BIG QUESTION: how can all belizeans thrive now and in the future?
Unit 2: Sustainable Development
Subtopics
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
The Environment and Development
Subtopics
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
The Environment and Development
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The vision to be achieved by 2030 through the successful implementation of the children's agenda is that Belize will become the best country in the world in which to grow up and raise a family, and where the rights of all children and adolescents are respected, protected and fulfilled, where their voices are heard and where they are supported to realize their maximum potential. |
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Learning outcome 2.1- Explore the concept of development in relation to a country's progress towards having high quality of life for all its people.
According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the average Belizean can expect to go to school for ten years, have an income of BZ$14,300 per year and live unitl they are seventy years old. Belize ranks 106th out of 188 countries in the UNDP's Human Development Index. Countries with a similar ranking include Saint Lucia, Jamaica, Dominica and St Vincent in the Caribbean. In Central America, Costa Rica (63rd) and Panama (66th) have the highest ranking and Mexico is ranked 74th. Nicaragua (124) Guatemala (127) Honduras (133) have a lower Human Development Index than Belize. The countries in the world with the highest rankings are Norway, Switzerland and Australia. (Read the full report here)
However, the UNDP Human Development Index is based on only a few statistics. Many people think it does not reflect what it is like to live in a country. It has been suggested that ideas about development should focus more on the overall quality of life in a country.
However, the UNDP Human Development Index is based on only a few statistics. Many people think it does not reflect what it is like to live in a country. It has been suggested that ideas about development should focus more on the overall quality of life in a country.
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What is Quality of Life?
Quality of life can be defined in many different ways. It is often said to relate to how far people feel healthy, comfortable and able to enjoy life. Which of the following do you consider most important in determining the quality of a person's life? What else would you add to the list?
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What is Poverty?
According to the Government about 40% of Belizeans live in poverty. Most, but not all of these people, live in rural areas. As this video shows, poverty is not just defined as a lack of money. 
The World Bank defines poverty with these words: Poverty is hunger, poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not being able to read. Poverty is not having a job; it is fear for the future and living one day at a time.
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Learning outcome 2.2- Explain the relevance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for Belize, especially in the areas of poverty reduction, health, education, and the management of the environment.
Sustainable development occurs when a society meets the needs of the present without weakening the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
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UNICEF is an international organization that works to improve the lives of the world's children. Click thie icon to read its "Fast Facts about Belize" and to learn more about its programs.
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The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are 17 goals with 169 targets that all 191 members of the United Nations, including Belize, have agreed to try to achieve by 2030. The goals address global challenges that we all face related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, health, education, food, clean water and so on. Click to read more.
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Learning outcome 2.3- Describe the human and natural causes of major environmental threats to Belize.
Belize is a beautiful country that relies on exploiting the natural environment for its wealth. However, this environment is threatened by human and natural processes including:
* global warming
* ocean acidification
* coral bleaching
* soil erosiion
* deforestation
* land, air and water pollution
* agricultural diseases
* loss of habitat for wild species
* overfishing
* global warming
* ocean acidification
* coral bleaching
* soil erosiion
* deforestation
* land, air and water pollution
* agricultural diseases
* loss of habitat for wild species
* overfishing
VIDEOS >>>>> |
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Is development in Belize inc Crisis? Click on the icon to read one Belizean writer's opinion. Discuss with your classmates if you agree.
Learning outcome 2.4- Investigate strategies that can be used to reduce Belize's vulnerability to one major environmental threat.
There are many organizations that are campaigning for changes that will help reduce the impact of environmental degradation in Belize. You can read more by clicking on the links below.
Learning outcome 2.5- Compare the environmental situation of Belize with that of at least one other country in the developing world.
Sargassum, a brown seaweed, is a new threat to Belize's coastline. It first arrived in the Caribbean in huge quantities in 2011, threatening the health of beaches, fish and corals. Another massive wave of sargassum was deposited on Belize's coastline in 2018.
Click here to read about how sargassum is affecting the whole of the Caribbean.
Click here to read about how sargassum is affecting the whole of the Caribbean.
