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We're Drowning in Plastic Pollution. Can We Actually Fix It?

Provided by: Be Smart |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos

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Synopsis

This video from Be Smart thoroughly details the plastic pollution problem including the history of plastic, causes and effects of this pollution, challenges to solving the issue, and potential solutions.
Greenhouse gas emissions from the production and transportation of plastic, as well as the transportation and cleanup of plastic waste, are highlighted as other ways that plastic pollutes.
The video emphasizes the complex systemic changes that will be necessary to solve a problem of this scope and scale, far beyond individuals' actions.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, History

Authors: Be Smart

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

The video is very in-depth and covers all aspects of plastic pollution.
The video is realistic about how difficult this problem will be to solve, while remaining optimistic and providing actionable solutions.

Prerequisites

An advertisement may play at the start and partway through the video, which can be skipped after a few seconds.
The video is divided into nine sections that can be played individually instead of playing the entire video at one time.

Differentiation & Implementation

In a science class, this video can be included in lessons about oceans, water pollution, fossil fuels, or human impacts on the environment.
This video can be used in a history class as it connects the history of plastic to important historical events like World War II.
The video briefly discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has increased plastic waste, which can provide an interesting connection between healthcare and pollution or underscore unseen impacts of a global pandemic.
A chemistry class can utilize this video to discuss the molecular structure and characteristics of plastics that make them so difficult to break down or convert into other forms through recycling processes.
Other resources about plastic pollution include Why We Need to Stop Plastic Pollution in Our Oceans For Good and Plastic Pollution: How Humans Are Turning the World into Plastic.
Resources that highlight actions being taken to help solve plastic pollution include Future in the Bag Community Action Guide and #Trashtag: The Online Challenge Cleaning Places Up.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.