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Year 11
AQA

The use and abuse of the environment

I can explain how human activity affects the environment and how both religious and non-religious perspectives influence sustainability efforts.

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New
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Year 11
AQA

The use and abuse of the environment

I can explain how human activity affects the environment and how both religious and non-religious perspectives influence sustainability efforts.

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Share activities with pupils
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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Overuse of natural resources, pollution, and deforestation reflect treating the Earth as a commodity.
  2. Global citizenship involves taking responsibility for the planet and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
  3. Christian teachings emphasise stewardship and the duty to care for God’s creation.
  4. Pollution, resource depletion, and climate change contribute to global inequality and environmental harm.
  5. Actions to improve sustainability include reducing waste, using renewable energy and supporting eco-friendly companies.

Keywords

  • Commodity - something that can be used for personal gain

  • Environment - the world around us; this can be made up natural or artificial surroundings

  • Pollution - contamination of an environment with harmful substances

  • Resources (natural) - resources which are found in nature – fossil fuels (eg coal, oil, natural gas), plants etc

  • Stewardship - the duty given by God to humankind to look after the created world, and all life within it

Common misconception

Global citizenship is not just about helping others in distant communities.

It involves recognising our interconnectedness with people and the planet, meaning that the actions we take in our everyday lives have a far-reaching impact. Global citizens take personal responsibility for their own environmental practices.


To help you plan your year 11 religious education lesson on: The use and abuse of the environment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to explore environmental initiatives by researching influential campaigns for legal changes, the work of organisations like Greenpeace, and the efforts of individuals such as Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why do many Christians believe humans have a responsibility to care for the environment?
because nature is only valuable if it benefits humans
Correct answer: because God created the world and called it good
because nature is too powerful for humans to control
because scientific evidence proves God exists
Q2.
Which of the following is a belief held by many humanists regarding the environment?
The environment has no real value.
The Bible teaches that nature should be protected.
Correct answer: Caring for the environment is an ethical responsibility.
Only religious people should protect the Earth.
Q3.
What does Genesis 1:28 suggest about humanity's role in creation?
that humans should ignore environmental concerns
Correct answer: that humans have dominion and stewardship over the Earth
that humans are separate from nature
that humans should avoid using natural resources
Q4.
The belief that the world is valuable because of what it provides for humans is called value.
Correct Answer: extrinsic, Extrinsic
Q5.
According to many Christian teachings, the Earth should be cared for because it is part of God’s ...
Correct Answer: creation, Creation
Q6.
Some Christians believe that God has given humans both dominion and a responsibility of ...
Correct Answer: stewardship, Stewardship

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the term ‘stewardship’ mean in a religious context?
the belief that humans should exploit the Earth for personal gain
the idea that God has no role in environmental care
Correct answer: the responsibility given by God to humans to care for the Earth
the belief that nature can take care of itself without human involvement
Q2.
Which of the following is an example of treating the Earth as a commodity?
tecycling and reducing waste
Correct answer: overfishing and deforestation
supporting biodiversity and conservation efforts
using renewable energy sources
Q3.
How does global citizenship relate to environmental issues?
It means only governments are responsible for protecting the planet.
It focuses on individual gain rather than collective responsibility.
Correct answer: It encourages people to consider the impact of their actions on the world.
It prioritizes economic growth over environmental concerns.
Q4.
The belief that humans have control over the Earth and its resources is known as ...
Correct Answer: dominion, Dominion
Q5.
When harmful substances are introduced into the environment, it is called ...
Correct Answer: pollution, Pollution
Q6.
Using resources in a way that ensures future generations can meet their needs is called ...
Correct Answer: sustainability, Sustainability