Lesson plan; “Tackling Plastic Pollution: From Awareness to Action”

Lesson objective: To understand the causes and consequences of plastic pollution and explore possible solutions.

Lesson outcomes:

• Students will explain the sources and consequences of plastic pollution.
• Students will evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies like reuse, recycle, and refuse in reducing plastic waste.
• Students will propose and justify actionable solutions to combat plastic pollution in their community and daily lives.
• Students will demonstrate collaboration, communication, and critical thinking skills.

Lesson plan

• Show the photograph and ask students to share their thoughts and feelings.
• Briefly discuss the impact of plastic on marine life and the environment.
• Let the students read the article here.
• Divid students in pairs and have them answer the questions below.
• Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific question:
  • Group 1: How much plastic do we use?
  • Group 2: Where does all this plastic go?
  • Group 3: How does plastic pollution affect the environment and wildlife?

Info on the topic:

• Plastic production: Plastic is made from fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal. The global production of plastic has increased from 2 million t

  

  onnes in 1950 to 381 million tonnes in 2015, and is expected to double by 2034.

• Plastic consumption: Plastic is widely used for packaging, construction, transportation, electronics, agriculture and other purposes. The average person consumes about 100 kg of plastic per year, but this varies greatly by region. For example, in North America, the average is 139 kg, while in Africa, it is only 16 kg.
• Plastic disposal: Plastic waste is either landfilled, incinerated, recycled or leaked into the environment. Only 9% of plastic waste has been recycled as of 2015, while 79% has accumulated in landfills or the natural environment, and 12% has been incinerated. Plastic waste that ends up in the ocean can harm marine life, degrade water quality and contribute to climate change.

Questions from article

• What is the name of the platform that is teaming up with major brands to operate a ‘global reverse supply chain’ for plastic packaging¹
• What percentage of plastic waste has been recycled as of 2015, according to one major study¹
• What kind of animals often mistake plastics for food such as jellyfish or squid, and suffer from starvation as a result²
• How many tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean every year, according to a 2021 report by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)²
• What is the name of the treaty that 175 nations have signed up to, promising to agree to a binding agreement to end plastic pollution by the end of 2024¹

Additional sources on the topic:

1. “Plastic waste is everywhere — and countries must be held accountable for reducing it”
   • This article discusses the global problem of plastic waste, its impact on ecosystems, and the urgent need for effective measurement and compliance systems. It emphasizes the importance of holding countries accountable for their plastic production, export, and recycling practices¹
   • Read the full article
2. “Plastic pollution on course to double by 2030”
   • According to this assessment by the UN Environment Programme, plastic pollution in oceans and other bodies of water is rapidly increasing and could more than double by 2030. The article sheds light on the urgent need for global action to address this pressing issue³
   • Read the full article

Essay Questions: Plastic Pollution and Our Choices

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies like “refuse,” “reduce,” and “recycle” in combating plastic pollution. Discuss the limitations of each strategy and propose additional solutions that individuals and communities can implement. Include specific examples from your own life or experience to support your arguments.
2. Imagine you are a marine animal impacted by plastic pollution. Write a narrative from your perspective describing the challenges you face and the impact of plastic on your environment. What message would you send to humans about their choices and their responsibility to reduce plastic use?
3. As a “Plastic Pollution Buster,” explain your chosen action to reduce plastic use in your daily life. Analyze the potential impact of your action on a personal and global level. Discuss the challenges you anticipate and propose strategies to overcome them. How can you inspire others to take similar actions and contribute to a more sustainable future?