This video highlights the differences between individual consumer actions to solve climate change and the necessary collective actions that we must take as a society.
It shows how individual consumer actions are often emphasized over systemic, political, regulatory, and corporate actions.
Positive solutions are offered that individuals can take that will promote and work towards those collective goals.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This video is great at shifting students' focus onto bigger solutions that are necessary to fight climate change, while recognizing that individual actions still matter.
Additional Prerequisites
Content ends at 9:40 and is followed by sponsorship information.
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Differentiation
Civics and social studies classes can use this to teach the difference between individual action and collective action.
The concept of regulatory action is stressed as a necessary step beyond consumer choices, which could also be addressed in civics and social studies classes.
Other resources about the solutions to climate change include this video by Project Drawdown, this article about food waste, and this video by the Climate Reality Project.
Scientist Notes
This resource explains the concept of individual action versus systemic change to fight climate change. Individual action is not enough to curb fossil fuel emissions, and this video examines what a person can actually do, while showing how systemic change is needed to prevent the worst effects of global warming. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Civics
D2.Civ.1.6-8 Distinguish the powers and responsibilities of citizens, political parties, interest groups, and the media in a variety of governmental and nongovernmental contexts.
D2.Civ.14.9-12 Analyze historical, contemporary, and emerging means of changing societies, promoting the common good, and protecting rights.
