An Interactive Map to Track and End Pollution in China

Provided by: TED |Published on: April 27, 2021

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Synopsis

This inspiring TED video describes the development and outcomes of a pollution-tracking database and related app for tracking manufacturing pollution in China.
The database offers information that provides transparency and empowers citizens to encourage positive changes from some of the largest suppliers of global materials.
The app also provides a carbon pollution map of China based on its carbon reduction goals.

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Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Economics

Authors: Ma Jun

Region: Asia

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

Ma Jun's beginning focus on protecting one lake to his current focus on holding national agencies and multinational corporations accountable for their practices is a testament to starting small while keeping the larger picture in mind.
The link between corporate image and the actions of suppliers down the supply chain can be the basis for a multitude of activities on global consumption and/or corporate responsibility.

Prerequisites

Students may need to be instructed on carbon emission goals, water pollution associated with manufacturing and other activities, the balance/tension between economic growth and environmental protection, global supply chains and consumption, and/or corporate responsibility to the planet.

Differentiation & Implementation

There are several potential complements in the video for lessons/activities about business ethics, information freedom, economic systems, and public data, as the database is a collection of published environmental violations that are accessible to citizens.
There are potential connections for computer science and geography students interested in Global Information Systems (GIS), as the app and database utilize location and frequently updated data.
Ask students to work in small groups to list their ideas about the responsibility of corporations/industries to the environment and to the communities in which they operate. After sharing, challenge them to think about scenarios where a company may feel encouraged to damage their local environment and community (as happened in the video), even if they know it is wrong to do so. Are there other models of global economics that could be considered?
With supply chain visibility becoming more important to both consumers and companies, invite students to track the supply chain of some of their favorite items of clothing, shoes, or electronics. Is it easy to accomplish? What barriers may be standing in the way?
Ma Jun designed this app based on a database of violations and a map. For any class that has a GIS component, design a small project where students build a map based on a public database in their own communities. Have them make their maps publicly accessible if it is appropriate to do so.

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An Interactive Map to Track and End Pollution in China

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources