Ecologues, is a series of interactive webinars featuring experts on various aspects of the environmental crisis, accompanied by educational resources for students and teachers.
The Essential Science of Climate Change
LECTURE MATERIAL AND CLASS ACTIVITIES
Matthew Pye, the founder of the Climate Academy, a teacher, philosopher, and author takes us through six key concepts behind climate change.
From high-developed nations’ rising emissions to “the gigaclock”, learn what are the causes of climate change and what we must do to stop it.
The video is accompanied by a guided presentation, which includes all the necessary information to run an engaging lecture and activities for students to join.
Who is most guilty of causing climate change?
class debate
Matthew Pye, the founder of the Climate Academy, is a teacher, philosopher, and author.
Rahmina Paullete, the founder of Kisumu Environmental Champs, is an activist and conservationist.
Alister Doyle, the author of The Great Melt, formerly reported on the environment for Reuters.
These three speakers engaged in an interesting debate about governments, media and corporations. We wonder, who is most guilty of causing climate change?
Watch the discussion and download class debate instructions.
Education and Climate Justice
Listen, research, discuss
Floriane Marié, a professional in the field of climate education in Africa, explained why women are more affected by the climate crisis and how education is the key to solving the issue of injustice.
The video would be a great addition to the topic of women’s rights. We invite students and educators to implement it in a classes and foster discussion.
Activity idea: Discovering women’s rights around the world.
Climate Activism and Social Justice
taking action
Marie Cohuet, a spokesperson for Alternatiba Paris, a climate and social justice activist talks about the connection between climate and social activism and how we can all come together to fight for what’s right.
The video would be a great addition to the topic of social privilege and taking action. We invite students and educators to implement it in their classes and foster discussion.
Activity idea: Social Privilege Scavenger Hunt
Activity idea: How To Start Taking Action On Your Own?
Are We Optimistic About Climate Change?
Make your own social media post
Paul Spencer Sochaczewski, former head of creative services for WWF, is a writer, journalist, and lecturer through his decades-long experience shares with us his storytelling tips and how to approach the climate emergency.
If you want to start creating compelling social media posts and share educational memes on your socials, this video & accompanying activity are for you!
Activity idea: Make your own social media post
Discussing the Energy Crisis
Class discussion
Andreas Rüdinger is an energy transition coordinator in France, IDDRI.
Discussion questions:
- What were the key contributing factors to the energy crisis and how have these factors impacted the way we produce and consume energy?
- In the aftermath of the energy crisis, what actions were taken and what insights were gained about the state of our energy systems?
- In addition to transitioning from coal to renewable energy sources, what other measures must be taken in order to successfully transition to sustainable energy systems?
- Why do you think it is often more challenging to implement changes during times of crisis, and what strategies might be effective in overcoming these obstacles?
Answer these questions and foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story to News Decoder!
Discussing Digitalisation
Class discussion
Emi Bertoli, a project coordinator and energy analyst, International Energy Agency.
Discussion questions:
- In the shift towards electricity as the primary energy source, which objects from our daily lives will undergo this transformation and what measures will need to be taken to provide them with electricity?
- How do you define digitalisation, and what are some of the ways that it is transforming our daily lives?
- What benefits can digitalisation offer us, and how might it contribute to a more sustainable future?
- What are some of the potential issues or challenges associated with the widespread adoption of digital technologies, and how might we address these concerns moving forward?
Additionally, check out the News Decoder article “Kenya tries again to digitally register all residents”
Answer these questions and foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story to News Decoder!
Youth Takes Action
Research
Golnoosh Mir Moghtadaei, not only works at Enertime, but is also the representative of YES-Europe, a youth-led organisation whose mission is to catalyze the energy transition. We invite students to search for youth-led organisations at their local or national levels. Choose one or two that you find most interesting and consider the following questions:
- Why would this organisation come to be in the first place? What issue does it try to address?
- Would you want to join this organisation? Why or why not?
- How might you be able to support this organization, even if you are not able to join it as a member?
- To what extent do you believe this youth-led organization has been successful in achieving its goals, and how has its youth-led nature contributed to this success?
Answer these questions and foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story to News Decoder!
Is Voting Important?
Class discussion
Tom Burke, the Chairman and co-founder of E3G, Third Generation Environmentalism.
Activity: When the youth runs out
Discussion questions:
- What are the barriers preventing us from reducing greenhouse gas emissions and what can we do to overcome them?
- How can young people play an active role in shaping their country’s policies and decision-making processes?
- In your opinion, why is voting important? What impact can it have if young people abstain from voting?
Let’s reflect on past events and the consequences of not getting involved in politics. For instance, we can look at the Brexit referendum and similar cases where young people were less involved than older generations, leading to unfavorable outcomes. Take some time to research and share your insights.
Answer these questions and foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story to News Decoder!
Default Food Option
Group work
Emma Heiling is the Founder & CEO of ClimaTalk, a youth-led non-profit organisation demystifying climate policy and empowering young people in the fight for climate action.
Activity: What Is My Default Option?
Engage the students in a brief discussion on their own daily food choices. Ask them to reflect on their experiences and share examples of situations where the default option tends to be meat-based meals. Encourage them to consider school cafeterias, fast-food restaurants, or other settings where this bias may be present.
Divide the class into small groups and assign each group tasks related to the default option bias…
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Land Use
case study
George Monbiot, author of “Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet”, is a columnist, filmmaker, and essayist. In this video, he emphasises the importance of sustainable land use. Organic farming offers environmental advantages when it comes to the quality of food or the use of fertilizers, but it does not fix the problem of extensive land use.
Activity: Organic Farming Case Study
Watch the Kurzgesagt – In A Nutshell video “Is Organic Farming Really Better? Healthy Food or Trendy Scam?” to better understand what George Monbiot talked about.
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
Abundant Soil Ecosystems
soil quality assesment
George Monbiot, author of “Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet”, is a columnist, filmmaker, and essayist.
The activities below can engage students in hands-on learning, foster scientific inquiry, and raise awareness about the critical role of soil in our environment.
Read the News Decoder article “Buried underpants and tea bags help scientists evaluate soil” and discuss with the classroom:
- Why are researchers asking Swiss citizens to bury underwear and tea bags?
- Why is the quality of soil in many regions of the world deteriorating?
- What is the connection between soil and climate change?
Activity: Teabag Index
Activity: Soils Debate
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
responsible consumer theory of change
group work
Sébastien Treyer is Executive Director of IDDRI, a think tank which facilitates the transition towards sustainable development. Activity: Our Theory of Change
Activity: Our Theory of Change
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
is 1.5-degree warming possible?
art work
Marlowe Hood is Senior Editor at Agence France-Presse, covering science, the environment, and the climate crisis.
To grasp the topic more holistically, be sure to check out the News Decoder article “Broken climate vows: Is it good to keep setting deadlines?”
Activity: Artistic Expression for below 1.5-Degree World
Objective: Engage students in exploring the topic of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius through artistic expression. Encourage creativity and emotional engagement with the subject matter. By incorporating artistic expression into the discussion on limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, students can engage with the topic in a unique and emotional way. Art has the power to communicate complex ideas, evoke empathy, and inspire change, making it an effective medium for raising awareness and fostering meaningful conversations about climate change and sustainability.
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!
what comes after capitalism?
group work
Juan Pablo Arellano is a former content director at ClimateScience, specializing in creating accessible and trustworthy content on climate change solutions. He studied economics and environmental science at university and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in regrowth.
Learn more about the topic by reading the News Decoder article “Decoder: Love of economic growth can hinder climate action.”
Activity: Exploring Degrowth Economics
By engaging in this activity, students will gain a deeper understanding of degrowth economics and its potential as an alternative economic model. It will foster critical thinking, research skills, and meaningful discussions about sustainable and equitable solutions to global challenges.
Complete the activity, foster a class discussion and/or pitch your story!