GREEN THE WORLD

What is “Green the World”?

To be “green” is to be good with the environment.

So, “Green the World” will be a course about how we can all help preserve our natural environment.

What are parts of our natural environment here in Thailand?

OCEANSANIMALS PLANTS

CLEAN AIR LAKES/RIVERSMOUNTAINS

BEACHES

GREEN THE WORLD Format

“A truly good book teaches me better than to read it. I must soon lay it down, and commence living on its hint. What I began by reading, I must finish by acting.” Henry David Thoreau

I think the best way to learn is to start with books. BUT, the most important part is to then DO THE REAL THING!!! ACEP is a great school for this!

Course will consist of 2 main parts:1) Classwork2) Lab, computer rooms, projects, and outside field trips to really learn what we studied in class.

The 3 R’s are Just the Start!

So, you already know the 3R’s.

BUT, the 3 R’s mean nothing unless you are motivated to practice them!!

That is our job this summer; to have an understanding and appreciation of how impactful the 3R’s can be on the world around us.

How much of an impact can one person have?One person can have a TREMENDOUS impact!!!

How Much Impact Can One Person Have?

I am only one person, and my decisions can have a large impact on our environment: I will not hand out one piece of paper in class this summer. And, our project will be “digital projects”.

When we use MORE paper

When we use LESS paper

How Much Impact Can One Person Have?

If you learn about how much impact the 3R’s can have, you can pass it along to your kids, grandkids, friends....So, one person (you!) can have a very large impact on the world……..

YOU

Why Study Animals to Help the Environment?

Understanding and being familiar with the animals around us is a very good way to promote interest in the environment.

The more familiar you are with the animals and plants that lived here, the more likely you will want to protect them.

All those animals are either dead, or no longerhave a place to live.

KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING the Animals Around Us Gives Us a Greater Appreciation for Them

BIODIVERSITY

What is BIODIVERSITY?BIODIVERSITY is a way to measure and describe how much life is on earth.

How do we measure life? Species.

If an area has many species, it has “high biodiversity”.If an area has few species, it has “low biodiversity”.

Which Area Has High Biodiversity?

High BiodiversityLow Biodiversity

One rock over here may have more biodiversity than this entire picture.

Why is Biodiversity Important?

Reasons why biodiversity is important:1. Many jobs are linked to a nation’s biodiversity

Why is Biodiversity Important?Reasons why biodiversity is important:1. Many jobs are linked to a nation’s biodiversity2. Tourists bring money to countries mainly to see its

biodiversity (plants and animals).

Why is Biodiversity Important?Reasons why biodiversity is important:1. Many jobs are linked to a nation’s biodiversity2. Tourists bring money to countries mainly to see its

biodiversity (plants and animals). 3. Many products and medicines we use come from our

biodiversity.

Furniture and Shelter

Food

Medicines

Clothes

Why is Biodiversity Important?Reasons why biodiversity is important:1. Many jobs are linked to a nation’s biodiversity2. Tourists bring money to countries mainly to see its

biodiversity (plants and animals). 3. Many products and medicines we use come from our

biodiversity.4. Biodiversity gives us clean air and protects us from floods.

Our plant biodiversity turns CO2 into oxygen

Plants also help prevent mud sliding during floods

Thailand’s biodiversity is one of its most precious natural resources!!

Areas with VERY high biodiversity are called HOTSPOTS. HOTSPOTS are some of the most important places on earth because they contain MOST of the world’s species.

Is Thailand a biodiversity HOTSPOT?

I want every student to come to the board and mark “yes” or “no”.

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

Thailand IS a BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT!

Why are HOTSPOTS Important?

Hotspots contain about 50% of the species, but only 2% of the earth’s surface!!

When we lose hotspots, we lose a large number of species!!

The people who live in hotspots (you!) have a very important role in protecting the earth’s biodiversity.

Future Project: Living in a hotspot, what can we do to protect the large number of species we have here in Thailand?