Decision Earth

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]

Positive assessments of "Decision Earth"

Procter & Gamble have claimed the package builds critical thinking skills^[3] It also made positive claims for logging industry saying: "Clear cutting removes all trees within a stand of a few species to create new habitat for wildlife... Clear cutting also opens the forest floor to sunshine, thus stimulating growth and providing food for animals."^{[citation needed]}

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]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Decision: Earth.". Education Resources Information Center. http://www.eric.ed.gov:80/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED354154&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED354154. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Sharon Beder (1997). "Corporate Manipulation of Science Education". ABC Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/beder/story.htm. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Business :: Corporate Teaching Aid Gets Low Marks -- Procter & Gamble Text Says Clear Cutting OK For Environment". The Seattle Times. January 20, 1994. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940120&slug=1890607. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 
4. ^ Clifford, Frank (November 13, 1995). [Battle Over Environment Moves to the Classroom "Battle Over Environment Moves to the Classroom"]. Los Angeles Times. Battle Over Environment Moves to the Classroom. Retrieved 18 January 2011. 

External links

• Procter & Gamble long-term environmental sustainability vision