DS1: Problems of unsustainable production and consumption
DS1: Problems of unsustainable production and consumption
Introduction
Lesson 1: Problems of unsustainable production and consumption.
With the film "The story of stuff", Annie Leonard introduces the consequences of unsustainable production and consumption practices. In her film, she describes in an understandable way how the world's resources are turned into waste through production. The film shows that ultimately everything is connected to everything else. Raw materials are either extracted using enormous amounts of energy or under living conditions that are undignified for the workers in order to process them into products (stuff), which in turn become waste. In her film, Annie Leonard shows, on the one hand, the consequences this has for the environment and, on the other, the injustice that prevails in the use and processing of the earth's treasures. In five chapters, the author shows the typical life cycle of consumer goods. She begins with the extraction of finite resources and describes the collateral damage, such as toxic spoil heaps or the illnesses suffered by miners. The production chain that follows also leads to enormous environmental pollution and is based on inhumane exploitation. When the products reach the market, they often also harm consumers by releasing toxic vapours. After a comparatively short time, the products become waste. This part of the product life cycle is also visualised. The film should be presented in three parts to provide an opportunity for reflection and discussion. Quotes from the film provide an opportunity for discussion, and posters can also be created to accompany them.
Preparations
A laptop and projector are required for this double lesson. The worksheet "The strory of stuff - quotations" can be used to place concise topics relating to the parts at the centre of the discussion.
Link list
Story of stuff I (German):
www.youtube.com/watch (7:46)
Story of stuff II (German):
www.youtube.com/watch (8.11)
Story of stuff III (German)
www.youtube.com/watch (5:24)
FAZ: Article about the video:
tinyurl.com/z6srrwd
Book reference:
Annie Leonard: "The Story of Stuff - Wie wir unsere Erde zumüllen Econ Verlag, Berlin 2010