Deploy Waste to Energy
Scientific Reports
Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APHealth, Engineering
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Project Drawdown
What it is
- In this article from Project Drawdown, students will learn about waste-to-energy conversions as a temporary solution as we transition to cleaner energy sources and a reduction of waste materials.
- Students will understand the economic and health costs associated with this solution, as well as its potential for reducing waste.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The article for this solution provides a great example of the interconnected elements that need to be considered when evaluating solutions, such as cost, emissions reductions, and human health outcomes.
- The article contains a helpful chart readers can use to quickly understand why this is not a reccomended solution.
Prerequisites
- Students should understand climate change and how burning fossil fuels contributes to it.
- Some students may need some vocabulary terms defined for them before reading.
Differentiation & Implementation
- Students who already have background knowledge of environmental justice and sacrifice zones can discuss the environmental justice implications of implementing a solution with harmful health impacts. This article can help give a personal account of the problems that may arise.
- After reading the article, students can look at and discuss solutions related to reducing waste, rather than waste disposal. Students can also talk about how they can reduce waste in their personal lives.
- Students can read more about electricity and its related emissions with this article or compare this solution with others from the Drawdown Explorer.
From the scientist review
This resource underscores the significance of converting waste to energy, through proper handling of waste, combustion to produce energy. This waste-energy solution has been widely adopted in China and other OECD member states and it has helped to reduce the amount of waste in municipals and landfills. This resource presents a good read and is recommended for teaching.
Ready to use it?
Hosted on drawdown.org
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
