How are humans causing extinction of species? (Secondary) - Introduction

• Social Studies
• History
• +3
• 11th,12th Grade

Introduction

This course provides five lessons which discuss the causes of mass extinction events and how the current one differs to previous events. Focusing on the ocean, it looks at how humans are impacting ecosystems and what actions we could take to prevent species from disappearing.

Instructions

Time: 45 minutes

Contact: [e-mail]
© Sea Shepherd 2022

How are humans causing the extinction of species?

This course provides five lessons which discuss the causes of mass extinction events and how the current one differs to previous events. Focusing on the ocean, it looks at how humans are impacting ecosystems and what actions we could take to prevent species from disappearing.

Lesson 1 - Are we in the 6th mass extinction event?

This lesson covers previous mass extinction events and what the key indicators are of an extinction event.

Learning activities:
    Discuss key changes that are occurring and what species are disappearing.
    Research previous extinction events, their causes and species impacted.

Lesson 2 - What causes mass extinction events?

This lesson discusses how manmade issues are contributing to the extinction of species, focusing on climate change and pollution.

Learning activities:
    Discuss what type of pollution students are contributing to.
    Research and write a report on a type of pollution.

Lesson 3 - What role are human activities playing?

This lesson covers the issues of overfishing, illegal fishing and by-catch and the role they are playing in reducing the number of species.

Learning activities:
    Discuss how students are contributing to overfishing.
    Research one of the following topics and write a report – overfishing, illegal fishing or by-catch.

Lesson 4 - What are the impacts on the ocean ecosystem?

This lesson discusses the impact of manmade issues on the ocean ecosystem and how these form a threat to species and habitat.

Learning activities:
    Consider how these issues are impacting our life support system.
    Research and report on an ocean ecosystem that is being damaged.

Lesson 5 - How can we help prevent the extinction of species?

This lesson examines how each of the identified manmade issues could be addressed and shows which actions tackle issues like overfishing.

Learning activities:
    Research and report on a critically endangered species and devise a plan to save it from extinction.
    Identify actions that each student could take to help save marine species.

www.seashepherdglobal.org