Investigate the Problem

• Topic: What is the problem you chose? SDG14 (Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Oceans)
• Details:
  • Who: Who is affected by this problem?Coastal residents, fishermen, and local wildlife (such as birds and marine life) are affected by this problem.
  • What: What are the consequences?Consequences include habitat destruction, decreased marine biodiversity, economic losses for fishermen and tourism, and health issues for the local population due to pollution.
  • Where: Where in your community is this a problem?This problem is prominent along the coastline of Changhua County, particularly in areas like the Dacheng Wetlands.
  • When: When did this problem start? Is it getting worse?The problem has existed for decades due to industrial and household waste dumping, but it has worsened in recent years with the increase in plastic waste and insufficient waste management policies.
  • Why: Why is this problem happening?The issue arises from improper waste disposal practices, industrial runoff, and insufficient environmental regulations and enforcement.
  • How: How does this problem affect people, the community, and society?This problem affects people by reducing their quality of life and access to clean natural spaces, the community by harming livelihoods tied to fishing and tourism, and society by contributing to the global issue of marine pollution and climate change.

Find the Facts

Work in your group to find information about your problem.

• Use these resources:
  • Local reports: Reports from Changhua Environmental Protection Bureau and NGO action plans.
  • News articles: Local coverage on coastal cleanup campaigns and waste management challenges.
  • Academic research: Studies from Taiwanese universities on the ecological impact of marine litter in the region.
  • Government statistics: Data on waste composition and pollution sources from government databases
• Find [Teacher decides number] sources of information.
• Summarize: Write a short summary of each source using the "Details" questions above.
• Show Your Sources: Include where you found the information (e.g., website address).

Summarize Your Findings

• Template:

This [source type - e.g., news article, report] from [source name] discusses [problem]. It mainly affects [who], leading to consequences such as [what]. This problem is most noticeable in [where] and has been [when - increasing/decreasing/staying the same] since [when]. The main causes are [why]. This issue impacts people by [how], the community by [how], and society by [how].

• Example:

This report from the NTU Hospital Health E-paper discusses the growing issue of sleep disorders among adolescents. It mainly affects teenagers, leading to consequences such as daytime sleepiness, decreased cognitive function, and emotional problems. This problem is most noticeable in adolescents aged 15-18, especially in girls, and has been increasing in prevalence in recent years. The main causes are late use of electronic devices, academic stress, caffeine and nicotine consumption, and disrupted sleep-wake cycles. This issue impacts people by causing sleep deprivation, the community by affecting academic performance and peer relationships, and society by increasing the risk of mental health issues and dangerous incidents such as car accidents due to excessive sleepiness.

Referenced from: 青少年睡眠障礙

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• Your turn: </aside>

This report from Taiwan’s Environmental Protection Agency discusses the growing issue of marine pollution in Changhua. It mainly affects local fishermen, residents, and marine ecosystems, leading to consequences such as economic decline, loss of biodiversity, and health risks from polluted seafood. This problem is most noticeable in coastal areas like Dacheng Wetlands and has been increasing since the expansion of industrial zones in the 1970s. The main causes are industrial runoff, poor waste management, and excessive use of disposable plastics. This issue impacts people by reducing access to clean coastal areas, the community by threatening its fishing and tourism industries, and society by contributing to global marine pollution and climate challenges.

Referenced from: 彰化縣海洋環境管理計畫