GC1 4. Responsible consumption, lesson 2

• Global citizenship
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

Responsible consumption

Beat the microbead

Goals of this lesson

At the end of this lesson you will...

- know what microplastics are and why this is a problem

- be more aware of your own microplastic consumption 

- know what you can do to reduce your own microplastic consumption.

What is the plastic soup?

In 1997, Charles Moore, a race boat captain and oceanographer, sailed from Hawaii to Southern California. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he saw pieces of plastic floating by daily. He later returned to the area to investigate. The concentration of plastic in this spot was strikingly higher than elsewhere in the ocean. Moreover, it turned out that the plastic was not only floating, but also roaming underwater. Moore called the phenomenon the plastic soup, a term now used throughout the world.

www.plasticsoupfoundation.org

Scientist think that by ...... there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans.

1. NOW
2. 2050
3. in over a 100 years
4. 2030

Use the link on the next slide

Scan the information on the website

• Find one interesting fact
• Discuss it with your partner
• Swap facts

www.weforum.org

How much plastic ends up in the ocean per minute?

1. 1 rubbish bag per minute
2. 10 rubbish bags per minute
3. 1 garbage truck per minute
4. nothing

Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than ...

1. 5cm
2. 1cm
3. 5mm
4. 1mm

Some researchers consider microplastics to be pieces of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters. Other researchers use the limit of 1 millimeter. Microplastics enter the environment through the break down of large plastics in the environment or directly as, for example, microbeads (from cosmetic/hygiene products or synthetic fibers from clothing 

1.expedition

2.identify

3.lakes

4.to set out 

5.a hunch

6.surface

a. to attempt to do something.

b. a large area of water surrounded by land.

c. a journey undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose.

 d. feeling or guess based on intuition rather than fact

e.the outside part of something.

f. establish or indicate who or what (someone or something) is.

Why do manufacturers add microplastics to their products?

Microplastics should be banned from beauty products.

1. yes
2. no

www.plasticsoupfoundation.org

Asssignment: Plenda (10/5)

- Download the app: Beat the MicroBead

- Use the app to take pictures of all the beauty products in your bathroom at home. 

- make a list of all the products that contain microplastics

- How many products are on your list? 

- What are you going to do about it? 

- hand in your answers on Simulise

https:

I know what microplastics are and why this is a problem

I don't know what microplastics are.

I know what they are but not what the problem is.

I understand the term "microplastics"

I know about "microplastics" and the problems

Extra Activity: Microplastics pollution

In groups of four - Read the web page on slide 16 - make points under the three headings using your place mats. Use other websites to find extra information.