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Description
Students are presented with some of the negative consequences of consumerism and globalization. The video begins by posing the question, What would the world look like if it embodied our highest potential. It then provides a bleak picture of our current world through a montage of depressing images followed by a series of vignettes in which a number of global leaders present their ideas on the way forward. The "cures" offered for getting from here to there include a call for a "new narrative", a transformation from one setting to another, an abandonment of our self-centered consumer ethic, a shared search for justice, and a new sense of identity based upon unity in diversity.
A supporting lesson plan which focuses on deconstructing consumerism is also available
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
By posing the question, What would our preferred future look like?, the video asks student to consider a set of assumptions that form the basis of our civilization and what changes do we need to make. Such an examination is so broad in its reach that it touches upon a number of subject or curriculum areas - our attitude to and use of nature's resources, our sense of identity , our sense of citizenship, and our concept of justice . While students may benefit from recognizing the link among these issues, the exercise my be somewhat overwhelming.
A supporting lesson plan which focuses on deconstructing consumerism is also available
Teachers may choose to use the video as an introduction to student discussion of where we are and where do we want to be but need to develop a framework that breaks the larger piece into manageable segments. This may be done by using a diagram that starts with the present, draws a line to our preferred future and another to our probable future,records the events or policies that will advance us along each of these lines and has students discuss what must be done specifically to close the gap between our preferred and probable futures. The video may also be used as a prelude to student study of the United Nations Development Goals, a number of which are featured on R4R.
The video will be welcomed by those who argue for a place in the curriculum for Future Studies. Their argument is that our current curriculum offerings are akin to looking in the rear view mirror as we race down the road at 15 km./hr.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Current Topics in the Sciences 30S: Science, Technology, Society & the Environment
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interdisciplinary Topics in Science 40S: Science, Technology, Society and the Environment
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Consumerism
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Environment
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Peace and Conflict
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Poverty, Wealth and Power
- Citizenship and Sustainability: Area of Inquiry: Social Justice and Human Rights
- Global Issues
- Global Issues
- Global Issues
- Global Issues
- Global Issues
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Introduction to Environmental Science 120: Sustainable Development
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Issues 120: Humanity
- World Issues 120:Interdependence
- Newfoundland & Labrador
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- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 3205: Introduction to Environmental Science
- Northwest Territories
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- Grade 11
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- Civic Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Challenges in the Global Environment
- The Development of the Modern World
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
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- Grade 11
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- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science (Workplace Prep.) Human Impact on the Environment
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional Geography (Univ./College Prep.): Sustainability and Stewardship
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice (Workplace Pre.) Equity, Social Justice, and Change
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.): Spacial Organizationties
- The Environment & Resource Management (Univ./College Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship of Natural Resources
- The Environment & Resource Management (Workplace Preparation): Human-Environment Interactions
- World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.): Social Change and the Quality of Life
- World Issues: A Geographic Analysis (Univ. Prep.):Sustainability and Stewardship
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Challenge and Change in Society (Univ. Prep.) Global Social Challenges
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 621A: Introduction to Environmental Science
- Geography
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Geography 621A Global Issues : Inquiry- What are the issues?
- Geography 631A Global Issues: What are the issues?
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Contemporary World: Environment
- Contemporary World: Tensions & Conflicts
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 11
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 20: Student-Directed Study
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- World Issues - Wealth & Poverty
- Social Studiees 20:World Issues - Environment
- Social Studies 20
- Social Studies 20: World Issues - Population
- Social Studies 20: World Issues - World Governance
- Social Studies 20: World Issues -Human Rights
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Canadian Studies 30: Change and Society
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 12
- Step 3Select a subject
- Environmental Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
Themes Addressed
Citizenship (2)
- Alternative Globalisation
- Sustainable Consumption
Economics (2)
- Globalization
- Poverty Reduction
Human Rights (4)
- Cultural Diversity
- Poverty
- Social Justice
- War and Peace
