Our on-line Erasmus class on Planet Earth, Junior High School of Thrakomacedones

Our on-line class on Planet Earth Junior High School of Thrakomakedones

The oldest civilizations on our planet were the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Chinese and the Indians. The oldest civilizations tried to interpret the creation of the world: - the Egyptians said that through the liquid chaos came the sun, the creator of the Universe.

- The Greeks believed that the world was created from Chaos, Earth, Love.

- the Indians and the Chinese said that the world was born from a cosmic egg.

- the Indians said that it all started from the vast ocean.

Science explains that about 4.6 billion years ago a cloud of gases created the planet Earth.

The atmosphere was formed, the first seas, the first plants and animals at sea and later on land. Species are evolving. Man appeared 2.5 million years ago.

In our solar system, the atmosphere exists in order to protect the Earth and the living organisms on it. Plants use sunlight, water, chlorophyll and carbon dioxide in order to produce carbohydrates. This process is called photosynthesis and that is how plants are fed.

People have been using the Earth for food throughout the centuries. They have cultivated cereals and fruit trees. They have domesticated a lot of animals, such as the sheep, the goat, the horse, the pig. They have cooked vegetables and meat and they have conserved food in many ways for their survival.

They have also used the Earth materials, stones, wood, metals, for their constructions or their artistic creations.

With the materials coming from the Earth, they have mastered tool techniques and have invented useful machinery, such as the wheel, the lenses, the steam engine.

Initially, people started communicating with facial expressions, later on, by speaking and in the end, by writing. Nowadays, we have reached the point where people communicate by using the internet.

Today the human impact on the environment is increasing at a tremendous pace.

If we want to continue to enjoy our blue planet, we must find a way to live harmoniously on it.

THE FOOD CHALLENGE

A. With intensive plowing, the soil is swept away by wind and rain. Thus, the fertile soil becomes scarce and the earth becomes wasteland.

B. Chemicals used in agriculture, animal food, fertilizers and pesticides pollute the soil, the atmosphere and the seas.

C. Dangerous foods given to animals on farms reach humans through the food chain.

WHAT CAN WE DO? 1. Reconsider the ways of land cultivation.

- Need for agronomists to suggest new ways such as Hydroponics (water crops).

- Soil recycling and creation of cultivation areas in cities, in well-designed spaces in buildings.

2. Buy only as much food as we need to limit the amount of food we throw away.

3. Opt for organic products.

4. Use natural fertilizers.

5. Avoid buying products that are dangerous for our health.

6. Regularly check the health and food of farm animals.

THE CHALLENGE OF WATER

A. Fresh water represents 4% of the total water supply. Only 25% of this amount is available for drinking.

B. River water is used in agriculture and industry. Its poor management leads to the drying up of many rivers every year.

C. Various human activities reduce the ability of the soil to absorb water resulting in floods.

WHAT CAN WE DO? 1. Reduce water consumption in our home: - Take a shower instead of a bath.

- Not let the water run when we brush our teeth or hands - To use the washing machine only when it is full of clothes.

2. Cultivate plants that are adapted to the climatic conditions of our region.

3. Recycle water when possible (use of biological treatment water in crops) 4. Store rainwater.

5. Build dams in order to properly utilize river water.

THE CHALLENGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Flora and Fauna: forests, animals, air, minerals A. Consumer goods come from natural resources B. Forests are destroyed by reckless logging, fires, acid rain.

Pristine forests are the lungs of the planet.

Their destruction disrupts the ecological balance.

C. Wild animal hunting reduces their populations and threatens the biodiversity of the planet.

D. The urban sprawl destroys natural ecosystems.

E. The gases released by factories and the movement of planes and cars increase the temperature of the Earth.

F. Chemical waste from agriculture and industry pollutes rivers, lakes, seas and harms the plants and animals that live there.

WHAT CAN WE DO? 1. Avoid using wood from the forests wisely 2. The urban sprawl should be done with proper planning: a. not to a large extent and to the detriment of forests b. in height c. to utilize old buildings.

3. To comply with the banning on hunting wild animals. Not to buy hunting products.

4. Think twice before buying something.

5. Prefer recycled products without unnecessary packaging.

6. Give away what we do not need instead of throwing it away.

THE TRANSPORT CHALLENGE

A. Chemicals emitted from the burning of fossil fuels by cars, trains, airplanes and ships have caused environmental problems such as the greenhouse effect and acid rain.

B. Exhaust fumes from vehicles pollute the atmosphere and harm health.

C. Ship and air transport pollutes the sea and the atmosphere.

D. We are increasingly using our car for our travels.

E. We consume imported products. Their transport burdens the planet with the pollutants of the means of transport.

WHAT CAN WE DO? 1. Walk.

2. Use the bike where we can.

3. Take public transportation and not our car whenever possible.

4. Do shopping in nearby stores.

5. Prefer local products that are not transported from far away.

6. Choose environmentally friendly means of transport (electric, hybrid) THE CHALLENGE OF ENERGY

A. People consume a lot of electricity.

About ¾ of electricity is generated by the combustion of oil, coal or gas.

Result: The increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) and the rise in temperature of the atmosphere.

Rising temperatures threaten the survival of some organisms.

The temperature changes = the climate changes = the landscape changes.

B. We consume so much oil that its reserves are depleted.

C. Power plants emit gases into the atmosphere, which fall to the ground with the rain. But this rain is acidic and is responsible, among other things, for the destruction of large forests.

WHAT CAN WE DO? 1. Turn off the lights when we do not need them.

2. Avoid using the radiator or air conditioner too much to keep warm. Instead dress warmly.

3. Insulate our homes.

4. Use energy saving lamps.

5. Choose electrical appliances that save energy (category A) 6. Unplug unused appliances.

7. Use solar energy to heat water and provide electricity to our buildings.

8. Heat our homes with geothermal energy.

Initial Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExNpnukxB2Q&t=1s Our memory quiz https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1435669572173692930

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