K-12: Environmental Literacy
Reduce Video
Twelth Grade Curriculum
Twelfth Grade - Economics
12.1.4. Economics
Private Property and Resource Conservation
Students explore economic issues as they relate to resource conservation. Students examine how Californians have dealt with water ownership in the 150 years since statehood. The unit focuses on the possible consequences of common ownership of resources including possible degradation and resource depletion. Students see how water in the state came to be defined as a public, not a private, good. They also learn about land trust and other incentives that encourage private property owners to care for their natural resources. At the end of the unit, students use what they have learned to research and analyze ownership and use of a resource in their community over time.
12.2.2./12.2.7. Economics
Sustaining Economies and the Earth's Resources
Students study "sustainable economics," an economic system with a focus of sustaining ecosystem goods and services over a long period of time. By examining a case study about the U.S. and international fishing industries, they learn about economic forces and our dependence on natural systems. They analyze the relationship among supply, demand, scarcity, and price to learn about making informed decisions as consumers. In subsequent lessons, students apply their knowledge about ecosystem dynamics to an investigation about industry practices on ocean resources and marine ecosystems. The final lesson examines the function of regulatory measures in sustaining both the natural systems and the fishing industry for future generations.
12.3.1. Economics
The Role of Government in Environmental Economics
This unit focuses on understanding the role of government in a free-market economy from the perspective of addressing environmental concerns. Students examine the fiscal policies, incentives, and market forces governments use to influence business activities that affect the natural environment. Students consider the pros and cons of a new approach toward environmental protection- one that uses market mechanisms. Emissions trading (for example, cap and trade) gives businesses incentives to comply with environmental standards while also allowing them flexibility in compliance.
Twelfth Grade - Principles Of An American Democracy
12.2.2./12.2.5.
Principles of American Democracy: This Land is Our Land
Students explore California-specific case studies about laws, regulations, policies, and decision-making processes related to environmental decisions and individual rights. Students consider the "balance" between an individual's use and management of natural resources and the "common good." They explore the reciprocity between rights and obligations to ensure public health and safety. Students learn that such decisions are influenced by a spectrum of factors, including laws, policies, financial incentives, risk analyses, knowledge, and rights and responsibilities. Analysis of the history of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill is the basis for examining conflicts over environmental issues that result from competing perspectives.
12.3.2. Principles of American democracy
Active Voices: Civil Society and the Environment
Students examine case studies related to how citizens have influenced governmental decisions related to environmental issues in ways other than voting. Using a set of California-specific case studies, students examine how citizens voice their needs for social and environmental justice. They build an understanding of ways by which citizens make their voices heard, including methods that involve interaction with formal governmental processes and strategies that aim to educate and galvanize public opinion. Finally, students, analyze commonalities and differences among the unit's environmental case studies including differences in strategies that various stakeholders chose to implement.
12.7.6. Principles of American democracy
Making and Implementing Environmental Laws
This unit examines lawmaking processes and roles of federal, state, and local governments related to environmental and public health. Students read about federal and state Superfund laws and Superfund sites in California as a means of comparing different levels of government, They explore the complex relationship between state, federal, and local governments in resolving environmental issues. The final lessons analyze California's Brownfields Program and explore California's Green Chemistry Initiative, an policy strategy for encouraging industry to use "green," rather than potentially toxic, materials.
Twelfth Grade - Economics
12.1.4. Economics
Private Property and Resource Conservation
Students explore economic issues as they relate to resource conservation. Students examine how Californians have dealt with water ownership in the 150 years since statehood. The unit focuses on the possible consequences of common ownership of resources including possible degradation and resource depletion. Students see how water in the state came to be defined as a public, not a private, good. They also learn about land trust and other incentives that encourage private property owners to care for their natural resources. At the end of the unit, students use what they have learned to research and analyze ownership and use of a resource in their community over time.
12.2.2./12.2.7. Economics
Sustaining Economies and the Earth's Resources
Students study "sustainable economics," an economic system with a focus of sustaining ecosystem goods and services over a long period of time. By examining a case study about the U.S. and international fishing industries, they learn about economic forces and our dependence on natural systems. They analyze the relationship among supply, demand, scarcity, and price to learn about making informed decisions as consumers. In subsequent lessons, students apply their knowledge about ecosystem dynamics to an investigation about industry practices on ocean resources and marine ecosystems. The final lesson examines the function of regulatory measures in sustaining both the natural systems and the fishing industry for future generations.
12.3.1. Economics
The Role of Government in Environmental Economics
This unit focuses on understanding the role of government in a free-market economy from the perspective of addressing environmental concerns. Students examine the fiscal policies, incentives, and market forces governments use to influence business activities that affect the natural environment. Students consider the pros and cons of a new approach toward environmental protection- one that uses market mechanisms. Emissions trading (for example, cap and trade) gives businesses incentives to comply with environmental standards while also allowing them flexibility in compliance.
Twelfth Grade - Principles Of An American Democracy
12.2.2./12.2.5.
Principles of American Democracy: This Land is Our Land
Students explore California-specific case studies about laws, regulations, policies, and decision-making processes related to environmental decisions and individual rights. Students consider the "balance" between an individual's use and management of natural resources and the "common good." They explore the reciprocity between rights and obligations to ensure public health and safety. Students learn that such decisions are influenced by a spectrum of factors, including laws, policies, financial incentives, risk analyses, knowledge, and rights and responsibilities. Analysis of the history of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill is the basis for examining conflicts over environmental issues that result from competing perspectives.
12.3.2. Principles of American democracy
Active Voices: Civil Society and the Environment
Students examine case studies related to how citizens have influenced governmental decisions related to environmental issues in ways other than voting. Using a set of California-specific case studies, students examine how citizens voice their needs for social and environmental justice. They build an understanding of ways by which citizens make their voices heard, including methods that involve interaction with formal governmental processes and strategies that aim to educate and galvanize public opinion. Finally, students, analyze commonalities and differences among the unit's environmental case studies including differences in strategies that various stakeholders chose to implement.
12.7.6. Principles of American democracy
Making and Implementing Environmental Laws
This unit examines lawmaking processes and roles of federal, state, and local governments related to environmental and public health. Students read about federal and state Superfund laws and Superfund sites in California as a means of comparing different levels of government, They explore the complex relationship between state, federal, and local governments in resolving environmental issues. The final lessons analyze California's Brownfields Program and explore California's Green Chemistry Initiative, an policy strategy for encouraging industry to use "green," rather than potentially toxic, materials.
