Now that the United States made the decision to opt out of the Paris Climate Accord – an intent made more firm when it refused to sign on to a Group of Seven pledge that calls the agreement an "irreversible" global tool to address climate change – Americans face a new realization of what might lie ahead in terms of a response to climate change and its effect on the environment and society in general.
Under the accord, all other ratifying countries remain steadfast to adopt green energy sources, as well as reduce climate-changing emissions and work to limit the rise of global temperatures. The agreement acknowledges the real threat that climate change presents and describes it as “urgent and potentially irreversible” but with the “widest possible cooperation by all countries, we can achieve deep reductions in global emissions.”
With most of the world united with a common goal of saving the planet and our environment, it is inherent for us to stay informed and aware of the effects of climate change. There is no disputing the fact that the earth has gone through several climate changes throughout its 4.5 billion year history. However, despite the debate, it seems evident that increasing temperatures are due to increased levels of greenhouse gases.
Human activity since the mid-20th century is thought to account for approximately 95 percent of the current warming trend. With earth-orbiting satellites and many other technological advances, scientists are able to see the “big picture” and collect a tremendous amount of data to better understand – and explain – climate change and its global effect.
Despite the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement, it has become apparent that individual states and a seeming majority of citizens will continue to fight climate change. Collectively, they hold the power and ability to take positive action and support businesses and organizations similarly motivated.
As educators, take a global look and give students the skills, tools, and perspectives to be responsible global citizens and effective stewards of a sustainable future.
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| Boost your students’ energy literacy through Fueling our Future: Exploring Sustainable Energy Use. With its nine lessons and one performance-based assessment, the book aligns with the U.S. Department of Energy’s essential concepts for energy education. Interactive activities and real-world case studies increase students' knowledge of renewable and nonrenewable energy sources worldwide, provide multiple perspectives to evaluate the sustainability of transportation biofuels, and consideration of personal energy use by calculating daily electricity consumption. Learn more about course objectives and enroll today in our online professional development course at NO COST. |
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| This work, as part of the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA), was supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no. 2011-68005-30416 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. |
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 ENERGY 101
- Students begin this curriculum by brainstorming and analyzing a list of ways we use energy. In small groups, they review energy science and classify different forms of energy.
- Students gain an understanding of these concepts by diagramming and explaining the energy transformations that take place during the use of energy technology such as solar panels and power plants.
- Available for students in grades 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
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Big Idea in the Classroom
Effects of Rising Temperatures
The steady increase in Earth's average temperature has had varied and complex consequences. Different locations around the planet are affected in different ways. Some regions may experience heavy rainfall and flooding while others experience drought and extreme heat. Sea levels may rise because polar ice caps may melt.
Changing temperatures can affect ecosystems, requiring species to migrate to find regions that meet their temperature and weather needs. While average temperatures rise for the planet as a whole, some areas could experience more snow and rain and lower temperatures. Bigger temperature increases would cause stronger and more wide-ranging effects.
Critical thinking is sure to stir frank discussion about:
- What the natural and anthropogenic processes are that influence climate change
- What we can do to reduce personal contributions to climate change
- The impacts of climate change experienced by the planet's collective population
- Our responsibilities to address the impacts of climate change
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Investigate how life manages to continue, adapt and flourish during widely varying conditions and elimination of many living organisms.
Study nature's patterns and learn how life continues to sustain under changing conditions over billions of years.
Learn how and why societies tend to approach nature from two points of view.
Build environmental literacy that encourages critical and analytical thinking to resolve complex issues.
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Grades 5-12; Activities related to Science and Social Studies
Designed for use in a wide range of formal and non-formal educational settings. The book encompasses eight Big Ideas that link science and social studies through a collection of 40 activities and action projects that encourage student participation and commitment to issue resolution. Notably, the readability and vocabulary of student materials have been modified to better meet the needs of English Language Learners (ELL), adult learners, and individuals who may or may not have a deep conceptual understanding of sustainability or systems thinking. Take a look inside :: Buy today |
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Professional Development
Big World, Small Planet: Bringing Sustainability into Your Classroom
SAVE THE DATE!
When: Thursday, July 27; 9 a.m.-noon
Where: Western Washington University, Academic West Room 302
Who Should Attend: Teachers in the sciences, arts and humanities
Cost: $30, includes 3 clock hours (with STEM components)
As plans are finalized, please mark your calendar for Global Classroom's July Workshop focused on how and why to introduce sustainability education into your classroom. Hosted by Facing the Future and the World Affairs Council, and presented by Ann Hempelmann, author of Big World, Small Planet, teachers will be given an overview of sustainability education and investigate frameworks for looking at the world, exploring values, and finding solutions to bring about a more sustainable world.
The interdisciplinary workshop looks at ways to build students' sustainability skills and habits, such as personal responsibility and interconnections, and also provide tangible ways to connect sustainability to your classroom projects and curriculum. Teachers will receive standards-aligned curricular resources and lesson ideas to bring the dynamic topic of sustainability into the classroom.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION COMING SOON
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More Events
Upcoming sustainability events from the International Society of Sustainable Professionals.
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 Let us know how your students are involved with sustainability and what issues are discussed in the classrom. Do you have photos to share?
TELL US WHAT YOU DO!
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We develop educational resources for teachers who reach hundreds of thousands of students across the country and around the globe. Your gift helps students realize the academic and social skills needed to succeed in school, career and civic life. Help us today to help change the future.
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| Facing the Future is a program of Western Washington University. Its mission is to create tools for educators that equip and motivate students to develop critical thinking skills, build global awareness, and engage in positive solutions for a sustainable future. Facing the Future develops and delivers standards-based hands-on lessons, student texts, and curriculum units. Facing the Future curriculum is in use in all 50 U.S. states and over 140 countries by teachers and students in grades K-12, in post-secondary education, and across multiple subject areas, reaching more than 1.5 million students. |
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