Spotlight: Political, Social, and Environmental Issues for the Classroom - Welcome to Spotlight

The effects of global warming are happening right now. The signs are all around us. Warmer temperatures are causing glaciers and polar icecaps to melt, leading to rising sea levels. The reason for this global phenomenon is human activity. Many believe that unless we make changes now, the impact of global warming on the environment and humankind could be devastating and far-reaching.

Almost half of the world—more than three billion people—live on less than $2 a day. To help alleviate some of this poverty, microfinance institutions offer small loans and other financial services to some of the world’s poorest people. Today, more than 150 million people have used microcredit loans to build better lives for themselves and their families.

Crude oil is a finite resource. There is a beginning, middle, and end to the supply. At some point, the world will reach the maximum level of oil production. Perhaps it already has. Once oil production has peaked, the amount of available oil will steadily decline while oil consumption will continue to grow. Eventually, our thirst for this vital energy resource will drain the world of all of its accessible oil deposits. What will happen then?

In the 21st century, for the first time in human history, there will be more people over 60 than under 15. Aging populations place strains on social systems and challenge the way nations provide for their citizens. But at the same time, aging populations make significant contributions to their communities and societies.

In 2010, the Global Invasive Species Programme warned of a growing threat from invasive species. The damage caused by invasive species is more than US $1.4 trillion a year—5 percent of the global economy. Many experts believe that invasive species, together with global climate change, pose a significant threat to the world's ecosystems.

In 1998, the international community reached a historic milestone when 120 countries voted to establish the permanent International Criminal Court in The Hague in the Netherlands. The journey toward this independent criminal court began more than 60 years ago, when the nations of the world vowed never to repeat the atrocities of the Second World War. As time would reveal, however, it was a promise that would prove impossible to keep.

In the 20th century, the world's leading economic powers—the United States, Britain, Germany, and Japan—dominated the global economy. By the end of the century, however, the world's economic order was changing. In the 21st century, emerging economies in Asia and Africa are challenging the economic status quo. At the forefront of this new global economic order are the world's two most populous countries: China and India. Together, they are changing the world's economic playing field.

Every day, tens of millions of children are forced to work as cheap labour, in the sex trade, or in armed conflicts. Child trafficking is a lucrative activity, closely linked to crime and corruption. It violates children’s basic human rights and puts their lives in danger on a daily basis. This universal issue affects both poor and affluent countries—no society is immune.

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Spotlight is your source for classroom case studies on a wide range of political, economic, social and environmental issues. Shorter than a traditional textbook chapter and more interactive than a textbook, Spotlight helps you keep your time-sensitive social studies courses relevant and up to date. Preview coming Spotlight topics.

Spotlight features include timely case summaries of global political and geographic issues containing integrated links to related websites; resource lists for additional research; student activities; and accompanying teacher notes. Printable, four-colour PDF downloads of article texts and accompanying classroom activities are also available.

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