Climate Action: Policy
Teacher Resources
Lesson Guide
All the lessons in Unit 5 offer an opportunity for extended project-based learning, ideal for 1–3 weeks of classroom time. To get a better sense of what’s included in this lesson, check out the Lesson Guide.
Unit 5 Guide
We strongly recommend that you pick just one lesson from this unit—don’t teach them all sequentially! The Unit 5 Guide offers a quick preview of each lesson.
Driving Question: How can policy help us address climate change?
Government policies are essential for driving innovation and adaptation, and you have the power to advocate for changes to those policies. Explore climate policies that could benefit your community, and then write a letter to a decision-maker in support of a policy you believe will make an impact.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate the importance of government policy when it comes to climate action.
- Research and assess a climate policy that will help address climate change.
- Write a letter to advocate for a climate policy.
Vocab Terms:
- advocacy
- policy
- research and development (R&D)
- standards
- subsidy
It was the first country to exploit coal, and the first country to stop. How did Britain quit the dirtiest fossil fuel?
After watching the video, ask students to be a video critic as an exit ticket: How would you have presented this information differently? What rating would you give this video? Why?
What do we need government to do—and not do? Hear from experts about how the right policies can bring about the transformations we need, and then use the activity to evaluate what you’ve learned.
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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:
- How are government leaders around the world driving goals to reach net-zero emissions by 2050?
- Why is capital important for climate solutions, and what role does government play in funding those solutions?
- Where is government investment most impactful, and what’s one technology it has helped advance?
- How can government policy create markets for clean technologies?
- What are other ways that governments can help us reach our climate goals?
After you watch
Respond to this question: How do you think businesses and individuals can help government enact climate solutions?
Students may have researched a climate policy in Lesson 4.3: Decarbonization Strategies. They could explore a new policy or build on their earlier work; either way, use this activity to deepen their research and better prepare them for letter writing.
Make sure you have the OER Project Writing Rubric available to students to support their writing.
What are the policies needed to address climate change? Investigate real legislation in the activity, and then use your research to write a letter advocating a policy that will impact your community.
Even if you’re not running for public office anytime soon, reflecting on your experience will make you a better advocate for the causes you care about.
