Making Informed Decisions Section 2.3

1. Making Informed DecisionsSection 2.3 Objective: Describe values people consider when making decisions about the environment. Describe steps in a simple environmental decision-making model. Compare short- and long-term consequences of two decisions.

2. Opening Activity • Think about a problem in your life that presented a difficult decision. • How do you usually approach decisions? • How do you weigh what is important to you? • Values – principles or standards we consider important

3. Chapter 2 Table 3, p.45:

4. Alien Invasion • If aliens invaded this area, and you could only take 10 items with you as you escaped, what would they be? • Common class list • What values influenced your decision?

5. 4 Models Used By Scientists • Physical models • Graphical models • Conceptual models • Mathematical models

6. An Environmental Decision-Making Model (p.45)

7. An Environmental Decision-Making Model • Gather information • Books, newspapers, magazines • Listen to well-informed people. • Consider values – all that apply • Explore consequences • Short-term and long-term • Positive and negative • Make a decision

8. A Hypothetical Situation

9. Pros and Cons (p.48)

10. Assignment • Think of a local environmental issue. • Using Table 3, p.45, write a sentence for each value listed, explaining how it relates to this situation. • Choose 2 of the values and prepare an environmental decision-making table similar to Table 4, p.48. • Write a paragraph stating your decision and how you reached your decision.