Outreach and educational materials on the PBS Web site

The staff of World Resources 2000-2001: People and Ecosystems

, in collaboration with the producers of Bill Moyers Reports: Earth on Edge, will provide content for the PBS Earth on Edge Web site at www.pbs.org/earthonedge/.

During the next several months, program content will be combined with and enhanced by the wealth of research data compiled for the Pilot Analysis of Global Ecosystems (PAGE).

• For each of the five ecosystems featured in World Resources 2000-2001 and in Earth on Edge – agroecosystems, coastal ecosystems, forests, grasslands, and freshwater ecosystems – information will be added about their extent and condition worldwide.

• Maps, graphics, and a chart detailing specific goods and services each ecosystem provides will augment statistical data and help viewers better understand the pressures facing ecosystems today.

• Additional case studies will be included to provide insight into how communities worldwide manage ecosystems.

Other features:

• Assessing the value of ecosystems: The various aspects of ecosystem “value” – economic value, genetic value, spiritual value – will be explored. Ecosystem valuation is an important topic for not only the economic and scientific communities, but also for civil and spiritual communities.

• The scientific component: Ecosystem analysis will be explored in discussions about the methodologies and indicators scientists use to evaluate the condition and extent of ecosystems. Difficulties surrounding choice of indicators of ecosystem capacity, the variety of ways to determine extent, and problems of crossing disciplinary and geographic boundaries will provide insight into the complexities of assessing ecosystems.

• The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment: A link to this international initiative allows viewers to stay apprised of international efforts to address policies involving management of the world’s ecosystems and attempts to offer solutions to transboundary initiatives for sustainability.

• Get involved! Viewers will receive information about practical ways to shrink their own “ecological footprint” and suggestions for becoming actively involved in sustaining ecosystems.

• Public events calendar: Information about panel discussions, festivals, and other events open to the public will featured in a regularly updated calendar. Viewers will be informed of upcoming public events focused on enlarging the public debate about the care and management of ecosystems.

• Test your knowledge! An online interactive quiz will offer viewers a fun way to test their knowledge about ecosystems.

• Companion book: A special Bill Moyers Reports: Earth on Edge edition of World Resources 2000-2001 is available.

• EarthTrends: The Environmental nformation Portal: World Resources Institute has developed an information portal, a database providing access to all the research developed for the PAGE reports.

World Resources Institute staff and the producers of Earth on Edge will be enhancing the program web site with new and exciting content you won’t want to miss.