Climate Change Education Across the Curricula, Across the Globe

Climate Change Education Across the Curricula

Tag: reading

Reading: Beer-Lambert Law

Posted by on in Chemistry

A reading that uses the Beer-Lambert Law to highlight the link between greenhouse gases and global warming. This reading by Tom Kuntzleman, Chemical Education Xchange (ChemEd X), uses the Beer-Lambert Law to explain the increasing global warming potential of Earth’s atmosphere due to the higher concentrations of greenhouse gases in recent times.

Students will learn about the composition of the atmosphere and the greenhouse effect. They will also be introduced to the Beer-Lambert Law which is used to study the transmittance of sunlight through the atmosphere. They will further learn how this law can be used to evaluate the absorbance values of individual gases in the atmosphere, particularly greenhouse gases.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is the Beer-Lambert Law? How is it expressed in an equation?
  2. Discuss the composition of the atmosphere. 
  3. How do increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases affect the absorbance of sunlight?

About the tool

Tool NameChemical Connections to Climate Change
DisciplineChemistry
Topic(s) in DisciplineBeer-Lambert Law, Molar Absorptivity, Solar Absorption, Greenhouse Gases
Climate Topic Climate and the Atmosphere; Greenhouse Effect
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byTom Kuntzleman, Spring Arbor University
Hosted atChemical Education Xchange (ChemEd X) Website
Linkhttps://www.chemedx.org/blog/chemical-connections-climate-change
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: The Physics of Climate Change

Posted by on in Physics

A reading by the American Physical Society that provides an overview on the physics of climate change. This reading introduces the concepts of energy balance, radiative forcings, advection, hydrological processes, General Circulation Models, and anthropogenic greenhouse gas. It also summarises the responses to climate change through mitigation and adaptation.

Students will learn about various physical concepts that are used to determine anthropogenic climate change. They will also be introduced to climate prediction and the uncertainty caused due to the changes in the climate feedback balance and the net impact of greenhouse gases.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is the role of physics in understanding climate change?
  2. Discuss some uncertainties of anthropogenically forced climate change impacts.

About the Tool 

Tool NameClimate Change 
DisciplinePhysics
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview, Energy Balance, Radiative Forcings, Advection, General Circulation Models, Greenhouse Gas
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelUndergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAmerican Physical Society
Hosted atAmerican Physical Society Website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change- The Teacher Friendly Guide™

Posted by on in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Economics, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Humanities, Mathematics and Statistics, Physics, Social Sciences

A reading titled ‘The Teacher Friendly Guide to Climate Change’ edited by Ingrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross,the Paleontological Research Institution. This book includes the following chapters

  1. Why Teach About Climate Change? by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. Why Teaching About Climate Change Matters
    2. Science Learning, Its Application, and Politics
    3. We All Have Biases
    4. Systems and Scales
    5. Love and Beauty Will Persist
    6. Resources
  2. What Should Everyone Understand About Climate Change and Energy? by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. What Do You Think?
    2. Collecting Expert Opinions
    3. Consensus Documents
    4. Striving for a Coherent Conceptual Framework
    5. Resources
  3. What is Climate? by Ingrid H. H. Zabel and Others
    1. Climate is a System
    2. Measuring Climate
    3. Greenhouse Gases and Global Temperature
    4. Natural Causes of Climate Change
    5. Summary
    6. Resources
  4. Climate Change Through Earth History by Robert M. Ross and Others
    1. Why Past Climate Change Matters
    2. Observing Climate Through Time in the Rock Record
    3. History of the Earth’s Climate
    4. Climate Analogs and Models
    5. Resources
  5. Evidence For and Causes of Recent Climate Change by Ingrid H. H. Zabel and Others
    1. Changing Temperatures and Carbon Dioxide
    2. Shrinking Ice Sheets and Glaciers
    3. Changing Sea Ice Extent
    4. Thawing Permafrost
    5. Rising Sea Level
    6. Causes of Recent Climate Change
    7. What are the Likely Effects of Climate Change Going to Be?
    8. Resources
  6. 6. US Regional Climates, Current and Future by Ingrid H. H. Zabel and Benjamin Brown-Steiner
    1. Describing Climates
    2. Northeast
    3. Southeast
    4. Midwest
    5. South Central
    6. Northwest Central
    7. Southwest
    8. West
    9. Hawaii
    10. Alaska
    11. Resources
  7. Climate Change Mitigation by Ingrid H. H. Zabel
    1. What is Mitigation?
    2. Mitigation Strategies
    3. Summary
    4. Resources
  8. Geoengineering by Ingrid H. H. Zabel
    1. Counteracting Climate Change
    2. Examples of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Techniques
    3. Examples of Solar Radiation Management (SRM) Techniques
    4. Geoengineering Choices
    5. Resources
  9. Climate Change Adaptation by Ingrid H. H. Zabel
    1. How Much Does Adaptation Cost?
    2. Types of Adaptation Strategies
    3. Adatation to Different Climate Hazards
    4. Equity and Social Justice Considerations
    5. Resources
  10. Obstacles to Addressing Climate Change by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. Controversial Issues and Complex Systems
    2. Creating Meaningful Dialog
    3. Factors That Influence How We think
    4. How Do People Change Their Minds?
    5. How Can We Envision New Systems?
    6. Resources
  11. Perspective by Don Duggan-Haas
    1. Apocalyptic Tales of Climate Change
    2. Use of Language and Perspective in Teaching Climate Change
    3. Hope and Optimism
    4. Apocalyptic Prophesies Versus Predictions of Climate Change 
    5. Reality Check: A Personal Perspective 
    6. Science Teaching Toward a Sustainable World 
    7. Resources

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Teacher Friendly Guide To Climate Change
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Humanities
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Introduction to Climate Change; Climate Literacy
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed byIngrid H. H. Zabel, Don Duggan-Haas, & Robert M. Ross
Hosted atPaleontological Research Institution
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: What is the Atmosphere?

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Geography

A short reading by the Aspen Global Change Institute that summarizes what the atmosphere is. This resource can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and the role of the atmosphere.

This reading includes overview discussions on the following topics:

  1. What is the atmosphere?
  2. What makes up the atmosphere?
  3. How do humans affect the atmosphere?

The reading also includes a short journal activity. 

Students will understand what the atmosphere is. They will also understand about climate change and the role of the atmosphere.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the atmosphere?
  2. Discuss climate change and the role of the atmosphere.

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Atmosphere
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School; High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAspen Global Change Institute
Hosted atAspen Global Change Institute website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: What is the Cryosphere?

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Geography

A short reading by the Aspen Global Change Institute that summarizes what the cryosphere is. This resource can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and the role of the cryosphere.

This reading includes overview discussions on the following topics:

  1. What is the cryosphere?
  2. How does the cryosphere change?
  3. Human interactions with the cryosphere

The reading also includes a short journal activity. 

Students will understand what the cryosphere is. They will also understand about climate change and the role of the cryosphere.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the cryosphere?
  2. Discuss climate change and the role of the cryosphere.

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Cryosphere
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School; High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAspen Global Change Institute
Hosted atAspen Global Change Institute website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: A History of Climate Models

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A reading titled ‘Simple Models of Climate Change’ by Spencer Weart hosted on the website of Center for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics. This reading is a supplement to Spencer Weart’s book titled, ‘The Discovery of Global Warming’. This reading provides a history of climate change models from 1950 and how they evolved over time. 

Students will learn about various topics in physics and earth sciences such as the greenhouse effect, atmospheric radiation, heat transfer, and general atmospheric circulation models. They will also learn how some ideas – correct and incorrect, about climate sciences were theorised and evolved with time.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. When was the first climate change model theorised?
  2. What were some of the misconceptions about climate change in the mid-20th century?
  3. What ideas and methods about climate change from the past have carried on into current climate change models?

About the Tool

Tool NameSimple Models of Climate Change
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Physics, Climate Models, Atmospheric Circulation, Heath Transfer, Radiation, Chaos Theory
Climate TopicPlanetary Climate; Planetary Energy Balance
Type of toolReading
Grade LevelHighschool, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed bySpencer Weart
Hosted atCenter for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics
LinkLink
AccessOnline/ Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: What is the Hydrosphere?

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Geography

A short reading by the Aspen Global Change Institute that summarizes what the hydrosphere is. This resource can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and the role of the hydrosphere.

This reading includes overview discussions on the following topics:

  1. What is the hydrosphere?
  2. The variable hydrosphere
  3. How is the hydrosphere changing?

The reading also includes a short journal activity. 

Students will understand what the hydrosphere is. They will also understand about climate change and the role of the hydrosphere.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the hydrosphere?
  2. Discuss climate change and the role of the hydrosphere.

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Hydrosphere
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School; High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAspen Global Change Institute
Hosted atAspen Global Change Institute website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change in the Life Sciences Classroom

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

An article by Amy J. Hawkins and Louisa A. Stark titled ‘Bringing Climate Change into the Life Science Classroom: Essentials, Impacts on Life, and Addressing Misconceptions’ in the American Society for Cell Biology journal Life Sciences Education. This reading discusses how climate change can be taught in the Life Sciences classroom. It provides an overview of educational resources that teachers in the Biological Sciences and Life Sciences could use to teach topics in their discipline that are linked to climate change. 

Students will understand the link between climate change and the Life Sciences. They will also learn about impacts of climate change on the biosphere and its role in the Earth’s climate system.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How can climate change be taught in the Life Sciences?
  2. What are the impacts of climate change on the biosphere?

About the Tool 

Tool NameBringing Climate Change into the Life Science Classroom: Essentials, Impacts on Life, and Addressing Misconceptions
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAmy J. Hawkins & Louisa A. Stark
Hosted atCBE Life Sciences Education
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: What is the Lithosphere?

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Geography

A short reading by the Aspen Global Change Institute that summarizes what the lithosphere or geosphere is. This resource can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and the role of the geosphere.

This reading includes overview discussions on the following topics:

  1. What is the Geosphere?
  2. How does the geosphere interact in the earth system?
  3. How do humans interact with the geosphere?

The reading also includes a short journal activity. 

Students will understand what the geosphere is. They will also understand about climate change and the role of the lithosphere or geosphere.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is the lithosphere or geosphere?
  2. Discuss climate change and the role of the lithosphere.

About the Tool 

Tool NameThe Geosphere
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Introduction to Climate Change
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School; High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byAspen Global Change Institute
Hosted atAspen Global Change Institute website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Postcolonial Studies and Climate Change

Posted by on in Humanities

A reading by Dipesh Chakrabarty, The University of Chicago titled ‘Postcolonial Studies and the Challenge of Climate Change’ that discusses the link between globalization and global warming. Chakrabarty discusses this link through the writings of Homi K. Bhabha, that aims to stretch post colonial thinking to include the reality of climate change and global warming. The reading also discusses the challenges that climate change issues pose in a “neoliberal” capitalist world. Chakrabarty highlights the three images of human that currently exist:

  1. The universalist-Enlightenment view of the human with the ability to exercise rights 
  2. The globalized view of the human
  3. The human as a geological force that changes the climate 

Chakrabarty makes this distinction to understand the current debate between society, globalization and climate change. Through the writings of Homi K. Bhabha, the reading discusses ‘the postcolonial criticism of the human’ and ‘the human in the anthropocene’ that focuses on issues such as anthropogenic global warming, degradation of the natural environment and the development of humanity. 

Students will learn about postcolonial globalization and climate change. They will also learn about the criticism that postcolonial thinkers have about the current age of the anthropocene and the increasing changes in the climate. Students will further learn about the attempts that postcolonial thinkers have made to ensure that climate change and global warming are part of the human reality for future preservation of the environment. Additionally, students will learn about the failed recognition that society gives to the interdependence of humans on nature and its natural beings.   

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is the link between globalization and climate change?
  2. How do postcolonial thinkers criticise the age of the anthropocene?
  3. Discuss the three images that postcolonial thinkers have created for the human 
  4. How can postcolonial studies about the anthropocene inform the future?

About the Tool 

Tool NamePostcolonial Studies and the Challenge of Climate Change 
DisciplineHumanities
Topic(s) in DisciplinePostcolonial Studies, Cultural Studies, Neoliberalism, Anthropocene, Globalization, Capitalism
Climate Topic Climate and the Anthroposphere; Climate and Society
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelUndergraduate, Graduate 
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byDipesh Chakrabarty New Literary History (Vol 43, 1)
Hosted atThe Johns Hopkins University Press
LinkLink
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: A Climate Fiction (Cli-Fi) Syllabus

Posted by on in Humanities

An article published by Yale Climate Connections on resources for teaching climate fiction. The article features Elizabeth Rush, a climate fiction educator at Brown University, who discusses the ways in which climate fiction can create a relationship between humans, their environment and technology. The article provides educators a list of climate fiction novels and short stories. Cli-Fi resources reviewed in the article include ‘The Tamarisk Hunter’ by Paolo Bacigalupi, ‘Gold, Fame, Citrus’ by Claire Vaye Watkins, ‘Monstro’ by Junot Díaz, ‘New York 2140’ by Kim Stanley Robinson, and ‘10:04’ by Ben Lerner.

Through the Cli-Fi books listed, students will learn about climate change and the importance of Cli-Fi. 

Use this tool and the resources listed therein to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate fiction link society, climate change and technology?
  2. How can cli-fi provide solutions to mitigate climate change?

About the Tool 

Tool NameWhat’s on your climate fiction syllabus?
DisciplineHumanities
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Fiction, Cli-Fi, Literature 
Climate Topic Climate and Society
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate 
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byYale Climate Connections with Elizabeth Rush, Brown University 
Hosted atYale Climate Connections
Linkhttps://yaleclimateconnections.org/2018/04/whats-on-your-climate-fiction-syllabus/
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Disasters: An Overview

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography

A reading by the Third Pole that discusses the link between climate change and natural disasters. This  overview reading can be used as an introduction to the topic by teachers interested in teaching about climate change and disasters and hazards. The reading focuses on discussions on climate change related disasters in South Asia. It covers topics such as cyclones, floods, landslides, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), forest fires, droughts in South Asia. It further discusses the difference between ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ natural disasters. 

Students will understand how natural disasters and climate change are related. They will further learn about how climate change is causing natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, landslides, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), forest fires, droughts in South Asia.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Discuss the link between climate change and natural disasters.
  2. Discuss the trend of climate-related disasters from 1900 to 2009. 

About the Tool 

Tool NameClimate Disasters
DisciplineEarth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview, Cyclones, Floods, Landslides, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), Forest Fires, Droughts
Climate Topic Disasters and Hazards; Climate Literacy
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal; Asia
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byThe Third Pole
Hosted atThe Third Pole
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: The Water Cycle

Posted by on in Chemistry

A reading that describes the impacts of climate change on the water cycle of Earth. This reading titled, ‘The Water Cycle and Climate Change’ by UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Center for Science Education details the effects of climate change on the natural water cycle on Earth.

Students will learn how various processes of the water cycle, such as evaporation, precipitation, and cloud formation, are potentially affected by climate change. They will further understand how these changes in turn could exacerbate the impacts of global warming.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Describe the water cycle.
  2. List some of the ways how climate change can affect the weather.
  3. Discuss the water cycle and how it affects Earth’s climate. 

About the tool

Tool NameThe Water Cycle and Climate Change
DisciplineChemistry
Topic(s) in DisciplineEnvironmental Chemistry, Water Cycle, Biogeochemical Cycles, Hydrologic Cycle, Condensation, Evaporation, Evapotranspiration, Groundwater, Precipitation, Sublimation
Climate Topic Climate and the Hydrosphere; Climate and the Atmosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School, High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byUCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Center for Science Education
Hosted atUCAR Center for Science Education Website
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change and Ecosystems

Posted by on in Biological Sciences
  • A journal volume compiled and edited by Janet Franklin, Yadvinder Malhi, Nathalie Seddon, Martin Solan, Chris Field, Nancy Knowlton and Monica Turner titled ‘Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions’ at the ‘Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, Biological Sciences’ that discusses the link between climate change and ecosystems. This volume includes the following articles:-
    1. Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions (Yadvinder Malhi, Janet Franklin, Nathalie Seddon, Martin Solan, Monica G. Turner, Christopher B. Field and Nancy Knowlton)
    2. Climate change, ecosystems and abrupt change: science priorities (Monica G. Turner, W. John Calder, Graeme S. Cumming, Terry P. Hughes, Anke Jentsch, Shannon L. LaDeau, Timothy M. Lenton, Bryan N. Shuman, Merritt R. Turetsky, Zak Ratajczak, John W. Williams, A. Park Williams and Stephen R. Carpenter)
    3. Soil microbial community responses to climate extremes: resistance, resilience and transitions to alternative states (Richard D. Bardgett and Tancredi Caruso)
    4. If the trees burn, is the forest lost? Past dynamics in temperate forests help inform management strategies (Virginia Iglesias and Cathy Whitlock)
    5. Comparing the impact of future cropland expansion on global biodiversity and carbon storage across models and scenarios (Amy Molotoks, Roslyn Henry, Elke Stehfest, Jonathan Doelman, Petr Havlik, Tamás Krisztin, Peter Alexander, Terence P. Dawson and Pete Smith)
    6. Plant community diversity will decline more than increase under climatic warming (Susan Harrison)
    7. The development of Anthropocene biotas (Chris D. Thomas)
    8. Climatic and local stressor interactions threaten tropical forests and coral reefs (Filipe M. França, Cassandra E. Benkwitt, Guadalupe Peralta, James P. W. Robinson, Nicholas A. J. Graham, Jason M. Tylianakis, Erika Berenguer, Alexander C. Lees, Joice Ferreira, Júlio Louzada and Jos Barlow)
    9. Benthic-based contributions to climate change mitigation and adaptation (Martin Solan, Elena M. Bennett, Peter J. Mumby, Julian Leyland and Jasmin A. Godbold)
    10. Climate change mitigation and nature conservation both require higher protected area targets (Callum M. Roberts, Bethan C. O’Leary and Julie P. Hawkins)
    11. Planning for climate change through additions to a national protected area network: implications for cost and configuration (Joshua J. Lawler, D. Scott Rinnan, Julia L. Michalak, John C. Withey, Christopher R. Randels and Hugh P. Possingham)
    12. Understanding the value and limits of nature-based solutions to climate change and other global challenges (Nathalie Seddon, Alexandre Chausson, Pam Berry, Cécile A. J. Girardin, Alison Smith and Beth Turner)
    13. Mapping co-benefits for carbon storage and biodiversity to inform conservation policy and action (C. Soto-Navarro, C. Ravilious, A. Arnell, X. de Lamo, M. Harfoot, S. L. L. Hill, O. R. Wearn, M. Santoro, A. Bouvet, S. Mermoz, T. Le Toan, J. Xia, S. Liu, W. Yuan, S. A. Spawn, H. K. Gibbs, S. Ferrier, T. Harwood, R. Alkemade, A. M. Schipper, G. Schmidt-Traub, B. Strassburg, L. Miles, N. D. Burgess and V. Kapos)
    14. Co-producing ecosystem services for adapting to climate change (Sandra Lavorel, Bruno Locatelli, Matthew J. Colloff and Enora Bruley)
    15. National mitigation potential from natural climate solutions in the tropics (Bronson W. Griscom, Jonah Busch, Susan C. Cook-Patton, Peter W. Ellis, Jason Funk, Sara M. Leavitt, Guy Lomax, Will R. Turner, Melissa Chapman, Jens Engelmann, Noel P. Gurwick, Emily Landis, Deborah Lawrence, Yadvinder Malhi, Lisa Schindler Murray, Diego Navarrete, Stephanie Roe, Sabrina Scull, Pete Smith, Charlotte Streck, Wayne S. Walker and Thomas Worthington)
    16. Nature-based approaches to managing climate change impacts in cities (Sarah E. Hobbie and Nancy B. Grimm)
    17. Trophic rewilding presents regionally specific opportunities for mitigating climate change (Christopher J. Sandom, Owen Middleton, Erick Lundgren, John Rowan, Simon D. Schowanek, Jens-Christian Svenning and Søren Faurby)
    18. Pleistocene Arctic megafaunal ecological engineering as a natural climate solution? (Marc Macias-Fauria, Paul Jepson, Nikita Zimov and Yadvinder Malhi)
    19. Harnessing employment-based social assistance programmes to scale up nature-based climate action (Andrew Norton, Nathalie Seddon, Arun Agrawal, Clare Shakya, Nanki Kaur and Ina Porras)
    20. Tipping positive change (Timothy M. Lenton)

Students will learn the effects of climate change on ecosystems. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. How does climate change affect the biosphere?
  2. What is the impact of climate change on ecosystems?

About the Tool 

Tool Name‘Climate change and ecosystems: threats, opportunities and solutions’
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview, Ecosystems
Climate Topic Climate Literacy; Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelUndergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byEditor in Chief John Pickett; Edited By Janet Franklin, Yadvinder Malhi, Nathalie Seddon, Martin Solan, Chris Field, Nancy Knowlton and Monica Turner
Hosted atThe Royal Society Publishing
LinkLink
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Climate Change in the Social Sciences Classroom

Posted by on in Social Sciences

An article titled ‘Climate Change in the Social Studies Classroom: A “Why” and “How to” Guide Using the C3 Framework’ by Lori M Kumler and Bethany Vosburg-Bluem published in the journal Social Education of the National Council for the Social Studies. This reading uses the C3 framework to discuss how climate change can be taught in Social Studies classrooms. It includes discussions on the following four dimensions of pedagogy applied to the disciplines of Civics, Economics, Geography, and History:

Dimension 1: Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries

Dimension 2: Applying Disciplinary Tools and Concepts

Dimension 3: Evaluating Sources and Using Evidence

Dimension 4: Communicating Conclusions and Taking Informed Action

Students will understand the importance of the social dimensions of climate change and the importance of the social studies in understanding climate change and its impacts. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What is the role of the social sciences in understanding climate change?
  2. What are some social, economic, and political consequences of climate change?
  3. Discuss how climate change responsibility can be addressed.

About the Tool 

Tool NameClimate Change in the Social Studies Classroom: A “Why” and “How to” Guide Using the C3 Framework 
DisciplineSocial Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineClimate Change Overview
Climate Topic Climate Literacy
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byLori M Kumler and Bethany Vosburg-Bluem
Hosted atSocial Education, National Council for the Social Studies
LinkLink
AccessOnline/Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Chaos Theory and Global Warming

Posted by on in Earth Sciences, Physics

A reading titled ‘Chaos in the Atmosphere’ by Spencer Weart hosted on the website of Center for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics. This reading is a supplement to Spencer Weart’s book titled, ‘The Discovery of Global Warming’, that explains complex models about weather prediction and chaos theory. 

Students will learn about chaos theory with respect to the Earth’s atmosphere and climate system. They will also learn how chaos theory is used to make predictions and calculations for climate change.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

  1. What is chaos theory?
  2. What makes climate calculation difficult to predict?
  3. How can small changes lead to catastrophic climate impact?

About the Tool

Tool NameChaos in the Atmosphere
DisciplinePhysics, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineChaos Theory, Climate Models, Atmospheric Physics, Weather Prediction
Climate TopicPlanetary Climate; Planetary Energy Balance
Type of toolReading
Grade LevelHigh School, Undergraduate
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish
Translation
Developed bySpencer Weart
Hosted atCenter for History of Physics, American Institute of Physics
LinkLink
AccessOnline/ Offline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Carbon Sequestration and Climate Change

Posted by on in Chemistry, Environmental Sciences

A reading that describes natural carbon sources and sinks. This reading by Noelle Eckley Selin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, describes how anthropogenic activities alter the concentration of carbon in various sources and sinks, thus, contributing to global warming.

Students will learn about the various types of carbon sinks and sources. They will further understand the importance of the removal of this excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using technologies for carbon capture and storage, and carbon sequestration.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. What are the natural sources and sinks of carbon on Earth?
  2. Discuss the importance of carbon sequestration for climate mitigation.
  3. Discuss carbon sequestration through carbon capture and storage technologies.

About the tool

Tool NameCarbon Sequestration
DisciplineChemistry, Environmental Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineCarbon Sequestration, Carbon Capture and Storage, Carbon Sources and Sinks
Climate Topic Climate and the Atmosphere; Climate Mitigation and Adaptation; Climate and the Biosphere; Climate and the Lithosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelMiddle School, High School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byNoelle Eckley Selin
Hosted atBritannica
Linkhttps://www.britannica.com/technology/carbon-sequestration
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic

Reading: Pandemics in a Changing World

Posted by on in Biological Sciences

A reading that describes the relationship between climate change and the occurrence of newly emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19. This reading by Daisy Dunne for Climate Brief discusses the rise in zoonotic diseases due to changes in habitats and closer interactions of humans and wild animals. It further highlights how these interactions are exacerbated by land-use changes such as deforestation and habitat loss.

Students will learn how climate change induced changes to biodiversity and habitat could lead to transmission of viruses from animals to humans. They will further understand how and why pandemics could develop when climate change affects the biogeographical distribution of species. 

Use this tool to help your students find answers to: 

  1. Why is there a possibility of increased incidence of newly emerging viruses in recent times?
  2. How could climate change increase the risk of inter-species virus spillover in the future?
  3. Discuss some of the factors necessary for the transmission of diseases from animals to humans. 

About the tool

Tool NameQ & A: Could climate change and biodiversity loss raise the risk of pandemics?
DisciplineBiological Sciences
Topic(s) in DisciplineInfectious Diseases, Disease Transmission, Virus, Zoonosis, Virus Spillover, Biodiversity, Habitat Loss
Climate Topic Climate and the Biosphere
Type of tool Reading
Grade LevelHigh School
LocationGlobal
LanguageEnglish 
Translation
Developed byDaisy Dunne , Carbon Brief
Hosted atCarbon Brief Website
Linkhttps://www.carbonbrief.org/q-and-a-could-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-raise-the-risk-of-pandemics
AccessOnline
Computer SkillsBasic