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      Vandana Shiva: protecting the earth

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how and why Vandana Shiva rebelled against the authorities of her time.

      Key learning points

      1. Vandana Shiva is an influential Hindu environmental campaigner and ecofeminist.
      2. Vandana Shiva has rebelled against what she understands to be an economic system that is using the earth for profit.
      3. Vandana Shiva's worldview is shaped by a passion for protecting biodiversity and Hindu understandings of the world.
      4. Questions raised by social scientists on power structures in society can help us better understand her rebellion.

      Keywords

      • Activist - a person who works to bring about political or social changes through different means

      • Biodiversity - the range of different organisms (species) that live in a place

      • Ecofeminism - the idea that caring for the environment and equality between men and women are connected issues

      • Genetic engineering - changing the genetic structure of something using bio-technology

      • Interconnected - many different parts connected to each other to form a whole

      Common misconception

      Vandana Shiva opposes all types of farming.

      Vandana Shiva supports farming methods which respect nature and biodoversity.

      Teacher tip

      Vandana Shiva speaks eloquantly about things that shaped her worldview in various interviews online - teachers and students may find it helpful to hear her speak of these things in her own words.

      Content guidance

      Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

      Supervision

      Adult supervision recommended

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which mountain range is home to Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak?

      the Alps
      the Andes
      Correct answer: the Himalayas
      the Rockies

      Q2.
      What part of a plant grows into a new plant?

      a leaf
      a stem
      a root
      Correct answer: a seed

      Q3.
      What is the scientific study of the relationship between organisms and their environment called?

      biology
      Correct answer: ecology
      geology
      zoology

      Q4.
      Which of these is used in farming to remove pests from plants?

      fertilisers
      herbicides
      Correct answer: pesticides

      Q5.
      What type of farming avoids using chemical pesticides and fertilisers?

      battery farming
      intensive farming
      Correct answer: organic farming

      Q6.
      What are the parts of a cell called that carry on information about a species from parent to offspring?

      Correct Answer: genes, genetics, DNA, gene

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which religious worldview was Vandana Shiva raised in?

      Christianity
      Correct answer: Hindu Dharma
      Islam
      Judaism
      Sikhi

      Q2.
      Which term describes the idea that many different parts are connected to each other to form a whole on earth?

      Correct Answer: interconnected, interconnection, interconnecting

      Q3.
      What term best describes a person who works to bring about political or social changes through different means?

      Correct Answer: activist, activism, an activist, activists

      Q4.
      Which environmental movement involved villagers hugging trees to prevent deforestation?

      Correct Answer: Chipko

      Q5.
      Which philosophy links environmental issues to gender equality?

      Correct answer: ecofeminism
      existentialism
      feminisim
      Marxism

      Q6.
      What term describes the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem?

      Correct answer: biodiversity
      biosphere
      conservation
      ecology

      To help you plan your 9 religious education lesson on: Vandana Shiva: protecting the earth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...