Contextualization

"Conscious Consumption" refers to the selection of products and services that have been manufactured and distributed considering fair social and environmental practices. A conscious person chooses products not only based on price and quality, but also on environmental sustainability and the social responsibility of the producer. Therefore, conscious consumption is so important in our current society, as it encourages sustainable practices and social justice.

Our modern society is driven by consumption. We consume to live, to work, to have fun, and sometimes even to feel good. But this consumption comes at a cost: the exploitation of natural and human resources. This is leading to environmental and social degradation, and therefore, it is essential to understand and implement conscious consumption in our daily lives.

Through this project, you will have the opportunity to explore the concept of conscious consumption, its importance, and how it can be implemented in our society. You will understand the common unsustainable practices in our society and how conscious consumption seeks to challenge these practices. Additionally, you will also have the chance to apply these concepts in a practical project and see how small changes can make a big difference.

To delve deeper into the topic, we suggest the following resources:

• Documentary "The True Cost" available on Netflix: Explores the fashion industry and its implications for natural and human resources.
• Book "Doughnut Economics: An alternative to continuous growth" by Kate Raworth: Presents a new economic approach focused on sustainability and social justice.
• Akatu Institute for Conscious Consumption website: gathers information, tips, and news on the topic.
• WWF-Brazil website: addresses issues related to sustainability and environmental conservation.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Developing a Conscious Consumption Plan

Project Objective

The objective of this project is the development of a "Conscious Consumption Plan" for the school or a local community. This plan should include actions and initiatives aimed at environmental sustainability and social justice, addressing from the selection and acquisition of resources to waste disposal.

Detailed Project Description

Students, grouped in teams of 3 to 5 members, will develop this plan based on the analysis and discussion of successful conscious consumption cases, which can be found in books, documentaries, websites, among other sources. The plan should be presented in a report format and an oral presentation.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research
• Office supplies (paper, pens, markers, post-its, etc.)
• Computer or tablet for creating the report and the presentation

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Team Formation and Plan Focus Definition: Students must organize into groups and define whether the plan will be directed towards the school or a local community.

2. Research and Study of Successful Conscious Consumption Cases: Each group member should search for and analyze different conscious consumption cases and share with the team.

3. Initial Plan Outline: Based on the studied cases, the team should create an initial outline of the plan, defining the main categories (e.g., food, cleaning, office supplies, etc.) and possible actions for each.

4. Plan Deepening and Detailing: The initial ideas should be deepened and detailed, establishing concrete and achievable practices, as the plan should be implementable in practice.

5. Report Writing: Develop the final report, detailing the proposed actions and justifying their choices based on the studied theory and analyzed cases.

6. Preparation of Oral Presentation: Each group member should prepare a part of the presentation, highlighting the main actions and the justification for each.

7. Plan Presentation: Carry out the plan presentation to the class and, if possible, to the school board or community members.

The report should contain the following topics:

• Introduction: Contextualization of the theme and the project's relevance.
• Development: Detailed explanation of the proposed actions and justification for each, based on the studied theory and analyzed cases.
• Conclusion: Reflection on the learnings acquired during the project and the possibilities of plan implementation.
• Bibliography: Reference to the materials consulted for the project.

After evaluation by teachers, the most viable plans can be suggested for implementation in the school or community.