Basic 9 · Religious and Moral Education · The Environment
Effects of Environmental Destruction and Community Action
In this topic you will articulate the effects of human activities on the environment and explore strategies that communities can use to care for it.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain the effects of environmental damage
- Identify who is affected
- Explore strategies for community action
What you already know
- Human activities that destroy the environment
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- God, His Creation & Attributes
- Sub-strand
- The Environment
- Indicator
- B9.1.2.1.1 – Describe human activities that destroy the environment
Introduction
When we harm the environment, it does not stay out there. It comes back to our health, our food and our pockets.
1. Effects on Life
| Area | Effect |
|---|---|
| health | diseases, poisoning, breathing problems |
| food | poor harvests, fewer fish |
| water | shortages, high treatment costs |
| climate | heat, erratic rain |
| disasters | floods, landslides, drought |
| wildlife | loss of species |
| peace | conflicts over land and water |
2. Effects on the Poor
Those who suffer most from environmental damage are often those who caused it least. Poor families live in flood-prone areas, and they drink from rivers. Rural women walk further for water when streams dry up. Fisherfolk lose their income when fish disappear. Moral thinking says that this is unjust. Religious teaching gives special concern to the poor. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says that what is done for "the least of these" is done for him. Islam, too, commands care for those in need.
3. Effects on Future Generations
Those who come after us will inherit the world that we leave. If we cut down the forests, poison the rivers and fill the sea with plastic, our grandchildren will pay the price. A well-known saying states that we have borrowed the earth from our children. Traditional thought values the unborn, as well as the living and the dead. This means that the present generation has a duty to those who are not yet born.
4. Climate Change
Burning fossil fuels and cutting down forests add greenhouse gases to the air, warming the planet. In Ghana, we see changing rainfall, longer dry spells and rising seas that have eaten away coastal towns such as Keta. Farmers in the north may lose crops when rains fail. This drives young people to migrate to cities, where many work as kayayei, or head porters, often in hard conditions. So environmental damage can lead to social problems.
5. A Moral Wake-Up Call
These effects are warnings. In the Bible, prophets warned that the land suffers from human sin (Hosea 4:3). The Qur'an says that corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what people's hands have done (Surah 30:41). In traditional thought, when the earth is offended, misfortune follows, and rituals are required to restore balance. Though their language differs, the three traditions agree that our actions have consequences for the world.
New words
- consequence
- The result of an action.
- injustice
- Unfair treatment.
- generation
- People of about the same age.
- climate change
- Long-term change in weather patterns.
Summary
- Environmental damage harms health, food and peace.
- The poor and future generations suffer most.
- All three religions warn that actions have consequences.
Class activity: Cause and Effect Chain
- Choose one destructive activity.
- Draw a chain of its effects.
- Share your chain.
You need: Printed photographs of Ghanaian galamsey, Bush burning, Clean used sachet-water bag, Chart paper with markers
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is an effect of deforestation?
- A. loss of wildlife
- B. more trees
- C. cleaner air
- D. more rain always
Show answer
Answer: loss of wildlifeEffect.2. Who usually suffers most from pollution?
- A. the poor
- B. the rich
- C. the president
- D. visitors
Show answer
Answer: the poorJustice.3. Keta has been affected by sea erosion.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueCoast.4. Unfair treatment is ______.
Show answer
Answer: injusticeTerm.5. State three effects of environmental damage.
Show answer
Answer: Disease, poor harvests and flooding.Any three.6. Explain Surah 30:41 in relation to pollution.
Show answer
Answer: Corruption on land and sea comes from what people do, so people are responsible.Application.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- God, His Creation & Attributes
- Sub-strand
- The Environment
- Indicator
- B9.1.2.1.1 – Describe human activities that destroy the environment
Introduction
A community that works together can bring a dying river back to life. Change is possible.
1. What Communities Can Do
| Strategy | Example |
|---|---|
| tree planting | community woodlots, Green Ghana Day |
| clean-ups | monthly sanitation days |
| waste sorting | separate bins, recycling |
| bye-laws | rules against dumping and bush burning |
| fire volunteers | teams to control bushfires |
| education | talks in churches, mosques and schools |
| alternative jobs | beekeeping, soap making |
2. Roles of Different Groups
| Group | Role |
|---|---|
| chiefs | ban destructive activities on stool lands |
| religious leaders | teach care for creation |
| assemblies | enforce bye-laws |
| schools | environment clubs |
| youth groups | campaigns and tree planting |
| families | waste reduction and example |
Chiefs have a special responsibility as custodians of the land. Some have enforced bans on galamsey, while others have been accused of allowing it. Religious leaders can reach large numbers of people, and can include care for the environment in sermons and prayers.
3. Religious Action
Many religious groups in Ghana now plant trees and teach about the environment. Churches have held tree-planting events, and Muslim leaders have drawn on Islamic teaching on nature. A faith community could set up a "green team", reduce its use of plastic, or adopt a stream. Such actions show faith in practice. James 2:17 says that faith without works is dead, and that is also true when it comes to the environment.
4. Practical Example
- Identify a polluted stream.
- Talk to the chief and the assembly member.
- Hold a meeting of the community.
- Clear the rubbish.
- Plant trees along the banks.
- Make rules, and appoint people to watch over them.
- Celebrate and keep it up.
5. Why Efforts Fail
Projects often fail because people lose interest, or leaders do not follow up. Sometimes there are no alternatives for those whose livelihoods are affected. If you ban charcoal burning, how will the burners feed their families? Fair strategies consider everyone. They also need patience, because a tree takes years to grow. People who plant trees whose shade they may never sit under show true love for those who will come after them.
New words
- custodian
- A person who takes care of something.
- woodlot
- A small area of planted trees.
- bye-law
- A rule made by a local assembly.
- alternative
- Another possible choice.
Summary
- Communities can plant trees, clean up and make rules.
- Chiefs, religious leaders and youth have roles.
- Fair strategies provide alternatives and last for years.
Class activity: Community Plan
- Choose a local environmental problem.
- Write an action plan.
- Present it to the class.
You need: Clean used sachet-water bags, Poster paper, Markers
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Who are custodians of stool lands?
- A. chiefs
- B. tourists
- C. drivers
- D. pupils
Show answer
Answer: chiefsRole.2. "Faith without works is dead" is from…
- A. James 2:17
- B. Genesis 1:1
- C. Surah 1
- D. Psalm 23
Show answer
Answer: James 2:17Scripture.3. Religious leaders can teach care for creation.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueRole.4. A rule made by a local assembly is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: bye-lawTerm.5. State three community strategies.
Show answer
Answer: Tree planting, clean-ups and bye-laws.Any three.6. Why must strategies provide alternatives?
Show answer
Answer: People who depend on harmful work need another way of living.Fairness.
Homework
- Plant a tree or look after a plant, and record what you do for a month.