Overall Objective
To have students understand the complexity of the interests of human players in environmental issues and also to appreciate the element of time: Environmental issues are rarely solved quickly, and the effects on human health can take years to manifest themselves.

Grade Level
Advanced 9–12 and beyond. This unit can be adapted to younger grades and different courses of study in various Canadian provinces and territories.

Content Areas
Geography
Environmental Science
Social Studies
Canadian History
Economics
English – Report Writing
Political Science
Environmental Law

Materials Required
Access to a computer lab, Internet connection, flip chart paper, markers.
Optional: PowerPoint software, Web camera, data projector/ASK Proxima

Summary
There are many people and complex issues involved in environmental debates. Potential damage to the environment from industrial projects is only one of the concerns. There are also issues of employment, economics and the impacts on traditional ways of life. Too often debates are presented as simply “us vs. them,” whereas the subject of land use and human interaction with the environment is extremely complex. In Canada, this is particularly true. The suggested activities will help students understand the stakeholders involved in issues related to the environmental impacts of industrial use of the land and its resources.

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