Web Activities
UNIT 5: POPULATION DYNAMICS
Chapter 15: Human Populations
Page Number
Question
p. 704
Section 15.1 questions
9. Conduct research on the Internet to determine several key
advances in the science disciplines of biology, chemistry, and physics
that were among the most influential in human history. Account for their
importance.
Physics
Timeline
Physics Timeline, a synopsis of the advances in the field, with entries
from the years 500 B.C. to 2000.
History
of Science and Technology: Timeline
This comprehensive timeline provides points about the history of science
from 2725 B.C. (the first doctor) all the way up to 1997 (the Pathfinder
on Mars).
Scientific
Discoveries that Changed the World
Scientific Discoveries that Changed the World describes a series of
Web site links that detail various aspects of the history of scientific
breakthrough.
History
of Science Links
A Huge Number of History of Science Links on all manner of topics
are posted on this site by a professor at the University of Florida.
p. 721
Explore an Issue – Take a Stand: Can Biotechnology Increase
Food Supplies?
Research Canada’s role in agricultural biotechnology and agricultural
technologies. For example, you might want to look into the work of the
Canadian International Development Agency. Your research should include
a brief description of how the technology works and should focus on
the scientific, societal, environmental, and technological impacts of
the various biotechnologies.
Genetic
Engineering and Food Aid
This Web site, maintained by Food First, links to a couple of articles
regarding the issue of biotechnology and food supply. Genetic Engineering
and Food Aid gives some background on who is involved in biotechnology
and also has a paper about why biotechnology won’t help increase
food supply.
Biotechnology
and Food
Biotechnology and Food is a site maintained by the American Council
of Science and Health. This site puts a more positive spin on how
biotechnology can help increase food supply. It also links to a 44-page
PDF document regarding Biotechnology and Food.
Kansas
State University: Agricultural Biotechnology
Read about the study of agricultural biotechnology at Kansas State
University. This site includes links to biotechnology in the news,
biotechnology FAQs, and a glossary of biotechnology terms.
Addressing
World Hunger: No Single Solution
Addressing World Hunger: No Single Solution is an article on the BioteCanada
site regarding world hunger and the potential uses of biotechnology
to help solve this problem.
p. 722
Section 15.3 questions
6. Many alternatives in agricultural practices are leading
to improvements in land use. Use the Internet to research one of the
following farming practices and report your findings back to the class:
a. low-tillage cultivation
b. drip irrigation
c. crop rotation
Drip
Irrigation in Israel
Drip Irrigation in Israel is a description of a recent initiative
by the Israeli government to adopt this efficient, but costly, means
of crop irrigation. The program has been a success, with increased
agricultural productivity and a reduction in water requirements.
Conservation
Tillage Types
Descriptions of the basic tillage types, including no-till, are given
at Conservation Tillage Types, a site belonging to a group associated
with Purdue University that promotes conservation in agriculture.
Sustainable
Agriculture
Delivered as part of a course at Oregon State University, Sustainable
Agriculture has superb explanations of the advantages of alternative
agricultural practices. The ‘what is sustainable agriculture’
section should prove helpful, and there is excellent coverage of conservation
tillage. There is a link within the tillage page leading to a discussion
of crop rotation. Drip irrigation is covered under ‘Decreasing
Water Use’.
Potato
Crop Rotation
On this virtual tour of PEI agriculture, Potato Crop Rotation is promoted;
the benefits of the practice are well outlined.
p. 731
Section 15.4 questions
10. Air pollution in Ontario kills 1800 people each year.
Although a considerable portion of Ontario’s air pollution comes
from sources south of the border, claims have been made that Ontario
has not taken strong action at home to reduce emissions from major sources.
a. Identify three major sources of air pollution emissions
in Ontario.
b. Research the health, economic, and societal effects of air pollution.
c. Describe technological and political actions taken to minimize
or eliminate emissions.
d. Explain why you feel confident that sufficient efforts are being
made to reduce pollutant in Ontario’s air.
Ontario
Clean Air Alliance Factsheets
Ontario Clean Air Alliance Factsheets provides a mass of detailed
information and statistics about Ontario’s top sources of air
pollution, and what is being done about it. Under the ‘Reports
and Studies’ section is listed ‘Questionable Air’,
the results of a poll exploring the views of Torontonians toward air
pollution. Other documents relevant to the question are also listed
here.
What
is Smog?
What is Smog? is a public information Web page from Environment Canada.
Through the menu at the left side of the page you can access info
on government policy, community groups, the health effects of air
pollution, and a list of further links.
Improving
Ontario’s Air Quality
Improving Ontario's Air Quality is a press release from the Ontario
Ministry of Environment and Energy outlining the status of air quality
in the province, and the government's actions to protect and improve
it.
Electricity
Choices
Electricity Choices, produced by the Ontario Clean Air Alliance, explains
how citizens can affect air quality by choosing ‘green’
sources of electricity. The effect of coal power on our air is described.
Click on "Calculate your air quality impact" to calculate
your emissions -and your bill -based on different electricity options.
Ontario
Clean Air Alliance
The Ontario Clean Air Alliance is a very active organization! Read
about what they’ve been up to, learn about recent news items
and government policy relating to air pollution in Ontario. The ‘Media’
section contains an archive of press releases.
OnAir
OnAir is the Government of Ontario’s air quality Web site. It
provides basic information on the topic, outlines provincial regulations,
and provides public access to annual reports on emission levels by
Ontario plants. A link at the bottom of the ‘View Reports’
section leads to up-to-date info on the Air Quality Index.
p. 737
Case Study questions
5. How reasonable is it for humans to continue to dispose
of millions of tonnes if garbage every day in landfills and incinerators
around the world? Research the advantages and disadvantages of this
approach.
Incinerators
Make Waste More Toxic and…
Incinerators Make Waste More Toxic and…, says the Zero Waste
America organization. This site includes information about the negative
impacts of incinerators, as well as numerous links, organized topically.
The
Basics of Landfills
The Basics of Landfills, from the Zero Waste America organization,
explains what a landfill is, and the environmental problems associated
with the practice. The link at the bottom of the page leads to much
more info, with quick facts, and various other sites.
Solid
Waste
The US Environmental Protection Agency addresses the reality of Solid
Waste disposal - the role of landfills and the lack of real alternatives.
Municipal
Solid Waste
The US Environmental Protection Agency discusses the disposal options
of Municipal Solid Waste, including landfills and incineration. Further
links are also provided.
How
Landfills Work
How Landfills Work explains how they are made, the problems associated
with them, and how these problems are solved. Additional links are
also included.
p. 740
Section 15.5 questions
7. In the 1990s, the city of Toronto seriously considered
a plan to dispose if 20 million to 30 million tonnes of waste in an
abandoned open-pit mine in northeastern Ontario. The plan called for
the shipping of the garbage some 500 km by rail to a landfill site in
the 200-m deep pit. Conduct Internet and/or library research to learn
the details of the proposal and comment on the suitability of such a
plan as a waste-management strategy for the city.
The
Battle for the Adams Mine
The Battle for Adams Mine contains links to a number of articles about
the controversial proposal to use the abandoned Adams Mine as a landfill
site for Toronto's garbage.
The
Adams Mine Landfill Proposal: A Community Perspective
This is a long, but very informative, analysis of why the Adams Mine
should not be used as a landfill site. This article discusses why
the mine is unsuitable as a landfill site and also discusses the environmental
repercussions of using the mine in this manner.
Adams
Mine/Toronto Garbage
Use this site to read articles written about the Adams Mine Landfill
Proposal between 1996 and 2003.
p. 744
Section 15.6 questions
3.
a. What is meant by the expression global systems thinking?
b. Conduct library and/or Internet research to identify a local, provincial,
or national policy that runs counter to global systems thinking.
Theory
of Living Systems
Theory of Living Systems is written by the leading systems theorist
Fritjof Capra. It is a Web page within the Center for Ecoliteracy
Web site, an organization initiated by Dr. Capra.
Environmental
Impact Assessment & Policy Development
Environmental Impact Assessment & Policy Development is the arm
of City of Toronto government that handles environmental laws and
regulations. Their Web pages include information on their reports
and studies. The ‘Environment Links’ option in the left-hand
side menu leads to info on current projects and regulations.
Ontario
Ministry of Environment and Energy
The Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy Web site provides a
wealth of information on current acts and regulations and their application
to issues within the province. A report on ‘best management
practices’, in the bottom right hand corner of the page, provides
very detailed information on Ontario’s philosophy of environmental
management.
Environmental
Acts and Regulations
Environmental Acts and Regulations is Environment Canada’s public
portal to the laws that govern the federal environmental responsibilities.
Your
Environment
Your Environment is a topically arranged list of Canadian links about
the major Canadian environmental issues. The site is administered
by Environment Canada.
p. 744
Section 15.6 questions
5. Some believe that cities, by definition, cannot be sustainable.
Conduct library and/or Internet research to explore both sides of this
issue and then write a brief position paper.
Sustaining
Cities
Sustaining Cities is a summary of the book of that name. The site
gives some interesting statistics about urban dwelling, and outlines
some of the problems now facing modern civilization.
United
Nations Human Settlements Programme
A large number of links to pages within the United Nations Human Settlements
Programme Web site contain information about urban sustainability.
‘Cities Alliance’, ‘Sustainable Cities’, and
‘The Habitat Agenda’ are a few places to look. Click on
‘Site Map’ at the top of the page to access this information.
Unsustainable
Development
This Web site from a consultancy company includes several articles
that examine the root causes of Unsustainable Development.
Farm
the City
Farm the City puts forward the view that urban sustainability is dependent
on city dwellers’ production of food - a practice that is a
large component of urban living in many countries, but not ours.
Sustainable
Cities Research Institute
The Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Northumbria University,
UK, promotes urban management. Their site includes sections on ‘Research’,
a ‘Newsletter’, and further ‘Links’.
p. 745
Practice - Careers
2. Conduct research to determine what types of technologies are used
in each of the above careers and how they contribute to the effectiveness
of the job.
Ecologist
From New Zealand hails this career Web site, with an in-depth description
of an Ecologist’s job. Note the menu on the left, for further
info.
What
is an Ecologist?
What is an Ecologist?, answers this Web page, with descriptions of
daily life in this job.
Demographer
From New Zealand hails this career Web site, with an in-depth description
of a Demographer’s job. Note the menu on the left, for further
info.
So
you Want to be a Wildlife Biologist?
So you Want to be a Wildlife Biologist? is a great site with lots
of links that describe this vocation.
3. Conduct an online search to find out which businesses, government
branches, and other organizations employ people in these three careers.
Science
Jobs
Science Jobs, from the publishers of New Scientist magazine, is a
fully searchable database of current jobs available, organized by
subject, geographical area, and type of employer - government, industry,
academia.
Careers
in and out of Science
Careers in and out of Science provides a massive number of links for
students wishing to work in science. Scroll down to find numerous
job sites featuring science jobs both in and out of academia.
Chronicle
of Higher Education
The Chronicle of Higher Education is an American publication with
an online searchable job section. Browse the available positions by
subject and type of employer - university, industry, or non-profit
organization.
p. 747
Activity 15.4.1: The Impacts of Resource Consumption
4. Use a variety of sources, including the library and the Internet
to obtain current data related to your chosen measures. Be sure to take
into consideration whether the data are presented in gross values or
on a per capita basis.
National
Biological Information Infrastructure
Use the National Biological Information Infrastructure to find data
on the incidence of pesticide use in America. The site was created
in conjunction with the US Geological Survey.
How
Canada Compares
How Canada Compares to other countries in terms of key environmental
factors is outlined by this report. Air pollution, energy consumption,
waste production, pesticide and fertilizer use, and habitat protection
are among the many factors addressed.
Statistics
Canada
Statistics Canada publishes a variety of tables, including information
on life expectancy in the ‘Health’ section, and deforestation
and air pollution in the ‘Environment’ section.
United
Nations Human Development Report
The United Nations Human Development Report, published each year,
includes a multitude of tables comparing countries. A huge range of
factors have been addressed, including life expectancy, adult literacy,
access to safe drinking water, energy consumption, carbon dioxide
emissions, and a lot more.
p. 753
Review
17. Obtain from print of electronic sources a copy of the
2001 Canadian census survey and complete it. Discuss with tow or three
other students
a. how the census provides government officials with valuable
information on demographic issues;
b. some major questions that were not asked but might have been.
2001
Canadian Census
nformation on the 2001 Canadian Census is provided on this site, including
summaries of the information collected and a discussion of why the
questions are asked. The link ‘2001 Census Questionnaire’
under ‘Reference Materials’ is a printable PDF file of
the original survey.
p. 753
Review
18. From electronic or print sources, locate an article relating
to human population growth. Critically analyze the article, especially
for validity, possible bias, and underlying assumptions. Based on your
analysis, write a critical commentary of, or response to, this article.
Answers to the following questions may help guide your critical analysis:
a. Who is the author? From what perspective is he or she
writing this article?
b. What is the author’s purpose in writing and publishing the
article?
c. Is it from a credible source? How do you know?
d. What are the author’s credentials? Is the author a member
of a lobby group or an employee of a government or a company with
an economic interest in the article topic?
e. Does the author use scientific evidence to support what he or she
is saying, or is the article mostly based on opinion? If it is supported
by scientific evidence, is the evidence valid or authoritative? How
do you know?
Six
Billion and Beyond
Six Billion and Beyond; so goes the growth of the human population.
This article, from Population Action International, explores why -
and predicts the future.
US
Environmental Protection Agency’s Population Non-Policy
US Environmental Protection Agency’s Population Non-Policy is
an article from the human population activist group, Negative Population
Growth. It puts forward the view that the US government is not adequately
addressing the problem of overpopulation.
The
Desert Will Win
“Due to the insanity of the terrestrials, who reproduce uncontrollably
like rabbits”, the soil of planet will be removed of its nutrients
and turn to desert - The Desert Will Win. So says this article, from
an overpopulation organization.
India
Reaching 1 Billion on August 15: No Celebration Planned
From WorldWatch, comes the well-written 1999 news article India Reaching
1 Billion on August 15: No Celebration Planned, which describes the
history and current status of India’s population growth.
Population
Policy
The Government of India, faced with the burden of overpopulation,
has instilled a Population Policy, with the aim of controlling growth
by encouraging small families. This Web site from the public relations
office outlines their policy.
