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Publications
The following Water EnviroAudit activity is taken from the new EnviroSmart educational package and web site, produced under the National Education Program of the Minerals Council of Australia. EnviroSmart provides a series of action templates for teachers and students to implement environmental management practices within their school and community.
The environment is an issue of interest and concern to us all and environmental education is therefore essential. Modern society has needs that put pressure on our environment. It is important to minimise that impact and repair any environmental damage we cause. We all have a responsibility to use and manage the environment wisely. We need to balance our environmental, economic and social needs of today with those of future generations. This is the basis of 'sustainable development'.
Most of our current needs, for example steel for buildings, or coal for power, come from minerals mined from the earth by the minerals and energy industry. Because these actions have an impact on the environment, EnviroSmart examines case studies of environmental management in the minerals industry.
Undertaking the Water EnviroAudit, is an easy-to-manage activity for upper primary and secondary students alike. The EnviroSmart resource is for those wishing to undertake the more challenging and longer term process of developing and implementing a School Environment Management Plan (SEMP) and gaining the skills to cope with environmental issues of the future.
For further information about implementing a School Environment Management Plan, contact Minerals Council of Australia.
Modern society has many different uses for land and water. Each puts pressure on the environment. Some uses have minimal impact, others can cause a great deal of damage. Some use have a short term impact, while others have a longer term impact.
Land, Water, Air, Energy and Waste are all aspects of our environment.
One important land use is mining. Although it doesn't take up much space, it does, like many other activities, have a significant impact on the environment in which it is located.
Find out more about the environmental impact and environmental management of a mine in your State.
Water covers 71% of the earth's surface. Water is vital to life. Unfortunately, both surface and groundwater are a particularly scarce resource in many countries, including Australia. As Australia is such a dry continent, we must be careful to preserve and protect our water supplies.
Mining operations use a lot of water for the stages in the mining process. Companies are conscious of not wasting water and try to re-use water from the mining process as much as possible. They also contain run-off from the site to ensure nearby waterways are not polluted. Care is also taken with underground water supplies.
At your school, water issues might include water pollution and water wastage. Record your school's score on the following page.
Look at your School EnviroMission again and brainstorm some ideas about what you would like your school to achieve in its environmental performance.
| Place | Cleaning agents used | Equipment used |
|---|---|---|
| Floors | ||
| Windows | ||
| Art room | ||
| Playground | Water | Hose, broom, rake |
| ISSUE: WATER | SCHOOL SCORE 0-5 |
|---|---|
|
QUALITY Rubbish is not washed down sinks. Chemicals, paints and oils are not tipped down the drain. Our school uses organic/biodegradable fertilisers and pesticides. |
|
|
QUANTITY We have plants in the school grounds, such as Australian natives, that require minimal watering. The school has a rain water tank. School sprinklers come on at dawn (for maximum absorption by plants) and for a sensible length of time. School showers are fitted with water-saving heads. Brooms are used to clean paths, rather than hoses. The garden beds are mulched to retain water in the soil. |
Congratulations! You are now really making a start toward caring for the environment, and becoming an EnviroSmart school. Now the information you have collected needs to be used to develop a suitable management plan. If you and your class want to continue the necessary planning to develop, implement and report on their School Environmental Management Plan, you will need some further resources, time and plenty of enthusiasm.
