Raters of the planet ECO

Imagine a planet where environmentally aware citizens take an active role in maintaining a healthy environment and where consumer decisions are based on a conscious attempt to reduce waste and save energy. In this investigation your students will assume the point of view of citizens from such an environmentally-conscious planet. As "Raters of the Planet Eco" their task is to evaluate the environmental impact of a variety of Earthling products. They will consider how consumer choices can affect the environment and will write recommendations for citizens of planet Earth based on their observations.

1. Read the following assignment to your students:

As we look down upon planet Earth, we see our neighbors are suffering from many problems You, as citizens of the planet Eco, have been assigned to a special taskforce to help reduce Earth's environmental problems. You specific assignment is to rate some of the Earthling products. You will find that some of the products are useless and that others are quite inventive or worthwhile. We would like you to collect a sample of a useless product and a worthwhile product during your investigation. We want to help Earthlings reduce their wastes and save energy. We have learned that Earthlings are using up their metals oil, and gas, and that their wastes are piling up. For instance, each year Earthlings throw away enough aluminum cans to make 25 columns from the Earth to their moon! Their landfills are overflowing with all kinds of broken gadgets, packaging, and things they use once and throw away.

2. Distribute the rating sheets provided in this unit and review the criteria to be considered when rating products. To determine a product's environmental impact, students will consider the following:

* the amount of energy the product uses
* the longevity of a product-whether it's disposable or built to last
* whether the product is made from renewable or nonrenewable resources
* whether the product is biodegradable or non biodegradable

You may need to review nonrenewable and renewable resources. Renewable resources are materials that can be generated again, such as wood. Nonrenewable resources are those that cannot be renewed or created again in our lifetime, such as oil or gas.

3. When students have completed their ratings, ask them to bring a sample of a useless product or a worthwhile product to the classroom. Display the products and have students debate the merits of various items. Ask for some reports from the rating sheets and discuss recommendations that could be made to planet Earth to reduce waste and save energy. You may want to conclude the activity with a class vote to see if students can agree upon the most useless or most useful Earthling product.

EXTENSIONS

Take a class trip to a landfill in your community to see how Earthling wastes are piling up. Find out if any of the wastes are recycled and how students can contribute to the recycling effort.

Have students write a collective letter to the editor of the local newspaper using the most constructive recommendations generated by the "raters" to the citizens of planet Earth.

PRODUCT RATING SHEET
RATER'S NAME _________________

Choose five Earthling products and rate their impact on the environment. As you select products to rate, look for at least one example of a product you feel is useless and an example of a very useful product.

Which product(s) would you describe as useless? Why?
_________________________________________________________________

Which product(s) do you feel are worthwhile or useful? Why?
_________________________________________________________________

ADVICE TO EARTHLINGS

Based on your ratings of Earthling products, make some recommendations which would help Planet Earth to reduce wastes and save energy. Be specific.

Note Collect a sample of a useless product and a useful product and bring them in for other raters to inspect.