Climate Change Education Across the Curricula, Across the Globe

Climate Change Education Across the Curricula

Tag: Climate and Health

Classroom/Laboratory Activity: Black Carbon and Human Health

Posted by on in Chemistry

A classroom activity that discusses the impacts of black carbon emissions on human health. This activity by the Science Education Research Center at Carleton College (SERC Carleton) demonstrates how the burning of fossil fuels and biomass-based fuels results in black carbon emissions, contributes to global warming, and impacts human health in different parts of the world.

Students will be introduced to ‘black carbon’ and understand how it is generated from various household sources in developing countries. They will also be challenged to critically evaluate various health and environmental impacts of household fuels, and to come up with suitable solutions in response to this. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss the effect of black carbon on human health?

About the tool

Tool NameEnergy and the Poor- Black Carbon in the Developing Nations
DisciplineChemistry
Topic(s) in DisciplineCarbon Chemistry, Allotropy, Allotropes of carbon, Black Carbon, Greenhouse Gas, Human Health
Climate Topic Climate and the Atmosphere; Greenhouse Effect; Climate and Health
Type of tool Classroom/Laboratory Activity
Grade LevelUndergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byScience Education Research Center at Carleton College
Hosted atScience Education Research Center at Carleton College Website
Linkhttps://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/energy/activities/32421.html
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Differential Calculus using Methane Data

Posted by on in Mathematics and Statistics

A classroom/laboratory activity for Mathematics teachers to teach about Differential Calculus, specifically, about polynomial differentiation focusing on  Tangent Line Problem and Curve Fitting. This activity contains yearly data of the globally averaged marine surface methane from 1984 to 2019. Methane is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions – a potential cause of global warming.

Students will learn the use of scatter plot and curve fitting to derive the polynomial differentiation function. Further this activity will allow students to predict future methane concentrations.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What are polynomial differentiation functions?
  2. Derive a polynomial function using the given methane concentration date.
  3. Calculate future methane concentration using polynomial differentiation.

About the Tool

Tool Name Global Marine Surface CH4
Discipline Mathematics and Statistics
Topic(s) in Discipline Differential Calculus, Polynomial Differentiation, Tangent Line Problem, Scatter Plot, Curve Fitting
Climate Topic Classroom/Laboratory Activity
Type of Tool Video (64 mins)
Grade Level High School, Undergraduate
Location  Global
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Thomas J. Pfaff (Ithaca College)
Hosted at Sustainability Math
Link Link
Access Offline
Computer Skills Basic

Climate Change, Infectious Disease and International Conflict

Posted by on in Social Sciences

A reading that discusses the impact of climate change on health, security and international conflict. It discusses how climate change can cause the spread of vector-borne disease across geopolitical borders and thus lead to security issues and conflict. 

Students will learn about the interlinkages between climate change and global health. They will be introduced to ‘Health Security’ and how it is impacted due to extreme weather events and natural disasters.  Students will further understand the role of climate change and global health in disease transmission across geopolitical borders and potential security issues such as migration, refugee crises and human rights that may arise from it. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How are climate change, health and security interconnected? Discuss how this interlinkage can lead to political instability and international conflict.
  2. How has climate change caused the spread of vector-borne and infectious diseases? 
  3. Discuss potential security issues that will arise from climate change.
Tool Name Health and Climate Security: Interconnected Security Challenges of Climate Change and Infectious Disease
Discipline Social Sciences, International Relations
Topic(s) in Discipline Health Security, Geopolitics, National Security, Peace and Conflict Studies, Human Migration, Refugee, Infectious Disease
Climate Topic Policies, Politics and Environmental Governance, Climate and Society, Climate and Health
Type of Tool Reading
Grade Level Undergraduate, Graduate
Location Global
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Kaleem Hawa in Epicenters of Climate and Security: The New Geostrategic Landscape of the Anthropocene eds Caitlin E. Werrell and Francesco Femia
Hosted at The Center for Climate and Security
Link Health Security PDF
Access Online, Offline
Computer Skills Basic

Video/Microlecture: Global Warming and Sleep Deprivation

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences

A video microlecture that discusses the potential impact of global warming on human health and sleep cycles. This video by Ryan Cross, hosted on the website of the journal Science,  describes the effects of warmer  temperatures on sleep quality in individuals in the United States. 

Students will learn how sleep is negatively affected by higher nighttime temperatures that lead to adverse impacts on human health. They will further learn how certain vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds tend to be more severely affected.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate change induced warming impact sleep cycles? 
  2. Discuss some negative impacts on individual health due to sleep deprivation. 

About the tool

Tool NameScientists warn of sleepless nights in a warming world
DisciplineBiological Sciences, Environmental Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineHuman Health, Sleep, Sleep Cycles, Sleep Deprivation
Climate Topic Climate and Health
Type of tool Video (3 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal, USA
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byRyan Cross
Hosted atScience
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Audio: Climate Change and Children

Posted by on in Social Sciences

An audio conversation between Caroline Hickman, psychotherapist and climate psychology lecturer at University of Bath, and host Verity Sharp about the methods of engaging children and young people in discussions surrounding climate change and ecological crisis.

Students will learn about the various methods in therapy of engaging children in climate change discussion while being mindful of climate change led trauma. Additionally, they will learn how to guide parents in their anxiety and fear of exposing their children to the climate crisis, and learn methods in which parents can be assisted to not burden their child with the information and responsibility.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is climate psychology?
  2. How does climate change affect children and young people?
  3. What are the methods of engaging children in climate change discussion?

About the Tool

Tool Name Talking with Children about Climate Change
Discipline Social Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in Discipline Climate Psychology, Psychotherapy, Child Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Anxiety, Fear, Trauma
Climate Topic Climate and Society; Climate and Health
Type of Tool Audio (37 mins)
Grade Level Graduate
Location Global
Language English
Translation None
Developed by Climate Psychology Alliance
Hosted at Climate Psychology Alliance
Link Link
Access Online
Computer Skills Basic

Audio: Climate Psychology and Psychotherapy

Posted by on in Social Sciences

An audio interview by the Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA) of Paul Hoggett, Director of the Centre for Psycho- Social Studies at the University of the West of England and cofounder of CPA, and Caroline Hickman, climate psychology lecturer at University of Bath and psychotherapist, with host Verity Sharpon on climate psychology and psychotherapy. This interview discusses the importance of climate change conversations in psychotherapy and the practice of deep listening in therapy.

Students will be introduced to deep listening practices in psychotherapy such as non-judgemental listening, listening with respect and compassion, noticing the use of metaphors and imagery, noticing contradictions and silences, and asking open-ended questions. They will also be introduced to the two types of climate denials – soft denial and hard denial, and the role of ‘modelling’ in climate psychotherapy. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is climate psychology?
  2. What is ‘deep listening’ and how can it be used in psychotherapy?
  3. What are soft and hard climate denials? Discuss how to approach climate denial through psychotherapy.

About the Tool

Tool Name Podcast: What is Climate Psychology? A Way of Listening…
Discipline Social Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in Discipline Climate Psychology, Psychotherapy, Deep Listening, Climate Denial, Modelling
Climate Topic Climate and Health; Climate and Society
Type of Tool Audio (45 mins)
Grade Level Graduate
Location Global
Language English
Translation None
Developed by Climate Psychology Alliance (hosted by Verity Sharp)
Hosted at Climate Psychology Alliance
Link Link
Access Online
Computer Skills Basic

Audio: Climate Psychotherapy

Posted by on in Social Sciences

An audio conversation between Caroline Hickman and Tree Staunton, hosted by the Climate Psychology Alliance, about the need for climate and environmental awareness in psychotherapy. 

This tool can be used to teach your students about ‘Eco-anxiety’ and ‘Eco-empathy’ in the therapy room. Additionally, students will learn about crisis work, negative capability, and resonance in psychotherapy. Students will also understand how climate-aware therapy can tackle climate emergencies through shared concern such as loss, despair, grief  and a sense of abandonment.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. Why has climate change become a prevalent discussion in psychotherapy?
  2. How can a therapist become  climate-aware?
  3. What is eco-anxiety and how is it impacting individuals who come in for psychotherapy?

About the Tool

Tool Name Talking Climate Change in Therapy Room
Discipline Social Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in Discipline Climate Psychology, Psychotherapy, Climate-aware therapy, Eco-anxiety, Eco-empathy, Climate Vulnerability, Grief, Loss, Despair
Climate Topic Climate and Health; Climate and Society
Type of Tool Audio (44 mins)
Grade Level Undergraduate (Senior Level), Graduate
Location Global
Language English
Translation None
Developed by Climate Psychology Alliance: Caroline Hickman and Tree Staunton
Hosted at Climate Psychology Alliance: Difficult Truths
Link Link
Access Online
Computer Skills Basic

Reading: Climate change, mental health and well-being

Posted by on in Social Sciences

A guidebook of gender-sensitive approaches to climate change policy for city planning. It discusses the different ways in which women and men are affected by climate change. This guidebook includes discussions on gender inequalities such as gender division of labour, gender differentials in income, gender biases in decision making, and other factors contributing to climate vulnerability.

Students will understand how climate change impacts genders differently. They will also learn the importance of gender sensitivity in formulating climate change policies. Students will be introduced to gender sensitive climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience in cities.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate change affect genders differently?
  2. Give a few reasons why climate change policies should use a gender-sensitive approach
  3. What are the priorities for gender-sensitive climate policies at urban levels?

About the Tool 

Tool Name Gender and Urban Climate Policy: Gender-Sensitive Policies Make a Difference
Discipline Humanities, Social Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Gender, Gender and Climate Change, Gender Inequality, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Climate Change Policy, Climate Vulnerability
Climate Topic Climate and Society, Policies, Politics, and Environmental Governance
Type of Tool Reading
Grade Level Undergraduate, Graduate
Location  Global
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development 
Hosted at Giz, UN Habitat, Gender CC 
Link Reading Link
Access Online, Offline
Computer Skills Basic

 

Public Health and Public Wealth: The Climate Minute Podcast

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences
Ted McIntyre in conversation with D.R. Tucker discussing public health risks of climate change  following the release of ‘The Climate and Health Assessment’ Report from the White House (USA).

Read More “Public Health and Public Wealth: The Climate Minute Podcast”

Reading: Coping with Climate Change

Posted by on in Social Sciences

A guidebook of gender-sensitive approaches to climate change policy for city planning. It discusses the different ways in which women and men are affected by climate change. This guidebook includes discussions on gender inequalities such as gender division of labour, gender differentials in income, gender biases in decision making, and other factors contributing to climate vulnerability.

Students will understand how climate change impacts genders differently. They will also learn the importance of gender sensitivity in formulating climate change policies. Students will be introduced to gender sensitive climate adaptation, mitigation and resilience in cities.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate change affect genders differently?
  2. Give a few reasons why climate change policies should use a gender-sensitive approach
  3. What are the priorities for gender-sensitive climate policies at urban levels?

About the Tool 

Tool Name Gender and Urban Climate Policy: Gender-Sensitive Policies Make a Difference
Discipline Humanities, Social Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Gender, Gender and Climate Change, Gender Inequality, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Climate Change Policy, Climate Vulnerability
Climate Topic Climate and Society, Policies, Politics, and Environmental Governance
Type of Tool Reading
Grade Level Undergraduate, Graduate
Location  Global
Language English
Translation –
Developed by Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development 
Hosted at Giz, UN Habitat, Gender CC 
Link Reading Link
Access Online, Offline
Computer Skills Basic

 

The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences

This reading resource contains several modules and case studies on climate change and its impact on human health. Chapters (available for download or to read online ) include Temperature-related Death and Illness; Air Quality Impacts; Vector-Borne Diseases; Water-Related Illness; Food Safety; Mental Health and Well-Being.

Read More “The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment”

Audio: What is climate psycology?

Posted by on in Social Sciences

An audio podcast of the American Psychological Association where Dr. Susan Claytonto speaks  about the  impacts of climate change on mental health and well-being.

The students will be introduced to Clayton’s work on psychological response to climate change. They will learn about mental health consequences of climate change such as anxiety, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), grief, chronic psychological dysfunction, and depression. Additionally, they will learn about direct and indirect impacts of climate change on the human mind and the psychology of climate denial.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. How does climate change impact mental health and well-being?
  2. Discuss some mental health disorders caused by climate change.
  3. Who are the most vulnerable to such mental health disorders?
  4. What are some of the ways to address mental health issues caused by climate change?

About the Tool

Tool NameSpeaking of Psychology: The psychology of climate change
DisciplineSocial Sciences, Psychology
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Psychology, Mental Health and Well-being, Climate Vulnerability, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Chronic Psychological Dysfunction, Depression
Climate TopicClimate and Health, Climate and Society
Type of ToolAudio (36 mins)
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationUS, Global
LanguageEnglish
TranslationNone
Developed byAmerican Psychological Association and Dr. Susan Clayton
Hosted atAmerican Psychological Association
LinkLink
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Psychology and Global Climate Change: Addressing a Multi-faceted Phenomenon and Set of Challenges

Posted by on in Environmental Sciences

This reading resource can be used by educators teaching Psychology or Social Sciences to show the psychological dimensions of climate change. It contains six sections that include

Read More “Psychology and Global Climate Change: Addressing a Multi-faceted Phenomenon and Set of Challenges”