Minds On

Reducing our environmental impacts

Let’s explore a video in which we learn about how communities around the world are reducing our impacts on the natural environment.

Brainstorm

What do you think?

  • How are people around the world protecting the environment?
  • What are some other ways that we can protect the environment in Canada?

If possible, discuss with a partner and record your ideas orally, digitally, in print, or in a method of your choice.

Image of a bamboo forest

Bamboo is a sustainable construction material because it releases thirty-five percent more oxygen than trees and grows faster.

Action

Impacts of industry on Canada’s natural environment

The five Great Lakes are an important part of the natural environment in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands region.

Image of wildlife in the Great Lakes region

A Great Blue Heron stands on the rocky shore of Lake Erie.

Explore the following video about the Great Lakes in Canada.

Pollution is one impact that industries have on the natural environment in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands region.

Image of an industrial plant on the Great Lakes.

A steel plant on the shore of Lake Ontario releases pollution into the air.

We are now going to research information about how industries have impacted humans and the natural environment in the physical regions of Canada.

Choose one of the following industries:

  • agriculture
  • fishing
  • fossil Fuels
  • mining

Choose one of the following physical regions:

  • Appalachian Region
  • Arctic Lands
  • Canadian Shield
  • Hudson Bay Lowlands
  • Interior Plains
  • Western Cordillera
A neighbourhood of houses next to a lake that extends to the horizon in the background.

Now, research how the industry you chose affects the natural environment in the physical region you chose. You can begin your search by exploring government websites, the Canadian Encyclopedia, or resources created by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Record your research using the Impacts of Industry activity in your notebook, in the following fillable and printable documents, or in a method of your choice. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text, or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Impacts of Industry. 


Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Consolidation

Comparing industry impacts

We are now going to compare and contrast the impacts of two industries on the natural environment.

Use the industry you researched for our Action activity, then choose a second industry in a different physical region and research its impact on the natural environment. You can begin your search by exploring government websites, the Canadian Encyclopedia, or resources created by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.

Use your research to complete the Comparing Industry Impacts Venn Diagram activity in your notebook, in the following fillable and printable documents, or in a method of your choice. Be sure to include:

  • a few facts about the industry
  • details about the physical region that industry is in
  • the impact that the industries have on the environment

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Comparing Industry Impacts Venn Diagram. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)
A neighbourhood of houses next to a lake that extends to the horizon in the background.

Ajax, Ontario is a city on the coast of Lake Ontario.

Why do you think there a lot of settlements on the shores of the Great Lakes?

Record your response using a method of your choice.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.