Contextualization

Conscious consumption is a highly relevant topic in our contemporary society. In a world where the production and consumption of goods and services are more than just basic needs, they have become central elements of the culture and lifestyle of many. However, increasingly, we realize that the current consumption model, based on the unrestrained acquisition of products, has serious consequences for our planet and for future generations. Conscious consumption, therefore, is a concept that emerges as a reaction to this unsustainable model, proposing a new way of consuming, more responsible and sustainable.

Conscious consumption involves making purchasing decisions considering the product's impacts on the environment, society, and the economy. This includes evaluating the product's necessity, the materials used in its production and whether they were produced sustainably, the working conditions of the workers who produced it, among others.

This notion of conscious consumption extends beyond individual purchasing decisions. It also involves public policy issues, such as laws and regulations to control production and consumption, and education and awareness campaigns to promote more sustainable consumption habits. Therefore, to truly understand conscious consumption, it is important to consider all these dimensions.

Introduction

Education is a powerful tool in promoting conscious consumption. By learning about the impacts of their consumption choices, students can begin to make more informed and responsible choices. Additionally, by working together on projects related to conscious consumption, they can develop important collaboration and problem-solving skills.

This project aims to give students a deeper understanding of conscious consumption and promote more responsible consumption habits. Through a series of practical activities, students will learn about the impacts of consumption, how to make more conscious consumption choices, and how to propose solutions to consumption problems in their communities.

Students are encouraged to use the following reliable sources to delve deeper into the project's theme:

1. "Conscious Consumption" - Child and Adolescent Consciousness Manual from the Brazilian Federation of Banks (FEBRABAN) link

2. "Conscious Consumption" - Official page of the Ministry of the Environment link

3. "Sustainable Consumption: Education Manual" - UNEP, Ministry of the Environment link

4. "What is conscious consumption?" - Akatu Portal link

Practical Activity: "Our Class, Our Planet"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is for students, in groups of 3 to 5, to develop practical actions of conscious consumption in the classroom and then create an awareness campaign for the school.

Project Description

Students will first conduct a diagnosis of the classroom's consumption, listing the materials that are consumed and discarded most frequently. From this, they should research the possible consequences of this consumption for nature and propose more ecological alternatives.

In the second stage, they will plan and execute an awareness campaign for the entire school, using creativity to create posters, flyers, and other ways to sensitize their peers about the importance of conscious consumption.

Necessary Materials

1. Paper and pencil: for notes and planning.
2. Internet access: to research the consequences of certain consumptions and their sustainable alternatives.
3. Recyclable materials: for the production of objects that illustrate conscious consumption in the awareness campaign.
4. Materials for making posters and flyers: cardboards, markers, glue, scissors, etc.

Step by Step

1. Organizing the groups: Students should be divided into groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group will conduct the diagnosis of their class's consumption.

2. Conducting the diagnosis: Students should survey their classmates about the materials consumed and discarded most frequently in the classroom.

3. Researching the impacts: With the list ready, students should research the consequences of consuming each item for nature.

4. Proposing alternatives: Based on the research, the group should propose more ecological alternatives for each item identified.

5. Planning the campaign: Next, students will plan their awareness campaign. They should think of creative ways to sensitize their peers about the importance of conscious consumption.

6. Executing the campaign: Students will carry out the planned campaign, displaying posters, distributing flyers, giving presentations, etc.

7. Documenting the project: Throughout all stages, students should keep a written record of their actions, reflections, and learnings.

Project Delivery

Each group must present, at the end of the project, a report containing:

1. Introduction: Contextualization of the theme, relevance and real-world application, and the project's objective.

2. Development: Explanation of the theoretical concepts studied, detailed description of the activity carried out, methodology used, and the results obtained. It should include the survey of consumed and discarded materials, the researched consequences and proposed alternatives, as well as a detailed description of the campaign conducted.

3. Conclusion: Reflection on the learnings obtained, the results of the awareness campaign, and conclusions about the importance of conscious consumption.

4. Bibliography: Indication of the sources used for research and for the project's elaboration.

The expectation is that students spend an average of two to four hours on project execution, and the deadline for submitting the report is one week after the campaign execution.