Environmental change and sustainable development

Geography

Secondary

Five KS3/KS4 videos on climate, tourism and natural resources

Show Key Stage 3/4 geography pupils what the future holds for Antarctica, addressing climate change, tourism, sustainable development and international treaties, with five lessons-starting videos in this classroom resource. Each short video can be used individually and covers diverse topics including an introduction to the idea of researching glaciers, and how this relates to theories on the rate of climate change. Also examine with secondary students the conditions of the International Antarctic Treaty, the ecological footprint of the tourist trade and the debate over whether mining rigs should be built in Antarctica to access its natural resources.

Antarctica

See how California is working to sustain bio-diversity

California is working hard to sustain the range of beautiful and unique animal life within its borders, and San Diego Zoo is at the forefront of these efforts. The zoo, one of the most famous and pioneering in the world, has helped to revolutionised the way such centres work.It has transformed them from tourist attractions into organisations working to sustain endangered species. It has also fostered the idea of keeping animals in open spaces, mimicking their natural habitats, rather than keeping them locked in small cages. The programme also tells of the zoo's collaboration with China to help protect the Giant Panda from extinction, and how the Californian Condor was brought back from the brink of extinction in the late 1980s. Sustainability in California is a series showing the ingenuity and cutting edge technology that California is applying to clean energy, biodiversity and creating sustainable buildings.

Bio-diversity

The idea of sustainable buildings are explored in California

This programme focuses on the different ways of making sustainable buildings for the future in California. The greening of Google and the opening of the California Academy of Sciences also show us how buildings may evolve in the future. Google has managed to generate 30 per cent of their energy needs through extensive solar panelling installed on their Silicon Valley campus. Meanwhile, the California Academy of Sciences new building, features a plethora of green credentials and is a revolutionary model of how public buildings can be made sustainable. The building, which is set to open in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park in September 2008, includes a living roof planted with native grasses and flowers, extensive solar panelling and energy saving technologies.

Buildings

An illustrated introduction to the topic of climate change

This richly illustrated programme uses animation and natural history footage to provide an introduction to the topic of climate change at Key Stage 3/4. Concepts covered include: naturally occurring greenhouse gases; natural variations in climate; industrialisation and population growth; use of fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions. The programme also considers the reasons why climate change can appear to be controversial, looks at how scientists ensure their research is valid, and explains some of the moral and political dilemmas posed by climate change.

Climate Change - The Causes

A look at the potential impacts of climate change

An illustrated look at the potential impacts of climate change, focusing on examples from around the globe. Environments including African drought plains and the diverse Bangladeshi topography are analysed. We also explore the impact that climate change is having on polar bears in the Arctic and coral reef ecosystems in the tropics. This programme makes the point that though such threats to the environment are real their final impact is not inevitable, encouraging students to think about and discuss what should be done.

Climate Change - The Impacts

The effects of climate change are looked at, in verse

A look at the possible effects of climate change through the use of a poem called Degrees of Change, in a video for use with KS3 geography students. Scientists have predicted that temperatures could rise as much as six degrees, due to climate change. This could result in dire consequences for the UK, such as flooding and low water supplies. Contributors from the Royal Meteorological Society, a tower crane operator and the London Fire Brigade, offer their views, in verse, on possible scenarios and whether anything can be done.

Degrees of Change

Striking environmental images for KS3/KS4 geography students

Provide a visual overview of the Antarctic, with this short lesson-starting classroom resource designed to give an introduction to environmental change and sustainable development, for Key Stage 3/4 geography students. Using silent footage, the images of the continent provide an insight into what life is like there. The video ends with a question designed to stimulate classroom discussions about secondary pupils' impressions of the icy continent.

Ecosystems - Antarctica

Costs of industrially exploiting Antarctica, for KS3/4 geography

Quickly introduce the controversy around industrial exploitation in Antarctica, with this lesson-starting classroom resource on environmental change and sustainable development, designed for Key Stage 3/4 geography students. The video explains the 1961 Antarctica Treaty, the main areas the agreement covered and the potential environmental costs of mining the area for natural gas and oil. Further discussion is encouraged at the end with a question for secondary pupils to debate.

Ecosystems - Exploitation

Explore glacial science and research with KS3/4 geography pupils

Quickly introduce the scientific research being conducted on how holes are formed in glaciers, with this short classroom resource on environmental change and sustainable development for secondary geography students . The video explains how and why these holes, called cryoconite holes, are formed, revealing the research being carried out on them in Antarctica. Pupils are then asked for their own views, with a question posed at the end to create classroom discussion among Key Stage 3/4 pupils.

Ecosystems - Holes in Glaciers

Show the debate over research in Antarctica, for KS3/4 geography

Introduce the main arguments for and against carrying out research in Antarctica, with this lesson-starting classroom resource on environmental change and sustainable development, aimed at Key Stage 3/4 geography students. Scientists with opposing views are interviewed, explaining their rationale for their opinions and raising a number of issues surrounding the controversial issue. At the end, a question is posed to generate a debate on the subject among secondary students.

Professional Development for Quality Teaching

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> Secondary Geography

> Environmental change and sustainable development