Decision Earth, also referred to as Decision: Earth,[1] was an environmental education teachers resource for junior high school students issued by Procter & Gamble in 1997.[2] It has been controversial.[2]
Release of "Decision Earth"
Its asserted aim was assisting students to make informed consumer product choices, and to educate then in the environmental impact of their choices:[1]
The unit focuses on the concept of consumer product life cycle analysis, an approach to assessing the environmental impacts of a product at each stage in its life from raw materials extraction through disposal. Using this approach, a product is evaluated in terms of energy consumed, atmospheric and waterborne emissions generated and solid waste created for disposal.[1]
Procter & Gamble have claimed the package builds critical thinking skills[3]
Criticism of "Decision Earth"
It has been asserted that "Decision Earth" included a series of controversial claims about waste disposal, mining and forestry issues which was distributed by the Procter & Gamble corporation to roughly 75,000 schools in the United States.[2][3][4]
Procter & Gamble argued in its package that disposable diapers are no worse for the environment than cloth diapers, a claim based on scientific studies funded by the company, which is the world's largest manufacturer of disposable diapers. The package described garbage-fueled incineration processes where energy is recovered as "thermal recycling" without mentioning the toxic ash or emissions that result.[5]
Decision Earth package
The materials given to teachers and students include overhead transparency masters, student worksheets, and a teacher's guide.
References
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