This video thoroughly details the plastic pollution problem including the history of plastic, causes and effects of this pollution, challenges to solving the issue, and potential solutions.
Greenhouse gas emissions from the production and transportation of plastic, as well as the transportation and clean up of plastic waste, are highlighted as other ways that plastic pollutes.
The video emphasizes the complex systemic changes that will be necessary to solve a problem of this scope and scale, far beyond individuals' actions.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The video is very in-depth and covers all aspects of plastic pollution.
The video is realistic about how difficult this problem will be to solve, while remaining optimistic and providing actionable solutions.
Additional Prerequisites
An advertisement may play at the start and part way through the video, which can be skipped after a few seconds.
The video is divided into nine sections that can be played individually instead of playing the entire video at one time.
Differentiation
In a science class, this video could be included in lessons about oceans, water pollution, fossil fuels, or human impacts on the environment.
This video could be used in a history class as it connects the history of plastic to important historic events like World War II.
The video briefly discusses how the Covid-19 pandemic has increased plastic waste, which could provide an interesting connection between healthcare and pollution or underscore unseen impacts of a global pandemic.
A chemistry class could utilize this video to discuss the molecular structure and characteristics of plastics that make them so difficult to break down or convert into other forms through recycling processes.
This resource is a 15-minute video that gives a comprehensive overview of the history of plastics, including when they were invented and used, how many plastic products are produced today, their ultimate fate, and ways in which we can reduce and clean up plastic pollution. This resource has a nice balance between looking at the plastic problem with an unflinching eye and offering actionable solutions. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-4 Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth's systems.
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: History
D2.His.14.6-8 Explain multiple causes and effects of events and developments in the past.
D2.His.14.9-12 Analyze multiple and complex causes and effects of events in the past.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study.
