Unit 5: What We Buy & Why it Matters (there are 3 topics in this unit)
So many of the SDGs have to do with the overconsumption of resources. Think about your carbon and lifestyle footprints that you measured in unit 1. Do you remember how those footprints showed how humans are using more resources than the Earth can replenish, and how, as a whole, we're currently using 1.7 Earths each year? Clearly, that's not sustainable and anyone who knows anything about economics knows that if you keep going into debt each year, eventually you find yourself bankrupt.
Your first task for this unit is to check out this very informative web site (https://www.overshootday.org) for more information about our overconsumption of resources to remind yourself about this core (and urgent!) issue. Take some notes that show your understanding of how the overconsumption of resources is at the heart of our planet's future, and think about the SDGs that connect to this issue. Write a 2-page reflection (double-spaced) about this and submit it before moving on. Again, please write this reflection as a personal narrative essay that could be published on Citizen C.
Then, move on to Topic 1.
Topic 1: Minimalism (this should take about 3-4 hours to complete)
1. See those two video links at the top of the page? Watch those videos and get a sense of what the minimalism movement is all about. This is a direct response to the ways in which the consumer mindset of our culture has made it easy for us to buy into the "more is better" mentality. Then check out some additional videos on The Minimalists Youtube channel and look at these blogs:
2. Are you getting excited about the minimalism movement? It's not just about stuff, is it? It's also about the ways in which we establish priorities, how we spend our time, and the amount of space we give in our lives to deliberate, meaningful pursuits. Pretty powerful. Your task at this point is to do a personal evaluation. Based on what you've learned from the videos and web sites you've explored, what areas of your life could benefit from a minimalist "make-over"? Why? Journal about this and prepare for a conversation with Mrs. Lav. Also conduct one interview with someone you know who exemplifies a minimalist lifestyle. There are Concordia students and teachers, and other community members, who live according to minimalist principles. If you need advice, talk to me (Mrs. Lav) and I'll give you some names. Your job with the interview is to find out how and why minimalism matters to this person. Once you're done the interview, you'll create a poster about this individual advertising why they are a Minimalist Superhero. Check out this video for guidance on how to create a good poster:
Topic 2: Zero Waste (this should take about 5-6 hours to complete)
1. What is the zero waste movement? This is another powerful example of individuals taking steps to live in more sustainable ways, to take responsibility for personal waste and impact on the planet, and to avoid buying excess "stuff" that ends up in landfills or incinerators. Check out the videos and web sites below to learn about what is involved when you move towards a zero waste lifestyle (prepare to be inspired by the minuscule amount of trash some of these committed zero-wasters produce each year!). Take notes as you go, and be ready to create a commercial about zero waste when you're done. This is going to be creative and fun! Think about how you can take what you've learned and turn it into an engaging and creative "pitch" that could be shown at assembly or posted online. As an alternative to creating a commercial, you could prepare and film a 6-10 minute Ted Talks about adopting a zero waste lifestyle (this option is for people who get really excited about this and want to make some significant lifestyle changes based on what they've learned). If you interview Alizee from Zero Waste Shanghai, you'll have some amazing content to work with here.
Need help figuring out how to make a good commercial? Check out the video below.
2. Your next task is to do a personal and household trash audit. For one week, capture everything you throw away at home and at school (don't throw anything in a can; carry a bag around and keep everything you would normally throw away). At home, capture everything your family throws away as a whole. Measure/weigh all of your waste and categorize it into the following categories: food waste, recycling (as a whole, but without the plastics), other waste and plastics. Write an article that analyzes how much trash you and your family produce, and reflect on your current practices and how these compare/contrast with a zero waste lifestyle. What do you notice? What do you want to change? What specific things do you intend to do, if you do desire to make changes in this area of your life? Think about writing an article that will appeal to our community members, and we'll publish these articles on Citizen C. Your article is meant to inform and engage your audience, as well as show your growing knowledge of these issues.
3. There is a Zero Waste Shanghai NGO right here in our city! It's true. The founder, Alizee, is a very inspiring person and often runs workshops and events in town. If you attend one of her evening talks, participate in a workshop or arrange a video chat interview with Alizee, this would be the icing on the cake for this task (talk to Mrs. Lav about the ways this could be incorporated into your work for the course this semester).
4. Composting: if you want to move along the zero waste spectrum, finding a way to handle your food waste is key. Check out the videos below about urban options and then have a conversation with Mrs. Lav before moving on.
Topic #3: The Fashion Industry & Capsule Wardrobes (this should take about 4 hours to complete)
Is fashion a big deal when it comes to climate change and carbon footprints? Isn't fashion just a personal and style choice that people make? Is it bad to look for deals and sales when we shop for this season's new trends?
In reality, the textiles industry is one of the worst contributors to climate change, producing around 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 per year! This more than international flights and maritime shipping combined, according to the video below!. Check out these articles, and watch the video, before moving on:
It's clear that the clothes we buy matter, especially because the fast fashion industry and marketing experts want us to buy more and more cheap and poorly-made garments that won't last long, ensuring we're always spending money on new, cheap clothes. At this point, please think about how many clothes you have purchased in the last year. What types of clothes? What stores have you supported? We haven't even talked about social justice here, but many cheap clothes are often made in factories that do not pay living wages to workers, or even engage in inhumane and unjust labour practices.
What are some solutions? Check out the videos and links below.
Now that you've learned a lot about capsule wardrobes and why we should care about the clothing we buy, you have two tasks to complete:
1. A clothing and purchasing audit. Pull everything out of your closet and drawers. Categorize all your clothing (think about categories like t-shirts, button shirts, pants, dresses, workout items, etc.) and count all of the items in each category. Also think about how often you shop and what types of things you typically buy. Write an article about your experience, and include photographs of your audit. OR create a video or podcast about your experience. Once you're done your audit, think about what you might want to keep and what you might want to give away. Check out this video that explains organizational expert Marie Kondo's process for sorting your clothes, keeping only things that bring you joy.
2. Your second job is to learn about a company that is approaching fashion in a sustainable way. This could be a company that creates shoes out of recycled plastic, for example, or one that has reduced textile waste, or one that has achieved a carbon neutral status. Do some research, find a company you are inspired by, and summarize all of the ways in which this company exemplifies sustainable practices. Create an infographic or poster about this company as a Sustainability Superhero, and submit this before moving to your next unit. Check out the companies below as a starting point. Heather Kaye, the founder of Loop Swim, is an inspiring entrepreneur and fashion designer who lives right here in Shanghai!