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FRONTLINE Heat is a global report on what is being done by the world’s largest corporations and governments to respond to the challenges posed by climate change and to the call for reductions in carbon emissions. The program takes viewers to the world’s largest coal mine, oil refinery, and off-shore oil rig as well as America’s biggest utility companies and car manufacturers to explore the technological, political, and economic challenges facing global corporations.

In this video case study and corresponding business module, students are asked to consider how industries and governments are responding to climate change through a set of key themes, discussion questions and a classroom exercises. Students will present solutions to the challenging problems posed in the module.

In Is India’s Growth the Planet’s Doom?, We explore how India’s massive population and rapid economic growth means that more and more Indian consumers are demanding Western lifestyles. Experts belief the real nightmare is if every Indian consumes like every American. With the unique challenges of a developing nation, India’s transportation network operates outside the realm of sustainability. In this Business Module, students are asked to image sustainable solutions for India’s rapid growth.

Key Video Segment Themes:

• India’s population is growing and is quickly fueled by industrial development.
• The size of the middle class also grows and these Indians desire new forms of personal transport and wealth.
• With cement as the raw material of industrial development and automobiles as the desire of the middle class, India’s CO2 emissions are expected to significantly increase over the coming decades.
• Experts believe that if Indians begin living like Americans, the planet will be doomed.
• In 2030, India will surpass China as the most populous country.
• Cement production is 3rd largest producer of greenhouse gases in the world.
• The industry needs to reduce carbon output by 80% by 2050. Industry experts think that 10 percent may be possible, but cement production is growing at 10 percent a year in India.
• Anand Mahindra says, that if every Indian desires his own small car this multiplies the number of polluting vehicles on the road. But, he argues that nowhere will people tolerate having personal transportation taken away from them, so Mahindra must develop new ways to allow responsible personal transportation.

Questions for Discussion

• Mahindra sees a huge market opportunity. Is he simply addressing a need/want in the Indian population? Is it his responsibility to focus on fuel efficiency and hybrid technology
• Mahindra says if each individual Indian wants his or her own car, this is the REAL nightmare. So how do we mitigate that? Efficient public transport systems? Should we stop Indian consumers from buying their own small cars? Why or why not? If so, how?

Go Further: Explore More Resources from Frontline

Is India's Growth the Planet's Doom? Business Module