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International Climate Goals

Driving Question: How can setting effective goals help us address climate change?

Can international priorities and policies help—or hinder—climate action? Explore past policies and what can be done to make them more effective moving forward.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand the need for international collaboration in addressing climate change.
  2. Evaluate the successes and failures of previous climate policies.
  3. Identify strategies to make climate goals more effective.

Vocab Terms:

  • anthropogenic
  • contemporary
  • emissions
  • net zero
  • per capita
STEP 1

Opener: International Climate Goals

Teaching Tips

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 2 of the Lesson 1.4 Teaching Guide Locked .

This lesson is all about policies that are created to fight climate change. Explore some of the data you’ll encounter to help you make sense of those policies and build your data-analysis skills.

STEP 2

Who Should Act?

Teaching Tips

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 3 of the Lesson 1.4 Teaching Guide Locked .

Infographics help students grasp concepts through a different medium. Learn more in our Infographics Guide.

All countries agree that we need to reduce carbon emissions, but none agree who has the most responsibility for making it happen. Explore what the data tells us in the infographic, then used what you’ve learned to consider the importance of perspective.

STEP 3

Global Policy Record

Teaching Tips

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 4 of the Lesson 1.4 Teaching Guide Locked .

Check out our Video Guide External link for suggestions on incorporating videos in the classroom.

To address a global problem like climate change, we need international cooperation. Easier said than done. Watch the video to explore what’s worked and failed, then apply what you’ve learned to make a policy recommendation.

International Climate Agreements

From the UNEP to the IPCC to the UNFCC, understanding international climate policy can be daunting. Crash Course and M Jackson are here to guide you through it all.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 4

International Warming Targets

Teaching Tips

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 7 of the Lesson 1.4 Teaching Guide Locked .

Check out our Reading Guide External link to learn about the Three-Step Reading approach.

The 1.5° C goal ignited a wave of climate action. But looking ahead, what are the climate targets we need to inspire action into the future?

STEP 5

How Can We Meet Our Goals?

Teaching Tips

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 8 of the Lesson 1.4 Teaching Guide Locked .

This blog External link highlights how students can turn climate change data and evidence into action.

STEP 6

Closer: International Climate Goals

Teaching Tips

To teach this lesson step, refer to page 9 of the Lesson 1.4 Teaching Guide Locked .