Global challenges of environmental conservation
- Introduction
In our common quest for economic development and enjoyment of the richness of nature, we must also realize that natural resources and the carrying capacities of eco-systems are limited. We must also take into account the needs of our future generations. This is the message of conservation. Humans engage in development in order to provide social and economic welfare, yet we must also engage in conservation to ensure that Earth's resources are sustainably looked after to be able to support life.
Not only do we have the relentless capacity to build and create, but we also have our great powers to destroy and annihilate. In the face of the soaring global population, we choose shortsighted practices to exploit natural resources. This leads to many threats and challenges such as habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, ocean plastic pollution, and climate change.
This course/lecture is designed along two parallel pathways. Half of the lessons will be devoted to exploring the many challenges of global conservation in detail, through lectures, student presentations, and discussions. We will attempt, in the other half of the lessons, to forge a tangible connection between conservation ideals and real-life participation. This translates into group work that plans, executes and reviews global and local campaigns through the Roots & Shoots network.
- Aims
The aim of this course/lecture is to introduce students to global conservation threats and challenges, as well as the history, theories, and practices of conservation practices. Besides providing students with an overview of the threats and challenges, the course will also offer mandatory practical projects so that students may engage in real-life, hands-on collaborative efforts that hone planning, coordinating, communicating, analytical and thinking skills.