This video effectively tracks the 10 pounds of carbon dioxide gas emitted from the production of a single cheeseburger. Through interesting graphics, carbon dioxide levels are traced to the production, shipping, processing, and distribution of the beef, vegetables, cheese and wheat that go into creating the burger. As the carbon dioxide amounts are extrapolated from the number of cheeseburgers consumed in a single year, the significant impact of this industry on greenhouse gas production and global climate change is made clear.
This video would be an excellent tool to generate discussion about the role that humans play in the production of greenhouse gases, in sometimes not so obvious ways. It could also be used to introduce how the resulting climate change affects the sustainabilty of important ecosystems. Geography and social studies classes could assess the environmental, social, and economic impacts of using fossil fuels in the production, processing and distribution of everyday goods.
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