HASS · Year 10 · Environmental Change and Management · Term 4

Threats to Biodiversity

Analyse the major threats to the world's biodiversity, such as habitat loss, invasive species, and overexploitation of resources, and understand the importance of biodiversity for ecosystem health.

TL;DR:Explore the profound idea that how we see the world directly shapes how we treat it. This topic compares the ancient, holistic wisdom of First Nations Peoples with modern views on the environment.

• ACARA Content Descriptions
• AC: Geography (Year 10) - Human-induced environmental changes that challenge sustainability

About This Topic

This topic aligns with the Year 10 Australian Curriculum for HASS, particularly within the Geography and Civics and Citizenship strands. It delves into the critical examination of how different cultural and philosophical beliefs shape human-environment interactions, a key inquiry in understanding environmental change and management. The focus is on comparing the holistic, interconnected worldview of Australia's First Nations Peoples, centred on the concept of 'Country', with dominant Western anthropocentric perspectives that often view the environment as a collection of resources for human use.

Students will explore how these differing worldviews lead to vastly different approaches to sustainability, conservation, and land management. By investigating concepts like custodianship, kinship, and the spiritual dimensions of the land, students gain a deeper appreciation for the longevity and success of First Nations' environmental stewardship. The topic encourages critical thinking about the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation on the environment and the imperative to incorporate diverse knowledge systems, particularly First Nations' ecological knowledge, into contemporary environmental policy and decision-making to address complex challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss.

Key Questions

1. Explain why biodiversity is crucial for the resilience of ecosystems.
2. Analyse the impact of urban sprawl on local wildlife habitats.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of national parks in conserving biodiversity.

Learning Objectives

• Analyse the core tenets of a First Nations worldview in relation to Country and compare it with a Western anthropocentric worldview.
• Explain how differing worldviews influence approaches to environmental management and policy-making.
• Evaluate the role of traditional ecological knowledge in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
• Construct an argument justifying the importance of incorporating diverse cultural perspectives in environmental governance.

Key Vocabulary

Country	For First Nations Peoples, a holistic concept encompassing land, waterways, seas, and sky, as well as the spiritual and cultural connections and kinship relationships within that place.
Anthropocentrism	A worldview that considers human beings as the most important entity, interpreting the world primarily in terms of human values and experiences.
Custodianship	The inherited responsibility of First Nations Peoples to care for, protect, and maintain their Country according to cultural laws and practices.
Worldview	A comprehensive conception or philosophy of life held by an individual or group, which shapes how they perceive and interact with the world.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)	The cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs about the relationship of living beings with one another and with their environment, evolved by Indigenous peoples over thousands of years.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

First Nations Peoples' connection to Country is a historical concept, not a modern reality.

What to Teach Instead

This is a living, continuous connection. First Nations Peoples today actively practise culture, uphold custodial responsibilities, and apply traditional ecological knowledge to manage and care for Country.

Common Misconception

Caring for the environment is the same as First Nations' connection to Country.

What to Teach Instead

While they share goals, they are different. Modern environmentalism is often based on scientific and conservation ethics, whereas connection to Country is a holistic worldview encompassing spiritual, cultural, social, and physical kinship with the land, sea, and sky.

Common Misconception

An anthropocentric (human-centred) worldview is always destructive.

What to Teach Instead

Not necessarily. An anthropocentric view becomes problematic when it places human interests as separate from and superior to the environment, leading to exploitation. A perspective that recognises human well-being is entirely dependent on a healthy ecosystem can still be human-centred but lead to sustainable practices.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle

Worldview Venn Diagram

In pairs, students use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the First Nations concept of 'Country' with a Western, resource-centric view of land. They should identify distinct elements like spiritual kinship versus economic commodity, and shared elements like providing sustenance.

45 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle

Environmental Policy Debate

Divide the class into groups to debate a motion such as: 'All major environmental decisions in Australia must be co-designed with First Nations communities'. Students must research and argue from different stakeholder perspectives, such as a Traditional Owner, a government minister, a farmer, and an environmental scientist.

90 min·Small Groups

Case Study Analysis

Cultural Burning

Students research the practice of cultural burning by First Nations peoples as a land management tool. They will compare this approach to post-colonisation hazard reduction methods, analysing the underlying worldview and ecological outcomes of each.

60 min·Individual

Real-World Connections

• The establishment and co-management of Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs), which now make up a significant portion of Australia's conservation estate.
• Public debates and legal challenges over resource extraction projects on or near culturally significant sites, such as in the Pilbara or the Galilee Basin.
• The increasing use of First Nations' cultural fire management practices by state fire agencies to reduce bushfire risk and improve ecosystem health.
• The 'Voice to Parliament' debate, which includes discussions on how First Nations peoples can have a greater say in legislation and policy, including environmental management.
• The development of the tourism industry, where First Nations-led eco-tourism offers visitors authentic connections to Country and culture.

Assessment Ideas

Peer Assessment

Students write a comparative essay or create a digital presentation analysing how two different worldviews would approach the management of a specific Australian environmental issue, such as the health of the Murray-Darling Basin or the Great Barrier Reef.

Exit Ticket

Exit ticket: Students write a one-paragraph summary explaining how an anthropocentric worldview can lead to environmental exploitation, using a specific example.

Discussion Prompt

Students use a rubric to evaluate their own participation and contribution during the group policy debate, reflecting on their ability to articulate a specific viewpoint and listen to others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'land' and 'Country'?

In a Western context, 'land' often refers to property or a physical resource. For First Nations Australians, 'Country' is a much broader, holistic concept that includes the land, waterways, sky, and all living things, as well as the spiritual beliefs, stories, and kinship relationships connected to that place. People belong to Country, not the other way around.

Why is it important to include First Nations perspectives in environmental policy?

First Nations Peoples have sustainably managed the Australian continent for over 65,000 years, accumulating a deep and sophisticated body of traditional ecological knowledge. This knowledge offers proven, place-based solutions for contemporary issues like fire management, water conservation, and biodiversity protection, leading to more effective and holistic environmental outcomes.

Are all Western views on the environment the same?

No. While a utilitarian, resource-focused view has been dominant, many Western philosophies exist. These include conservationism (protecting resources for future human use), preservationism (protecting nature for its intrinsic value), and deep ecology (which sees humans as just one part of a wider ecosystem).