Grade 9
Unit 1: Introduction to Global Ethics
Lesson 3: Global Ethical Challenges
Pre-Test:
1. What are the main challenges we face in the world today?
2. What are the main causes of climate change?
Learning Objectives:
• Analyze how climate change affects different regions and communities
unequally
• Evaluate real-world examples of climate-related challenges and propose
practical solutions
Short Answer type questions:
1. Who said each of the following quotes?
a) ‘Climate change does not respect borders; it does not respect who
you are – rich and poor, small and big. Therefore, this is what we call
global challenges, which require global solidarity.’
Ans: Ban Ki-moon- Secretary general of the UN
b) ‘Every positive value has its price in negative terms… The genius of
Einstein lead to the tragedy of Hiroshima.’
Ans: Pablo Picasso, a Spanish painter.
c) ‘When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.’
Ans: Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of USA
2. Name three factors contributing to freshwater reduction in the MENA
region.
Ans: Population growth, industrialization, and climate change.
3. Which regions are especially affected by freshwater reduction in
MENA?
Ans: The Levant, Arabian Peninsula, and North Africa.
4. What is the main environmental concern with traditional desalination
methods?
Ans: They are energy-intensive and contribute to CO₂ emissions.
Long answer type questions:
5. Explain how climate change has led to changes in the feeding behavior
of polar bears, using the example observed in Norway in 2014.
Ans:
• In April 2014, researchers in Norway observed polar bears feeding on
dolphins, which is unusual since dolphins are not a normal part of
their diet. This behavior is linked to climate change.
• As the Arctic warms and sea ice melts, new species like white-beaked
dolphins begin to move north.
• When the ice returns and refreezes, these dolphins can become
trapped, making them vulnerable to predators like polar bears.
• This example shows how climate change is disrupting natural
ecosystems and animal behaviors.
6. Explain why climate change is considered an ethical challenge related to
international justice and responsibility.
Ans:
• Climate change is an ethical challenge because it raises questions of
fairness and justice between countries.
• Industrialized nations have historically produced the most greenhouse
gases, contributing significantly to global warming.
• However, the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels,
extreme weather, and food insecurity, are often felt most severely by
poorer countries.
• These countries have contributed the least to the problem but suffer
the most, making it an issue of international responsibility and moral
obligation to act fairly and support vulnerable nations
HOTs:
7. Why is it important for arid countries like the UAE to invest in
renewable-energy-powered desalination, and how could this serve as a
model for other water-scarce regions?
Ans:
• Investing in renewable-powered desalination helps reduce
environmental harm while ensuring water security.
• It balances the need for freshwater with climate responsibility.
• This model demonstrates how innovation and sustainability can go
hand-in-hand and could inspire similar solutions in other regions
facing water scarcity and energy challenges.
Activity:
8. Draw or paste the major challenges faced by global communities in the
21st century? suggest actions that you and your classmates could do to
limit these challenges.
