This video from Our Changing Climate breaks down what "net zero" emissions targets are and how some companies or countries may take advantage of this term.
The video also talks about the negatives of using future technologies (that haven't been developed or tested at scale) and carbon offsetting (which may come with side effects, like green colonialism) to continue "business as usual".
Teaching Tips
Positives
This video is broken into sections using timestamps, so it is easy to skip around and tailor the video to a relevant class discussion.
The video breaks down complicated concepts into easy-to-understand content.
Additional Prerequisites
There may be an ad before or during the video, and there is a sponsorship at the end that starts at 10 minutes, 28 seconds.
Students should know what the Paris Agreement is.
Students should be comfortable interpreting percentages.
Differentiation
This would be a great video to show in a science class when learning about climate change and the impact of large companies.
In an economics class, this video could be used to discuss economic incentives, as well as how economic decisions made by private companies affect the public.
Achieving net-zero by 2050 appears to be unrealistic. This resource spotlights clear cases on the disconnections, political trickery, and controversies by several governments, multi-national corporations, and industries towards achieving a well thought-out, tangible, and realistic implementation plan for a net-zero and carbon neutral world. There is no contradiction and thus, this resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Economics
D2.Eco.1.6-8 Explain how economic decisions affect the well-being of individuals, businesses, and society.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.2 Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
HS-ESS3-4 Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.
