You have learned that sometimes government and/or corporate decisions affect some groups of people and/or the environment in negative ways.  

You have also learned that many of these decisions to extract resources in a certain area are motivated by economic self-interest.

The focus of the lessons above were mostly oil and gas and mined resources and although there are many benefits to this type of resource extraction, you have learned that care and attention must be given to the communities that will be affected and to the environment.

There are many other types of resources, such as forests, fish, and water (hydro-electricity).  The removal of any of these resources have impacts on the environment and communities that depend on the wildlife and resources in the area.  

For this assignment, you have several options.  Choose ONE to complete and submit all work below.  If you have your own idea for an assignment, please discuss with your teacher.  

Assignment Choice A - Write a Series of Newspaper Clippings

Instructions:

Write a minimum of 5 newspaper articles that follow one resource extraction from start to finish.  It can relate to the information provided or you can choose a resource to research on your own.  You can focus on both positive and negative impacts or just one or the other.  It is up to you.

Marking:

Your newspaper articles should include:

• What the resource is.
• Where the resource extraction has occurred.
• Who has removed it.
• Who and/or what is affected by the removal. (community, environment, wildlife habitat, water quality, etc.)

Assignment Choice B - Draw a Poster and Explain

Draw a poster of any resource extraction and surrounding area.  This poster can be of any type of resource extraction and must clearly label what is affected by the extraction - environment (land, water, habitat) and/or communities in the area.   Include a written explanation of your poster detailing the process as well. 

Marking:

Your poster and written portion clearly indicates:

• What the resource is.
• Where the resource extraction has occurred.
• Who has removed it.
• Who and/or what is affected by the removal. (community, environment, wildlife habitat, water quality, etc.)

Take a picture of your poster.  Make sure you submit a large enough file so that all the details can be seen clearly.  Submit the written portion as well.

Assignment Choice C - My Experience 

Put yourself in the shoes of a person who is affected by resource extraction. 

Your can choose to be any person, but some suggestions are:

A young person living in a community near a large scale extraction operation.

An environmentalist concerned about the impacts of resource extraction in a specific area.

A corporation executive trying to satisfy community and environmentalist concerns.

Write a short story (include images), series of diary entries, or letters that discuss your personal experiences with any particular resource extraction.   You can start your entries/story at the beginning of the journey and include details of daily life.

Marking:

Your writing clearly demonstrates:

• Basic information - who what, where, and when
• The personal impact of the resource extraction
• The struggles and daily life of the character
• The thoughts and emotions of the character