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Mini Case Scenarios
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Fossil fuel-powered combustion engines are a significant driver of climate change and are a leading cause of environmental damage. However, recent studies on the environmental impact of electric car production indicate that they may not be as environmentally sustainable as anticipated. Electric cars have been heralded as a major response to the growing environmental impact caused by our hyper-dependence on fossil-fueled powered engines. Proponents of the electric car transition argue that electric cars introduce means of transportation that produce fewer emissions and reduce the destructive extraction and refining processes of the fossil-fuel industry...
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The harsh reality is most citizens – particularly millennials in North America – scream and shout from rooftops protesting child labor yet unknowingly support it all the same. The ignorance that blossoms from not even doing a Google search of “companies that use child labor” is as humorous as it is disappointing. With technology at our fingertips, how are we still so blind to the realities of manufacturing processes of everyday products and services? Some of the most common, therefore most surprising, companies include H&M, Apple, Nestle, Philip Morris, Microsoft, Hershey’s and more...
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The concept of the circular economy has gained significant attention in recent years as a means to achieve sustainable development. In a linear economy, resources are extracted, transformed into products, and eventually discarded as waste. However, the circular economy proposes an alternative model that aims to decouple economic growth from resource consumption by promoting the principles of reuse, recycling, and regeneration...
Discussion Topics
- How are consumption patterns and social justice connected?
- How might we influence our culture to value environmental sustainability?
- What is being done to support remote Indigenous communities to combat inflated prices of consumer goods?
- What is the role of the media in perpetuating overconsumption? How might we become more aware of, or change, this?
- Does overconsumption have an impact on student health?
- Discuss the role of consumer behavior in achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns. Explore topics such as ethical purchasing, minimalism, and the impact of advertising and marketing on consumption patterns. What are some strategies for promoting responsible consumption and empowering consumers to make sustainable choices?
- Discuss a circular economy and its potential to promote sustainable production and consumption. Explore the principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling resources, as well as the importance of extending product lifecycles and designing products for circularity.
- What is the role of government policies, industry initiatives, and individual actions in achieving effective waste management and recycling practices.
- Discuss the environmental and social implications of electronic waste (e-waste) generated by the rapid growth of the digital world. Explore topics such as e-waste recycling, the lifecycle of electronic devices, and the need for extended producer responsibility.
- What are the advantages of sourcing food locally, including reduced carbon emissions and enhanced community resilience?
Assessment Ideas
- Position Paper: Develop a circular economy business model for a specific industry or product. Analyze the current linear production and consumption practices, identify opportunities for circularity, and propose strategies for reducing waste, extending product lifecycles, and promoting resource efficiency. Present your business model proposal, including revenue streams, stakeholder engagement, and potential environmental and economic benefits.
- Research Paper: Assess the impact of tourism on a specific destination and propose sustainable management strategies. Examine how local communities and ecosystems can benefit from responsible tourism practices.
- Case Study Analysis: Analyze a sustainability report of a company or organization. Assess the organization's progress towards sustainable consumption and production practices, including resource efficiency, waste management, and supply chain sustainability. Critically evaluate the report, identify strengths and weaknesses, and propose recommendations for improvement.
- Policy Brief: Analyze a specific policy or regulation related to responsible consumption and production. Assess its effectiveness in promoting sustainable practices, consider stakeholder perspectives, and propose recommendations for policy improvements. Develop an advocacy plan to promote their recommendations, including strategies for engaging stakeholders and raising awareness.
- Group Presentation: Conduct a life cycle assessment study of a specific product or process. Assess the environmental impacts associated with the entire life cycle, including raw material extraction, production, use, and end-of-life disposal. Analyze the findings, identify areas for improvement, and propose strategies for reducing the environmental footprint.
- Data Analysis and Recommendations: Conduct research on consumer behavior related to sustainable consumption. Design and administer surveys or conduct interviews to understand consumers' attitudes, motivations, and barriers towards responsible consumption in the Kingston community. Analyze the data collected, identify trends and patterns, and propose strategies for promoting sustainable consumer behavior.
- Communications Strategy: Create engaging and informative social media campaigns that highlight the importance of sustainable consumption and production. Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to share visually appealing content, facts, tips, and success stories.
Additional Resources
Faculty Subject Matter Experts
You may wish to contact one of the following departments who may have subject matter experts in this area:
Environmental Studies ()
Experiential Learning Contact
Christina Dinsmore (pronouns: she/her)
Associate Director, Experiential Learning & Programming
asc.el@queensu.ca
- Wade, L. Tesla's Electric Cars Aren't as Green as You Might Think. 2016 [cited 2023; Available from: https://www.wired.com/2016/03/teslas-electric-cars-might-not-green-think/.
- Bansal, T. How Green Is Tesla, Really? 2021 [cited 2023; Available from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/timabansal/2021/05/13/how-green-is-tesla-really/?sh=2784168a1576.
- Britt, H. Expectation vs. Reality: How Sustainable Is Tesla? 2020 [cited 2023; Available from: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/expectation-vs-reality-how-sustainable-is-tesla//.
- Georgieva, K. (2023, February 1). Electric vehicles promise environmental wins. But could there be environmental costs? [cited 2023; Available from .
- Rapley, J. Tesla owners have no reason to gloat about saving the environment. 2021 [cited 2023; Available from: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-own-a-tesla-youre-probably-doing-more-harm-to-the-environment-than-if/.
- Mauger, A. and C.M. Julien, Critical review on lithium-ion batteries: are they safe? Sustainable? Ionics, 2017. 23(8): p. 1933-1947.
- Rehman, S., et al., Nanostructured cathode materials for lithium–sulfur batteries: progress, challenges and perspectives. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2017. 5(7): p. 3014-3038.