This fact sheet debunks common greenwashing techniques in the aviation industry related to biofuels.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This fact sheet is comprehensive and addresses all the false solutions outlined by the aviation industry.
Two infographics bring the data to life.
Teaching your students media literacy is one of the greatest gifts you can give them in this age of misinformation.
Additional Prerequisites
Biofuels are often called Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) by the aviation industry.
One of the biggest reasons biofuels are not scalable is the land required to grow all of the crops, so you could have your students research other climate and environmental impacts from agriculture prior to using this resource.
This is part of a series of greenwashing fact sheets from Stay Grounded.
Stay Grounded is a Europe-based network of groups aiming to reduce emissions from aviation.
Differentiation
In English class, students could research different airlines like United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Qantas, Emirates, Southwest, or EasyJet. Groups of students could review their marketing material to see greenwashing and present their findings to the class.
You could also share this video that explains greenwashing and how to see through greenwashing.
The resource indicates the implication of sustainable biomass waste for aviation. Biofuels have been criticized over the years as the production process increases the application of herbicides and fertilizers, and contributes to water and environmental health risks. However, its application in the aviation industry could limit atmospheric CO2. This resource is recommended for students to explore and gain deep insights on this technology.
Standards
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Economics
D2.Eco.11.9-12 Use economic indicators to analyze the current and future state of the economy.
D2.Eco.15.9-12 Explain how current globalization trends and policies affect economic growth, labor markets, rights of citizens, the environment, and resource and income distribution in different nations.
Dimension 3: Gathering and Evaluating Sources
D3.2.9-12 Evaluate the credibility of a source by examining how experts value the source.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Reading: Science & Technical Subjects (6-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.11-12.10 By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.
