“The first thing we will do is immediately get outside and explore the diversity of local habitats and ecosystems that can be found right here within walking distance of campus, in a group project called “The Nature of UNE”. Simultaneously we’ll investigate the foundations of environmental richness, vitality, and conflict. In the process, we will discover that we ourselves are (as John Muir said above) “hitched to everything else in the universe.” We will focus especially on the concepts of ecosystem services, natural capital, interdependence, ecological footprint, and sustainability.” (Environmental issues course content- Pam Morgan)
In the class, we discuss the environment around us and what matters are affecting it. Human impacts and how we can solve these issues. It is an introduction to the basics of environmental studies, introducing things we should focus on to improve the well being of the planet. We do this through doing projects as well as simulations of real-world environmental debates. For example, we completed a project where each group focused on certain habitats near UNE.
We also would discuss different environmental dilemmas, like if a town builds a factory how would it affect an endangered plant as well as if that plant is worth protecting.
