Eco EducationEco Education

Welcome toWelcome to

CityTrek! 2008: EnergyCityTrek! 2008: Energy

Issue AnalysisIssue Analysis

Issue analysis is a cornerstone of Issue analysis is a cornerstone of Eco Education’s approach to Eco Education’s approach to

environmental education.environmental education.

How is issue analysis helpful?How is issue analysis helpful?

is a teaching strategy that helps students is a teaching strategy that helps students become engaged in a topic.become engaged in a topic.

promotes critical thinking.promotes critical thinking. can apply to real-world problems in which can apply to real-world problems in which

students have a stake.students have a stake. prepares students to think about equitable prepares students to think about equitable

solutions to improve their communities.solutions to improve their communities.

Identifying an IssueIdentifying an Issue

Topic: the subject of a discussion or Topic: the subject of a discussion or research.research.

Problem: a condition in which the status of Problem: a condition in which the status of someone or something is at risk.someone or something is at risk.

Issue: a problem or its solution about which Issue: a problem or its solution about which differing viewpoints and values exist.differing viewpoints and values exist.

Example of an IssueExample of an Issue

Topic: Transportation in the Twin Cities.Topic: Transportation in the Twin Cities.

Problem: Congestion on the freeways.Problem: Congestion on the freeways.

Issue: “Build more roads” Issue: “Build more roads” vs.vs. “Provide “Provide more public transit.”more public transit.”

Multiple PerspectivesMultiple Perspectives

An issue always has two or more perspectives An issue always has two or more perspectives or viewpoints.or viewpoints.

The perspectives are somehow in conflict.The perspectives are somehow in conflict. Solution of the issue involves resolving the Solution of the issue involves resolving the

conflict.conflict.

Today’s IssueToday’s Issue

Topic: Human health and well-being.Topic: Human health and well-being. Problem: Global climate change threatens Problem: Global climate change threatens

human health and well-being.human health and well-being. Issue: Issue:

Global Warming Basics

Greenhouse Effect

• Humans are increasing greenhouse gas concentrations

• Carbon dioxide levels and temperature are positively correlated

Relative Importance of Human-produced

Greenhouse Gases

Image from Koshland Science Museum

Where do they come from?

Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector, 2004

Figure: Global greenhouse gas emissions in 2004 from different sectors (IPCC, 2007).

Some Predicted Effects

• Rising sea levels• Glacier retreat• Altered patterns of agriculture• Extreme weather events• Water shortages• Reduction of the biological diversity• Change in agricultural yields• Expansion of tropical diseases• Drastic economic impact