Building a Sustainable Future: Creating a Self-Sustaining Closed System for Human Life on Earth

3. What will happen when the Earth is no longer able to support human life? In this case students attempt to solve this problem by determining what elements would be necessary to build an entirely self-sustaining closed system modeled on Earth. They also look at ways of preventing this circumstance by examining their own ecological footprint and finding ways they can reduce their impact on the environment. Summary

4. 1. Define sustainability and carrying capacity and relate these terms to one another. 2. Describe what components are necessary to create a self sustaining environment that can support human life. 3. Explain how personal material use impacts the environment. 4. Calculate their own ecological footprint based on their personal material use. 5. Demonstrate proficiency in compiling and analyzing data using create a graph.. 6. Propose realistic ways in which they might reduce their ecological footprint. Learning Objectives

5. Video Clip 1 Video Clip 2 Video Clip 3 Sustainability

6. Case Scene 1 Earth has exceeded its carrying capacity. In a matter of months all natural resources will be exhausted and the planet will no longer be capable of supporting life. As part of a team of top-notch scientists, your government has tasked you to design an enclosed, self-sustaining ecosystem that will be used to support human life once the Earth’s resources are gone. This must be a closed system in terms of matter, with solar energy as the only external input. There are no limitations concerning space, building materials, and cost. This is a critical endeavor to save the human race.

7. 1.) How did we reach carrying capacity? 2.) How would we know if we reached carrying capacity? 3.) What things do we need in our environment to keep us alive? 4.) What things do we want in our environment to keep us happy? 5.) What sort of materials/components are present in the Earth’s biosphere? How would you generate or maintain them in a closed system? 6.) What challenges would people face in your system? What would you have to give up? 7.) What sort of food should the system produce? How? 8.) How would the system provide clean water and air? 9.) How would human use impact the system over time? STORYBIRD Facilitation Questions

8. Dr. Hoffman, one of the scientists from the group, was frustrated. “I don’t know what we’re going to do about the Earth’s problems,” he said. “All of our attempts to build a new biosphere have failed, and at the rate we’re consuming goods we can’t survive much longer.” “We can’t give up yet,” said Dr. Jenkins, trying to rally some enthusiasm. “If we aren’t able build a new biosphere, maybe we can find a way to save the one we have.” Dr. Mitchell was skeptical. “How would we do that? Right now we’re consuming so many natural resources and reproducing so quickly that it would take more than one and a half Earths to provide for our entire population. There’s no way to save Earth unless we build a second one!” “No, don’t you see?” Dr. Jenkins said. “Dr. Hoffman already gave us the answer…sustainability.” “I never said anything about sustainability,” Dr. Hoffman said. Case Scene 2

9. “Yes you did,” Dr. Jenkins said. “You said we can’t survive much longer at the rate we’re consuming goods. We need to reduce what we consume So that just one Earth can support us. That’s sustainability. If we’re all consuming less, the carrying capacity of the Earth will go up and we’ll be able to stay here without a second biosphere!” “But how do we do that?” asked Dr. Mitchell. Dr. Jones had remained quiet up until this point, preferring to let her colleagues reduce their frustration through argument before deciding What steps to take next. Now she has something to say: “I know all about sustainability, and how to go about achieving it. We all need to start by reducing our ecological footprint.” Case Scene 2

10. 1.) How does sustainability relate to carrying capacity? 2.) What does it mean to say we are consuming one and a half Earths worth of goods? 3.) What human activities hurt the environment? 4.) Are any human activities good for the environment? 5.) What is a person’s ecological footprint? STORYBIRD Facilitation Questions

11. CALCULATING YOUR ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT I never eat meat/dairy I eat meat/dairy at every meal 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 All of my food is locally grown All of my food is pre-packaged 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Iwalk/take public transit everywhere I drive everywhere 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 I never travel away from home I travel several times a year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 I recycle/compost everything possible I throw everything in the trash 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 I buy only used/pre-owned goods I buy everything new 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 I often conserve energy at home I never conserve energy at home 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 I often conserve water I never conserve water 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 CARBON FOOTPRINT

12. FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR GRAPH CREATE A GRAPH

13. 1.) INTRODUCTION – Complete the graph assigned and calculate your ecological footprint as instructed. Based on this information, come up with three different ways you could reduce your ecological footprint. 2.) REQUIREMENTS – For each of the three methods, give the following: • What method you will use? • Which of your categories (bars on the graph) it will affect? • How will you implement this change in your daily life? NOTE: The change must be something realistic that you could actually do long-term. • How will this change affect other aspects of your life (how will you compensate?). Ex. If you plan to reduce your meat intake, what other foods will you use to supplement your diet? • What effect do you think this will have on your overall footprint? 3.) Turn in typed assignment and graph. ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT ASSIGNMENT

14. RUBRIC