Lesson plan:
Watch the clip and write about the case on your blog. How is it possible for one person to make a significant difference in so many people’s lives? Look at the facts below and do your research online. Call your post-redemption day and explain the title!
Competency goals:
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Demonstrate understanding, independent reflection, and critical thinking in the analysis of some current social debates in English-speaking countries
- Demonstrate understanding, independent reflection, and critical thinking in the analysis of some current social debates in English-speaking countries
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Apply various subject-specific texts in English with topics from other subjects as a starting point for own language learning and professional reflection
Discuss the facts below with the class:
Erin Brockovich is an American paralegal, whistleblower, consumer advocate, and environmental activist who was instrumental in building a case against Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) involving groundwater contamination in Hinkley, California with the help of attorney Ed Masry in 1993. Their successful lawsuit was the subject of the Oscar-winning film.
Currently, she is still an environmental activist and advocator. The Guardian. She has been involved in several anti-pollution lawsuits such as a suit against Whitman Corporation for chromium contamination in Willits, California and another contamination near PG&E’s Kettleman Hills compressor station in Kings County, California. Recently, she has been working on a new case on “forever chemicals” in our water and their potential wide-spread health impact.
Erin Brockovich’s work on a cancer cluster in the California desert town of Hinkley led to a lawsuit, and later a Hollywood movie. Erin Brockovich-Ellis (born June 22, 1960) is an American legal clerk and environmental activist who, despite the lack of a formal law school education, or any legal education, was instrumental in constructing a case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) of California in 1993. Read this article to find out more about the trial. What should we believe?
Watch the movie in class.
Discussion in class:
- Was the case described in the move as you had expected?
- Did you ever imagine it would be that difficult?
- What is fracking?
- What was Erin Brockovich’s role in building a case against PG&E?
- What are some of Erin Brockovich’s current activities?
- What are “forever chemicals,” and what is their potential widespread health impact?
- What were some of the environmental lawsuits that Erin Brockovich has been involved in?
Further activities:
Click here or on the picture to see the clip.
Discussion
Discuss in groups the video about the real Erin Brockovich-Ellis; what surprised you?
Read and answer questions
Read the article in The Guardian and answer the following questions:
- What is the name of the island where one of Indonesia’s largest nickel mines is located?
- What is the name of the mining company that owns the $1bn site?
- What is the name of the Chinese battery component producer that has signed an agreement to purchase nickel from PT Halmahera Persada Lygend?
- What is the maximum contaminant level allowed by law in Indonesia for carcinogenic Cr6?
- What are some of the health problems that Cr6 can cause when ingested or inhaled?
- What is the percentage of people in poverty in Indonesia due to Covid?
- What is the prevalence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in Kawasi compared to the national average?
- How long does it take to reach Kawasi’s port from Jakarta?
- What are some of the environmental and human rights abuses linked to cobalt and lithium mining?
- How does nickel’s supply chain compare to cobalt and lithium’s supply chains in terms of scrutiny and regulation?
Assignment:
- Write a letter to the residents of Hinkley explaining the science behind their problems. See facts for that here: Erin_Brockovich_Oxidation_Formative_Assessment