Evaluating Climate Solutions
Teacher Resources
Driving Question: How can we respond to climate change?
There’s no denying the size of the problem, but what can we actually do about it? Explore adaptation and mitigation solutions to understand the role of each in addressing climate change.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the difference between adaptation efforts and mitigation solutions.
- Assess the need for different types of climate solutions.
- Evaluate the efficacy of different climate solutions.
Vocab Terms:
- adaptation
- geoengineering
- mitigation
- resilience
Opener: Evaluating Climate Solutions
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 3 of Lesson 3.1 Teaching Guide.
Our Openers and Closers Guide will provide more information about these short, but important, activities at the beginning and end of each lesson.
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What can we actually do to take on climate change? Explore the differences between adaptation and mitigation solutions to help answer that question.
Addressing Climate Causes and Impacts
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 3 of Lesson 3.1 Teaching Guide.
Check out our Reading Guide to learn about the Three-Step Reading approach.
Where should we focus our energy when it comes to addressing climate change? Read the article to explore different types of solutions, and then use the activity to decide for yourself the right approach.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- What is the difference between climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation?
- What are the two goals that climate change mitigation strategies try to achieve?
- Why is mitigation important in addressing climate change?
- What are the goals associated with climate change adaptation strategies?
- How do mitigation and adaptation strategies overlap?
- Why can’t we just focus on mitigation strategies to address climate change?
After you read
Respond to this question: The article explains how adaptation and mitigation strategies can interact in different ways—overlapping, counteracting, and so on. Why are these different interactions important for us to understand?
Adaptation or Mitigation?
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 6 of Lesson 3.1 Teaching Guide.
Adaptation, mitigation...or both? Understanding the different categories of solutions is the first step in effective action.
What Is Geoengineering?
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 8 of Lesson 3.1 Teaching Guide.
Curious about using podcasts in your classroom? Check out this community post about podcasting with students!
Are there some climate change solutions that create more problems than they solve? Dive into the controversy that surrounds geoengineering as a potential fix in the podcast, and then use the activity to make an argument based on what you believe.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you listen
Preview the questions below and review the transcript.
While you listen
Look for answers to these questions:
- What did Hank Green discover about water temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean?
- What question does Hank have about the smog clouds?
- What is geoengineering?
- Why are some people skeptical of geoengineering solutions?
- Why do some people think we shouldn’t talk about geoengineering at all? Why does Hank think we should talk about it?
- What’s another form of geoengineering that’s already in use today?
After you watch
Respond to this question: Do you think we should pursue geoengineering as a solution to climate change? Why or why not?
Podcast: Smog Cloud Silver Linings
Closer: Evaluating Climate Solutions
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 10 of Lesson 3.1 Teaching Guide.
Not all solutions are equally effective—some will have a far greater impact on improving quality of life and reducing carbon emissions. Which solutions do you think deserve our limited resources?
