Waste management in Tuvalu Case Study Student Activities Teacher's Notes Overview Since the population and the associated growth in consumption of goods has increased in Tuvalu, the people and their government have had to confront the issue of sustainable waste management. To address this, the Government of Tuvalu, with assistance from Australia's overseas aid program, is currently developing their own waste management project. The project is designed to improve the quality of life and natural environment. The Government needs to resolve the variety of waste issues in a creative manner that ensures sustainable development and also considers Tuvalu' s limited financial and natural resources. This case study investigates issues associated with one component of the project; solid waste. Level Upper Secondary Objectives Students will: investigate unique features of Tuvalu and issues associated with waste management explore key concepts and principles of waste minimisation and ecological sustainable development demonstrate links between issues of waste minimisation for Tuvalu with Australia examine the influence and consequence of regulatory frameworks (such as international treaties) related to the Tuvula Waste Management Project examine the application of environmental management tools and strategies (through the development and implementation of the Tuvalu Waste Management Project) to ensure ecological sustainability of the environment and enhancement of environmental health assess the environmental impacts and environmental risks associated with solid waste disposal options from the Tuvalu Waste Management Project evaluate the role of the community and non-government agencies in encouraging responsible environmental practices develop and justify recommendations to enhance an aspect of environmental management strategies and actions undertaken by an organisation (such as the Tuvalu Government, school or family unit) Links with nationally-developed curriculum statements and profiles This case study has been developed with particular attention to the VCE Environmental Science (Victorian year 11 and 12) curriculum. In particular this case study would support Unit 4 Ecological Sustainability, Area of Study 2 Applied environmental science. Preparation Copy of the case study (class set or use of Internet) Atlases (class set or use of Internet) References on Tuvalu and waste minimisation (or use of Internet) Access to Internet (optional) Procedure The student activities could be completed as a series of individual or clusters of questions. They have been designed for students to investigate the issues involved with an environmental science project that is based on principles of ecologically sustainable development. The student activities have been arranged in an order to assist in the research process. The initial question provides students with the opportunity to become familiar with Tuvalu as the issues will be influenced by the unique characteristics of this country. The next series of questions (Q2-5) give students the time to identify the issues associated with the waste minimisation and how this is related to Tuvalu. The questions under the heading 'Making connections' are to allow students to link the work in Tuvalu with their own experience in Victoria. If your students are not from the state of Victoria, Australia, then you should adapt the comparisons to reflect your geographic area and its policies. You may want to limit the number of questions your students complete within this section, depending on your own goals, outcomes and time. The following section, 'Focusing on waste minimisation plan for solid waste', asks students to use and interpret the data presented in the case study to draw their own conclusions or analyse the way the data was used by others to make decisions in environmental management. The final section, 'Reflection and Action', could be used to complement the school's assessment that meets a component of outcome 2 for the VCE Environmental Science, Unit 4. It would be suggested that students select one of the two tasks (Q14 or 15). Resources Following any of the links below will take you out of the GlobalEd Web Site; use your browser's back button to return. Please note: The opinions expressed in the linked WWW sites below, including documents, images, videos or sounds are those of the individuals and organisations involved and do not necessarily represent the views of AusAID or the Australian Government. Concerns or questions should be directed to the authors of the WWW sites in question NOT AusAID. 'Waste Minimisation Assessments and Opportunities for Industry: A practical guide to cleaner production 'Publication 351 July 1993 Environment Protection Authority, Victoria, Australia Maps of Tuvalu and relevant information on the country via the internet: Maps - An atlas of the world by Encarta Online Infoplease Atlas Maps.com - Online AtlasVisit Maps@nationalgeographic.com Tuvalu Website Tuvalu Online Official website on UNFCCC: http://www.unfccc.de EcoRecycle Victoria: http://www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au For example: visit 'Buy Recycled Alliance' section for case studies of using recycled materials to minimise waste stream to landfill visit 'Publications' section then click on 'Household Waste Reduction & Recycling' for reports such as 'Public Views Victoria 98: Community attitudes to waste and recycling' * Further information and resources can be obtained from the Professional Development Providers.   Top © Commonwealth of Australia