Environment

What is "throwaway culture" — and how do we participate in it? Students explore 'planned obsolescence' and a countering movement for the 'right-to-repair.'

President Trump has announced that his administration will dramatically reduce the size of two national monuments in Utah. Through readings and discussion, students consider this move and wider questions about how public lands in the United States should be used.

Students read about and discuss the movement by the Standing Rock Sioux and their allies to stop a pipeline - and the Army Corps of Engineers' decision to reverse its approval for the pipeline section, for now.   

What is happening at Standing Rock? Students learn about and discuss the growing protest by the Standing Rock Sioux and their allies to stop a pipeline.   

Is it ethical to keep wild animals in captivity?  Animal rights advocates have convinced many people to reconsider their attitudes. Students explore the issue through two readings and discussion questions.   

We use plastics all the time. So often, in fact, that they’re practically invisible to us. In this lesson, students keep a log of their plastic use, take action to decrease it, and explore systemic approaches (like bag bans and bag taxes) to minimize use of plastics.  

What is fracking and what is its impact? Students explore the issue and the political landscape around it, including efforts by activists to ban the practice.  

What is environmental racism?  And is the poisoning of people in Flint, Michigan, an example of it? Students explore these questions in two readings, with discussion questions and an extension activity.  

In two readings and discussion, students think critically about the connection between cars and climate change, and compare U.S. transportation systems with those of Europe, where people rely less on cars.  

This 10-15-minute activity touches on key arguments for and against the XL Pipeline proposal President Obama just vetoed.