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Description
Consumer demand for inexpensive and trendy clothing comes at a high environmental cost. This informative video uses an ordinary t-shirt to illustrate how "fast fashion" is a leading contributor to toxic pollutants such as formaldehyde, methane and micro-plastics. Even seemingly "natural" materials like cotton often require the use of pesticides and massive volumes of water to grow high crop yields. As students realize that their clothing choices could be harming ecosystems, wildlife and humans, they will be inspired to follow the advice of the film narrators to make their wardrobe more environmentally friendly and help change the fashion industry.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This video supports Grade 5-9 Science, Technology and Innovation and Home Economics units exploring the environmental and social impacts of clothing manufacturing and consumption. Students will gain an awareness of the role of this industry in polluting freshwater systems through wastewater discharges and their need for vast amounts of petroleum products to manufacture polyester. Pupils will also understand how consumer action is integral to reducing the prevalence of "fast fashion" in our society.
A class might use this video as the basis of an action project in which students construct new outfits from upcycled and recycled clothing, then present their creations in a sustainable fashion show. This event could also feature fashions from local businesses that manufacture their own clothing line or sell environmentally friendly products.
Relevant Curriculum Units
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- Alberta
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- Grade 7
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- Science
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- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Plants for Food and Fibre
- Grade 9
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Chemistry
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Environmental Chemistry (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Manitoba
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- Grade 5
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- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Human Ecology: Clothing and Textiles -Citizenship and Sustainability
- Grade 6
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- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Human Ecology: Clothing and Textiles -Citizenship and Sustainability
- Grade 7
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- Technological Education
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- Human Ecology: Clothing and Textiles -Citizenship and Sustainability
- Grade 8
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- Science
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- Water Systems on Earth
- Technological Education
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- Human Ecology: Clothing and Textiles -Citizenship and Sustainability
- Grade 9
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- Technological Education
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Human Ecology: Textile Arts and Design - Citizenship and Sustainability
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
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- Grade 7
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- Home Economics
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Home Economics Intermediate:Clothing Care
- Grade 8
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- Home Economics
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Home Economics Intermediate: Clothing
- Grade 9
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- Home Economics
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Home Economics Intermediate: Clothing Module
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
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- Grade 7
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- Science
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- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Plants for Food and Fibre
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- Science
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- Chemistry and the Environment
- Knowledge and Employability Science: Environmental Chemistry (Social and Environmental Contexts Emphasis)
- Ontario
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- Grade 5
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- Science & Technology
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- Earth and Space Systems: Conservation of Energy & Resources
- Grade 7
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- Science & Technology
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- Science & Technology
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- Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
- Grade 9
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- Science
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- :Biology: Sustainable Ecosystems
- Technological Education
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- Exploring Technologies (Open): Technology, the Environment and Society:
- Prince Edward Island
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- Grade 7
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- Home Economics
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- Intermediate Home Economics:Sewing
- Grade 8
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- Home Economics
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- Intermediate Home Economics:Sewing
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- Home Economics
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- Intermediate Home Economics:Sewing
- Quebec
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- Grade 5
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- Science & Technology
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- Living Things
- Grade 6
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- Living Things
Themes Addressed
Citizenship (1)
- Sustainable Consumption
Human Health & Environment (1)
- Environmental Contaminants & Health Hazards
