Greenwashing: Media Literacy Lesson 9-12
Lesson Plan
1 hour 30 minutesGrades9, 10, 11, 12English Language Arts, Career Skills
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Written by Christa Delaney
About this lesson
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.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
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.
From the scientist review
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.
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About the teacher writer
Christa Delaney
Christa Delaney holds a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies and Teacher Education from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and a Professional Science Master's in Environmental Studies and Sustainability from Unity College. She has been teaching since 2005 and has 21 years of experience teaching Advanced Placement Environmental Science to grades 11–12. Christa is certified to teach Biological Science and specializes in environmental science and sustainability education.
