Discussing Climate Solutions
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Science, Civics
Authors: ClimateScience
Location: Earth
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this activity, each student will choose a climate-related discussion topic from a list of topics, learn more about the topic, and then discuss the topic with another student.
- Discussion topics include international aid, climate education, clean energy, food and farming, carbon capture, capitalism, and the role of government.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This activity features topics that some students may never have considered before, including the banning of synthetic fertilizer or the abolishment of capitalism.
- The activity encourages students to show empathy.
Additional Prerequisites
- Before the discussion, students will have to complete a ClimateScience course. The courses vary in length, but some take up to an hour to complete.
- This activity is designed for pairs, but it would also work for small groups.
Differentiation
- Teachers could also include climate policy topics that might be more relevant for the students, such as the school cafeteria should serve meat-free meals three days a week.
- In a government class, students could represent different countries while discussing these issues.
- Other resources on this topic include this article on evidence-based tips for climate communication and this TED video on how to talk about climate change.
This activity pairs up students and has them select opposite positions on a range of climate actions and climate policies. The students prepare for the debate/discussion either in class or as homework and then have a respectful debate. There are options for presenting what was learned from the debate to the class. Teachers may want to assign positions rather than have students select their own. This lesson is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
