The global environment facility: China Case Study Student Activities Teacher's Notes Overview This case study gives an overview of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), an important international organisation responsible for facilitating a variety of projects that address four critical threats to the global environment; biodiversity loss, climate change, ozone depletion and degradation of international waters. Students will investigate the importance of this organisation, as well as gain an understanding of these environmental problems and the need for sustainable development. By examining GEF projects students will gain an understanding of real world actions that are currently being undertaken in an effort to save the planet. Students should be able to relate the relevant global conventions and protocols to the projects being funded by GEF. Level Upper Secondary (Year 12) Links with nationally-developed statements and profiles This case study has been developed with a focus on the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) subject Environmental Science. The case study is particularly relevant to both Areas of Study in Unit 3. Area of Study 1 focuses on energy and global warming, while Area of Study 2 investigates diversity in the biosphere. Both sections require an understanding of the relevant international agreements and conventions. This case study also links to Unit 4, Area of Study 2. The Unit focuses on Ecological sustainability and environmental science. Objectives Students will: Investigate the concepts of intergenerational equity and sustainable development; Gain an understanding of the role of United Nations organisations and the Global Environment Facility; Evaluate a variety of projects that address significant global environmental issues; Develop an understanding of the causes and problems that result from biodiversity loss, the enhanced greenhouse effect, the depletion of the ozone layer, and the degradation of international waters; Gain an understanding of relevant international agreements and conventions. Preparation Copy of the case study (class set); Access to Internet to investigate further GEF projects. Resources A variety of relevant websites can be used to give further examples of GEF projects and background to GEF operations, as well as information on United Nations organisations and agreements mentioned in the case study. These include: Global Environment Facility - www.gefweb.org As the official GEF website it gives a more detailed and specific overview of the facility. It includes further examples of GEF environmental programs. United Nations Development Program (UNDP) - www.undp.org/ Looks at the action taken by this United Nations organisation. Students would investigate the 'Energy and Environment' section which links into a variety of UN efforts. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) - www.unep.org/ Provides a variety of information on UN environmental projects and agreements including the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21. Has an interesting section on the 'State of the Global Environment'. UN Framework Convention on Climate Control - www.unfccc.de/ This site provides detailed information on the Kyoto Protocol and the climate change issue. UN Convention on Biological Diversity - www.biodiv.org/ Very detailed information on the Convention and biodiversity programs. A general background on UN Conventions - www.unep.ch/conventions/info/infoindex.htm Links to UN conventions mentioned above but also includes the Regional Seas Programme, the Montreal Protocol and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. In order to investigate two other key areas included in this case study it may be useful for students to search for more information on: Sustainable development - www.environment.gov.au/index.html Lots of information about environmental areas in Australia, but look in the index under S for Sustainable Development for links to a variety of relevant sites. Alternative energy sources - www.webdirectory.com.Science/Energy/Alternative Energy/ Includes links to a variety of mainly renewable energy forms eg. geothermal, solar, wind, biomass, etc. Biodiversity - www.biodiversity.environment.gov.au/index.htm Includes a list of Australian organisations and programs being run in order to address biodiversity issues. The enhanced greenhouse effect - www.greenhouse.gov.au/ This link takes you to the Australian Greenhouse Office which is the Australian Federal Government agency to deal with greenhouse issues and policy co-ordination. Ozone depletion - www.epa.gov/docs/ozone/science/science.html A United States Environmental Protection Agency site focusing on the ozone depletion issue, including straightforward information on the causes, effects and solutions to the problem. * Further information and resources can be obtained from the Professional Development Providers.   Top © Commonwealth of Australia