Category 7:
Health and Environmental Awareness Issues

A. Task:
Produce a website that teaches about how countries can work together to address health and environmental issues (i.e. to protect natural resources, eliminate world hunger, promote better healthcare access, etc.).
Read rules and instructions.

B. Learning Objectives:

Students will be able to list examples of ways countries are working together to address health and environmental issues.
Students will be able to describe the impact their behaviors have on the environment and take individual action for positive change.

C. Discussion Questions:

These discussion questions are provided to introduce the topics global health and environmental issues.

What worldwide environmental issues are most compelling today?
Why does the environmental policy of one country affect others?
What can individual citizens do to help protect the environment?
What does the term, "Think globally, act locally" mean?
What is being done about air and water quality where you live?
What natural resources exist where you live and in your country?
What resources must your country import from elsewhere?
What are some of the medical and health concerns in your country? Are these issues of concern in other countries?
How do health issues in other countries affect citizens in your country?
How is the topic of hunger addressed in the your country and in other countries around the world?
How are people with disabilities helped in your community?

D. Suggested Starter Activities:

Develop a questionnaire/survey to determine the most world's most environmentally conscientious companies. Discuss the results. Decide on an appropriate award or presentation for that company or business.
Elected officials at all levels make decisions that impact the environment. Call or write them to find out what they are doing to preserve and protect the environment.
Find out about international efforts to control disease and promote health.
Research opposing views on the topics you are interested in.
Talk with local groups who are focusing on health and environmental issues and find out about their work.
List the various programs at your school and community that deal with the environment. Explain the background of these programs.
Explain how people in your community have changed in regard to environmental awareness. Find an older person who has lived in your area prior to 1960 and develop a "The Way Things Used to Be" experience sheet.
Investigate how waste produced in our homes and schools--trash, hazardous materials, sewage, urban run-off and litter--impacts local habitats.
Check with your community and/or city council to find out what development plans are being made and how they will affect the environment.
If possible, arrange for the class to visit the nearest landfill. Call the site in advance to request an official guide. If this is not possible, arrange for an official to visit the class to present key information about modern landfills.
Brainstorm with the class a list of questions related to the effects of poor trash disposal on the health and life spans of people during specific periods in history and in specific geographical locations, such as the Middle Ages in Europe.
Review web projects created by past Doors to Diplomacy participants.