GEF

Unit 1  |  Introduction to Sustainability 15 Think about your day so far. You probably washed and brushed your teeth, ate breakfast, and went to school. Maybe you checked your smartphone for texts. Have you ever thought about what goes into these routine activities? Where did the water you used to wash come from? What kind of fuel heated the water? Who grew the grain for your cereal? Your smart- phone seems completely removed from nature, but where did all of those components inside the phone come from? These seemingly ordinary activities are connected with the Earth, energy, plants and animals, and people all over the world. Sustainability is a way of thinking that allows us to get under the surface of things and see connections in enlightening and some- times surprising ways. THE BIG IDEA UNIT 1 SELF-ASSESSMENT Before beginning this unit, consider what you already know about sustainability by completing this self-assessment. For each statement below, rate your current level of confidence with understanding sustainability concepts. NOT CONFIDENT SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT CONFIDENT I am able to explain the basic definition of sustainability. ❍ ❍ ❍ I am able to describe each of the three pillars of sustainability. ❍ ❍ ❍ I am able to explain why sustainability has become increasingly vital during the past few decades. ❍ ❍ ❍ I am able to describe any sustainability programs that my school has implemented. ❍ ❍ ❍