The Grand Challenges
Teacher Resources
Driving Question: What are the Grand Challenges?
Each year, humanity releases 51 billion tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. How can we start to make sense of a number that big? This lesson will give you a better understanding of the types of things that release emissions, how they are connected, and what makes reducing emissions so challenging.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the five Grand Challenges.
- Explain the obstacles to reducing emissions in each Grand Challenges.
- Understand how the Grand Challenges are connected.
Vocab Terms:
- decarbonization
- emissions
- Grand Challenges
- manufacturing
Opener: The Grand Challenges
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 2 of Lesson 4.1 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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Where do greenhouse gas emissions come from? These images will give you some clues into the major culprits.
Why Do We Release So Many Greenhouse Gases?
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 3 of Lesson 4.1 Teaching Guide.
How can we make sense of a number like 51,000,000,000? Discover how breaking up the problem can make it easier to grasp.
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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’s the point of the five Grand Challenges?
- Why does this article claim that how we “plug in” might be the most important of the Grand Challenges?
- What makes the production of concrete such a big challenge?
- Is carbon dioxide the most dangerous greenhouse gas?
- How are the ways we keep cool and stay warm linked to other Grand Challenges?
After you read
Respond to these questions: Which Grand Challenge do you think is the most important or the most urgent? Which would you work on: The biggest challenge, the most interconnected, or the one that’s easiest to fix?
The Five Categories of Emissions
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 5 of Lesson 4.1 Teaching Guide.
Explore the Climate Project Infographics Guide for some tips for using infographics in the classroom.
What puts the challenge in the Grand Challenges? Explore the infographic to see how emissions are tied to pretty much everything we do, and then use the visual aid to dive deeper in the categories. Finally, use the activity to explore whether or not having categories is useful.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the full infographic, paying attention to things like prominent colors, numbers, charts, and types of text. How do you know where to start and in which direction to read? How do you know which numbers are most important? What concept is the focus of the graphic?
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- What are the five Grand Challenges?
- What are the primary sources of emissions in the How We Plug In Grand Challenge?
- Which Grand Challenge is responsible for the most carbon emissions globally?
- Which Grand Challenge is responsible for the most carbon emissions in the United States?
- Why is it important to know that the breakdown of the five Grand Challenges looks different in every country?
After you read
Respond to this question: The five Grand Challenges are not the only way to categorize carbon emissions. What’s another way to break down the sources of emissions?
Unpacking the Grand Challenges
Closer: The Grand Challenges
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 8 of Lesson 4.1 Teaching Guide.
You understand the Grand Challenges on a global scale. Now think about them on a personal level.
