LBHS LIBRARY BOOKS - Supporting SDG Questions
Students in Spanish classes explored global challenges connected to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by first doing something powerful:
They began with their own questions.
Before researching facts, students identified what they genuinely wanted to understand about sustainability challenges in Spanish-speaking countries. The questions below represent the starting point of that global investigation.
SDG Focus: Gender Equality | Spain
Questions
What differences exist between gender equality in Spain and the United States?
How does Spain address the gender pay gap?
How is gender equality discussed in Spanish schools?
What laws promote gender equality, and how effective are they?
Inquiry Observation
These questions explore how equality develops through education, law, and culture. They reflect curiosity about fairness, representation, and how societies work toward equitable opportunities.
Explore Further
European Institute for Gender Equality: https://eige.europa.eu
OECD Gender Equality Data: https://data.oecd.org
SDG Focus: Affordable & Clean Energy | Mexico City
Questions
What actions are citizens taking?
What is the government doing specifically?
What future plans exist to reach SDG goals by 2030?
Inquiry Observation
These questions examine how change happens at multiple levels, from individual responsibility to national planning.
Explore Further
SDG Focus: Sustainable Infrastructure | Chile
Questions
How do reversible traffic lanes work?
What are advantages and disadvantages?
What other solutions improve traffic flow?
Inquiry Observation
This inquiry highlights interest in engineering solutions and how thoughtful design can improve sustainability in growing cities.
Explore Further
SDG Focus: Clean Water & Sanitation | Mexico
Questions
Why does Guadalajara experience water shortages?
How can clean water access improve?
What actions is the government taking?
Inquiry Observation
These questions focus on essential human needs and explore both causes and possible solutions to global water challenges.
Explore Further
SDG Focus: Zero Hunger | Spain
Questions
What programs address hunger?
How are farmers supported?
Is food waste a concern?
What resources help families access food?
Inquiry Observation
This inquiry considers the entire food system, from agriculture to community support networks.
Explore Further
SDG Focus: Clean Water & Sanitation | Nicaragua
Questions
What initiatives improve water access?
How does sanitation affect daily life?
What organizations are helping?
What is the current status of the water crisis?
Inquiry Observation
These questions connect global policy with everyday human experience and community wellbeing.
Explore Further
SDG Focus: Life on Land | Costa Rica
Questions
What led Costa Rica toward sustainability leadership?
How does land protection affect wildlife?
How does the economy support conservation?
Inquiry Observation
This inquiry explores how environmental protection, tourism, and economics can work together toward sustainability success.
Explore Further
SDG Focus: Clean Water & Sanitation | Dominican Republic
Questions
How long has this issue existed?
How widespread is the problem?
What future solutions are planned?
Inquiry Observation
These questions investigate how global challenges develop over time and how nations plan long-term solutions.
Resources
WHO • UN SDG 6 Reports • Inter-American Development Bank
SDG Focus: Life Below Water | Mexico
Questions
Why do ocean currents differ?
Why are waters warmer?
Why are some reefs protected?
Inquiry Observation
This inquiry blends ocean science with environmental protection and tourism impact.
Resources
NOAA • Smithsonian Ocean Portal • Marine Conservation Institute
SDG Focus: Life on Land | Panama
Questions
Is deforestation affecting wildlife?
How are forests protected?
Are invasive species impacting ecosystems?
Inquiry Observation
These questions focus on biodiversity preservation and ecosystem balance.
Resources
WWF • UN Environment Programme • Panama Biodiversity Initiative
SDG Focus: Life Below Water | Costa Rica
Questions
Are fishing practices regulated?
When were protections introduced?
Are citizens helping conservation efforts?
Inquiry Observation
This inquiry explores the relationship between law, community action, and environmental stewardship.
Resources
Ocean Conservancy • Conservation International • INCOPESCA
SDG Focus: Health & Well-Being | Spain
Questions
What substance abuse challenges exist?
What pollution issues affect health?
What prevention programs exist?
Do impacts vary by region?
Inquiry Observation
These questions connect environmental conditions, public health systems, and social wellbeing.
Resources
WHO Spain • European Environment Agency • Spanish Ministry of Health
SDG Focus: Clean Water & Sanitation | Peru
Questions
What economic barriers exist?
What non-financial challenges remain?
What actions are needed nationwide?
Inquiry Observation
This inquiry explores structural challenges influencing access to essential resources.
Resources
World Bank Peru • UN Water • Peru Ministry of Environment
SDG Focus: Life Below Water | Spain
Questions
How do Marine Protected Areas help ecosystems?
How is overfishing prevented?
How is pollution reduced?
Inquiry Observation
These questions examine how policy decisions protect shared natural resources.
Resources
European Marine Network • FAO Fisheries • Marine Protection Atlas
SDG Focus: Quality Education | Mexico
Questions
Are improvements equal across regions?
How does wealth affect education?
How are lower-income areas responding?
Inquiry Observation
This inquiry focuses on educational equity and access to opportunity.
Resources
UNESCO Education Reports • OECD Education Data • World Bank Education
SDG Focus: Life Below Water | Mexico
Questions
Which industries depend on fishing?
Are regulations effective?
How does plastic pollution affect ecosystems?
Inquiry Observation
These questions explore environmental responsibility within economic systems.
Resources
Greenpeace Oceans • FAO Fisheries • National Geographic Oceans
SDG Focus: Sustainable Cities & Communities | Colombia
Questions
How does coffee production support communities?
How is transportation improving sustainability?
How does farming protect land and water?
Inquiry Observation
This inquiry connects agriculture, economics, and sustainable urban development.
Resources
UN SDG 11 • International Coffee Organization • World Resources Institute
Across all classes, student inquiry shows several shared patterns:
Students consistently asked how government policy, economics, environment, and people interact, rather than treating problems as isolated issues.
Many questions connect sustainability goals directly to daily life, including food access, education, transportation, and health.
Students frequently asked not only what problems exist, but:
What is being done?
What works?
What could improve?
Several inquiries compare international examples to California or local communities, demonstrating growing global citizenship.
SDG 2 Zero Hunger ███
SDG 3 Health & Well-Being ███
SDG 4 Quality Education ██
SDG 5 Gender Equality ██
SDG 6 Clean Water & Sanitation ███████
SDG 7 Clean Energy █
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities ██
SDG 14 Life Below Water █████
SDG 15 Life on Land ████
Water access and sanitation
Ocean and ecosystem protection
Environmental sustainability
Public health and equity
When students begin learning with their own questions, research becomes exploration rather than requirement.
Across periods, these inquiries demonstrate curiosity about fairness, sustainability, science, policy, and human wellbeing. Together, they form a growing picture of students engaging not only as learners, but as emerging global citizens.
Researching sustainability challenges in Spanish-speaking countries can include the Laguna Beach High School Library.
The books below connect directly to student questions about:
Clean water
Ocean protection
Sustainable cities
Energy systems
Food security
Gender equality
Education access
Environmental conservation
Each title provides reliable background knowledge to help researchers understand why global challenges exist and how countries are working toward solutions.
Call Number: 363 NOT
About the Book
A highly accessible visual nonfiction book explaining how modern infrastructure systems work, including drinking water delivery, sanitation, and public utilities.
Why It Helps Your Research
Supports investigations into water access challenges in Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic by explaining how national water systems succeed or fail.
Call Number: 363.73 CRI
About the Book
Explores environmental pollution through scientific, political, and social viewpoints.
Why It Helps Your Research
Useful for understanding contamination, sanitation issues, and environmental health impacts connected to clean water questions.
Call Number: 577.7 PET
About the Book
Examines ocean exploration technologies and conservation efforts protecting marine ecosystems worldwide.
Why It Helps Your Research
Excellent resource for questions about:
Marine protected areas
Overfishing
Coral reef protection
Ocean sustainability
Call Number: 577.7 CRI
About the Book
Discusses environmental debates surrounding ocean use, conservation, and economic pressures.
Why It Helps Your Research
Supports analysis of fishing regulations and marine protection policies in Spain and Mexico.
Call Number: 333.95 BIO
About the Book
Introduces biodiversity concepts and explains how ecosystems are protected around the world.
Why It Helps Your Research
Strong support for research on:
Costa Rica conservation success
Panama deforestation
Wildlife protection policies
Call Number: 001.3 MER
About the Book
Explores how human activity shapes Earth’s environment and global sustainability efforts.
Why It Helps Your Research
Ideal for deeper analysis of environmental leadership and long-term sustainability decisions.
Call Number: 333.79 ALT
About the Book
Explains renewable energy sources including solar, wind, geothermal, and emerging technologies.
Why It Helps Your Research
Supports investigations into clean energy initiatives in large cities such as Mexico City.
Call Number: 363.738 ADA
About the Book
A collection of real-world reporting examining how nations redesign infrastructure to respond to climate challenges.
Why It Helps Your Research
Helps explain how transportation and energy systems evolve toward sustainability.
Call Number: 363.8 ALL
About the Book
Examines global hunger, food access disparities, and economic inequality.
Why It Helps Your Research
Supports questions about hunger programs, food distribution, and social support systems.
Call Number: 664 HOW
About the Book
Explains food production, agriculture, and global supply chains.
Why It Helps Your Research
Helps researchers understand how nations manage food availability and sustainability.
Call Number: 305.42 SCH
About the Book
Explores modern gender equality debates including pay equity and legal protections.
Why It Helps Your Research
Supports investigations into gender equality policies in Spain.
Call Number: 305.42 LUS
About the Book
Historical overview of global women’s rights movements.
Why It Helps Your Research
Provides context for evaluating effectiveness of equality laws.
Call Number: 371.2 RAN
About the Book
Explains how education systems measure success and address inequities.
Why It Helps Your Research
Supports analysis of educational access and regional disparities in Mexico.
Students exploring sustainability topics may want to browse these sections:
333–363
333.7
577
363.8 / 664
305
370