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Future History: Plastic Bottle Usage

Secondary, Middle

Description

In this short program set 3000 years in the future, anthropologists put forth theories on the origin of the billions of plastic water bottle “artifacts” uncovered on the planet. The confusion of the narrator/anthropologist is clear as she tries to explain why any civilization would use plastic bottles to distribute water to homes, why they were not re-used, why depleting petroleum products were used to make them, and why manufacture a container that holds less water than it takes to produce it.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This clip can be used to introduce or support the teaching of sustainable consumption, the 3Rs of waste management, our dependence on fossil fuels, and the bottled water debate in science, geography, and social studies courses. It is an excellent set induction to stimulate conversation on how our lifestyle choices have severe impacts on our planet, now and in the future

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
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    • Grade 7
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        • Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
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    • Grade 12
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      • Environmental Science
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        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
      • Social Studies
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        • Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.
  • Manitoba
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        • Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Consumerism
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        • Advanced Environmental Science 120: Earth Systems
        • Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Investigating Environmental Issues
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        • Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
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        • Interactions and Ecosystems
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        • Global Geography:Resources and Commodities
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        • Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Reducing and Managing Waste
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        • Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
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        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
  • Prince Edward Island
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        • Environmental Science 621A: Natural Resources
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        • What can I do?
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        • Geography 631A Global Issues: What Can I Do?
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        • Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
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        • Social Studiees 20:World Issues - Environment
  • Yukon Territory
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        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Human Geography 12: Human activities alter landscapes in a variety of ways.

Themes Addressed

Citizenship (1)

  • Sustainable Consumption

Waste Management (2)

  • Cradle-to-Cradle
  • Source Reduction

Water (1)

  • Water Use