Environmental Protection in Europe

 

Main Theme: Agenda 21

 

"Agenda 21 is a program of action related to the development and environmental policy for the 21^st century, a leading document for sustainable development passed by 179 states at the UN Conference for Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro (1992). Apart from government representatives a lot of non-governmental organisations took part in this conference.

Sustainable development - and therefore Agenda 21 -  has become the guideline of public actions in lots of places.“

 

The preamble begins with the following central ideas:

"1.1 Mankind is on the threshold of a crucial point in ist history. We experience a growing inequality between and within nations, a continually growing poverty, more hunger, diseases and illiteracy as well as a continuing damage of the ecosystems necessary for our well-being. By combining our interests both in the environment and the development and their closer attention, we may, however, manage to ensure the basic needs, the improvement of the standard of living of all people, more protection and a better treatment of our ecosystems and a safe and beneficial future. This cannot be achieved by one nation alone, but together we can succeed: in a global partnership focused on sustainable development.“

 

Part II of the agenda deals with the preservation and use of the resources for the development.

One topic is the fight against deforestation.

 

There fore the wood as an ecosystem and its importance for the people in Europe will be the focal theme in this field of the Comenius Project.

The aim of the lessons is to make the pupils aware of the local and global importance of a joint environmental policy in Europe and to practise it - similarly to a local agenda - on-location (global thinking – local acting).

The emphasis will be put on the subjects of Biology, Chemistry and Geography. There will be interdisciplinary relations to the subjects of Political Science, German and Art.

Lessons may cover the following topics:

 

-          Trees and shrubs in the close vicinity of the school and pupils‘ homes

-          Defining the names (regionally and scientifically) by means of a classification key

-          Indigenous types of trees and shrubs and their sites

-          Trees and shrubs as indicators of the environment

-          Trees and shrubs as part of the ecosystem "wood“

-          The use and threat through man

-          The importance of nature reserves

 

Aspects concerning methods:

Of course, methods related to the subjects will be the basis of the lessons. Additionally, the use of the new media and the internet should be applied.

Using and testing the DVD "ecosystem wood“ as well as working  in a virtual classroom will serve as an example.

 

Integration into lessons:

The themes – varying didactically according to age- are meant for years 5-12 in all public schools and are related to the corresponding curriculum.

 

At Christian Gymnasium pupils from year 10-12 participate in the Comenius Project.