Climate Change | World101

Climate change poses an extraordinary threat to the planet and its inhabitants.

Lessons

Teaching Resources

Essay and Discussions

Suggestions for essay and discussion topics that enable students to dive deeper into the material found in the module and conduct their own research and analysis.

Model Diplomacy

Free classroom simulations of either the U.S. National Security Council (NSC) or the UN Security Council.

Classroom Reading List

Supplemental readings and other resources to help students explore a full range of issues and debates related to the module materials. The list offers readings well suited to a wide variety of students.

Standards

See how the Global Era Issues unit can be used to fulfill social studies standards for 13 states.

Energy Policy

In this lesson plan, students are assigned an energy source, do research and present on its advantages, and reflect on what they have learned.

Calculate Your Impact

In this lesson plan, students use an online calculator to measure their carbon footprint and discuss their findings.

Responsibility Debate

In this lesson plan, students debate who should carry the burden of cutting

Glossary

Critical terms related to climate change.

Featured Resources

‘We’re Moving to Higher Ground’

by Oliver Milman of The Guardian

A look at research that suggests climate change will drive many Americans to migrate away from areas that are most affected.

Karen Gadbois via Flickr under CC BY-SA 2.0

Leaving the Paris Agreement

by James McBride of CFR.org

A brief explainer on the U.S. government’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement: how and why the decision was made, how withdrawal will work, and what the results might be.

Jacky Naegelen/Reuters

The Sixth Extinction

by Elizabeth Kolbert of The New Yorker

A discussion of how human actions and their effects, including global warming, are leading to the mass death of species around the globe.

Alberto Lowe/Reuters