Question bank: Extractive Activities

Imagine you are an explorer and you are visiting a very large forest. In this forest, there are many trees and plants that can be used to make medicines, furniture, and other products. People who work by taking things from nature, such as wood or fruits, are called 'extractivists'. However, when many trees are cut down without care or many animals are hunted, this can harm the forest itself and the living beings that inhabit it. Thinking about what you have learned about extractivist activities and their impacts on the environment, write about what an explorer should do to take things from the forest without harming the place where they live. Remember to explain how this can help nature and the importance of taking care of plants and animals.

Imagine that you live in a city that has many beautiful trees and plants. The people in your city use the trees to make paper and the fruits of the plants to make juices. Painting a picture in your head, describe what plant and tree extraction activities are and how they can change the place where you live. Think about the good and bad impacts of these activities on the environment.

In the Amazon region, the extraction of natural resources, such as wood and latex, has been part of the local economy for many generations. These activities, when carried out unsustainably, can lead to negative impacts such as deforestation and loss of biodiversity. On the other hand, sustainable extractivism methods can contribute to environmental conservation and the socioeconomic development of local communities. Gilberto Freyre, in his study on Brazilian society, highlights the importance of considering cultural and environmental characteristics in the organization of economic activities. Based on this context and reflecting on the interdisciplinary relationship between Geography and Sciences, how can sustainable extractivism practices be applied in the Amazon to balance the need for economic development with environmental preservation?

Have you ever seen people taking things from nature, such as plants, animals, or rocks? This is an extractive activity! We have the extraction of minerals, like gold; agriculture, where we take food from plants and take care of animals; and industry, which transforms these things into products we use. But sometimes, when we take too much from a place, we can harm nature, like cutting down many trees or polluting rivers. Think of one of these activities of taking things from nature and write about how this activity is done, what is taken, and if this can harm the environment.

Think of a place where people extract things from nature, such as plants, minerals, and even raise animals to make products we use in our daily lives, such as food and clothes. These activities are called extractivism and can affect the environment. Now, write down the name of a place you know where adults engage in plant extractivism, and describe what they extract from nature and how this can change the place where they live.