Environment
This topic focuses on ecological issues, the role of mankind and what we can do for the sustainable future of our planet
Plants and animals
The plants and animals which surround us are part of our environment. Nobody knows exactly how many species there are on earth as large areas of the rainforests, the deep ocean and the diverse world of micro-organisms have only been explored to a small extent. It is certain, however, that biodiversity on earth is decreasing due to climate change, deforestation, intensive agriculture and overfishing as well as environmental pollution. Because of man’s interference in nature, the available habitat for plants and animals is shrinking. Due to the fact that ¾ of global food production is restricted to 12 plants and 5 animal species, the loss of biodiversity is accelerating. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) regularly publishes „red lists“ in which the status of endangered animal and plant species is detailed.
Randy Laist teaches English at Goodwin College in Connecticut and describes himself as a cyber-nature researcher. In 2011 he began a video project with the aim of raising awareness of species nearing extinction.
Read the „ABC of extinct species“, watch the videos and afterwards answer the questions.
A for aurochs
B for Baiji
C for Caspian Tiger
D for Dodo
E for Elasmotherium
F for Falkland Island-Wolf
G for Giant Sloth
H for Huia
I for Irish Elk
J for Japanese Sealion
K for Koalalemur
L for Lesser Bilby
M for Mexican Grizzly Bear
N for Nendo tube-nosed fruit bat
O for O'ahu (Krauschwanzmoho)
P for Passenger Dove
Q for Quagga
R for Rhinodrilus Fafner
S for Steller‘s Sea Cow
T for Thylacine (Tasmanian Tiger)
U for Umbilicate Pebblesnail
V for Vespucci Rat
W for Wooly Mammoth
X for eXtinction
Y for WHY?
Z for Zoology
- What consequences would it have for the ecosystem if predatory fish like the swordfish, shark or tuna disappeared from the food chain?
- Aquaculture is seen as a solution to the overfishing of the world’s oceans. Worldwide every second fish used for food comes from fresh water fish farms or sea cages. A red tuna needs around 20kg of fish food per kilogram of flesh. Does tuna farming solve the problem in a sustainable way in your opinion?
The complete alphabet of extinct species can be found at this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSQNRMN4xAVRxHaD4CUv2GQDoBYtebPST
Sources
Immel, Karl-Albrecht/ Tränkle, Klaus (2011): Aktenzeichen Armut. Globalisierung in Texten und Grafiken. Wuppertal: Peter Hammer Verlag
Hutter, Claus-Peter/ Blessing, Karin/ Köthe, Rainer (2012): Grundkurs Nachhaltigkeit. Handbuch für Einsteiger und Fortgeschrittene. Munich: Oekom
http://econowblog.blogspot.co.at/2012/05/songs-for-extinct-species-interview.html