Grassroots politics have moved the burden of decision makingfrom the politicians to the

What challenges face the world in the twenty-first century?

What are the promises and perils of the technological revolution?

Locate Bhopal, Chernobyl, Sudan.

Explain why it is difficult for developing nations to establish industrial economies. What specific problems are many developing nations attempting to solve?

List three countries in which free elections have demonstrated great progress toward democracy. Also list three types of political challenges that remain unsolved and give an example of each.

Analyze What are the individual and global consequences of overpopulation?

Summarizing Information Create a chart like the one below listing technological advances in transportation, communications, space exploration, health care, agriculture, and weaponry. List the drawback or cost of each technological advance.

Compare the photo on page 971 to the photo of the International Space Station on page 967. Describe the advances and changes in space technology that are reflected in these two photos. How many years have elapsed between the two photos?

Expository Writing By now, most leaders of major nations have recognized that environmental damage is a significant issue. For this reason, these leaders frequently hold meetings and summits to negotiate solutions. In an essay, discuss why negotiations are needed. What concerns can cause nations or individuals to ignore the environment?

Government What problems do developing nations face?

Science and Technology What contributes to the hunger problem in developing nations? What are some of the possible solutions to the hunger problem?

Citizenship Why are nongovernmental organizations taking greater responsibility for protecting the worlds environment?

Culture How have the introduction of Western ideas and customs had a destabilizing effect in many areas of the world?

Government What is the United Nations Security Council? Why is it difficult for this council to make decisions?

Citizenship What is the slogan of grassroots public interest groups? What kind of issues do these groups address, and what kind of members do these groups usually attract?

Evaluating Analyze the interdependency of developing and industrialized nations.

Cause and Effect Explain the increased potential for regional nuclear wars since the Soviet Union disintegrated.

Expository Writing Write an essay comparing the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl with the chemical plant accident in Bhopal and the grounding of the Exxon Valdez in Alaska. Which disaster was the most devastating to the environment in your opinion? Why do you have this opinion, and how would you prevent a future disaster?

Rachel Carson cautioned about the dangers of harmful chemicals in her book, Silent Spring: It is not my contention that chemical pesticides must never be used. I do contend that we have put poisons and biologically potent chemicals into the hands of persons largely or wholly ignorant of their potentials for harm. . . . Future generations are unlikely to condone our lack of prudent concern for the integrity of the natural world that supports all life. Summarize the argument that Carson is presenting in this quotation.

Who will question the lack of concern shown for the natural world, in Carsons opinion?

Why was Silent Spring a groundbreaking book? How has it influenced the ways in which people view the relationship between humans and the natural world?

Using the Internet The science of ecology has led to a new form of travel known as ecotourism. Use the Internet to research an area of the world where ecotours take place. Select an area to visit as an ecotourist, explain why you have selected this area, and describe what you will see on your travels in your journal.

Grassroots politics have moved the burden of decision making from the politicians to the individual citizen. Having read this chapter, what global issues concern you? What have you done or what would you like to do to help resolve these issues?

Where is the radioactive fallout most concentrated?

Where are the furthest traces of radioactive fallout found (using Chernobyl as the point of origin)?

What global effects did the explosion at Chernobyl have?