Geography · Grade 12 · Sustainable Futures · Term 4

Defining Sustainability & Development

Students explore different definitions of sustainability and sustainable development, examining their historical evolution and core principles.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: Sustainability and Stewardship - Grade 12

About This Topic

Strategies for sustainability evaluate different models of development that aim to balance economic growth with ecological health and social equity. In the Ontario curriculum, this topic moves beyond basic 'green' tips to look at systemic changes in urban planning, energy production, and agriculture. Students investigate the concept of 'sustainable development' and debate whether it is a truly achievable goal or a contradiction in terms.

A key focus is the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems into modern conservation. Students explore how traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) offers a long term perspective on land stewardship that contrasts with short term industrial models. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of sustainable cities and engage in collaborative problem solving to address local environmental challenges.

Key Questions

1. Explain the concept of 'intergenerational equity' within the framework of sustainable development.
2. Compare and contrast different models of sustainable development (e.g., weak vs. strong sustainability).
3. Critique the challenges of achieving true sustainability in a globalized economy.

Learning Objectives

• Critique the historical evolution of sustainability definitions, identifying key shifts in focus.
• Compare and contrast weak and strong sustainability models, citing specific examples of each.
• Explain the principle of intergenerational equity and its application in sustainable development frameworks.
• Analyze the challenges posed by globalization to achieving environmental and social sustainability.
• Synthesize information from diverse sources to propose solutions for local sustainable development issues.

Before You Start

Introduction to Environmental Issues

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of environmental problems to grasp the context and necessity of sustainability.

Economic Systems and Globalization

Why: Understanding different economic models and the impact of globalization is crucial for analyzing the challenges of achieving sustainability in a globalized economy.

Key Vocabulary

Sustainable Development	Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It balances economic, social, and environmental considerations.
Intergenerational Equity	The concept that future generations should have the same or better opportunities and resources as the present generation. It is a core principle of sustainable development.
Weak Sustainability	A perspective that allows for the substitution of natural capital with manufactured capital, suggesting that technological innovation can compensate for environmental degradation.
Strong Sustainability	A perspective that emphasizes the non-substitutability of natural capital. It argues that natural resources and ecological systems have intrinsic value and cannot be fully replaced by human-made capital.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)	A cumulative body of knowledge, practice, and belief, evolving by adaptive processes and handed down through generations by cultural transmission, about the relationship of living beings (including humans) with one another and with their environment.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Sustainability is only about the environment.

What to Teach Instead

True sustainability requires the 'triple bottom line': environmental health, economic viability, and social equity. Using a 'three legged stool' model helps students see that if one area is ignored, the whole system collapses.

Common Misconception

Individual actions (like recycling) are enough to solve the crisis.

What to Teach Instead

While individual actions matter, systemic change in policy and industry is required for significant impact. Peer discussion about 'individual vs. systemic change' helps students understand the scale of the challenge.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Sustainable City Design

Groups are given a 'brownfield' site in a city and must design a mixed use development that incorporates renewable energy, public transit, and green space. They must present their plan to a 'city council' and explain how it meets the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

90 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: Indigenous Stewardship

Students read a case study of an Indigenous led conservation project (e.g., Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas). They discuss how this approach differs from a traditional 'national park' model and share their thoughts on the benefits of each.

30 min·Pairs

Gallery Walk: Sustainability Innovations

The teacher displays info on various technologies like vertical farming, carbon capture, and circular fashion. Students move through the gallery, 'voting' with sticky notes on which innovation has the highest potential for global impact and why.

40 min·Whole Class

Real-World Connections

• Urban planners in cities like Vancouver are increasingly incorporating principles of strong sustainability, designing green infrastructure and public transit systems to minimize long-term environmental impact and ensure resources for future residents.
• International organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) work with governments worldwide to implement sustainable development goals, addressing poverty, inequality, and climate change through policy and project initiatives.
• Indigenous communities in Northern Canada, such as the Inuit, utilize Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) to manage wildlife populations and adapt to climate change, demonstrating long-term stewardship principles that contrast with short-term resource extraction models.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Is sustainable development an achievable goal or a contradiction in terms?' Ask students to take a stance and support their argument by referencing at least two key vocabulary terms and one real-world connection discussed in class.

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a scenario describing a new development project (e.g., a mine, a housing complex). Ask them to write one paragraph explaining whether the project aligns more with weak or strong sustainability, and one sentence on how intergenerational equity is affected.

Quick Check

Display a list of statements related to sustainability definitions. Ask students to identify each statement as representing weak sustainability, strong sustainability, or neither. Follow up by asking students to explain their reasoning for one statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

The SDGs are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all' by 2030. They cover everything from poverty and hunger to climate action and gender equality. Students can choose one goal and research Canada's progress toward meeting it.

How does 'Traditional Ecological Knowledge' (TEK) help with sustainability?

TEK is a cumulative body of knowledge, practice, and belief handed down through generations. It often emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of thinking seven generations ahead. This long term view is essential for sustainable resource management and climate adaptation.

What is 'Greenwashing'?

Greenwashing is when a company or organization spends more time and money on marketing themselves as environmentally friendly than on actually minimizing their environmental impact. Students can analyze advertisements to look for vague terms like 'natural' or 'eco-friendly' that lack specific evidence.

How can active learning help students understand sustainability?

Sustainability is a 'wicked problem' with no single solution. Active learning, like design challenges or simulations, allows students to test different strategies and see the results. This 'trial and error' approach helps them understand the complexity of balancing competing needs and the importance of innovative thinking.