Environmental Action Group Discussion

Each member of your group is part of a committee for an Environmental Organization, GCEAO (Granite City Environmental Action Organization). The GCEAO has 20,000 dollars to allot to environmental programs. Many groups have submitted their applications to receive this money. Your team's job is to determine how the 20,000 dollars should be spent. At the end of the hour, your group will be asked to explain what your 20,000 was spent on and to justify your choices.

Teams shall be composed of 4-6 members. To help you identify the causes that are most important to your group a number scale is included with each program. As a group, choose the number that best describes how important the program is. 1 = least important; 5 = very important

Programs

orangutan

1,000 donated to this organization will help save 4 orphaned orangutans and pay for their rehabilitation and eventual release back into the wild. You may opt to spend more than 1,000 for this cause.

1 2 3 4 5

shelter

1,000 donated to this organization will help feed and house 5 dogs and 10 cats for a year. You may opt to spend more money to help more animals. The shelter also provides low cost spaying and neutering for pets to help prevent pet overpopulation.

1 2 3 4 5

creek

This local organization is dedicated to cleaning up creeks and natural water supplies in the area. They not only beautify the area but clean up pollution caused by chemicals and trash. This company is asking for 5,000 to help restore your local creeks.

1 2 3 4 5

education

This organization is asking for 4,000 dollars to help with education. They go to local schools to teach children about environmental concerns and organize Earth Day Celebrations at local schools.

1 2 3 4 5

environment

This is a national organization whose job is to lobby government officials and see that environmentally friendly laws are passed. The Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act were passed due to efforts from this organization. They are requesting 5,000 that will help them continue their efforts

1 2 3 4 5

children

Feeding Children Better is a national organization that travels to impoverished countries and helps to feed children (and adults). In addition, this group helps communities set up farms and clean water supplies so that hunger across the world can be decreased. They are requesting 10,000 to fund an operation in Africa to help the people there.

1 2 3 4 5

steel

Granite City Steelworkers for the Betterment of the Environment is a local group organized by workers of the steel mill. They are requesting 15,000 to add a special filter to the smokestack that will reduce the pollution in Granite City by 80%.

1 2 3 4 5

design

Innovative Designs is a non-profit company that researches alternate energy sources, such as solar and electric power. They are currently researching a car that will run entirely on corn oil (a renewable resource). A request of 20,000 will help them complete the design and functioning of this car.

1 2 3 4 5

prairie

Prairieland Agriculture is a biological company that is dedicated to developing pest resistance crops. Such crops would reduce the need to put chemicals onto the land and improve the overall environment of the prairie ecosystem. 10,000 will go toward research.

1 2 3 4 5

recycle

Recycle USA is a national company that operates locally. For $10,000 the company will set up a recycle center in your community. Recycling will reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill and be self-sustaining, money from the center will be returned to the community.

1 2 3 4 5

forest

This organization buys land and designates it as a protected area. The land is used as a habitat for threatened animals, such as wolves, and for non threatened animals such as deer and rabbits. The organization is requesting $15,000 to buy 50 acres of land near your community that will be preserved for wildlife.

1 2 3 4 5

rainforest

This is a global organization that is dedicated to saving the rainforests in Africa, Asia, and South America. A $10,000 donation will save 500 acres of rainforest and help prevent species extinction for several animals and plants native to the rainforest.

1 2 3 4 5

save the whales

Save the Whales provided money to help endangered whales. $1,000 will save 1 whale per year.

1 2 3 4 5

zero population

An organization devoted to education in impoverished countries. They provide services that help women make responsible choices about their reproduction, and reduce the area's overall population growth. $15,000 will provide a clinic in a country that will provide women with birth control.

1 2 3 4 5

 

ANALYSIS

1. List the programs your group decided to fund, make sure you do not spend more that 20,000

2. Generally, what programs were most attractive to the members of your group. Why did some programs receive a score of 5, but others had a lower score?

3. The World Wildlife Foundation often runs commercials that show polar bears or other animals. Why do you think this type of advertising campaign is used?

4. Consider what you've learned about people's choices and their willingness to donate to causes. If you are trying to make an advertisement for your community to get people to recycle, how would encourage participation? Describe or sketch your advertising campaign below.