Climate Action: Careers
Teacher Resources
Driving Question: What careers will help us address climate change?
Climate change is a big challenge, and we need experts to tackle this challenge. You could be one of those experts. In this lesson, you’ll learn about different careers that contribute to climate solutions and present these careers to your classmates in a career fair.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the ways climate change will impact various careers.
- Investigate careers working to address climate change.
- Research a career and present to a target audience.
Vocab Terms:
- epidemiologist
- hydrologist
- sector
Opener: Careers
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 2 of Lesson 5.1 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.
New to teaching about climate change? Join our online teacher community.
There are lots of ways to take on climate change. Start thinking about what you can do.
Jobs of the Future
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 3 of Lesson 5.1 Teaching Guide.
Check out our Reading Guide to learn about the Three Close Read approach.
Climate change will affect everything, but in different ways and to a different extent. Explore those affects in the article, and then use what you’ve learned to evaluate different careers in the activity.
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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:
- How is climate change expected to impact the job market in the future?
- Why will the skills and knowledge required for existing jobs need to change as a result of climate change?
- How are workers in industries like farming, fishing, and tourism being affected by climate change?
- What role will education and training programs play in preparing workers for climate-related careers?
After you read
Respond to this question: Why is it important for all workers to understand and adapt to climate change, not just those in environmental fields?
Career Investigation
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 5 of Lesson 5.1 Teaching Guide.
Looking to differentiate, modify or adapt this assignment? Check out our Differentiation Guide.
Engineer? Teacher? Designer? There are lots of ways to address climate change. Decide which path appeals to you the most, and then present your findings to others at the career fair.
Closer: Careers
To teach this lesson step, refer to page 7 of Lesson 5.1 Teaching Guide.
Whatever comes next—school, a job, some new adventure—reflecting on what you’ve learned can guide your future choices.
