06 People Working on Global Issues
/06 People Working on Global Issues
*Maria was a nine-year-old girl who learned at school about the problems caused by the growing global population.
/*Maria was a nine-year-old girl who learned at school about the problems caused by the growing global population.
The teacher said, “A hundred years ago, the world population was about 2 billion, but now it has exceeded 8 billion. This rapid increase causes various problems such as shortages of food, water, and places to live.”
/The teacher said, “A hundred years ago, the world population was about 2 billion, but now it has exceeded 8 billion. This rapid increase causes various problems such as shortages of food, water, and places to live.”
*Maria was surprised and asked, “Why did it increase so much?”
/*Maria was surprised and asked, “Why did it increase so much?”
The teacher replied, “Thanks to advances in medicine and agriculture, many people can live healthier lives. But that means we need to think about how to use Earth’s resources.”
/The teacher replied, “Thanks to advances in medicine and agriculture, many people can live healthier lives. But that means we need to think about how to use Earth’s resources.”
On the weekend, *Maria had a chance to talk with Mr. Alex, the leader of an international NGO working on population issues.
/On the weekend, *Maria had a chance to talk with Mr. Alex, the leader of an international NGO working on population issues.
*Mr. Alex works on problems like food shortages and environmental issues caused by population growth.
/*Mr. Alex works on problems like food shortages and environmental issues caused by population growth.
“*Mr. Alex, what kinds of problems happen when the population increases?” *Maria asked.
/“*Mr. Alex, what kinds of problems happen when the population increases?” *Maria asked.
*Mr. Alex replied, “When the population grows, food, water, and energy may become insufficient. Also, forests may decrease, and global warming may worsen.”
/*Mr. Alex replied, “When the population grows, food, water, and energy may become insufficient. Also, forests may decrease, and global warming may worsen.”
“What are you doing to solve these problems?” *Maria asked further.
/“What are you doing to solve these problems?” *Maria asked further.
*Mr. Alex explained, “We promote sustainable farming and suggest ways to use renewable energy. We also work with politicians to create global rules.”
/*Mr. Alex explained, “We promote sustainable farming and suggest ways to use renewable energy. We also work with politicians to create global rules.”
*Maria was impressed and said, “So politicians are involved too!”
/*Maria was impressed and said, “So politicians are involved too!”
*Mr. Alex nodded and said, “Yes. Politics plays an important role in creating systems where everyone can work together to solve problems. That’s why it’s important for us citizens to speak up too.”
/*Mr. Alex nodded and said, “Yes. Politics plays an important role in creating systems where everyone can work together to solve problems. That’s why it’s important for us citizens to speak up too.”
Later, *Maria shared *Mr. Alex’s story with her classmates at school and said, “Let’s think about what we can do to protect the Earth together!”
/Later, *Maria shared *Mr. Alex’s story with her classmates at school and said, “Let’s think about what we can do to protect the Earth together!”
The class began discussing recycling and saving energy.
/The class began discussing recycling and saving energy.
That night, *Maria told her family, “I learned that population growth causes serious problems, but there are people working hard to solve them. I was really moved! I want to start doing something to help protect the Earth!”
/That night, *Maria told her family, “I learned that population growth causes serious problems, but there are people working hard to solve them. I was really moved! I want to start doing something to help protect the Earth!”
Review Multiple Choice Questions
/Review Multiple Choice Questions
What was the world population about 100 years ago?
/What was the world population about 100 years ago?
a. About 2 billion
/a. About 2 billion
b. About 5 billion
/b. About 5 billion
c. About 8 billion
/c. About 8 billion
What kind of activities is *Mr. Alex working on?
/What kind of activities is *Mr. Alex working on?
a. Promoting sustainable farming and renewable energy
/a. Promoting sustainable farming and renewable energy
b. Making new toys
/b. Making new toys
c. Reducing forests
/c. Reducing forests
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
How do you think *Maria felt after hearing *Mr. Alex’s story? And if you were to think about what you can do for the Earth, what actions would you like to take?
/How do you think *Maria felt after hearing *Mr. Alex’s story? And if you were to think about what you can do for the Earth, what actions would you like to take?
Are there things you can do in your community or school to help with population growth or environmental issues? Talk about it with your family and friends.
/Are there things you can do in your community or school to help with population growth or environmental issues? Talk about it with your family and friends.
