Palm Oil

Goal 15: Life on Land

Overview

This activity is indented to make the students reflect upon the consequences of palm oil production and be conscious about the use of palm oil in household products.

Science

Humanities

Languages

45 minute lesson

15 – 21 years old

Class size

Objectives

Behavioural competences

To make conscious choices regarding personal consumption considering the production chain of the items purchased

Reflections

To reflect upon the effects of deforestation
To reflect upon the responsibility for the future generations
To reflect upon the importance of nature

Lifelong learning key competences

Social and civic competences

Materials

A copy of the cards

Preparation

Print the cards so double side so that the front side matched the back side.

Instructions

Prior to your class, ask a group of students to research upon the production of palm oil and make an impact chain of its effects at local and global level.

Start the next class with the group presenting their findings. (5 min)

Continue the class by having a discussion with the students upon the following: (10 min)

Who is responsible to take actions as to combat the negative effects of palm deforestation?
Do we have a responsibility to reduce palm oil production even though this product is not common in our country/households. If yes, what can individuals do?
Do you think you are directly contributing to the destruction of tropical forests?

After this discussion, take one card at a time from the card pile and ask the class who consumes/uses that product. (15 min)

Ask one of the students answering “yes” to this question if he/she thinks that this product contains palm oil. Give the students the card. Let the students read the text on the back of the card.

Continue with the rest of the cards. Conclude by presenting the students how they can recognise if a product contains palm oil or its derivatives. See the “Ingredients list” in print outs.

Evaluation

Discuss with the students upon the importance of the nature and our individual and joint responsibility for the future generation.

Make the students reflect upon the importance of making conscious choices in the daily consumption.

Follow up suggestions

Ask students to identify in their homes products that contain palm oil as follows:

In their cupboard
In their fridge
In their bathroom
In their laundry

Give them a challenge to live palm oil free for two weeks, by replacing these products with palm oil free products (either home-made products or local products). After two weeks, ask the students to present the replacement they made.

Ideas for actions

Ask students to organise a fundraising camping in the school/local community in order to support organisations that work to reduce the production of palm oil. Make them first make a research of such organisation. Let them plan and lead the campaign.
Get the school involved into DeforestACTION, and participate in webinars or virtual classes: http://dfa.tigweb.org/schools

Further information

Read about palm oil production and its effects on: http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/Whats_the_issue.php

The Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) targets: http://globalresponsibility.eu/goal-15-life-on-land/