Resources: Computers or tablets.
Core Handout (2): Questions about COP26 to help the children with the task.
Enquiry Approach - Problem-solving
Applying prior scientific knowledge to solve problems and answer further questions.
Enquiry Skill - Interpreting and communicating results
Using information, results and data to present findings, including oral and written explanations.
Ask the children to answer questions related to the previous lesson: What was the industrial revolution? Recall some pros and cons. What does combustion mean?
Use the presentation slides to explore the work done by COP. Explore some targets set at COP26 and discuss why they are important. All parties agreed to secure net zero across the globe by 2050 and ensure the Earth's temperature doesn’t rise beyond 1.5 degrees of warming.
Highlight to the children that it is normal for them to be worried about climate change but it is not solely their responsibility. Everyone needs to make changes and it is not too late. You could set up a box for the children to post any worries they have and encourage them to talk to an adult.
Rocket Thinking - Teacher Notes: An agree or disagree question enables the children to think critically, explore different viewpoints and identify misconceptions or errors. The statements are:
These are all open to individual debate. Use the information from the slides and the children’s own knowledge to discuss in what ways global warming can or can’t be reversed. You could also discuss further consequences of living in a climate-altered world, such as famine, drought, habitat loss, flooding and war.
Career Film: Career Film: This is Chris Cunliffe. Chris works as a Research Technologist Fuel for National Nuclear Laboratory.
Expert Film: This is Chris Cunliffe. Chris works as a Research Technologist for National Nuclear Laboratory. Chris talks about reaching Net Zero by 2050.
The children can use the handout to help them summarise the outcomes and objectives from COP26. Then, in small groups, they can create a presentation or play in small groups to show their understanding of the topic. Encourage them to use information from the unit as a whole.
Challenge Task: Ask the children to research how developing countries are being supported to help prevent climate change.
Look at the COP website to find out the latest news for climate change.
Remember to record the temperature every day and the rainfall once a week.
COP26, the 26th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, was held in Glasgow, Scotland from October 31 to November 12, 2021. The conference aimed to bring together world leaders and representatives from governments, civil society, and the private sector to accelerate action on climate change and to work towards limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The outcomes of COP26 included the following:
Glasgow Climate Pact: The Glasgow Climate Pact was adopted by all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change at COP26. The pact includes commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect vulnerable communities, and support developing countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Nationally determined contributions: Several countries, including the United States, China, and India, announced new or updated climate commitments, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), at COP26. These commitments include plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources.
Financial commitments: Developed countries made financial commitments to support climate action in developing countries, including a pledge to mobilise $100 billion per year in climate finance by 2023.
Methane pledge: More than 100 countries, including major emitters such as the United States and China, signed onto a pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
Forests and land use: The Glasgow Climate Pact includes a focus on protecting and restoring forests and other ecosystems, which are critical for mitigating climate change and supporting biodiversity.
Overall, COP26 was seen as a critical moment for global action on climate change, and the outcomes of the conference were generally seen as positive, although some critics argued that the commitments made by countries were not ambitious enough to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.