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Description
Students use critical thinking skills to determine whether claims by certain technology companies of using green energy to reduce their impact on the environment are valid and represent a true commitment to sustainability.
The activity begins with a discussion about how our own technology uses come with a much larger energy footprint than that required to charge our devices. Students consider the challenges faced by the large tech firms to manage their data in ways that reduce their energy requirements.
After considering the sustainability claims of some of the better known companies (Google, Amazon, Microsoft) and discussing the concept of ‘green-washing’, students choose a large tech company, research their sustainability platform and evaluate the strength of their commitment.
In conclusion students will reflect on the various means by which large companies can reduce their energy demands and consider the power that they have as consumers to bring about these changes.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
'Sustainable Solutions" provides students with the opportunity to apply critical thinking to the roles played by big tech and individual consumers in sustainable energy use. Teachers may find value combining this activity with "Hidden Energy", a resource from the same compilation.
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
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
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- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) Globalization & Sustainable Prosperity
- British Columbia
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- Grade 10
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Energy is conserved and its transformation can affect living things and the environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10 - Canada and the World: 1914 to the Present: Worldviews lead to different perspectives and ideas about developments in Canadian society
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
- Science
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- Science for Citizens 11:Scientific processes and knowledge inform our decisions and impact our daily lives
- 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.
- Manitoba
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- Grade 12
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- Social Studies
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- Global Issues: Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Media
- New Brunswick
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- Grade 10
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- Science
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- Learning and Living Sustainably (STSE)
- Science 10 Science for Sustainable Societies
- Social Studies
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- Civics 10: Decision - Making and Representation
- Grade 12
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- Environmental Science
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- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Investigating Environmental Issues
- Newfoundland & Labrador
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- Grade 10
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- Business Studies
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- Business Enterprise 1100: Marketing
- Grade 11
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- Business Studies
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- Consumer Studies 1202:: The Consumer and the Business World
- Grade 12
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- Environmental Science
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- Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
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- Social Studies 3201: Human-Environment Interaction
- Northwest Territories
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- Grade 10
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- Social Studies
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- Social Studies 10 - Canada and the World: 1914 to the Present: Worldviews lead to different perspectives and ideas about developments in Canadian society
- Nova Scotia
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- Grade 12
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- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- AP Environmental Science: Energy Consumption and Resources
- Nunavut
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- Grade 10
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- Social Studies
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- Social Studies 10-1(Perspectives on Globalization) Globalization & Sustainable Prosperity
- Ontario
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- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science (Academic):Earth and Space Science: Climate Change
- Grade 11
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- Environmental Science
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- Environmental Science (Univ/College Prep.) Conservation of Energy
- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Energy Conservation
- Marketing
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- Marketing: Goods, Services, Events (College Prep.) Trends in Marketing
- Marketing: Retail and Service (Workplace Prep.) Trends
- Grade 12
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- Geography
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- Living in a Sustainable World (Workplace Prep.) Sustainability of Natural Resources
- Prince Edward Island
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- Grade 12
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- Environmental Science
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- Environmental Science 621A: Natural Resources
- Quebec
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- Grade 11
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- Social Studies
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- Contemporary World: Environment
- Saskatchewan
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- Grade 10
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- Science
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- Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
- Grade 11
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- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studiees 20:World Issues - Environment
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 10
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Energy is conserved and its transformation can affect living things and the environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Social Studies 10 - Canada and the World: 1914 to the Present: Worldviews lead to different perspectives and ideas about developments in Canadian society
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- 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: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
Themes Addressed
Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)
- Climate Change
Citizenship (1)
- Sustainable Consumption
Economics (1)
- Corporate Social Responsibility
Energy (2)
- Energy Generation
- Energy Use
