Resources: Class presentation, pens and pencils.
Handout: The handout provides a grid for the children to create the changes they plan to make. It then asks them to consider 5 areas, rank them in order of priority and write a brief explanation of why they have chosen the identified order. The challenge task asks the children to choose two of the identified areas and write a more detailed paragraph for each.
Discuss a definition for greenhouse emissions. This can be done as a whole class or in smaller groups. Introduce key terms that are not yet familiar to the class; some suggestions might include carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon footprint, ozone layer, fossil fuels, net zero and low carbon.
This session explores the greatest causes to our carbon footprint. The key questions considered include ‘what is causing these emissions?’ and ‘how does that impact your carbon footprint?’ Explain to the children how there are a few main industries which create the majority of the greenhouse gases we produce. Then, explain to the children that data from 2020 reveals that transport, energy supply, business, residential, agriculture, management and industrial processes are the main contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. (The presentation focuses primarily on transport, agriculture and waste management, but the other areas can be mentioned through discussions and questions.)
Discuss the different ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint in the classroom, as a school and at home. Consider recycling, transport, energy usage (for example, turning off lights) and seasonal shopping for food produce to minimise air miles.
Climate Action Film: How to tackle 90% of emissions.
Career Tour: This is Luigi Capponi. Luigi works as a Nuclear Physicist for National Nuclear Laboratory.
Expert Film: This is Luigi Capponi. Luigi works as a Nuclear Physicist for National Nuclear Laboratory. Luigi talks about the impact of global warming.
Ask the children to draw up a personal plan which sets out the changes they need to make in their school and personal lives to reduce their contribution to greenhouse emissions. Ask them to use the following headings to set a target for each priority area. What targets will they set to play their part in reducing the amount of energy they use?
Challenge task: Based on the targets they have set, ask the children to choose two areas and write a more in-depth paragraph for each. Ensure that they include details on how these industries release greenhouse gases and what they can do to help.
Ask the children to discuss why they have prioritised the energy target they have set.