Environmental, Social and Economic Issues in Textiles

Transcription

1 TEACHER S NOTES Talking Textiles Environmental, Social and Economic Issues in Textiles Duration: 23 minutes Classroom Video Ltd. Tel: Fax: orders@classroomvideo.co.uk

2 For Teachers Introduction Talking Textiles This programme considers the effect to the planet and its people of manufacturing cotton and using it to create the textiles so basic to satisfying human needs. What may otherwise have been considered to be a relatively harmless fibre (and which in some countries is called white gold ) turns out to hold some less than honourable credentials. Alternative fibres are considered in this programme as are the ever changing needs and wants of customers when buying clothing, textiles and fashion. DVD Timeline Introduction Chapter 1 - The Situation Chapter 2 - Environmental Issues with Conventional Cotton Chapter 3 - Ethical Issues with Conventional Cotton Chapter 4 - Alternatives Chapter 5 - From Here On Conclusion Credits Other Background Information for Teachers Cotton is just one of many fibres that have an impact on the environment in the way it is processed and used. This DVD examines the impact of cotton on the environment, and examines some of the alternatives that can be considered. It encourages students to want to learn more, and relate their learning to environmental issues that are at the forefront of current thinking. Curriculum Links KS3 / 4 PSHE, KS3 Technology, KS4 GCSE Textiles and Product Analysis, KS5 AS/A2 Product Design and Textiles, written paper examination for GCSE and AS/A2. 2

3 Related DVDs available from Classroom Video Ltd. Materials for Design Felt Nylon Fibre to Fabric Wool A Fabulous Fibre From the Talking Textiles series: Yarn Construction and Specialist Yarns Natural Fibres Please contact customer services on or visit to see our full range of Design and Technology titles. Other Useful Resources Textile Innovation Ros Hibbert New Scientist Magazine Design and Make it Nelson Thornes People and Planet International Labour Organisation Labour behind the Label BBC Panorama Blood, Sweat and Tears Independent Newspaper Leader Friday 6 th June 08 The Essentials of GCSE Design and Technology: Textiles Technology, Lonsdale Textiles Technology through Diagrams, Oxford Revision Guides GCSE Design and Technology: Textiles Technology, Bartle and O Connor Key Stage 3 Design and Technology, Letts Educational GCSE Textiles Technology for OCR, Heinemann The Sustainability Handbook for D&T Teachers, Practical Action 3

4 Suggested Activities Before Viewing the Programme 1. Brainstorm items of clothing you have made from cotton or contain a percentage of cotton. 2. Learn how to read a care label. 3. In pairs discuss all you know about Global warming. Group feedback on the class whiteboard. Make own notes from the class feedback. 4. Using the template re-design (picture of e.g. cotton jeans, cotton T shirt, cotton jacket etc) 5. Go home and look at the labels of items you have made from cotton. Fill in a table based on the one below: Item Reason for cotton use Reason for other fibre Percentage of cotton e.g. Bath towel Absorbent 100% e.g. Bed sheet Absorbent, easy to dye Easier to iron 75% cotton, 25% polyester 4

5 Student Worksheet Talking Textiles While Viewing the Programme 1. Why is cotton production important? 2. Name some of the gloomy predictions about the effects of global warming. 3. Before the Industrial Revolution how was cultivation and production of cotton done by hand? 4. How is this done now? 5. What are the ideal conditions for successful cotton production? 6. Discuss the problems with cotton production? 5

6 7. Why is cotton nicknamed white gold? 8. What percentage of the Aral Sea remains? Why? 9. What is the percentage of world insecticide use that comes from cotton production? 10. What are the effects of Aldicard on people? On cotton crops? 11. What is Organic Cotton? 12. Why is only a small fraction of cotton production produced organically? Is this rising? Why? 13. Katherine Hamnett suggests reasons for choosing Organic Cotton? Name some. 6

7 14. Compare the growing conditions of Hemp to Cotton? 15. Why is Hemp considered to be renewable and eco-friendly? 16. What are the conditions required for nettle production? What is the name of a fibre produced from nettles? 17. Why is polyester described as endlessly recyclable? How is it better for the environment? 18. Discuss the design characteristics of fashion designer Rebecca Earley? 19. What is a carbon footprint? 20. Trade not Aid discuss? 7

8 Suggested Student Responses 1. Why is cotton production important? It is relied upon as a source of income by millions of workers in many different countries. 2. Name some of the gloomy predictions about the effects of global warming. Erratic weather conditions, rising sea levels, floods, droughts, crop failures and famine. 3. Before the Industrial Revolution how was cultivation and production of cotton done by hand? Manually by hand, many people doing the jobs. 4. How is this done now? Machines are used to prepare, spin and weave the fibres. 5. What are the ideal conditions for successful cotton production? Warm climates, requiring a large amount of water. 6. Discuss the problems with cotton production? Artificial irrigation, a disproportionate amount of pesticide required due to insect infestation. 7. Why is cotton nicknamed white gold? It is the most important non-food agricultural crop in the world, and so has earned itself the nickname white gold. 8. What percentage of the Aral Sea remains? Why? 15% remains, due to poorly managed irrigation system that supplies water to the cotton crops. 9. What is the percentage of world insecticide use that comes from cotton production? 16% of world insecticide use is connected to cotton production. 10. What are the effects of Aldicard on people? Severe health impacts on people, a teaspoon on the skin is sufficient to kill an adult. 11. What is Organic Cotton? Essentially organic cotton is cotton produced without the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, or genetically modified seeds. Insects are controlled by the careful use of crop rotation and by encouraging natural predators, such as birds. 12. Why is only a small fraction of cotton production produced organically? Is this rising? Why? Only a small fraction of cotton is produced organically because it is currently more expensive. This percentage is rising steadily because consumers in the developed world appreciate the environmental impact of conventional cultivation practises. 13. Katherine Hamnett suggests reasons for choosing Organic Cotton? Name some. Look, feel, texture, colour is identical to conventional cotton, absorbency slightly higher. It is better for human and animal health and climate change. Producers have huge health benefits. 8

9 14. Compare the growing conditions of Hemp to Cotton? Hemp is a hardy plant that grows well in almost all climates and is not susceptible to insect attacks. 15. Why is Hemp considered to be renewable and eco-friendly? The hemp plants are easy to grow under license making them renewable and eco-friendly. 16. What are the conditions required for nettle production? What is the name of a fibre produced from nettles? Nettles grow in great quantities in temperate areas with no need for pesticides or fertilizers. The fabric produced is called Ramie. 17. Why is polyester described as endlessly recyclable? How is it better for the environment? It can be continuously recycled, and uses less water and energy in its lifetime than cotton for later processes such as washing and drying. 18. Discuss the design characteristics of fashion designer Rebecca Earley? She produces ethical clothing with award winning techniques that produce printed textiles with no water pollution and minimal chemical usage. 19. What is a carbon footprint? The effect our actions have on the environment and then to use this knowledge to change the way we live so that we can reduce our damage to the planet. 20. Trade not Aid discuss? In recent years there have been a number of high profile companies who have been exposed in the media for failing to ensure that their suppliers in the developing world abide by ethical business practises especially in relation to the use of child labour. Fifty years ago the United Nations trade conference adopted the slogan Trade not Aid and commerce based on that principle of fair trade has continued to grow since that time. The Organic and Fairtrade logos can now be seen in many of our shop windows and it tells us that products sold in those stores guarantee that small-scale cotton producers in developing countries receive a fair and stable price for their goods. 9

10 Suggested Activities for After the Programme 1. Complete some internet research on Katherine Hamnett. 2. In groups of 4 use your notes from the programme prepare a 5 minute presentation about one aspect of the video, present it to the class. 3. Design a leaflet/guide about cotton production. 4. Discuss both sides of the argument for and against Organic cotton production. 5. An essay on the effects and production of cotton in Uzbekistan. 6. Imagine/role play the following children and teachers should be out of the classroom to help with the cotton harvest, with long hours and little or no pay 10