
Palm Oil
Goal 15: Life on Land
Overview
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
Materials
Preparation
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/