The Problem with Consumerism
Videos
Grades9, 10, 11, 12Economics, Civics
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 Our Changing Climate
What it is
- This video is about the connections between consumerism, economic growth, and climate change.
- It highlights the challenges with decoupling greenhouse emissions and economic growth, using South Korea as a case study.
- The video asserts that the only viable solution to climate change includes both reducing consumption and advancing technological innovation in renewable energy.
Teaching tips
Positives
- It addresses propaganda by discussing how BP invented the concept of the carbon footprint to place the burden of climate change on individuals instead of corporations.
- It's optimistic in its presentation of potential solutions to climate change.
Additional Prerequisites
- The video begins and ends with an advertisement.
- There are five timestamped chapters allowing for easy navigation.
- Students should be familiar with certain terms including GDP, renewable energies, and consumerism.
- Students might find it difficult to learn that certain Christmas traditions can be a contributing factor to climate change.
Differentiation
- Students can discuss ways that they can contribute to the goal of reducing consumerism through changes in their shopping habits.
- Students can create projects to inform their classmates or community members on the importance of reducing consumerism.
- Students can think about ways to encourage local businesses to reduce their total greenhouse emissions.
- Other resources related to these topics are the course Climate Economics, the video A Healthy Economy Should Be Designed to Thrive, Not Grow and the game What Type of Shopper Are You?
From the scientist review
This 10-minute video presents an overview of consumerism and its impact on climate change. Data pertaining to spending and consumption trends is presented and challenges with decoupling climate-relevant emissions with economic spending trends are discussed, along with potential solutions. Citations are provided in small text on the bottom right corner of the screen, which need to be looked up from a list of resources linked in the video description. Although this takes additional effort to follow citations, this resource is recommended for teaching.
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