HoW Do HUMAnS InTErACT WITH ECoSYSTEMS?

THINK

What things can you get from nature?

1 Look, listen and read.

Natural resources are the things in nature that we use or take.

What do ecosystems give us?

Food

We get food from crop farming, livestock farming and fishing.

Water Land

We need water to drink, for sailing, irrigation, washing and energy.

Raw materials

Well-being

We use land for building houses and roads, and for farming and animals.

We use rocks, wood, wool, cotton and other materials to make things, for medicine and for energy.

What do we use these resources for? 2 sunlight oil lettuce cotton sheep trees gardens

We use ecosystems for walking and exercising. We admire their beauty, and we do activities.

What do we use cotton for?

3 Cities have got urban ecosystems. Name five living things you can find in an urban ecosystem.

We use cotton for making clothes.

I take care of forests!

Hi! I’m Esther. I’m a forest engineer. I make plans for using the natural resources without harming the environment. I plan how to prevent fires, collect and use wood, etc.

I build sustainable cities!

Hi! I’m Roberto. I’m a town planner. I make the urban ecosystem a nice place for living things. I plan where to put houses, roads, parks, offices, etc.

Imagine you are Esther or Roberto.

What can you do to improve your city?

Step 2

What natural resources do you need to make the changes?

Represent your ideas. You can use plasticine, drawings, videos, anything you want!

Step 3

Present your sustainable city to your classmates. Vote for your favourite. Build the best project!

CHECK WHAT YoU LEArnED

NOW I KNOW…

We get food, water, land, raw materials and well-being from nature.

Do you know any harmed ecosystem around you?

1 Look, listen and read.

When we take natural resources from the environment and use them, we change ecosystems.

We cause harm when we… a) We consume coal too quickly. Ecosystems haven’t got enough time to produce more. b) We hunt and fish species that are nearly extinct. c) We cut down too many trees. Trees take many years to grow again. d) We destroy the habitats of plants and animals when we build roads. e) Human activities pollute the environment with harmful emissions. f) Campings disturb the calmness of landscapes with light and noise.

… use all the resources. … cause pollution. … occupy lots of space.

We consume resources too fast, so they can’t be restored. This is called over-exploitation.

Human activities pollute ecosystems with smoke, plastic, noise and light.

2 Match the sentences to the pictures in your notebook.

Cities, roads, industry, crops and livestock farms use lots of space. We leave little for other living things.

Our ecosystems are in danger!

Climate change and air pollution are a big problem! The Earth’s atmosphere and the seas are heating up. All this causes global warming. Some species of living things are extinct. Other species, like the Greek tortoise in Almería and Murcia, are endangered. This happens because of fires, uncontrolled urbanism and unsustainable agricultural practices.

1 Look at these endangered animals. Match each description to the correct animal and the correct question.

Humans take my horn and use it for medicine.

Pacific Ocean Polar bear Arctic

I suffocate because I eat plastic in the sea.

I can’t hunt for food because climate change is making the ice melt.

What animal is it?

2 Make cards with the pictures of the animals and the information about them. Then, tell your classmates.

3

Brainstorm ideas and make a poster with a list of five tips to reduce environmental harm.

To learn how to create digital content, see worksheet 2 from the ICT Plan at anayaeducacion.es

NOW I KNOW…

Many ecosystems have got problems and some are disappearing because of human action.

Where does it live? Why is it endangered? CHECK

TIPS!

1 Stop polluting!

2 …

What do you do to protect ecosystems?

1 Look, listen and read.

We need to protect ecosystems and resources. We need to do a sustainable use of natural resources. Everyone can help achieve this goal by living a sustainable life.

Separate and sort plastic, glass, paper and cardboard for recycling. Have a shower instead of a bath. Turn off taps when you don’t need them.

Objects made from plastic and other materials.

Turn off lights and devices when you aren’t using them.

Respect animals and plants when you visit the countryside. Don’t drop litter and never start a fire.

2 Choose the correct action for a sustainable lifestyle.

1. In a restaurant, I want some water, so I… a) ask for tap water in a jug.

2. In the toilet, I… a) throw tissues in the bin.

3. During my break, I… a) leave the banana peel on the bench. b) ask for bottled water. b) flush tissues down the toilet. b) throw the banana peel in the bin.

In pairs, make suggestions to take care of the environment. 3

Do you want to go to school by car?

No, I don’t. It isn’t too ecofriendly.

Then, let’s go by bike!

Yes, that sounds great!

Do you know this symbol? Gary Anderson designed it in 1971. It’s the international symbol for recycling. The three arrows represent the three steps of recycling: reduce, reuse and recycle.

1 Find objects in your home with this symbol or look for objects on the Internet. Make a list of the objects you find.

2 There are different logos for different sustainable actions. Look at the pictures and match them to their meaning.

3 Work in groups. It’s time to take action!

a) Brainstorm sustainable actions that you can take in class or around your school. For example: b) Design a logo for each action. Keep them simple. People need to understand its meaning. c) Set your logos around your classroom or school to help people be sustainable.

• Recycle paper, cardboard or packagings.

• Collect toys and give them to charity.

• Turn off taps when you don’t use them.

• Turn off lights when you don’t use them.

For help using ICT sustainably, see worksheet 5 from the ICT Plan at anayaeducacion.es.

NOW I KNOW…