CGR4M – THE ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT – GRADE 12

Prerequisite: Any university, university/college, or college preparation course in Canadian and world studies, English, or social sciences and humanities

This course investigates interactions between natural and human systems, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of human activity on ecosystems and natural processes. Students will use the geographic inquiry process, apply the concepts of geographic thinking, and employ a variety of spatial skills and technologies to analyse these impacts and propose ways of reducing them. During their investigations, they will assess resource management and sustainability practices, as well as related government policies and international accords. They will also consider questions of individual responsibility and environmental stewardship as they explore ways of developing a more sustainable relationship with the environment.

OVERVIEW

The course has five strands. Instruction and learning related to the expectations in strand A are to be interwoven with instruction and learning related to expectations from the other four strands. Strand A must not be seen as independent of the other strands. Student achievement of the expectations in strand A is to be assessed and evaluated throughout the course.

Strand A

A.Geographic Inquiry and Skill Development

A1. Geographic Inquiry: Use the geographic inquiry process and the concepts of geographic thinking when investigating issues related to the environment and the management of natural resources.

A2. Developing Transferable Skills: apply in everyday contexts skills, including spatial skills, developed through geographical investigation, and identify careers in which a background in geography might be an asset.

Spatial Organization

B1. Protecting Species and Spaces: assess various strategies used for protecting natural spaces and species, locally, nationally, and globally (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Interrelationships)

B2. Human Impacts: assess impacts of human population settlement on natural spaces and species (FOCUS ON: Interrelationships; Geographic Perspective)

B3. The Earth’s Ecosystems: analyse relationships between the spheres of the earth and the characteristics of ecosystems (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Interrelationships)

Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources

C1. Policies and Strategies: analyse the roles and contributions of individuals, governments, and organizations with respect to the sustainable management of the world’s natural resources (FOCUS ON: Interrelationships; Geographic Perspective)

C2. Development of Natural Resources: analyse impacts of resource development on the natural and human environment, and assess ways of managing resource development sustainably (FOCUS ON: Interrelationships; Geographic Perspective)

C3. Availability and Use of Natural Resources: assess the availability of various natural resources, and analyse factors affecting their exploitation and use (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Patterns and Trends)

Ecological Systems: Interconnections and Interdependence

D1. Reducing Pollution: analyse challenges involved in reducing pollution from human activities, and assess the effectiveness of various methods of pollution reduction (FOCUS ON: Interrelationships; Geographic Perspective)

D2. Impacts of Pollution: evaluate impacts of various types of pollution on the natural environment and on human health (FOCUS ON: Patterns and Trends; Interrelationships)

D3. Ecological Processes: describe key ecological and biological processes, and explain how they are affected by human activities (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Interrelationships)

Community Action

E1. Developing Solutions: assess a variety of strategies for resolving environmental and natural resource management issues, locally, nationally, and/or globally (FOCUS ON: Interrelationships; Geographic Perspective)

E2. Community Land Use and Infrastructure: assess impacts of community land use and infrastructure on humans and the natural environment, and assess ways of reducing these impacts (FOCUS ON: Spatial Significance; Interrelationships)

E3. Ecological Footprints: analyse impacts of various human behaviours on the natural environment, and assess the role of behaviour, ethics, and technology in reducing these impacts (FOCUS ON: Patterns and Trends; Geographic Perspective)