Global Issues Introduction to Global Issues Mr Scully

Global Issues Introduction to Global Issues Mr Scully Year 8 Geography

Outcomes for this Lesson Describe what global issues are affecting the world currently. Outline what dimensions affect these issues. Describe Active Citizenship.

Global Issues Although we live in different countries, we all share the same planet. Global geographical issues are matters that concern us all. They include issues about changes in environments, and how people interact with environments and with each other. Global geographical issues include: • climate change • energy use • land degradation • use of ocean resources • urbanisation • human rights • indigenous people and self-determination • threatened habitats • tourism • access to fresh water

Geographical issues make headlines in newspapers and on the television news. They are part of everyday conversations. For example: Do you think the climate is getting warmer? How can governments solve the refugee crisis? Global geographical issues can be investigated from a spatial and an ecological dimension. The spatial dimension explains where things are and why they are there. The ecological dimension describes the relationship between people and the environment, and the effects they have on each other.

Active Citizenship We are all responsible for the management of global issues. As active citizens we aim to move from being part of the problem to being part of the solution by promoting ecological sustainability and social justice. Active citizenship is participating in community activities and being involved in decisions about what happens in communities and environments. Participation can be at a local, national or global scale.

Extension Describe what is happening in each picture. Does it involve Active Citizenship? If so, how?