Getting Started With

Global Issues

Getting Started With

Global Issues

Answer KeyAnswer Key

5 Characteristics of a Global Issue

5 Characteristics of a Global Issue

• Persistent• Widespread• Affects large #’s of people

• Is an underlying cause of events

• Is connected to other global issues

• Persistent• Widespread• Affects large #’s of people

• Is an underlying cause of events

• Is connected to other global issues

Mobile as a metaphor for relationship between

global issues

Mobile as a metaphor for relationship between

global issues• As with a mobile, changes with one part of the system affect other issues and the entire system

• As with a mobile, changes with one part of the system affect other issues and the entire system

Darfur, Sudan crisis & interconnected issuesDarfur, Sudan crisis & interconnected issues

• Desertification, poverty, migration & high fertility rates heightened competition between Arab herders and African farmers for the scarce resources of wood, food, & water

• Desertification, poverty, migration & high fertility rates heightened competition between Arab herders and African farmers for the scarce resources of wood, food, & water

Good Quality of Life Factors

Good Quality of Life Factors

• Food• Water• Shelter• Health• Education• Family• Community• Political & Religious Freedom,

• Happiness• Security

• Food• Water• Shelter• Health• Education• Family• Community• Political & Religious Freedom,

• Happiness• Security

Developed vs. Developing Countries

Developed vs. Developing Countries

• Developed countries have higher average per capita income than developing countries

• Developed countries have higher average per capita income than developing countries

SustainabilitySustainability

• Ability to meet our needs without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs in the areas of economy, environment, & society

• Ability to meet our needs without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their needs in the areas of economy, environment, & society

Renewable ResourcesRenewable Resources

• Can be restored or replenished at basically the same rate they are consumed

Ex: forests, fish, wind, water, tides, solar energy

• Can be restored or replenished at basically the same rate they are consumed

Ex: forests, fish, wind, water, tides, solar energy

Non-renewable Resources

Non-renewable Resources

• Exist in fixed amounts and cannot be readily restored through human or natural processesEx: metal, minerals, fossil fuels

• Exist in fixed amounts and cannot be readily restored through human or natural processesEx: metal, minerals, fossil fuels

Carrying CapacityCarrying Capacity

• The maximum number of people the Earth can support without permanent ecological damage or resource depletion

• Increased by the agricultural revolution’s food production technology

• Decreased by higher population, pollution, & resource consumption rates

• The maximum number of people the Earth can support without permanent ecological damage or resource depletion

• Increased by the agricultural revolution’s food production technology

• Decreased by higher population, pollution, & resource consumption rates

GDP vs. GPIGDP vs. GPI• GDP calculates economic growth as the total amount of goods & services produced annualy in a country; GPI also adds desirable non-material services such as volunteerism and childcare and subtracts negative factors such as crime & pollution

• GDP calculates economic growth as the total amount of goods & services produced annualy in a country; GPI also adds desirable non-material services such as volunteerism and childcare and subtracts negative factors such as crime & pollution

Pg. 11 Graph comparing GDP & GPI betweebn 1970 & mid

1990’s

Pg. 11 Graph comparing GDP & GPI betweebn 1970 & mid

1990’s

• GDP up, GPI down• GDP up, GPI down

“No Exit” Cartoon“No Exit” Cartoon

• “The grass is always greener on the other side” - our notion of “happiness” is sometimes driven by what other people have

• “The grass is always greener on the other side” - our notion of “happiness” is sometimes driven by what other people have

Personal vs. Structural Solutions

Personal vs. Structural Solutions

• Personal solutions are individual actions that can contribute to sustainability, but structural solutions attempt to address underlying causes and often involve government decisions and policies that encourage or discourage certain behaviors

• Personal solutions are individual actions that can contribute to sustainability, but structural solutions attempt to address underlying causes and often involve government decisions and policies that encourage or discourage certain behaviors

Tax Policies or Subsidies on Fossil Fuel Use

Tax Policies or Subsidies on Fossil Fuel Use

• Governments can reduce gas consumption by raising the gas tax or subsidizing the auto industry to develop higher mileage vehicles

• Governments can reduce gas consumption by raising the gas tax or subsidizing the auto industry to develop higher mileage vehicles

System (living/non-living)

System (living/non-living)

• Non-systems approach: a quick fix, doesn’t consider the interrelations, alternative, or mobile affect

• Systems approach: a sustainable approach that considers causes & multiple effects, now and in future

• Non-systems approach: a quick fix, doesn’t consider the interrelations, alternative, or mobile affect

• Systems approach: a sustainable approach that considers causes & multiple effects, now and in future

Worldview + influencesWorldview + influences

• A person’s basic assumption & beliefs about how the world works

• Influenced by culture, history, family, religion, & education

• A person’s basic assumption & beliefs about how the world works

• Influenced by culture, history, family, religion, & education

Real World Event (Iceberg Model)Real World Event (Iceberg Model)

• Events = tip of iceberg, what we first hear or see in the

news• Patterns = recurring events• Structures = the underlying cause of patterns & events

• Events = tip of iceberg, what we first hear or see in the

news• Patterns = recurring events• Structures = the underlying cause of patterns & events

Multiple Perspectives & Critical Thinking for

Sustainability

Multiple Perspectives & Critical Thinking for

Sustainability• Multiple perspectives leads us to appreciate & benefit from the viewpoints of diverse peoples.

• Critical thinking demands that we gather necessary information and credible evidence to reach wise solutions.

• Multiple perspectives leads us to appreciate & benefit from the viewpoints of diverse peoples.

• Critical thinking demands that we gather necessary information and credible evidence to reach wise solutions.

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