Lesson Link Page with Videos The Na'vi (in English: The People) are a race of extraterrestrial humanoids who inhabit the jungle moon of Pandora. They choose to live in harmony and natural equilibrium with their surroundings. If they become too numerous, Eywa, the intelligence they worship, may devise a way to limit their numbers before they cause an ecological imbalance, for she maintains the balance of life. Over the millenia, the Na'vi have developed a healthy respect and reverence for their surrounding environment. In return, Eywa may have affected the environment to provide them with sufficient food and shelter, creatures to ride for ground and air transportation, and an ambient, comfortable temperature throughout the different biomes of Pandora. 1. Describe the scene. 2. How does the movie segment connect with the paragraph you have read? 3. How do you compare their beliefs with humans'? 4. How possible is it to live on Earth like the Na'Vis do in Pandora? 5. What are the possible consequences of (not) living according to their philosophy of life?
Different Definitions for Sustainability Economic Sustainability It means that development is economically efficient and that the benefits of such development are distributed between generations of people. Growth now will not place people living in the future in danger. Social Sustainability It requires that development does not cause social conflict. In practice this means that development should increase people’s control over their own lives—that all social groups should have the opportunity to participate in decision making. Cultural Sustainability It requires that any development should take into account the values and beliefs affected by it. In addition, the range of cultural groups should be maintained and encouraged and the value of their heritage, traditions, and points of view recognized. Ecological Sustainability It means that development should take into account the maintenance of ecological processes, biological diversity, and environmental resources. To achieve this, our society needs to recognize that the survival and well-being of other species are also important.
D. Watch the second segment and answer the questions below in pairs.
1. Describe the scene. 2. What are the possible consequences of their ideas? 3. Are they taking any of the aspects of sustainability into considertain? Justify your answer. 4. What would the American government have to do to take advantage of Pandora's resources, following the priciples of sustainability? E. Now watch the third segment from Avatar. Take a look at how the Americans dealt with the environment in Pandora in order to get the mineral they need and answer the questions.
1. Describe the scene. 2. How did the Americans deal with the environmment in Pandora? 3. Explain how the four levels of sustainability were neglected. 4. What are the consequences of this act to Pandora, the moon they live in, and to the Na'Vis.
"Eywa Does not take sides Jake, She just ensures the balance of Life" 1. How does this quote relate to ecology? 2. Compare Eywa to what we commonly refer to as Mother Nature?
3. How does what was happening to the Nav'i relate to what happened to the Native Americans? (Think Mayans, Aztecs, Incas, North American tribes)
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