Imanaka and Lai

February 23, 2005

Page 1 of 2

LESSON PLAN

Environmental Impact of the Vietnam War on the Landscape of Southeast Asia

Objectives:

  1. To examine the global effects of chemical warfare on the world ecosystem;
  2. To debate the ethics of using such destructive weapons, especially the long-term effects;
  3. To consider efforts to ban the use and sales of chemical weapons, and the resources needed to “effectively” clean up the ecosystem.

Relevant Video:

Vietnam: After the Fire Examines the extensive damage to the Vietnamese environment and people by the war, including the bombing which cratered the landscape and left thousands of unexploded bombs, and the use of defoliants such as Agent Orange which devastated the country's eco-system and are now resulting in cancer and deformed births among the populace. The program also shows Vietnam's environmental restoration efforts, including reforestation, treating acid soil, and replacing wildlife.
Directed by J. Edward Milner
1988, color, two 53 min. episodes, VHS
Purchase: $250 Rental: $100

Readings:

Long-Term Consequences of the Vietnam War: Public Health,

Long-Term Consequences of the Vietnam War: Ecosystems,

“Apocalypse Still, Robert Dreyfuss, January/February 2000, Mother Jones, 25, no. 1: 42-51

My Father, My Son, Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr. and Lt. Elmo Zumwalt III

Websites:

Environmental specialists, research specialty on the impact of Agent Orange in Southeast Asia.

Environmental Conference on Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Worldwatch Institute offers a unique blend of interdisciplinary research, global focus, and accessible writing that has made it a leading source of information on the interactions among key environmental, social, and economic trends. World Watch focuses on the transition to an environmentally sustainable and socially just society—and how to achieve it.

International Campaign to Ban Landmines is a global network of organisations working to eradicate antipersonnel mines, founded in 1991.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention in order to contribute to international security and stability, to general and complete disarmament and to global and economic development.

Key Lecture Points:

  • Agent Orange’s physical effects on people, in the context of war, as well as in all the years after
  • Development of Agent Orange, ethics of use
  • Clean-up efforts
  • Prosthetics industry
  • Public Health and Ecosystems in Southeast Asia and globally
  • Land mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO)

Inquiry Questions:

  • Defoliants and chemical warfare: ethics and long-term consequences?
  • Financial and social responsibility for long-term clean-up of the environment and on-going public health issues?
  • How are toxic wastes, “the garbage of war,” ecologically and biologically transmitted? Discuss the social consequences of these effects.
  • Identify patterns of environmental racism reflected in the policies and politics of using toxic chemicals as related to domestic uses in the U.S.
  • Who is socially and economically accountable to people trying to survive the “garbage of war”?

Class Activities:

  • guest speakers: Veterans Administration (data on Vietnam Vets and their experiences with Agent Orange); Hatfield Consultants; UW Environmental Science Department; Community Coalition for Environmental Justice
  • seminar discussions on readings, documentary, guest speakers
  • as a persuasive writing exercise, write a letter of concern to Congress or an international organization
  • hold a debate or mock trial to examine different perspectives on the ethical issues of chemical weapons
  • student created newspaper to examine the issues in short article format