Today: • Turn in Paper• Environmental Problems• Solutions• Test #3 is next class, study

guide is posted

“History calls those men the greatest who have ennobled themselves by working for the common good.” Karl Marx

The Story of Stuff

0:10-5:006:40-7:267:45-8:4410:10-11:5012:44-17:20

2 main ways Americans spend our free time__________________

Types of pollution

• Air Pollution

• Water Pollution

• Land Pollution

Impacts of pollution

• Biodiversity loss (extinction of plant and animal species)

• Global Warming/Climate change

Structural Functionalist PerspectiveInterdependence between humans and earth•Functional for society to take care of earth•Going green saves $

Structural Functionalist Perspective• Latent dysfunctions: unintended consequences of human

activities

Symbolic Interactionist PerspectiveMedia can impact environmental problems

Symbolic Interactionist PerspectiveGreenwashing: deceptive way companiesportray themselves as “eco-friendly” even if they are not(5% of good but 95% bad)

Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

Greenwashing: deceptive way companies portray themselves as “eco-friendly” even if they are not

According to Women’s Voices for the Earth, The Dirt On Cleaning ProductsSimple Green contains the chemical ethylene glycol butyl ether or EGBE, which is on California’s list of toxic ingredients.

Symbolic Interactionist PerspectiveGreenwashing in politics: attempt to make a policy seem earth-friendly when it is not (Clear Skies Initiative)

Opposed by groups such as the Sierra Club because it:-Allowed 42 million more tons of pollution emitted -Allowed 68 % more Nitrogen Oxide pollution.

Conflict PerspectiveWealthy nations have higher rates of consumption that •deplete natural resources•emit pollutants•generate waste

Conflict PerspectivePlanned obsolescence: manufacturing of products that are intended to become outdated in a short period of time

Conflict PerspectivePlanned obsolescence: manufacturing of products that are intended to become outdated in a short period of time

5.6 billion pounds of electronics-- TVs, stereos, cell phones, and computers were trashed in 2010 (Environmental Protection Agency)

Millions of pounds of chemicals and heavy metals in landfills

SOLUTIONS:MyGreenElectronics.orgHope LineGreenPhone.comNational Coalition Against Domestic violencewww.ncadv.orgwww.cellphonesforlife.org

Planned Obsolescence

Conflict Perspective• Profit more important than environmental damage

Conflict Perspective• Industries use their power to influence politicians

Environmental Racism and Classism

• Dumping of toxic wastes more frequently in areas with more minorities or low-income

Environmental Racism and ClassismThe green dots represent toxic release facilities. The orange areas of LA County are where people of color make up 80% or more of the population. The yellow areas represent places where people of color only make up 0%-40% of the population.

Source:Thesocietypages.org

Conflict Perspective• Social implications: some groups suffer while others profit• Example: Conflict minerals: Sexual violence in Congo fueled by

militias warring over minerals

Understanding Conflict Minerals

Find out how to help: www.enoughproject.org

Think about it and prepare to shareHow do people help and hurt the earth?

Ways I personally help the

environment…

Ways my school or job helps the

environment…

Ways I personally hurt the

environment…

Ways my school hurts the

environment…

Ways my job hurts the environment…

Consumer/corporate behavior1. Fuel efficient transportation

Consumer/corporate behavior2. Energy efficient home appliances

Consumer/corporate behavior3. Natural, organic, and home-made cleaning products

Consumer/corporate behavior4. Reusable products

Consumer/corporate behavior5. Going paperless- online banking, mail preference lists

Consumer/corporate behavior6. Farmer’s Markets, shop local

Typical grocery store produce travels nearly 1,500 miles

Traveling results in pollution

LocalHarvest.org

Consumer/corporate behavior7. Native and drought tolerant landscaping

Consumer/corporate behaviorRain water collection

Consumer/corporate behaviorHome gardens and composts

Consumer/corporate behavior 8. Purchasing products with less packaging

9. Green Energy

• Renewable and non-polluting

• Solar Energy• Wind Power• Hydrogen Power

10. Environmental Education

What is sustainability?Animated

Next Class: Test #3

Study guide on website

Finish “I Am” video questions turn in April 20th

Extra Credit for “I Am” movie typed reflection also due April 20th

10. Environmental Education

Educate elementary school kids about protecting the environment

•Free materials for teachers•Free assembly for school•Songs, videos, activities•Website of resources(http://ladpw.org/epd/)

Environmental Defenders