Exploring current issues in the classroom

This feature was developed by Resources for Rethinking to connect students to some of the efforts being made to solve important problems that are affecting our planet. Hot Topics are published during the school year to coincide with the timing of national and international campaigns taking place to raise awareness of these key issues.

Each Hot Topic edition includes links to classroom materials from the Resources for Rethinking database that will encourage students and teachers to explore the environmental, economic and social dimensions of these issues and to take action in support of the larger campaign.

Hot Topics Calendar
UN International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer September 16
Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup September 15-23, 2012
World Food Day October 16
Waste Reduction Week October 15-21, 2012
World Fisheries Day November 21
Buy Nothing Day November 23, 2012
COP 18: UN Climate Change Conference November 26 - December 7, 2012
World Wetlands Day February 2
Word Day of Social Justice February 20
World Water Day March 22
Earth Hour March 23, 2013
Earth Day April 22
International Day for Biological Diversity May 22
Canadian Enviroment Week June 2-8, 2013

May 22^nd is recognized around the world as the International Day for Biodiversity.   In 1993 the United Nations proclaimed this annual celebration to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to encourage the protection of all species.  The theme for this year’s event is 'Water and Biodiversity'.

The International Day for Biological Diversity provides an excellent opportunity for students and teachers to explore biodiversity issues within their own communities.

Why Care About Biological Diversity?

• The more biodiverse an ecosystem, the greater its ability to withstand disturbance.
• Even the smallest and most obscure species play vital roles in sustaining the web of life in all ecosystems.
• The extinction of each additional species brings the irreversible loss of unique genetic codes which are often linked to development of medicines, crops, and jobs.
• Of the top 150 prescription drugs, 118 originally have come from living creatures. Cures for existing and future diseases may well be found in nature’s inventory of species. The potential pharmaceutical value of marine ecosystems is estimated at more than five trillion dollars.
• Not since the disappearance of the dinosaurs has the rate of species extinction been greater than today. Virtually all of this loss is being caused by human activities.
• The current extinction rate is between 100 and 1,000 times greater than what it was before 1800. (E.O. Wilson)
• Many aquatic ecosystems are currently under threat from climate change, pollution and the introduction of invasive species.
• Fifty percent of the Earth’s oxygen is generated by marine phytoplankton.
• The loss of biodiversity is perhaps the only truly irreversible global environmental change the Earth faces today.

Resources 4 Rethinking encourages students and teachers to participate in the International Day for Biological Diversity. Top R4R Picks will connect you to some excellent resources to support these efforts.

Other Resource:

• Explore resources offered by the Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (BEAN), on teaching biodiversity in the classroom:

     http://biodiversityeducation.ca

• For more information and activities be sure to check out the International Day for Biological Diversity website at: http://www.cbd.int/idb/

World Environment Day was established by the United Nations in 1972 to encourage global action on behalf of the environment.  A primary objective of this event is to personalize environmental issues and help people realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development. Canadian Environment Week is held annually during the first week of June to coincide with World Environment Day (June 5) .  In addition to marking World Environment Day, this week-long celebration includes Clean Air Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8).  In keeping with the UN's designation of 2013 as the 'International Year of Water Cooperation', the theme of Canadian Environment Week is Water: Working Together.

Canadian Environment Week provides many wonderful opportunities for teachers and students to investigate a range of important environmental issues and bring about positive changes within their own communities.

Why Participate in Canadian Environment Week?

• Canadian Environment Week activities will focus attention on important issues related to our environment and our quality of life.

• Canadian Environment Week can provide students with meaningful opportunities to make a difference in their community.

• Participation in Canadian Environment Week activities can demonstrate the importance of individual efforts in caring for the environment.

• Canadian Environment Week can provide an opportunity to recognize our shortcomings and celebrate our achievements in protecting the environment.

Resources 4 Rethinking encourages students and teachers to participate in the Canadian Environment Week.  Top R4R Picks will connect you to some excellent resources to support these efforts.

For more information and activities to support this special week, be sure to check:

• Canadian Environment Week at: http://www.ec.gc.ca/sce-cew

• World Environment Day at: http://www.unep.org/wed/

• World Oceans Day at: http://worldoceansday.org/