Resource Stewardship and the Circular Economy
Introduction
This page develops resources that first look at a more balanced focus on resource stewardship. It starts by exploring indigenous economies and the fundamental role of resource stewardship. It then looks at resource stewardship in practice through the USDA resource stewardship tool and the Global Commons. Well-chosen videos are used with note-taking worksheets to develop a critical understanding. The lesson then goes on to develop the circular economy and its application as a systems approach. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation video is used as an introduction, and then concrete examples of its application are given through the EU.
Enquiry Question
What is resource stewardship and how does the circular economy help?
Lesson Time: 1 Hour
Lesson Objectives:
- To describe the characteristics of resource stewardship
- To discuss the value of the circular economy as a systems approach for effective cycling of materials and energy
Starter - Reading Comprehension and Synthesis - Indigenous Economy - Possibilities and Synthesis - Project the text and have students read it. Then discuss the opportunities and challenges of adopting such an economy like that suggested by the Iroquuio
1. Video Comprehension - Indigenous Economy - Processes and Synthesis - Show the video from First Peoples and students should make notes on the characteristics of an Indigenous economy. Then discuss how this represents resource Stewardship.
2. Figure Analysis - Resource Stewardship - Places and Possibilities - Show the students the USDA Resource Stewardship evaluation form and students can discuss how this tool helps farmers achieve improved resource stewardship
3. Video Comprehension - USDA Resource Stewardship - Places and Possibilities - Then show the short video explaining how farmers make use of the USDA tool
4. The Global Commons - Can the students name the four global commons? - Synthesis - Pose the question and then show them the commons in the drop-down box
Discuss with the class whether the global commons should be extended
5. Video Comprehension - The Tragedy of the Commons - Power and Possibilities - Show students the video on the Tragedy of the Commons and students should make notes on:
- How the Tragedy of the Commons and overexploitation take place
- Why this model may be useful for increased resource stewardship
Then see if the students can name any real examples today of the Tragedy of the Commons
6. Video Comprehension - The Circular Economy and Resource Stewardship - Places and Possibilities -Show the two videos, one of the circular economy and the second on EU examples of the circular economy in practice and students should complete the structure notes in the worksheet provided.
7. Student Research - Assessment - Possibilities - Students should research and produce a fact sheet on the circular economy in practice
In their fact sheet, they should explain the principles of the circular economy (this could be visual) and how it can be applied as a systems approach.
Develop three specific examples of circular economy in
- Appliances
- Recycling
- Energy
Simon Oakes' piece is provided as further reading
Read the following text, which outlines indigenous economy thinking based on an ancient Iroquuio philosophy and suggest the opportunities and challenges of adopting an economic system like this.
Indigenous EconomyIndigenous Economy
Three major features of indigenous economies are that they are based on ancient knowledge that comes from:
- Interaction with the localized nature of the land
- A respect for the land and environment that maintains a successful balance between use, maintaining habitat for animals, and husbanding
- Social and economic equity
Indigenous experience tells us that an economy is about fairness and equity. It should be for the well-being of all the people and the sacredness of creation. If one takes care of their environment because it provides for them. Then the environment provides for them because one is protecting it.
Integral to this indigenous teaching are the following
- Intergenerational thinking and equity - Does this use of the environment impact the sustainability of its use seven generations from now?
- Inter- and intra-species equity - Respect for all life
- Valuing those spiritual and intangible facets of the natural world and cultural practice - This cannot be valued in monetary terms
Extension Reading
Grist tribes have climate wisdom and good reason not to share it
Can you name the four global commons?
The global commons refers to areas of the world that lie out of reach of any nation-state. The United Nations Environmental Programme states four global commons:
- The high seas
- Antarctica
- The atmosphere
- Outer space
Watch the animation explaining Garrett Hardin's model called 'The Tragedy of the Commons'
Make notes on:
- How the Tragedy of the Commons and overexploitation take place
- Why this model may be useful for increased resource stewardship
Can you think of real examples of the Tragedy of the Commons
Watch the following video and make notes on how the circular economy can be adopted as a systems approach towards resource stewardship
There are three key principles to the circular economy
- Preserve and enhance natural capital by controlling finite stocks and balancing renewable resource flows
- Optimise resource yields by circulating products, materials and components - this requires redesign away from planned obsolescence towards recycling and remanufacturing
- Develop system effectiveness by eliminating negative externalities such as polluted oceans and climate change
Research and produce a fact sheet on the circular economy in practice
In your fact sheet, explain the principles of the circular economy (this could be visual) and how it can be applied as a systems approach.
Develop three specific examples of circular economy in
- Appliances
- Recycling
- Energy