The Problem with Consumerism

• This video is about the connections between consumerism, economic growth, and climate change. 
• It highlights the challenges with decoupling greenhouse emissions and economic growth, using South Korea as a case study. 
• The video asserts that the only viable solution to climate change includes both reducing consumption and advancing technological innovation in renewable energy. 

Positives

• It addresses propaganda by discussing how BP invented the concept of the carbon footprint to place the burden of climate change on individuals instead of corporations.
• It's optimistic in its presentation of potential solutions to climate change.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• The video begins and ends with an advertisement.
• There are five timestamped chapters allowing for easy navigation.
• Students should be familiar with certain terms including GDP, renewable energies, and consumerism.
• Students might find it difficult to learn that certain Christmas traditions can be a contributing factor to climate change.
  

Differentiation

• Students can discuss ways that they can contribute to the goal of reducing consumerism through changes in their shopping habits.

• Students can create projects to inform their classmates or community members on the importance of reducing consumerism.
• Students can think about ways to encourage local businesses to reduce their total greenhouse emissions.
• Other resources related to these topics are the course Climate Economics, the video A Healthy Economy Should Be Designed to Thrive, Not Grow and the game What Type of Shopper Are You?