The use and abuse of the environment
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain how human activity affects the environment and how both religious and non-religious perspectives influence sustainability efforts.
Key learning points
- Overuse of natural resources, pollution, and deforestation reflect treating the Earth as a commodity.
- Global citizenship involves taking responsibility for the planet and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
- Christian teachings emphasise stewardship and the duty to care for God’s creation.
- Pollution, resource depletion, and climate change contribute to global inequality and environmental harm.
- Actions to improve sustainability include reducing waste, using renewable energy and supporting eco-friendly companies.
Keywords
Commodity - something that can be used for personal gain
Environment - the world around us; this can be made up natural or artificial surroundings
Pollution - contamination of an environment with harmful substances
Resources (natural) - resources which are found in nature – fossil fuels (eg coal, oil, natural gas), plants etc
Stewardship - the duty given by God to humankind to look after the created world, and all life within it
Common misconception
Global citizenship is not just about helping others in distant communities.
It involves recognising our interconnectedness with people and the planet, meaning that the actions we take in our everyday lives have a far-reaching impact. Global citizens take personal responsibility for their own environmental practices.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to explore environmental initiatives by researching influential campaigns for legal changes, the work of organisations like Greenpeace, and the efforts of individuals such as Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why do many Christians believe humans have a responsibility to care for the environment?
Q2.Which of the following is a belief held by many humanists regarding the environment?
Q3.What does Genesis 1:28 suggest about humanity's role in creation?
Q4.The belief that the world is valuable because of what it provides for humans is called value.
Q5.According to many Christian teachings, the Earth should be cared for because it is part of God’s ...
Q6.Some Christians believe that God has given humans both dominion and a responsibility of ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the term ‘stewardship’ mean in a religious context?
Q2.Which of the following is an example of treating the Earth as a commodity?
Q3.How does global citizenship relate to environmental issues?
Q4.The belief that humans have control over the Earth and its resources is known as ...
Q5.When harmful substances are introduced into the environment, it is called ...
Q6.Using resources in a way that ensures future generations can meet their needs is called ...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: The use and abuse of the environment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 religious education lesson on: The use and abuse of the environment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 religious education lessons from the Religion and life unit, dive into the full secondary religious education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.