We Need to Change How We Bury the Dead
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Provided by: Vox|Published on: April 27, 2021
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This video from Vox outlines the high financial, environmental, and material costs of modern American burial practices.
- The video describes four alternative methods for dealing with human remains: cremation, promession, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural burial.
Subjects: Chemistry, Biology
Authors: Vox
Region: Global
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This video is great in exposing the environmental damage of modern American burials.
- The video includes several eye-opening statistics, including numbers on toxic chemicals, concrete use, and land use.
Prerequisites
- You may have to watch an ad before the video.
- Be mindful of approaching the subject of death with your students. Be sensitive to students who may have lost a loved one recently.
- The video does use the word damn at 4:40.
Differentiation & Implementation
- English or science students can watch this video and write a paragraph outlining how they would like their bodies handled after they are deceased.
- Social studies or geography students can use Google Maps to see how much space cemeteries take up in their neighborhoods. One discussion question to ask: "What else could the space be used for if it weren't used as a cemetery?"
- Students could also watch this video on biodegradable mushroom fiber coffins.
- To connect this to climate change, students can discuss how the use of energy to dispose of a body through cremation or other processes contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of these emissions on the climate.
The video spotlights several burial methods and provides a comparative analysis on the methods, the trade-offs, and the need to adopt an eco-friendly method to reduce global carbon footprints. This resource is insightful and recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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