Effective Climate Action
Driving Question: What does effective climate action look like?
Even if you have strong solutions, putting them into practice isn’t always easy. What are effective actions that people and organizations can take to promote climate solutions? Explore how working in strategic ways will allow us to amplify the impact of our actions.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe how individuals, businesses, and government can effectively address climate change.
- Evaluate obstacles facing these groups and describe strategies for overcoming them.
Vocab Terms:
- carbon tax
- greenwashing
- innovation
- lever of power
- nongovernmental organization (NGO)
- policy
- regulation
Opener: Effective Climate Action
This opener may be challenging for students. Emphasize that they’re making their best guess—it’s OK if they don’t get them all right! We recommend giving students the opportunity to revisit and revise their responses after reading “Working the Levers of Climate Action.”
There are many climate challenges—and just as many solutions. But knowing how to implement these solutions can be just as important as the solutions themselves.
Where Can Action Happen?
As an extension to this activity, consider having students research and analyze a real-world example of climate action in their community or region.
Working in strategic ways at the government, business, and individual levels will help us amplify the impact of our actions. Read the article to explore the most-promising actions, and then look at a real-world example 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 can governments promote the research and development of climate solutions?
- How can businesses drive innovation?
- How can corporations help encourage people to buy green products?
- What is greenwashing?
- What’s one way NGOs can support climate solutions?
- What’s one way individuals can support climate solutions?
After you read
Respond to this question: What do you think is the most important lever of power? Why?<
Effective Action
This video is a bit longer than most. To make the content more manageable, consider having students preview the guiding questions and video transcript before watching. For additional support, check out page 2 of the Video Guide.
What needs to happen in our government, corporations, and communities to slow climate change? Our friends at Crash Course dig into that question.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you watch
Preview the questions below, and then review the transcript.
While you watch
Look for answers to these questions:
- What action came out of the 2015 Paris Agreement?
- What are the effects of limiting global warming to 1.5° C instead of 2° C?
- What technologies will be necessary to reduce emissions from manufacturing?
- How can government policies help promote climate solutions?
- In what ways are young people leading the climate movement?
- What are some of the possible climate change solutions mentioned in the video?
After you watch
Respond to this question: The video ends by saying, “Whatever you’re into, climate change intersects with it.” What’s one way climate change intersects with your interests? How could you work to make an impact in that area?
Climate Action Investigation
These graphic biographies offer a unique way to explore real people’s stories. For more support on using graphic bios in the classroom, check out the Graphic Biographies Guide.
What strategies can bring climate solutions to life? Use the graphic biographies to explore the different levers of change at work, and complete the activity.
Closer: Effective Climate Action
It takes work at all levers to overcome the challenges of climate change. Try your hand at problem-solving by applying what you know about effective action.
