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The Cheeseburger Footprint

Secondary, Middle

Description

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.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

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.

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 6
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      • Science
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        • Heat and Temperature
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      • Science
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        • Science 10-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Investigating Matter and Energy in Environmental Systems
        • Science 14:Investigating Matter and Energy in the Environment
    • Grade 11
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      • Science
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        • Science 20-4 (Knowledge and Employability Science): Understanding Common Energy Conversion Systems
        • Science 24:Understanding Common Energy Conversion Systems
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        • Science 30: : Energy and the Environment
  • British Columbia
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        • Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
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        • Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
  • Manitoba
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        • Interactions Within Ecosystems
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        • Senior 2 Science: Dynamics of Ecosystems
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        • Current Topics in the Sciences 30S: Science, Technology, Society & the Environment
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        • Advanced Environmental Science 120: Earth Systems
        • Advanced Environmental Science 120:Introduction to the human sphere
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        • Interaction of Ecosystems
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        • Science 1206: Sustainability of Ecosystems
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        • Science 20: The Changing Earth
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        • Science 30: Energy and the Environment
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        • Geography 10: Spaceship Earth
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        • Science24:Understanding Common Energy Conversion Systems
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        • Environmental Studies 35: Northern Climate
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        • Science 30: Energy and the Environment
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        • Earth and Space Systems: Heat in the Environment
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        • Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
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        • The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep) : Ecological Systems: Interactions and Interdependence
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        • World Geography: Urban Patterns & Populations (Univ. / College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
        • World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
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  • Prince Edward Island
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        • Science 431A: Life Science, Sustainability of Ecosystems
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        • Environmental Science 621A: Ecological Principles
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        • Contemporary World: Environment
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  • Yukon Territory
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        • Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
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        • Science for Citizens 11:Scientific processes and knowledge inform our decisions and impact our daily lives
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Citizenship (1)

  • Ecological Footprint