Session+7

= Session #7,8,9 - Carbon Footprint Culminating =


 * Session Summary: ** By playing through the simulations in the previous session you have hopefully realized that it is REALLY difficult for government policies alone to solve the problem of excess greenhouse gas emissions. They need to balance the needs of the planet with the needs of the people, and they also need to get elected. That is a very difficult balance to achieve. So the question once again is what can be done and who can do it? There are many thing that can be done and WE are the ones that must do it.


 * What are we doing?: ** We need to determine how our current activities are producing greenhouse gases and how we can make changes in our lives to reduce our greenhouse gas production. Our personal impact on the environment is called our ecological footprint. This session is broken down into parts:


 * Part 1: Determine your ecological footprint: **

You are going to use an online ecological footprint calculator to determine what impact you have on your world compared to other people on the planet. When ready click the link below and complete the worksheet your teacher gave you based on your results. A link to the worksheet is included as well:

http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/calculators/




 * Part 2: Make a Plan to Change!**

You hopefully determined from part 1 that you need to make some changes. During part 2 you are going to create a small poster that is a personal pledge to make a change. Not only will this poster help you make a change it will be displayed to help others make a change too. You need to make a change in each area of your footprint analysis: - Food - Shelter - Goods - Mobility - Services

Where to begin? The following is a great resource from the David Suzuki foundation: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/reduce-your-carbon-footprint/

At the heart of your poster should be your ecological footprint graph and then the changes represented artistically around it. It should be VERY CLEAR what the change you are making is for people viewing the poster. Supplies will be provided for you.

Your poster will be evaluated according to the following rubric:

Poster Planning Chart:

Greenhouse Gases Film http://www.learn360.com/ShowVideo.aspx?ID=253793
 * Teacher's Resource:**