Take a look at this short film called “The Story of Stuff.” Created by Annie Leonard, a former Greenpeace employee and independent lecturer, it’s becoming a hit in classrooms across the country – and increasingly around the world.

How great is that?! So elegantly simple and clear, it’s a comprehensive lesson in environmental education that really packs a wallop. Today was my first time seeing it (thanks to a write-up in the New York Times) and it’s easy to see why teachers across the country are showing it to their students. (So far, millions of people have viewed the film on its website and on You Tube, more than 7,000 DVD versions have been ordered, and Ms. Leonard has signed on with Simon & Schuster to turn the story into a book.)

Elementary and high school textbooks are notorious for… well… lagging behind in certain areas, and leaving big gaps of information in others, especially when it comes to the environment. Climate change, pollution, and the effects of human consumption on our planet do not usually get enough (if any) coverage in textbooks forcing teachers to scramble around looking for other resources to use in their classrooms. “The Story of Stuff” fills that niche in a way that students can understand and appreciate. It’s short enough to be shown at the beginning of class leaving plenty of time for discussion afterward, and contains enough information to be used as a springboard for many possible follow-up project ideas.

Of course, as the New York Times reports, not everyone agrees. In January, one parent argued before the Missoula County School Board that the film’s message is anticapitalist and one-sided. In a 4-to-3 vote, the Board agreed that “The Story of Stuff” violated its standards on bias.

Seriously?! I can see how parents could find the content of the film disturbing (in the way that inconvenient truths can sometimes be), but anticapitalist? Biased? One-sided? I’m having a lot of trouble figuring out how one could make this argument persuasively, and why anyone would see responsible consumption as being antithetical to capitalism.

Anyhow, no watching of “The Story of Stuff” would be complete without then watching the video-response made by the students at Mendocino High School’s School of Natural Resources. It’s a wonderful 7 minute long answer to the question: “What can I do to help?,” and includes suggestions such as buying locally grown and organic products, recycling, conserving energy, living sustainably, using solar power, driving energy efficient vehicles, and studying the environment. Enjoy!