In this lesson, students think critically about carbon emission reduction strategies proposed by companies. 

Step 1 - Inquire: Students define greenwashing and define carbon emission reduction strategies.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students evaluate a company’s sustainability plan in regards to carbon emission reductions.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students present their findings to the class. As a class, students generate a list of which companies will and will not receive support from the students in the future.

Positives

• Students will be assessing the validity of sustainability plans within companies which helps with critical thinking skills.

• Students become more informed consumers.

Additional Prerequisites

• Teachers should try to find their school or Board of Education’s sustainability policy prior to class.

• Teachers should be familiar with what a sustainability plan looks like.

Differentiation

• Students may need help with research techniques. Teacher could give five options for students to choose from, and the students pick a company from those five options.

• Students may need help picking a company to research. Students can focus on companies where they spend money, either online or in their neighborhood.

This lesson challenges students to analyze "green" claims and provides context to "net zero" greenhouse gas emission goals. Students are tasked with evaluating a company’s sustainability plan and then presenting their findings to classmates. The included video resources are well-sourced and highlight how greenwashing can mislead consumers and how "net zero" emission goals are often just a way for corporations to procrastinate on taking meaningful steps to mitigate climate change. This lesson is recommended for teaching.

Note On Standards:

This lesson is aligned to New Jersey standards. Review the aligned standards directly in the lesson plan document and teacher slideshow.