Consumerism | Whakapeto

Whāinga ako: Lesson Goals

To understand why good products should last a long time and explore the benefits and costs for companies when they make products that don't last.

Kupu matua - Keywords

Consumerism Keyword Worksheet

Consumerism Keyword Worksheet 2 with Lit teaching notes

Consumerism, needs/wants, product life-cycles, planned obsolescence, durability, fast fashion, ethics of buying and selling

Second worksheet is differentiated for students at Level 2.

Third option is "I have, who has?"

Consumerism Ihavewhohas

Mahi - work

After the Industrial Revolution, factories became the main way to make goods. It was quick to make items for people to buy, which meant there was more available to buy. This has only increased over time, more factories, more goods.

What is consumerism?

Consumerism is when people buy and use a lot of goods and services. They believe that having more things makes them happy. While it's important to have what we need and want, consumerism has big effects on individuals, communities, and the environment.

Needs are things we need to survive, like food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare.

Wants are desires that go beyond our basic needs, like luxury items or the latest gadgets. Knowing the difference helps us make good choices about what we buy.

Consumerism: Wants and Needs

cfe-c-021-needs-and-wants-activity-_ver_3.pdf

Complete one of these worksheets to understand the key concepts around consumerism.

Teacher note: The second one is for Level 1-2 students

Sustainability and consumerism

Kaitiakitanga is a Māori term used for the concept of guardianship, for the sky, the sea, and the land. As guardians of the land we need to consider our impact on it. Consumerism can harm the environment and sustainability in various ways. It leads to overuse of resources, creates a lot of waste, and contributes to environmental problems. Things like fast fashion, where clothing trends change quickly, can lead to more waste and unfair working conditions. However, people are also trying to be more sustainable by choosing eco-friendly products, promoting recycling, and adopting simpler, less materialistic lifestyles. Ultimately, it's about finding a balance between our needs and protecting the environment.

Products and sustainability

Products go through stages, starting with being made and ending with being thrown away.

Some companies make products that are meant to become outdated or break quickly. This makes people buy more. It raises questions about sustainability and whether it's right to encourage excessive buying. High-quality and durable things last longer, so we don't need to replace them as often. Fast fashion is cheap, trendy clothing that quickly goes out of style. It causes a lot of waste and bad working conditions.

Ethics are important when buying and selling things. It includes treating workers fairly, being environmentally friendly, and being socially responsible. Thinking about ethics can help make a more fair and sustainable society. As consumers, we have the power to shape the future by making good choices that help ourselves and the world.

There is a giant pile of used clothing visible from space located in Chile’s Atacama Desert. This site has become a notorious dumping ground for unsold fast fashion, with around 39,000 tons of discarded clothes, some containing toxic chemicals. The clothing, much of which originates from the fast fashion industry, ends up in the desert because it is not biodegradable and cannot be easily disposed of in landfills. High-resolution satellite images have captured this environmental disaster, bringing attention to the negative impact of the fashion industry on the environment

The text above claims that fast fashion is the problem. Do you think they are correct or not? How come?

Research a product's sustainability

Pick a product you frequently use or are interested in (e.g. clothes, electronics, household appliances etc.) and conduct research to compare their sustainability characteristics.

Use these headings and questions on a doc or slide:

Materials: What materials are used in the product, and are they environmentally friendly or sustainable?
Manufacturing Process: How and where is the product manufactured? Are sustainable practices employed during the manufacturing process?
Energy Efficiency: Is the product designed to be energy-efficient, and does it have energy-saving features?
Packaging: How is the product packaged, and is the packaging eco-friendly or excessive?
Durability and Longevity: Is the product built to last, or is it prone to obsolescence?
End-of-Life Management: What happens to the product at the end of its life cycle? Can it be recycled, repurposed, or disposed of in an environmentally responsible way?