We only have one Earth: Are we doing

enough?
LT4 Living Discipline Photo Essay: Science
CDPD 500
By Christie Wall
 Alberta Program of Studies, Science
The science curriculum invites students
to use their natural curiosity to inquire,
investigate and explore opportunities
to learn about their environment. The
dynamic world we live in today is
constantly evolving, and we need our
future citizens to be able to adapt and
continually question the issues that
arise. Their choices and actions as
tomorrow’s global citizens require a
solid understanding of the world.
These future citizens need to ask the
important questions, understand the
problems, and pursue efficient
solutions.
Citizens around the globe continue to protest climate change, questioning past
environmental practices and raising awareness in hopes of enacting change.
 Environmental activists and celebrities lend their name to the cause, increasing the
visibility of the issues surrounding climate change. This creates opportunities that invite
questions, investigations and exploration of the matters connected to the environment,
providing all citizens with the opportunity to have a voice.
 With awareness about climate change growing and frequently appearing in the media,
science education is imperative because our future citizens need to be informed with
facts and understandings of the Earth’s processes to ask relevant questions and critically
evaluate potential inaccuracies.
Offering meaningful observations and perspectives from around the world to increase
foundational understanding that the human impact on the environment is global.
Every citizen has made an impact and can be part of the solution.

Shanghai, China January 2013

New Delhi, India October 2017
 Knowing what factors contribute to climate change forms the essential basis for
understanding where patterns exist and help to connect new ideas to increase awareness and
create change. This understanding will prepare our future citizens for life in this ever-
changing world, helping to develop critical consumers and impacting daily choices.
 We observe evidence of our Earth changing all around us. Encouraging reflection
and asking critical questions like, “how does the Earth warming impact us and all
living things?” is evidence of understanding the connection between the change in
climate and its’ impact on life. Building on foundational knowledge to enhance further
inquiry with such questions as, “how does the melting glaciers and ice caps impact
the water supply?”
 Scientific research groups are working to combine data so they can bring their
knowledge to Canadians so we can understand the connection between our actions and
climate change. Scientific understanding allows citizens to make informed decisions
about their actions and choices that have a cumulative effect on the environment.
 The knowledge that we can all be innovators and changemakers in our quest to
help lessen human impact on the environment is an advantage of science
education. Understanding that technology can play a significant role may lead us
on the path to a more efficient and less polluted world.
 Curiosity and inquiry have resulted in a multidisciplinary approach to embrace
technology and harness innovation to create cleaner, abundant, renewable sources
of energy to help citizens and government balance economic and environmental
concerns.
 Scientific understanding can help shape policy that can impact the balance of industry
and environment. An example is the Canadian government bringing in legislation to help
reduce single-use plastics in 2021.
 Building on foundational knowledge and using observations and evidence to understand and
evaluate how we make energy, how we use energy, and how one's everyday choices impact the
Earth is why science education is essential. Through scientific understanding, we can all make a
collective effort to improve our relationship with the Earth and create change.
 Curiosity drives exploration, which leads us on a quest for answers. Science provides
meaning and opportunities to evaluate and understand the world and its interactions. We
have the privilege of being able to work, live and play on this beautiful planet, and science
provides citizens with the context to realize their impact on the dynamic, ever-changing Earth.
Together, with knowledge comes understanding which empowers the actions that can bring
about change.
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