Geography · Year 7 · Resource Management and Oceans · Summer Term

Solutions to the Plastic Crisis

Investigating strategies to reduce plastic consumption, improve recycling, and clean up ocean waste.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS3: Geography - Human and Physical Geography: Environmental Issues

About This Topic

Water is our most precious resource, yet it is increasingly under threat. This topic explores the difference between 'physical water scarcity' (where there isn't enough water) and 'economic water scarcity' (where the water is there but people can't afford to access it). Students investigate the causes of water stress, including climate change, population growth, and pollution. This aligns with the KS3 requirement to understand the distribution of natural resources and the importance of sustainable management.

Students also look at the potential for 'water wars', conflicts that arise when multiple countries share the same river system, such as the Nile or the Jordan. The unit concludes with solutions, from large scale dams and desalination plants to small scale 'appropriate technology' like rain barrels and hand pumps. Active learning through role plays and collaborative problem solving allows students to navigate the complex politics of water sharing and conservation.

Key Questions

1. Design innovative solutions to reduce ocean plastic waste at local and global scales.
2. Evaluate the most effective ways to reduce plastic consumption in daily life.
3. Compare the feasibility and impact of different plastic clean-up technologies.

Learning Objectives

• Design a prototype for a community-based plastic collection and sorting system.
• Evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of different ocean plastic clean-up technologies, such as booms and skimmers.
• Compare the effectiveness of individual actions, such as using reusable bags, versus policy changes, like plastic bag bans, in reducing plastic consumption.
• Analyze the lifecycle of common single-use plastic items to identify key points for intervention.
• Synthesize information to propose a comprehensive strategy for reducing microplastic pollution in a local waterway.

Before You Start

Resource Management and Human Impact

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of how humans use and manage natural resources and the consequences of unsustainable practices.

Ecosystems and Food Chains

Why: Understanding how pollution, including plastic, can enter and disrupt food webs is crucial for grasping the impact of the plastic crisis on marine life.

Key Vocabulary

Biodegradable plastic	Plastic made from renewable biomass sources like corn starch or polylactic acid, designed to break down naturally. It is important to note that 'biodegradable' does not always mean it breaks down quickly or completely in all environments.
Microplastics	Tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items or manufactured directly for use in products like cosmetics. They pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems.
Circular economy	An economic model focused on eliminating waste and the continual use of resources, contrasting with the traditional linear model of 'take, make, dispose'. For plastics, this means designing for reuse, repair, and recycling.
Ocean gyres	Large systems of rotating ocean currents, where debris, including plastic waste, can accumulate in vast 'garbage patches'. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is the most well-known example.
Upcycling	The process of converting waste materials or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or environmental value. For example, turning plastic bottles into fabric.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Thinking that we can't run out of water because the Earth is covered in it.

What to Teach Instead

97% of Earth's water is salty and 2% is frozen in ice caps. Only 1% is fresh water available for human use. A 'Water in a Bucket' demonstration (where students take one teaspoon out of a gallon bucket) helps them visualise how tiny our usable water supply really is.

Common Misconception

Believing that water scarcity only happens in hot, dry deserts.

What to Teach Instead

Even rainy places like the UK can face water stress due to high population density and old infrastructure. A think-pair-share session on 'Why does London have hosepipe bans?' helps students understand that demand is just as important as supply in creating scarcity.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play: The Nile River Summit

Students represent Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. They must negotiate how to share the water of the Nile, considering Ethiopia's new dam, Sudan's farming needs, and Egypt's historical reliance on the river. They must try to reach a 'Water Treaty' that everyone agrees is fair.

55 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: The Global Water Footprint

In pairs, students use 'Water Footprint' cards to find out how much water is needed to produce everyday items (e.g., 2,400 litres for one burger, 15,000 litres for a pair of jeans). They must collaborate to create a 'Hidden Water' poster that explains why saving water is about more than just turning off the tap.

40 min·Pairs

Simulation Game: Appropriate Technology Challenge

Groups are given a 'budget' and a scenario for a rural village with no running water. They must choose between different technologies (e.g., a deep borehole, a sand dam, or a treadle pump). They must present their choice to the 'Village Council', explaining why it is the most sustainable and easy to maintain.

45 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• The Ocean Cleanup project, founded by Boyan Slat, uses large floating barriers to concentrate plastic in ocean gyres for collection. Their technology is deployed in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and other areas.
• Companies like Terracycle offer specialized recycling programs for hard-to-recycle items, including many types of plastic packaging, partnering with businesses and consumers to divert waste from landfills.
• Marine biologists and environmental scientists at organizations like the Marine Conservation Society conduct research on the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and develop strategies for mitigation and cleanup.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'If you could implement one policy in our school to reduce plastic waste, what would it be and why?' Students should justify their choice by explaining its potential impact and feasibility, considering factors like cost and student participation.

Quick Check

Provide students with a list of common plastic items (e.g., water bottle, plastic bag, food wrapper, fishing net). Ask them to categorize each item based on its potential for reuse, recycling, or its likelihood of becoming ocean waste. They should briefly explain their reasoning for one item.

Peer Assessment

Students create a short infographic illustrating one solution to the plastic crisis (e.g., a specific clean-up technology, a waste reduction campaign). They then exchange infographics with a partner and use a simple checklist: Is the solution clearly explained? Is the target audience evident? Is the visual appealing? Partners provide one specific suggestion for improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between physical and economic water scarcity?

Physical scarcity is when there is literally not enough water to meet demand (common in arid regions). Economic scarcity is when there is enough water in nature, but there is a lack of money or infrastructure (like pipes and wells) to get it to the people who need it.

What is 'virtual water'?

Virtual water (or 'hidden water') is the volume of water used to produce the goods and services we consume. For example, the water used to grow the cotton for a t-shirt or the grain to feed a cow is the 'virtual water' contained in those products.

How can active learning help students understand water security?

Water security is a global puzzle. Active learning, like the 'Nile Summit' role play, helps students understand that water doesn't respect national borders. By negotiating with others, they see that solving water scarcity isn't just a technical problem, but a political and social one. This hands on approach makes the concept of 'equitable access' much more meaningful.

What is desalination?

Desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater to make it drinkable. While it provides a reliable source of water for dry coastal countries like Saudi Arabia, it is very expensive and uses a lot of energy, which can contribute to climate change.