STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES -Learn by Distance Education, or through an online course
- Gain a foundation knowledge of the Environment
- Learn how living and non living things interact and are co-dependant upon each other for a sustainable world
- Learn to live a more sustainable and green lifestyle
An excellent introduction to environmental studies providing a broad based grounding in environmental and conservation issues, and a foundation course for higher learning.
If you have not studied the Environment before, this is an excellent place to begin.
Lesson Structure
There are 6 lessons in this course:
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Living Things
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Classification of plants and animals
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identifying living organisms
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using identification keys
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Basic Ecology
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Populations
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communities
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ecosystems
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constituents of ecosystem
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the ecosphere
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the web of life
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habitats and niches
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humans in the environment.
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Global Environmental Systems
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the Earth’s structure
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the atmosphere
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climatic systems
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Gaia theory
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the carbon dioxide cycle
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El Nino.
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Environmental Problems
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deforestation
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loss of agricultural land
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loss of biological diversity
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loss of water
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loss of non renewable resources
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environmental weeds
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the Greenhouse Effect
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ozone depletion
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ozone as a Greenhouse gas
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Conservation
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he definition and goals of conservation
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the history of conservation
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natural resources (renewable and non renewable).
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Acting Locally: Thinking Globally
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humans and water
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how to minimize water usage
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energy use in the home
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reducing household waste
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domestic transport and its affect on pollution
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building materials and their environmental impact.
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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To understand the binomial system of classifying living things
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To understand the use of keys to identify living things
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To grasp the basics of ecology (the relationships between living organisms and their environment)
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To have a basic grounding in Earth Science and an understanding of global environmental systems
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To understand the Earth’s major environmental problems and how they have come about
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To gain an understanding of conservation and its importance to individuals and the world
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To learn a range of ways to reduce the environmental impact of ones’ actions at home and globally
What You Will Do
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Classify a range of living organisms in your locality
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Identify the genus and species names of plants in a nursery
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Compose a food web for your local area
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Carry out basic research into the weather in your area and what affects it
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Carry out in depth research into at least one major environmental problem
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Contact three conservation organisations to determine the issues they deal with
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Survey a building to determine the types of building materials used
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Design an environmentally friendly house
Sustainability is Important for Everyone
Understanding the environment is not just something to be interested in; it is something that everyone needs to know about and understand.
The impact of human beings on the environment can be likened to a geological force that is shaping the earth and its atmosphere. Mechanisation has allowed us to destroy entire worlds. Pollution, destruction of species on land and in the sea, land erosion through mass clearing of forests, damming of rivers, salinity, creation of deserts from fertile land, the greenhouse effect and overuse of earth’s natural resources are all part of this force. If human beings expect to survive, then the damage created over the previous century needs to be re-dressed. We need to implement sustainable systems of living; the earth’s natural resources are finite: its ecology is fragile: its biodiversity is shrinking.
In order to understand the fragility of our environment everyone needs to be educated and aware of alternatives; it is up to the individual (particularly those in affluent nations) to implement change through their own behaviour as well as through political pressure. Our very survival depends upon the conservation of nature. Because we are only part of a large ecosystem, humans when stripped of all modern developments, are as defenceless as any other animal. Man too is fashioned by the harsh laws of nature. In order for humanity (in general) to understand the importance of conservation we need to understand the concepts. This can only be achieved through education. It has been said that the study of nature is the study of survival!
In the 21st century trends are changing; governments are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of past (and present) practices. Scientists are looking at way of arresting and sometimes reversing environmental damage. Farmers are being educated to work with rather then against nature. Sustainable systems of consumption, growth and use of the environment and our natural resources are being studied and implemented. The "green movement" is very active with regards the environment, ordinary people encouraging change. This is the first generation that has become seriously worried about what the actions of today will have on the lives of future generations. Many attitudes still need to be changed but this century shows an encouraging change for the future.
Our long term sustainability is dependant upon understanding and properly managing the environment.
