.
Agriculture 1
- Traditional: Monoculture grows a single crop over large areas.
- This is not sustainable because it depletes soil and reduces biodiversity.
- Alternative: Use crop rotation and polyculture to restore soil and reduce inputs.
Agriculture 2
- Traditional: Slash-and-burn clears forest for temporary fields.
- This is not sustainable because it causes deforestation and carbon release.
- Alternative: Adopt agroforestry and sustainable land management to reduce burning.
Agriculture 3
- Traditional: Heavy pesticide and fertilizer use boosts short-term yields.
- This is not sustainable because it pollutes water and kills beneficial species.
- Alternative: Use integrated pest management and compost to reduce chemicals.
Deforestation 1
- Traditional: Clear-cut logging removes all trees from an area.
- This is not sustainable because it destroys ecosystems and increases erosion.
- Alternative: Practice selective logging and replant native trees.
Deforestation 2
- Traditional: Converting forest to cattle pasture clears vegetation.
- This is not sustainable because it lowers carbon storage and biodiversity.
- Alternative: Use sustainable grazing and restore native vegetation.
Deforestation 3
- Traditional: Illegal logging ignores management and oversight.
- This is not sustainable because it causes unchecked forest loss.
- Alternative: Enforce laws, certify sustainable timber, and recycle wood products.
Waste disposal 1
- Traditional: Open dumping leaves trash exposed in the environment.
- This is not sustainable because it contaminates soil and water.
- Alternative: Implement proper landfills and expand recycling programs.
Waste disposal 2
- Traditional: Single-use plastics are produced and discarded frequently.
- This is not sustainable because plastics persist and harm wildlife.
- Alternative: Reduce single-use items, reuse containers, and recycle plastics.
Waste disposal 3
- Traditional: Direct sewage discharge empties waste into waterways.
- This is not sustainable because it spreads disease and degrades ecosystems.
- Alternative: Build sewage treatment and reuse treated water.
Urban development 1
- Traditional: Urban sprawl spreads low-density housing outward.
- This is not sustainable because it consumes land and increases driving.
- Alternative: Promote compact, mixed-use development and public transit.
Urban development 2
- Traditional: Paving wetlands and green spaces for development.
- This is not sustainable because it removes flood buffers and habitat.
- Alternative: Preserve green spaces and use permeable surfaces and green roofs.
Urban development 3
- Traditional: Designing cities around cars instead of people.
- This is not sustainable because it raises emissions and air pollution.
- Alternative: Expand walking, biking, and public transit and reuse existing land.
Explain
- I have reviewed the EES 5.6 slides and understand the key concepts.
Elaborate — Mitigation and conservation examples (one sentence each)
- Mining → Recycle metals, require reclamation, and enforce cleaner extraction.
- Deforestation → Create protected areas, reforest, and use sustainable forestry.
- Waste disposal → Increase recycling, composting, and reduce single-use products.
- Agriculture practices → Adopt crop rotation, organic methods, and efficient irrigation.
- Urbanization → Build compact cities, expand public transit, and preserve green space.
- Land development/land use → Use smart growth planning and require environmental reviews.
- Population growth → Provide education, healthcare, and family planning services.
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