The Balance Between Economy and Nature
Curriculum Connections:
- Environmental Science 11–12 – Human impact on ecosystems
- Science 10 – Sustainability of ecosystems
- Biology 11 – Interactions within ecosystems
Big Idea:
Ecosystems provide essential services that support human life and the economy — but overuse can threaten both.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the concept of ecosystem services and how human activity affects them.
- Analyze real examples (e.g., Fraser River, forests, salmon habitats).
- Explore how climate change and biodiversity loss create feedback loops.
Activity:
Create a “Systems Map” showing connections between one Canadian ecosystem and local industries (e.g., forestry, fishing, tourism). Students map out cause-and-effect relationships and identify potential solutions for sustainable balance.